Interesting perspective ...

[JRichard68]

I see, makes me wonder if your post might be a little vitriolic too?

Why would it be anything else? Think about that question and get back to me. I'll be happy to entertain your answer, but it needs to be a little more reasoned out. It may take me a bit today, but I promise I'll respond.

He's a pastor, says the blog, with 20+ years experience. Maybe he is not as negative as you think.

Did you read some of the other blog posts? How did you take them? A Pastor with 20+ years experience does not get a pass on hate. Nor should anyone else.

 

[CoolDude68]

Here's my take on the whole thing...

This sounds like a person who had a bad experience at his church and could not get the message and remains rather bitter. It happens. I spent many years struggling with religion because the particular churches my wife and I tried didn't seem to have the spirit of God there, or at least He wasn't calling us there. It took years to come across our church home and we can both feel God’s presence. There is absolutely no doubt. I can't get through a sermon without my eyes welling with tears. lol THAT is the Holy Spirit in us. The purest and most perfect Love does that to a person.

I also had to read about what Conservative Evangelicalism actually was. So this guy thinks there's too many “rules” and his story reminds me of someone I know who keeps the Sabbath and lives by OT principles. If he doesn't go home before 8:30pm on a Friday for instance you'd think he's gonna be cast into Hell, or struck by lightning! Just an example. Conservative Evangelicalism believes in the “Rapture” I read. Although that was just with a quick skimming.

Anyway, I get the guy's point. Sometimes the “church” can overwhelm us and make us “fear” religion. But, that depends on the church. I've been to them.

Although there are things he mentioned that I have problems with, I kept an open mind and can sense his heart means well, but I also think he's confused and is being deceived into believing all “rules” are bad. These aren't rules, they are God’s Word.

My advice for that guy would be to find a good home “church” where he feels God’s presence and fellowship with like-minded souls but never ignore or overlook His Word. Maybe in time he would come to the conclusion that by “proving all things” is between him and God and what he reads in the Bible. Only God can lift that veil and open our eyes to His Truth. God knows our hearts though.

If I'm way off base here, then forgive me. It's just how I interpret the story.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

apparently this person is no longer afraid to capitulate to cultural norms and apostatize.

 

[GingerBeer]

apparently this person is no longer afraid to capitulate to cultural norms and apostatize.

He can't be an apostate if he still believes in Jesus.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

He can't be an apostate if he still believes in Jesus.

so they claim.

 

[HereIStand]

I stopped reading the blog at this point, "I’m not going to tremble anymore when my soul refuses to believe in a 6,000 year old creation." I believe in young earth, but try finding an evangelical college that teaches it. It's a minority belief within the evangelical world.

 

[Vicomte13]

I think the following article is interesting.

No Longer Afraid—The Day My Heart Outgrew Conservative Evangelicalism

I used to be, but today is a brand new day.

I’m not afraid anymore—something has happened deep within my being. New perspectives, revelation, and spiritual understandings have changed my mind completely. No, not in some kind of condescending way nor with a joy that excludes you. I’m just a completely different person now—my soul convictions and overall posture are nothing of the same.

I understand. Perhaps to you, it seems like I’m out of control, descending into a death-spiral plummeting into everything and anything that is backslidden and heretical. Yes, I suppose it’s true, I am out of control and it’s such a beautiful thing—breathing for the very first time. I’ve lost no love for you, mean no disrespect, nor harbor any pride in saying so—but conservative Evangelicalism, it feels like my heart has outgrown you—I can’t lie.

Where I used to curl up in the fetal position, turn off my brain, play dead, tuck in my shirt, and quickly fall in line, a seismic grace-bomb has gone off within me sending waves of courage and freedom supplied with a simple message, “have no fear.”

Call it a spiritual emancipation, a soul-revolution, or a new found courage to walk away. All I know is this—today is like no other, I’ll never be the same. Conservative Evangelical Christianity—with all due respect, I’m no longer afraid. (see more at No Longer Afraid—The Day My Heart Outgrew Conservative Evangelicalism - Chris Kratzer )​

Well, that was different.
Not sure I have much to say about it.
Not my circus. Not my monkey.

 

[razzelflabben]

I stopped reading the blog at this point, "I’m not going to tremble anymore when my soul refuses to believe in a 6,000 year old creation." I believe in young earth, but try finding an evangelical college that teaches it. It's a minority belief within the evangelical world.

this is what I was saying...the blog seems to make one church or one church experience some kind of gauge for an entire segment of the church that do NOT all hold the same view. Which is why I was looking for something that would bring understanding to the difference between liberal and conservative and well...how that quest to understand went is a matter of public record.

 

[brinny]

Here's my take on the whole thing...

This sounds like a person who had a bad experience at his church and could not get the message and remains rather bitter. It happens. I spent many years struggling with religion because the particular churches my wife and I tried didn't seem to have the spirit of God there, or at least He wasn't calling us there. It took years to come across our church home and we can both feel God’s presence. There is absolutely no doubt. I can't get through a sermon without my eyes welling with tears. lol THAT is the Holy Spirit in us. The purest and most perfect Love does that to a person.

I also had to read about what Conservative Evangelicalism actually was. So this guy thinks there's too many “rules” and his story reminds me of someone I know who keeps the Sabbath and lives by OT principles. If he doesn't go home before 8:30pm on a Friday for instance you'd think he's gonna be cast into Hell, or struck by lightning! Just an example. Conservative Evangelicalism believes in the “Rapture” I read. Although that was just with a quick skimming.

Anyway, I get the guy's point. Sometimes the “church” can overwhelm us and make us “fear” religion. But, that depends on the church. I've been to them.

Although there are things he mentioned that I have problems with, I kept an open mind and can sense his heart means well, but I also think he's confused and is being deceived into believing all “rules” are bad. These aren't rules, they are God’s Word.

My advice for that guy would be to find a good home “church” where he feels God’s presence and fellowship with like-minded souls but never ignore or overlook His Word. Maybe in time he would come to the conclusion that by “proving all things” is between him and God and what he reads in the Bible. Only God can lift that veil and open our eyes to His Truth. God knows our hearts though.

If I'm way off base here, then forgive me. It's just how I interpret the story.

He's a pastor for at least 20 years apparently.

 

[RisenInJesus]

I think the following article is interesting.

No Longer Afraid—The Day My Heart Outgrew Conservative Evangelicalism - Chris Kratzer )​

I think there is pretty much an entire generation raised in the evangelical church which have been highly impacted by oppressive religion, rather than the joy and truth of Jesus and articles and perspectives as expressed by Christ Kratzer are a backlash response. I can certainly understand the freedom one may feel and the idea of being able to breathe again because I have felt exactly the same after being set free by Jesus Christ from the bondage of Mormonism and another oppressive group. I have also seen the detrimental effect on so many by false legalistic, judgmental teachers within the church. The danger I see though is going from the place of legalism and bondage to the other extreme being promoted by the emergent church which departs from truth and remakes God. This is where Christ Kratzer sadly seems to have gone and this can be seen in reading other articles written by him espousing mystical, pantheistic ideas such as:

"We are not in a relationship with Christ, we are Christ–He is us, we are Him. Jesus is not a person to invite into your life or heart, He is your life and heart, irrevocably."
The Message From God You've Never Heard - Chris Kratzer


The scriptures warn of a coming time of apostasy where an all-inclusive global spiritually will arise. I think the emptiness and/or bondage so many have had with religion experienced under teachings which depart from the faith has led to dissatisfaction because Jesus Christ has not been the focus in a meaningful way.

"Every man, woman, and child has the opportunity to spend eternity with God. That's mind-boggling! There is nothing imaginable that could possibly be more exciting and wonderful. Moreover, that possibility isn't something that man has invented. From Genesis through the book of Revelation, the Scriptures declare and explain how that becomes a reality. It's what the Bible is all about.


In God's revelation of Himself through His Word, we learn of His attributes and personal qualities in the only way that mankind can know Him accurately. Without His revelation, we are left with finite man's speculations and guesses about an infinite God. Such guesswork is often the basis of all the religions of the world. Their deities and their beliefs are the product of the imagination of fallen humanity (with the help of fallen angels). Biblical Christianity is the only exception. God has declared Himself in very specific terms to mankind. Without an accurate source of information, which only God Himself could and did provide, mankind would be left with nothing more than mythology, and most of the world is mired in this."
Refashioning God

 

[CoolDude68]

He's a pastor for at least 20 years apparently.

Which is not surprising. It could happen to anyone.

 

[brinny]

Which is not surprising. It could happen to anyone.

What specifically could happen to anyone? Be on a vendetta against God and celebrating rebellion against God whilst claiming that "we" are "Christ"?

 

[CoolDude68]

I was referring to the confusion. I'm not agreeing with all his arguments at all.

 

[friend of]

This article started out great before abruptly becoming liberal propaganda.

 

[Deadworm]

Once I was riding the subway to a meeting at Park St. Church in downtown Boston. An intoxicated young man sat next to me, reeking of alcohol and complaining about religion. I asked him, "If you were in charge, what would your body of doctrines teach?" He seemed surprised by the question and rattled off the most profound and discerning set of spiritual principles imaginable, adding that he was sure his Catholic priest would disapprove. As I was about to leave the subway, I challenged that assessment and urged him to make an appointment with his priest to discuss what his best instincts were teaching him. I marveled at his profundity, given his inebriated condition! The OP's article reflects the insight that, in many ways, conservative evangelicalism demands that one crucify one's loftiest moral and spiritual instincts. So asking someone to share their best instincts can be very healing and illuminating process.

The OP is also pointing out that conservative evangelicalism cannot grasp the true meaning and practical significance of these great spiritual principles:

"The letter [of the Law] kills, but the Spirit gives life (Paul)."
"All things are lawful, but not all things are beneficial (Paul)."
"Love covers a multitude of sins (Peter)."
"Love God and do whatever you please (St .Augustine)."
"Sin boldly (Luther)."

 

[brinny]

I was referring to the confusion. I'm not agreeing with all his arguments at all.

LOL! Thank you...i nearly dropped me coffee brother...

 

[ToBeLoved]

I think the following article is interesting.

No Longer Afraid—The Day My Heart Outgrew Conservative Evangelicalism

I used to be, but today is a brand new day.

I’m not afraid anymore—something has happened deep within my being. New perspectives, revelation, and spiritual understandings have changed my mind completely. No, not in some kind of condescending way nor with a joy that excludes you. I’m just a completely different person now—my soul convictions and overall posture are nothing of the same.

I understand. Perhaps to you, it seems like I’m out of control, descending into a death-spiral plummeting into everything and anything that is backslidden and heretical. Yes, I suppose it’s true, I am out of control and it’s such a beautiful thing—breathing for the very first time. I’ve lost no love for you, mean no disrespect, nor harbor any pride in saying so—but conservative Evangelicalism, it feels like my heart has outgrown you—I can’t lie.

Where I used to curl up in the fetal position, turn off my brain, play dead, tuck in my shirt, and quickly fall in line, a seismic grace-bomb has gone off within me sending waves of courage and freedom supplied with a simple message, “have no fear.”

Call it a spiritual emancipation, a soul-revolution, or a new found courage to walk away. All I know is this—today is like no other, I’ll never be the same. Conservative Evangelical Christianity—with all due respect, I’m no longer afraid. (see more at No Longer Afraid—The Day My Heart Outgrew Conservative Evangelicalism - Chris Kratzer )​

This is the peace that is beyond all understanding that Christ died to give us. It is peace in who we are, in Him and He did it all.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

Speaking only for myself...I'm willing to believe that Paul not remembering events perfectly is absolutely true.

That's a disappointment.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

What did all those poor Christians do before the printing press?

Forgive me...

Scribes.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

99.999999999999999%

Not a big deal, but you were short one 9.