Wow Holly…your questions people of faith should ask themselves should be posted in every church, temple, mosque in the world and imprinted in every human heart. Honest discernment of these would truly change the world. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your heart and your travels with us.
I just shared this wonderful post with Madelon Maupin of Bibleroads.com. It’s a site that is devoted to honest exploration of the Scriptures in context of history, geography, and cultural mores of the time. Maddie strives to use inclusive, all-encompassing, respectful language, and this post of yours is such a shining example of this practice. HOW we speak to one another as we walk through the world is the key that unlocks each barred-door placed in our way. You obviously have one of those fobs in your heart that you don’t have to go searching for. Once you’ve got one of those, you can’t go back to the hard way.
No longer a believer, I remain fascinated by the earliest churches, so those in Syria (sadly remnants destroyed as towns line Aleppo were obliterated). One curiosity for me is also the Celtic version of the church that developed in some isolation. By some accounts the practice of confession was adopted from them. Other curiosities are the St Thomas Christians in India.
You have masterfully summarized the fragments of insight that have been floating around in my heart and head during my years of de-and-re-construction. Thank you!
If you are not familiar with Brian Zahnd, you might find his teaching and writing interesting. He has studied many Christian traditions and teachers, including Orthodoxy, and draws on the best of them as he gives a vision of a loving and rebellious Christianity.
What a relief it was to read something not political. Yes, I learned a lot from what you wrote and found so much truth here, but mostly my body, which has been wound tighter than a spring for over a week, slowly relaxed and said “Ahhhh…” And that felt so good. Thank you, Holly.
Explaining that American Christianity "thinks it IS Christianity" hit me like a ton of bricks - or bibles. I have difficulty with those who believe Christianity is the ONLY true religion (I am Christian) but the fact you pointed out is even more absurd. Culture is a much larger part of religion than I ever considered. Thank you for your more global view. Of everything!!
So many points worthy of reflection here, Holly. You’ve rightly pointed out how important it is to have both a global/cultural and historical view of our faith. So true American evangelicalism thinks it IS Christianity. What you’ve written about your experience is beautiful, and your thoughts are inspiring. Have a safe journey!
Wow Holly…your questions people of faith should ask themselves should be posted in every church, temple, mosque in the world and imprinted in every human heart. Honest discernment of these would truly change the world. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your heart and your travels with us.
I just shared this wonderful post with Madelon Maupin of Bibleroads.com. It’s a site that is devoted to honest exploration of the Scriptures in context of history, geography, and cultural mores of the time. Maddie strives to use inclusive, all-encompassing, respectful language, and this post of yours is such a shining example of this practice. HOW we speak to one another as we walk through the world is the key that unlocks each barred-door placed in our way. You obviously have one of those fobs in your heart that you don’t have to go searching for. Once you’ve got one of those, you can’t go back to the hard way.
No longer a believer, I remain fascinated by the earliest churches, so those in Syria (sadly remnants destroyed as towns line Aleppo were obliterated). One curiosity for me is also the Celtic version of the church that developed in some isolation. By some accounts the practice of confession was adopted from them. Other curiosities are the St Thomas Christians in India.
You have masterfully summarized the fragments of insight that have been floating around in my heart and head during my years of de-and-re-construction. Thank you!
If you are not familiar with Brian Zahnd, you might find his teaching and writing interesting. He has studied many Christian traditions and teachers, including Orthodoxy, and draws on the best of them as he gives a vision of a loving and rebellious Christianity.
What a relief it was to read something not political. Yes, I learned a lot from what you wrote and found so much truth here, but mostly my body, which has been wound tighter than a spring for over a week, slowly relaxed and said “Ahhhh…” And that felt so good. Thank you, Holly.
Explaining that American Christianity "thinks it IS Christianity" hit me like a ton of bricks - or bibles. I have difficulty with those who believe Christianity is the ONLY true religion (I am Christian) but the fact you pointed out is even more absurd. Culture is a much larger part of religion than I ever considered. Thank you for your more global view. Of everything!!
So many points worthy of reflection here, Holly. You’ve rightly pointed out how important it is to have both a global/cultural and historical view of our faith. So true American evangelicalism thinks it IS Christianity. What you’ve written about your experience is beautiful, and your thoughts are inspiring. Have a safe journey!