tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.comments2008-12-31T06:11:00.412-08:00Imperfect ChurchImperfect Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-35439080526217742322008-12-31T06:11:00.000-08:002008-12-31T06:11:00.000-08:00like aaron, i think it would be interesting to dis...like aaron, i think it would be interesting to discuss the dynamics of "faith". what is it? how does it differ from belief? what is it based upon?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-22892069750063356482008-12-24T17:12:00.000-08:002008-12-24T17:12:00.000-08:00A worthwhile topic of discussion would be to addre...A worthwhile topic of discussion would be to address the Christian view of war. As opposed to "just war theory," jihad, etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-27435712478735728462008-12-24T17:07:00.000-08:002008-12-24T17:07:00.000-08:00In America we have political leaders that claim it...In America we have political leaders that claim it is God's will for us to go to war. In other countries we find political leaders that claim that it is their god's will for them to go to war.<BR/><BR/>Like the "alternative Christmas message" claims- would Jesus really side with warmongers? Would Jesus really instruct America (which, by the way, is NOT His chosen people) to go war?<BR/><BR/>I think not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-68167818953992807312008-12-24T16:39:00.000-08:002008-12-24T16:39:00.000-08:00I think a great discussion would be: What does it ...I think a great discussion would be: What does it mean to believe something? <BR/><BR/>For example, does it imply some degree of certainty? Or does it simply mean that it represents what a person hopes to be true? is it the equivalent of 'faith'? etc. etc.Aaron Bonhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08853000688370008491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-68145642961487560832008-12-24T13:17:00.000-08:002008-12-24T13:17:00.000-08:00I think you should discuss why creationism is pref...I think you should discuss why creationism is preferable to intelligent design.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-24605050362661919072008-11-22T13:20:00.000-08:002008-11-22T13:20:00.000-08:00Geez. Anonymous. Looks like you and these people t...Geez. Anonymous. Looks like you and these people that are complaining are ready to start a war over this. And I thought we would go to war over homosexual marriage first. Wow, you proved me wrong. IC is right about the Pagan thing. I have three best friends who are Wiccan and they told me that Christmas IS originally a Pagan holiday named Yule, which as IC said celebrates the Winter Solstice. You know why cant we all be like Imperfect Chruch? We can't we all be tolerant of other peoples, opinion, intrests, beliefs, etc etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-42449025014045201092008-11-20T18:07:00.000-08:002008-11-20T18:07:00.000-08:00Anonymous- What does it mean to give up ground any...Anonymous- What does it mean to give up ground anyways? You make it sound like we are in a battle. What are we battling for? Where does Jesus ever call us to wage any kind of war with people, society, culture, etc.? When did Jesus ever wage war?<BR/><BR/>Obviously, I do not agree with your observation that we are giving up ground. Such a statement suggests that we have ground to give up. As such, you may be referencing the fact that the days of Christendom are numbered. If that is the case, then I would be tempted to argue that is a VERY good thing. <BR/><BR/>Faith cannot be legislated (neither can morality, come to think of it). Nations cannot be "Christian." Moreover, from some of your comments, I'm willing to bet that if any country would take seriously the teachings of Jesus (let alone actually live like Him)- you would not be happy about the state of the country at all.<BR/><BR/>With that in mind, I have to object to your claims leveled regarding my own spiritual formation/transformation. You've made a very clear case about what you are against- would you mind telling me what you are for?<BR/><BR/>Me- I'm all for loving the Lord my God with every fiber of my being and loving my neighbor as myself. At times, oftentimes in fact, I do so imperfectly. Yet, I try to do so. Part of that means engaging in conversation with others that do not believe like me; in an effort to better understand their point of view and where they are coming from. While I may not agree with everything that they have to say, or every view that they hold; such an effort often results in me genuinely loving and caring for that person.<BR/><BR/>In addition, I would suggest that I am in favor of people understanding what they believe and why they believe it. I think that means taking a look at the historicity, experiential, and logic behind any belief. I think that every person should be a lifelong learner.Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-24821856581474660002008-11-20T17:29:00.000-08:002008-11-20T17:29:00.000-08:00Imperfect Church, By giving ground to society when...Imperfect Church, <BR/><BR/>By giving ground to society when it comes to the Christ part of Christmas, we are not taking a stand that needs to be taken. We are sacrificing ground. We are bending to society.<BR/><BR/>If you can't even take a stand for "Christmas" I wouldn't think about coming to your church. You probably play rock music, wear blue jeans, and read from the NIV. I know people like you. People who have traded in the Christian faith for something that is easy and manageable. Something that you are comfortable with. A religion made in your image. Where you can do what you want. When you want. With no consequences.<BR/><BR/>Also, Christians would never "redeem" a pagan holiday as you put it. If anything the pagans stole this holiday from Christians. They are doing it today, why should it have been any different back then?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-48524678179221163362008-11-20T17:22:00.000-08:002008-11-20T17:22:00.000-08:00Erp and Drakim- thanks for your comments.Drakim- w...Erp and Drakim- thanks for your comments.<BR/><BR/>Drakim- what do you mean by "looking twice"? I am assuming that this is not a good thing. I would also ask- who do you think makes a bigger stink about how to appropriately refer to the upcoming season?<BR/><BR/>Anonymous- I am sorry to hear that you are offended by my post. I stick by it, however. I stick by it because I do not see my faith dwindling into oblivion just because a greeter at Wal-Mart wishes me a heartfelt "Happy Holidays." Moreover, I would suggest that you do some research as to the roots of the Christmas holiday, as we now observe it in the West. The roots of this holiday trace back to a "pagan" festival celebrating the winter solstice. Christians decided that they would take this pagan holiday and redeem it. To make a long, and really fascinating story, not so long and not quite as fascinating, Christmas was born. Christians took a pagan festival, redeemed it, and it became an opportunity for Christians to separate the birth of Jesus (which many historians suggest likely did not take place during the winter months).Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-81574255872995118112008-11-20T17:10:00.000-08:002008-11-20T17:10:00.000-08:00I am offended by the fact that a Christian would e...I am offended by the fact that a Christian would even ask such a question. To not say "Christmas" is to take Christ out of a holiday and season that belongs to and is about Him.<BR/><BR/>Shame on you- Imperfect Church! What kind of name is that for a pastor to pick for a blog anyways?!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-44186792460579523122008-11-20T01:47:00.000-08:002008-11-20T01:47:00.000-08:00I couldn't care less.The only thing that makes me ...I couldn't care less.<BR/><BR/>The only thing that makes me look twice is that people actually bother to argue about it.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03144236190418128370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-2239191094000415792008-11-19T14:27:00.000-08:002008-11-19T14:27:00.000-08:00I will accept either in the spirit offered. I wil...I will accept either in the spirit offered. I will probably say 'Happy Holidays' in hopes that no matter what you are celebrating it will be a glad time for you.<BR/><BR/>I might say 'May you have a good Christmas/New Year/..." to someone who is obviously celebrating that particular holiday.Erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037406583478493064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-88823785050991431182008-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:002008-11-18T11:15:00.000-08:00I read the chapter and found it interesting enough...I read the chapter and found it interesting enough that I went on the read some of her blog. One of my first thoughts was "theologically, how will people view an ex-Christian atheist?"<BR/><BR/>One group would say "She was never a TRUE Christian to begin with." I really don't like this answer, because it purports to know the heart of someone. I don't want to make that judgment, and I don't know if anybody else should, either. This debate can get into "predestination vs free will" and that debate always seems to end up angry and convoluted. <BR/><BR/>Another school of thought is "once saved, always saved." They might classify her as a "carnal Christian" who would probably come around, eventually.<BR/><BR/>Then there are the universalists who believe that she will be reconciled to God eventually, as will everyone, since Jesus died and was resurrected to save everyone. <BR/><BR/>I think she has to find her own path of reason and truth, as we all must.<BR/><BR/>Since you posed the question, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on it.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09340235124578149689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-48546190480807798082008-11-10T07:40:00.000-08:002008-11-10T07:40:00.000-08:00http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/2008/10/re...http://www.dankimball.com/vintage_faith/2008/10/religulous-lee.html<BR/><BR/>This is an interesting article, about the film, written from a Christian's perspective. While feeling that it was one-sided, Dan Kimball seemed to appreciate the film and the questions that it raised.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-29515427442243568522008-11-07T21:29:00.000-08:002008-11-07T21:29:00.000-08:001) Yes. 2) Originally I was raised in a fundamenta...1) Yes. 2) Originally I was raised in a fundamentalist Southern Baptist home, so that was my initial belief. Later, I would travel to Asia and learn of Confucianism and Buddhism. I read classics by Leo Tolstoy and St. Thomas Aquinas. I read Christian authors conservative and progressive, from Josh McDowell and Rick Warren to Rob Bell and Chris Hedges. Eventually I would come across a couple of books that would help gather my own thoughts into coharent world view and belief.<BR/><BR/>The first book that was life changing for me was "Jesus for President" by Shane Claiborne. This book starts with a Biblical narrative and goes on to offer an alternative Christian world view. This book pieced together all the conclusions I had come to about the state of Christianity and the Church today. I also read "The Irresistible Revolution" and it's good, too. It puts action to faith.<BR/><BR/>The other book that was life changing for me was "Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller. This book is "non-religious thoughts on Christian spiritually." This book talked about faith in a real, candid, and personal way. <BR/><BR/>3) Yes and no. Yes, in the way that I'm sure of the foundations of my faith and world view, but no in the sense that I feel I will always want to learn more. The more I learn, the more I know that I don't know much. The more I learn, the more questions I have. Never stop questioning and learning.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09340235124578149689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-7538230742588100422008-11-01T06:20:00.000-07:002008-11-01T06:20:00.000-07:00The simple, but fundamental question is whether "b...The simple, but fundamental question is whether "being a Christian" is a self-consciously made individual decision or, a matter of passively absorbing christian values and behaviours through living in a Christian environment. <BR/><BR/>If you subscribe to the belief that you must be "born again" i.e. must make a self-consciously made individual decision, then you are saying culture has no bearing on Christianity - you could argue that St. Paul got this ball rolling in Acts 15 when he said that new Christians didn't need to be circumcised. This is a perfectly reasonable argument, but it gets itself into trouble when it ignores that fact that nobody can live in the absence of cultural. Thst is, you can declare the irrelevance of culture to your personal faith, but you cannot escape culture. Even the idea that the "born again" christian is the only true christian is a quite specific historical and cultural phenomenon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-86161144556155466532008-10-31T20:51:00.000-07:002008-10-31T20:51:00.000-07:00PLEASE NOTE: When creating this site, I allowed pe...PLEASE NOTE: When creating this site, I allowed people to post "Anonymously" so that everyone would have an opportunity to post, regardless of whether they have a Google/Blogger account or an OpenID. <BR/><BR/>This was done as a courtesy so that for those of you who are not technologically savvy could still post, or so that those of you who did not want to sign-up for another user ID or account could participate. <BR/><BR/>However, when you post, please include a name, pseudonym, or initials by which we might respond to your post. It is unfair to others who you ask questions of not to include at least some means by which they might address a response to you.Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-78150427638495059692008-10-31T20:43:00.000-07:002008-10-31T20:43:00.000-07:00James, I am truly sorry to hear about the hurt and...James, <BR/><BR/>I am truly sorry to hear about the hurt and pain that you and so many others have experience "under that banner," as you put it.<BR/><BR/>However, how can you live as a Christian without being connected to the church? The church is not a building or an organization. The ekklesia (the NT word) is God's set apart, called out people. They have been called out of darkness and into the light.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, would you not be more effective in making the world a better place, by joining together with like-minded people (the church), rather than trying to chip away slowly?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-24611091920807818792008-10-31T17:39:00.000-07:002008-10-31T17:39:00.000-07:00From my point of view, a Christian is simply someo...From my point of view, a Christian is simply someone who considers themself to be a Christian. I'm not about to argue with them about it. As for those who don't want to be called Christian but state they follow Jesus, I'll allow them to be called by what they want to be called though I might classify them in my mind in the family of Christian religions. <BR/><BR/>I might want to know what strand of Christianity a Christian is in (Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Coptic, Mormon, Quaker, Southern Baptist, American Baptist, Jehovah's Witness, Wee Free, Charismatic, Church of the East...) and what their beliefs and rituals are.Erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037406583478493064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-46616632725280518802008-10-31T14:30:00.000-07:002008-10-31T14:30:00.000-07:00You may not get two of the same answers to that qu...You may not get two of the same answers to that question. When I think of "Christian" I think of a lot of negative things that have been done under that banner; the Crusades, the Inquisition, anti-science, sexism, racism, and all manner of bigotry and discrimination. If somebody asks me about being a Christian, I tend to say that I don't even want that label. I don't want to defend Christianity. I'm not interested in organized religion. But I would want to talk about what my relationship with Jesus has done in my life. I want to talk about The Way; how God's love overcomes adversity and how we can life differently and treat people differently and make the world a better place by following Jesus and his teachings. Maybe I'm a "post-Christian follower of Jesus."Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09340235124578149689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-86296449718807162362008-10-31T03:32:00.000-07:002008-10-31T03:32:00.000-07:00Well, atheism is just theism with an "a" in front,...Well, atheism is just theism with an "a" in front, which in Latin means "not" or "without".<BR/><BR/>Atheism is simply when you are not a theist. Atheism literally means not-theism.<BR/><BR/>It's no different from say, not-communist or not-vegetarian.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03144236190418128370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-64137066100414057762008-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:002008-10-29T10:18:00.000-07:00My apologies for not being clearer. By someone of ...My apologies for not being clearer. By someone of Jewish or Muslim background who lacks a belief in God, I didn't mean someone who was currently a Muslim but rather someone who was raised in a Muslim culture. Jewish is a bit trickier since you don't cease being a Jew when you cease being a believer. Certainly religious Muslims believe in one God (it might be more of a question whether all religious Jews believe in God as orthopraxy is more important than orthodoxy in Judaism).<BR/><BR/><EM><BR/>Second, I am intrigued by the idea that you identify yourself as being culturally a Christian. Such a notion, I'll admit, seems strange to me. It seems strange based upon your atheistic underpinnings; but it seems even stranger given your definition and explanation. According to your definition, because I know Jewish history, the Torah, prophets, customs , religious feasts and customs- I could culturally consider myself Jewish. Moreover, because I like the music of Radiohead, know the lyrics, and the history of the band- I could culturally consider myself a Radioheadian.<BR/></EM><BR/><BR/>It is more than a matter of knowing about it but of being immersed in it. You know about Judaism but unless you grew up learning Jewish folklore, attending High Holy Day services, celebrating Passover (in however a half hearted manner your family might have done so) or later immersed yourself in it, you aren't culturally Jewish. The same for Islam. You may know about it but unless you lived within it even though not agreeing with all the beliefs you aren't culturally Muslim. <BR/><BR/>I'm culturally Christian (Anglican/Episcopalian variety) because I grew up within a community that accepted Christianity as the norm. The seasons of Advent, Lent, Christmas, and Easter were part of my growing up. I was told the Bible stories as a kid. I can recognize most allusions to Christian motifs. My religious relatives tend to be Christians. For that matter I sometimes attend liberal Christian church services (I like the hymns and the minister often has wide ranging discussions about the sermon afterwards). I'm not religiously Christian because I don't accept the theology, but, I can pass as a Christian (and in the US many people probably assume I am one). I suspect 'cultural Christian' is more understood in Britain where a fair number of people don't accept the theology but like and accept the trappings (e.g., marriage, harvest festival, church music, etc). <BR/><BR/>The are different Christian cultures (think American Baptist versus American Quaker versus Russian Orthodox versus Coptic). In your case Wesleyan/Arminian background does make your culture similar to mine (especially since the Episcopalians include a lot of variation within their own tradition). You and I both know what the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds are (or for that matter the Athanasian creed). You and I both know the significance of Easter and Christmas (even if, in my case, I don't believe in it). I could mention the Good Samaritan or journey to Damascus and you would know the story behind the allusion.Erphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037406583478493064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-47167629025230163212008-10-29T08:15:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:15:00.000-07:00erp, great post! thought-provoking and challengin...erp, great post! thought-provoking and challenging. as i've done with aaron, below you will find some segments of your response (in bold) and my responses in plain font.<BR/><BR/><B> Culturally I'm a Christian (and an Anglican/Episcopalian Christian at that) in that I'm familiar with that religion's literature, rituals, music (e.g., Christmas carols), and history. This makes me somewhat different than someone from a Muslim or Jewish background who lacks a belief in God. </B><BR/><BR/>You describe yourself as being atheistic (a word that you chose over the term atheist). In this segment you go on to describe yourself culturally as being a Christian.<BR/><BR/>I am struggling with this assessment for a couple of reasons. First, you assert that Muslims and Jews lack a belief in God. Knowing, to some degree the beliefs of Muslims (in large part thanks to an inner-faith dialogue that I was able to take part in), I am rather certain that there would be many who would disagree with you on that point. The term "Muslim" itself is used to describe someone who adheres to the religion of Islam. Etymologically speaking, it is a word rooted in the notion of "one who submits to God." While this God is different from the ones that Christians believe and have faith in, I find it hard to come to your conclusion that Muslims do not believe in God.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, as someone who has studied Judaism and her history, it seems impossible to assert that the Jewish people do not believe in God. Christians read the Hebrew Scriptures, which reveal the God that the Jews worship and have relationship. What is more, the God of the Jews is the same God that those of the Christian faith worship. A major difference being that Christians believe Jesus is the Son of the God (which is revealed in the OT) and that it is through a relationship with Jesus that we also enter into relationship with God the Father.<BR/><BR/>Second, I am intrigued by the idea that you identify yourself as being culturally a Christian. Such a notion, I'll admit, seems strange to me. It seems strange based upon your atheistic underpinnings; but it seems even stranger given your definition and explanation. According to your definition, because I know Jewish history, the Torah, prophets, customs , religious feasts and customs- I could culturally consider myself Jewish. Moreover, because I like the music of Radiohead, know the lyrics, and the history of the band- I could culturally consider myself a Radioheadian.<BR/><BR/>My intention is not to come across as degrading or antagonistic towards what you have written. Logically, however, I am having trouble making the connections. If you could further explain and possibly help me to better, and more fully, understand the point that you are trying to make- it would be greatly appreciated.<BR/><BR/><B> You describe yourself as believing in a triune (three in one) God. What other attributes do you think God has? Do you subscribe to the Nicene Creed (with or without the filoque) or another creed? Does God intervene supernaturally in the world? </B><BR/><BR/>Erp, I would be more than happy to answer your question. However, it is very general, in some respects (see below), and before writing a theological treatise I would like to be sure that I am answering the questions that you are really asking.<BR/><BR/>First, I do believe in the triune God that is revealed in the Christian Scriptures. <BR/><BR/>Second, you ask about the other attributes that I believe God has. When speaking of attributes do you mean things such as loving, kind, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love; or are you talking about omniscience, omnipotence, etc.?<BR/><BR/>Third, I come from a Wesleyan/Arminian religious heritage (which means I have a great deal in common theologically with Episcopalians and Anglicans). As such, I do "subscribe," as you put it, to the Nicene and Apostles' Creeds. As to the Nicene Creed, I know and recite the one without the filioque.<BR/><BR/>Finally, I do believe that God intervenes supernaturally in the world. My thoughts on the subject are akin to those expressed by C.S. Lewis in his book <I> Miracles </I>.Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-65722986133826202272008-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:002008-10-29T07:47:00.000-07:00Aaron, I would like to respond to some of the thin...Aaron, I would like to respond to some of the things that you wrote. In doing so, I have copied your posts in bold and will respond with my questions and thoughts in plain font.<BR/><BR/><B>1. I would start to say that it's the inability to verify the truth of religious propositions regarding God, Jesus, heaven, hell, etc. that led me to firmly declare that we can't know for sure. </B><BR/><BR/>To begin, let me thank you for your transparency.<BR/><BR/>A follow-up question would be: You said that you have declared that we can not verify or know the truth of some religious propositions regarding a host of things, that being said- Do you still posit that some of these things might exist or be true?<BR/><BR/><B> 2. My family and friends are predominantly Christian, and I attend church from time to time, and even view Jesus as an example of how to approach the idea of God. Not the born again salvation part (which I'm not sure we can attribute to Jesus anyway) but the part about relating to other people, caring for the 'least', offering grace to people who wrong you. </B><BR/><BR/>Aaron, you seem to have a high, and rather favorable view of Jesus. Without delving into the discussion of being born again, I would ask two questions:<BR/><BR/>1. As someone who cannot verify certain propositions regarding God and Jesus, heaven and hell; why is it important to you that Jesus models how to approach "the idea of God," as you put it?<BR/><BR/>2. When you attend church, do you feel out-of-place or made to feel unwelcome because you do not believe as others do?<BR/><BR/><B> 3. I suppose it depends on how you define Christians or Atheists. I'm don't refer to myself as an athesit because I maintain hope that perhaps there is something more than material existence. I differentiate myself from Christians because I don't think that many of the Christian propositions are true, I think if there is a God, He would be far more universal and the whole notion of being born again seems kind of arbitrary to me. I guess in a way, it can be thought of as in between faith and atheism, at least in my case. </B><BR/><BR/>Once again, Aaron, thanks for attempting to answer my questions. Admittedly, some of them come across as being "loaded." However, I am asking in an attempt to learn and stimulate ongoing dialogue.<BR/><BR/>In this last comment, you seem to place yourself in the "faith camp," as some would call it. If I understood you correctly, would you be willing to speak a little more about two things:<BR/><BR/>1. Why faith matters.<BR/><BR/>2. What has led you to take such a step/leap of faith.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Thanks! I'm looking forward to your replies.Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1139900418973555368.post-55755937628396061842008-10-29T07:34:00.000-07:002008-10-29T07:34:00.000-07:00Richard, thanks for your thoughts and the transpar...Richard, thanks for your thoughts and the transparency with which you write.<BR/><BR/>In many ways, your assessment of yourself brings to my mind the Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. While imprisoned, by Hitler's regime, he penned a poem called "Who Am I?" (which is included in his <I> Letters and Papers from Prison </I>). The poem talks about his quest for identity. He goes through a gamut of opinions that others have about his identity, ultimately settling on this one- "whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am thine."<BR/><BR/>Obviously, that is not the conclusion that you have come to. However, you have rejected some of the possible titles that people have suggested, "atheist" apparently being among them, and have settled upon the term "apostate" which you feel adequately describes who you are.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, I greatly appreciate the fact that you are always learning. I try to as well. Admittedly, I am a Christian; yet far from everything I read or watch is Christian. As I've already mentioned, I'm going to read Dawkin's <I> The God Delusion </I>. Currently, I'm reading through some of Bart Ehrman's work regarding the historicity of the Christian Scriptures.Imperfect Churchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05766958169271121481noreply@blogger.com