When the beliefs we hold most dear and most formative to our very existence are questioned, there are a couple of ways to go... 1) CRISIS 2) FREEDOM
I've decided. Contrary to popular belief, Seminary is not good for your faith. Yes, you are reading that correctly. Seminary, the study of Godly, theological, faithful things, is NOT good for your faith. I should clarify. Seminary is not good for your faith IF you want your beliefs to remain untouched and unscathed by the process of education.
I also have a hypothesis about this: "Seminary will cause unsettling emotional reactions that may be perceived as NOT good for your faith in the SHORT TERM."
Example: I read some things last week that brought many of the basic tenants of Christianity into question. I read some myths existing from around the time of Christ. I also read a lot of history. I had such thoughts as, "Was the whole thing made up?" and "No wonder they wrote it like that. It was a scam." Hmmm... you can perhaps imagine how those thoughts might be troubling to one's faith and beliefs. Not to mention JOB as a minister. I waned toward a small CRISIS.
YET, I've lived faithfully for many years. Just because someone says things about Christianity aren't exactly how I think they are, am I gonna let that get in the way of the FREEDOM and CREATION that I know can come about when we pay attention to the big questions troubling us? NO! Bring on the opportunity for knowledge.
So, how did I conquer the looming crisis of faith? In 2 ways. 1) My personal experience of tested faith in God, the Holy Spirit, and people, not scripture. I trusted myself. 2) I used what I am learning to approach scripture differently. I used exegesis (the critical explanation of a text, usually Biblical) to try and get in the mind of the authors of the New Testament and find out why they wrote what they did. And I experienced the greatest gift scripture has ever given me-- a Truth I already knew, fully confirmed and more full and complete than I had previously known it. God doesn't play favorites, ever. We, as individuals, are responsible for our own actions, reactions, and situations. God will be there, healing in hand, when we're ready.
Freedom and Creation, welcome to my mind. Crisis, you are not invited to return.
The very education which threatened me last week also freed me. I'm 5 weeks into Seminary. This could be a bumpy and wonderful ride.
Joy, Love, Hope, and Peace... that we all might share! T
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