You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “I believe in God but not in the Bible”.
You are currently browsing comments. If you would like to return to the full story, you can read the full entry here: “I believe in God but not in the Bible”.
7 comments
Mar 26, 2010
tim says:
Very well written post. There are many Christians (even biblical scholars) who would categorize much of the historical narrative elements of the Torah (especially Genesis) as myth, so you are not alone there, nor do I think those beliefs make you any less of a Christian.
I am curious how holding these beliefs has impacted your relationship with other Christians? Do you still go to church? If so, how do other believers react to your stance on scripture (if they know)?
Mar 26, 2010
emergentcoach says:
It has impacted my relationship with other Christians only to the degree that I disclose my ideas about these topics (which is only with select trusted friends). There are few church going people who would agree with me. I have yet to really “come out” but it is coming to the point where I actually believe some people could benefit from my honesty about these issues – it might be freeing for them in some ways. I very rarely go to church these days. Thanks for your thougths! Dave
Apr 12, 2010
rosacola says:
I appreciate your honesty – “…some people could benefit from my honesty about these issues…” True enough.
I am finding myself questioning the ‘infallible word’ these days. I too have studied that there are other letters that never made in into the ‘bible’. Also, it was written by men, imperfect, fallen, men.
It doesn’t change my view of who God is. It helps me rely on His presence in my life rather then a book written 2000 years ago.
Anyway, thanks for sharing your heart here.
Apr 17, 2010
newepiphany says:
You have come face to face with many truths. You no longer choose to live in an alternate reality like many of your born-again, evangelical friends, and I suspect family members as well. Has your personal journey not also resulted in a questioning of the Jesus Christ resurrection story, which is truly the very foundation of Christianity itself?
Have you been able to hang on to Jesus as savior and Lord while rejecting the o.t. as being the word of God?
To me, when I could no longer reconcile Yahweh-god to Jesus-god in something called a Holy Trinity, the whole premise of Jesus as the Son of God/Yahweh, sent to die for my sins and bring me eternal life started to fall apart very quickly. IOW, if I reject Yahweh as the creator god of the universe, how do I hold on to Christ as the savior of mankind?
I lived in that alternate reality of evangelical Christianity for 30 years, so I very much identify with those still there, especially my sweet family members whom I love dearly. I feel very free, but they just can’t understand how anyone can live or love without Jesus in his heart. I am still the same loving husband and dad/granddad as before, but I just choose to live in the reality that the bible was written by men, not God.
newepiphany
Apr 22, 2010
emergentcoach says:
Newepiphany – thanks for your comments. Living in the reality that the bible was written by men, not God is a good place to be. I too live in that reality. I was watching the National Geographic special about Stephen Hawking and his “Theory of Everything” and I was reminded (once again) that I live in the reality of a universe created by a really, really smart God. I like that reality too.
Aug 26, 2010
thin-ice says:
Emergentcoach,
I just read your story in August, 2010. You may never see this, but if you do, I have some questions for you, as a fellow Multnomah grad (Th.B., 1971).
I have completely de-converted in the last 3 years. Currently an agnostic, a paused briefly – for 6 months or less – at the “emergent” stage, then at the liberal stage, then deist, and now (and probably where I’ll remain) at agnostic. In the past 4 decades, I have been a missionary in Europe, deacon, youth group leader, or always in some way involved in church. I may post my story here, although the site seems to be moribund at present.
My questions have to do with this: now that you’ve stripped your deity of his christian trappings, do you find the remaining deity satisfying, either intellectually, or emotionally? How can you be sure “he” exists, if he is not the personal god as portrayed in the N.T.? If you think he is a personal god who listens to your prayers, how can you verify that?
OK, with those questions out of the way, just one last item: I would love to hook up with other Multnomah grads who have de-converted or left the faith. I moved back to Portland, but I’m trying to shield my fundamentalist mother from the fact that her eldest son is apostate! So I’ve got to be a little cautious how I do it, but if you know of anyone else, I would like to get in touch.
Take care . . .
Dec 30, 2011
gnilrets says:
There are many who, of course, would say that it’s impossible to believe in God’s existence, but not in the bible. However, I’ve made the same differentiation. As a 38 year believer who attended for 35 of those years before leaving the church, I know it’s not fun being in the apostate category. It’s rather frightening. However, I’m more frightened of going back to the illusionary safe zone. On the topic of divine inspiration of the bible then, I remind myself that no mortal man has the qualifications to authenticate or deauthenticate the divinity of a literary work, not even a Nicean council of world-renowned scholars with an agenda. I know God exists and hope to understand him better before I die. I try to remember always that this is a personal pursuit, and that the church isn’t a reliable resource in this pursuit. Thanks for being honest with us and reminding us all that rejecting the things we were taught about the bible does not equal a total relinquishment of God.