Hi there,
I would like some introduction to liberal christianity.
I grew up as an atheist in East Germany. Sometimes I've had notions that God could exist, but I never acted on them. But with 22 things changed and I became "spiritual". If I believed in God, then always in connection with Jesus Christ, in my mind Christ was a wind that came from where God is.
But I've had bad trouble to sort out. I got sick with schizophrenia and a love relation I've had didn't turn out well.
Some years ago I began dialoguing about God with a christian man I found over the net. I am still fond of his passion for Jesus. However, this man was a conservative and he did something which now scares me about conservatism, a certain fear mongering. IE, sinners will go to hell and God has wrath for some, that sort of thing. I don't deny this has a biblical basis, but I do have big problems of it, it goes against a lot of what I believe in in terms of values, for example, that we are in the image of God and don't deserve to be thrown away into some burning garbage dump, no matter who we are.
The main thing I really like about christianity is how the church speaks about the dignity and value of man, that love is the main part of our faith.
However, as my life has turned out, I don't find conservative theology alright anymore. In fact it really disturbs me. Again, I don't deny conservative theology is biblical and has from this a certain warrant, but I feel like I can't live and think that way anymore. Something in me snaps and I don't understand it.
Just for example, take homosexuality. I thought I had to hate homosexuals, but then I had a homosexual friend and I really loved him. I also went to websites of gay christians and I found they are so sweet, and that the conservative idea of these men and women having to change their orientation and or to stay celibate all their life, is a really messed up thing. It is one thing to call for purity so as to separate our love from our carnality, but it's another to destroy lives with it like conservatism has done so often.
I'm searching for a christianity that is more doable. A God who is more gracious and more forgiving. A lifestyle that satisfies and displays something better than just rules-following and having to be afraid and having to be humble (beyond need). I have an idea of where I want to go from poetry (mainly Gabriela Mistral, if you know her), but I have this scare it is not "legitimate". In short, I want this other, better christianity, but I am afraid God doesn't want it. I am torn between trusting God and mistrusting Him completely. In the past I was often afraid for my soul.
Sometimes I like reading the bible and have enjoyed it, for example John's Epistles or the first book of Genesis. I also really enjoy the prophet Isaiah, the Song of Songs, some of the psalms, the book of Job for its honesty. But other books of the bible just scare me, for example Ezechiel or the book of Revelation.
Although I feel drawn to liberal christianity, I do not concur with all that is said there. For example, I cannot stand the stuff Bishop Sponge speaks about because it essentially nullifies Jesus Christ and the most important truths about Him. That is where I do not want to compromise. But there are things like the problem of hell and the problem of evil, where so far liberalism seems to be better in my mind. At least I want to explore it. I am especially interested in how a liberal christianity and a less scary theology can be deducted biblically. I do want to have a safe foundation.
So I am welcoming all advice and counsel. Thank you very much and may God bless you abundantly!
I would like some introduction to liberal christianity.
I grew up as an atheist in East Germany. Sometimes I've had notions that God could exist, but I never acted on them. But with 22 things changed and I became "spiritual". If I believed in God, then always in connection with Jesus Christ, in my mind Christ was a wind that came from where God is.
But I've had bad trouble to sort out. I got sick with schizophrenia and a love relation I've had didn't turn out well.
Some years ago I began dialoguing about God with a christian man I found over the net. I am still fond of his passion for Jesus. However, this man was a conservative and he did something which now scares me about conservatism, a certain fear mongering. IE, sinners will go to hell and God has wrath for some, that sort of thing. I don't deny this has a biblical basis, but I do have big problems of it, it goes against a lot of what I believe in in terms of values, for example, that we are in the image of God and don't deserve to be thrown away into some burning garbage dump, no matter who we are.
The main thing I really like about christianity is how the church speaks about the dignity and value of man, that love is the main part of our faith.
However, as my life has turned out, I don't find conservative theology alright anymore. In fact it really disturbs me. Again, I don't deny conservative theology is biblical and has from this a certain warrant, but I feel like I can't live and think that way anymore. Something in me snaps and I don't understand it.
Just for example, take homosexuality. I thought I had to hate homosexuals, but then I had a homosexual friend and I really loved him. I also went to websites of gay christians and I found they are so sweet, and that the conservative idea of these men and women having to change their orientation and or to stay celibate all their life, is a really messed up thing. It is one thing to call for purity so as to separate our love from our carnality, but it's another to destroy lives with it like conservatism has done so often.
I'm searching for a christianity that is more doable. A God who is more gracious and more forgiving. A lifestyle that satisfies and displays something better than just rules-following and having to be afraid and having to be humble (beyond need). I have an idea of where I want to go from poetry (mainly Gabriela Mistral, if you know her), but I have this scare it is not "legitimate". In short, I want this other, better christianity, but I am afraid God doesn't want it. I am torn between trusting God and mistrusting Him completely. In the past I was often afraid for my soul.
Sometimes I like reading the bible and have enjoyed it, for example John's Epistles or the first book of Genesis. I also really enjoy the prophet Isaiah, the Song of Songs, some of the psalms, the book of Job for its honesty. But other books of the bible just scare me, for example Ezechiel or the book of Revelation.
Although I feel drawn to liberal christianity, I do not concur with all that is said there. For example, I cannot stand the stuff Bishop Sponge speaks about because it essentially nullifies Jesus Christ and the most important truths about Him. That is where I do not want to compromise. But there are things like the problem of hell and the problem of evil, where so far liberalism seems to be better in my mind. At least I want to explore it. I am especially interested in how a liberal christianity and a less scary theology can be deducted biblically. I do want to have a safe foundation.
So I am welcoming all advice and counsel. Thank you very much and may God bless you abundantly!