Mat - I can certainly understand and identify with your disaffection from the version of Christianity you've experienced. As a former Pentecostal, I am well aware of the lack of a coherent theological understanding that you found at the AG seminary in Springfield. I don't say this to be disrespectful of Pentecostals in general or of the AG in particular. It doesn't surprise me at all that you found reason to question the faith you had. The idea of 'sola scriptura', or 'sola fide' cannot be found in the early Church.
As I understand the word, I don't believe that you're an Atheist. An atheist says with dogmatic certainty 'there is not a God'. From your postings I've read, you seem to be more of an agnostic - which is to say 'I don't believe that there is a God, I don't see any evidence for a God, and the God of the Bible seems to be a monster - but I could be wrong'.
Also, you are attempting to understand Biblical truth outside of it's proper context. The Church preceded the Bible, the Bible emerged from the Church, so should be interpreted in that context. What I mean by Church is of course, the original Apostolic Church founded by Christ and His disciples at Pentecost. The Church still exists in the form of the Orthodox Church - it hasn't changed in 2000 years. I would urge you to seek out an Orthodox parish and would very much like to invite you to the parish I attend or meet with you for further discussion. I can also introduce you to people who could help you find answers to the questions you have.
I am still decompressing (deprogamming?) from my 30 years association with Protestant organizations (of course not all Protestant denominations are as 'far out' as Pentacostal denominations). From what you've written about yourself, you're still fairly young, so it shouldn't take you as long.
Please let me know if you are interesting in exploring what I believe are answers to your existential/ontological questions.
Thank you for your reply. I am a member of the Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie OR (I know, long drive). The address is 13515 SE Rusk Rd in Milwaukie.
Do you Facebook? If so, I'm easy to find... http://www.facebook.com/craig.sayre. If that link doesn't work, just search for my name. It would be great if you could put in a Friend Request to me.
Hey Lintrap, I just wanted to say good luck in your book writing endeavors and I hope all goes well for you. Hopefully you won't forget to stick your post in once in awhile. You are truly a joy to hold a discussion with on the Columbian website. You stated you are moving. Will you be out of the area? If so, good luck on the next phase of your life and the life you share with your girlfriend who you have mentioned a couple of times. I wish you all the best and I hope you don't mind I call you friend.
Good luck with your writing and travels. Have a safe trip and don't be a stranger to the forum, visit often. Just remember, “Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people”. ;)
I hear you on being tight lipped. By chance do you work at Officer Row or near by? Many times I have just walked away from the comp due to what I'd like to say. LOL The fights or the constant belittling gets on my last nerve as well as those that demand realiable sources. Geesh it's an opinion section, we aren't there to do the job the elected officals are in office to do. A few from both sides don't want to hear the other side. They shut down and that makes me mad. Everyone has a right to speak their opinion, one maybe not agree, but if we all agreed this sure would be a boring world.
Thought so, you had made a comment one day about a group that had gathered at the east end. :) I think that area is one of the best of Vancouver. Was a hard fight to preserve it. People wanted to bulldoze it down.
Mat -
I can certainly understand and identify with your disaffection from the version of Christianity you've experienced. As a former Pentecostal, I am well aware of the lack of a coherent theological understanding that you found at the AG seminary in Springfield. I don't say this to be disrespectful of Pentecostals in general or of the AG in particular. It doesn't surprise me at all that you found reason to question the faith you had. The idea of 'sola scriptura', or 'sola fide' cannot be found in the early Church.
As I understand the word, I don't believe that you're an Atheist. An atheist says with dogmatic certainty 'there is not a God'. From your postings I've read, you seem to be more of an agnostic - which is to say 'I don't believe that there is a God, I don't see any evidence for a God, and the God of the Bible seems to be a monster - but I could be wrong'.
Also, you are attempting to understand Biblical truth outside of it's proper context. The Church preceded the Bible, the Bible emerged from the Church, so should be interpreted in that context. What I mean by Church is of course, the original Apostolic Church founded by Christ and His disciples at Pentecost. The Church still exists in the form of the Orthodox Church - it hasn't changed in 2000 years. I would urge you to seek out an Orthodox parish and would very much like to invite you to the parish I attend or meet with you for further discussion. I can also introduce you to people who could help you find answers to the questions you have.
I am still decompressing (deprogamming?) from my 30 years association with Protestant organizations (of course not all Protestant denominations are as 'far out' as Pentacostal denominations). From what you've written about yourself, you're still fairly young, so it shouldn't take you as long.
Please let me know if you are interesting in exploring what I believe are answers to your existential/ontological questions.
Craig Sayre — January 6, 2010 at 10:44 a.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Thank you for your reply. I am a member of the Church of the Annunciation in Milwaukie OR (I know, long drive). The address is 13515 SE Rusk Rd in Milwaukie.
Do you Facebook? If so, I'm easy to find... http://www.facebook.com/craig.sayre. If that link doesn't work, just search for my name. It would be great if you could put in a Friend Request to me.
Craig Sayre — January 6, 2010 at 1:49 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Hey Lintrap, I just wanted to say good luck in your book writing endeavors and I hope all goes well for you. Hopefully you won't forget to stick your post in once in awhile. You are truly a joy to hold a discussion with on the Columbian website. You stated you are moving. Will you be out of the area? If so, good luck on the next phase of your life and the life you share with your girlfriend who you have mentioned a couple of times. I wish you all the best and I hope you don't mind I call you friend.
k gero
goldenoldie — June 8, 2010 at 1:01 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Good luck with your writing and travels.
Have a safe trip and don't be a stranger to the forum, visit often.
Just remember, “Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people”. ;)
ELISI — June 11, 2010 at 11:51 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
I hear you on being tight lipped.
By chance do you work at Officer Row or near by?
Many times I have just walked away from the comp due to what I'd like to say. LOL
The fights or the constant belittling gets on my last nerve as well as those that demand realiable sources. Geesh it's an opinion section, we aren't there to do the job the elected officals are in office to do.
A few from both sides don't want to hear the other side. They shut down and that makes me mad. Everyone has a right to speak their opinion, one maybe not agree, but if we all agreed this sure would be a boring world.
ELISI — June 16, 2010 at 3:13 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Thought so, you had made a comment one day about a group that had gathered at the east end. :)
I think that area is one of the best of Vancouver. Was a hard fight to preserve it. People wanted to bulldoze it down.
ELISI — June 18, 2010 at 8:20 a.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Did I read you were leaving us soon? Where you headed? I wish you well whatever you do. Drop by now and then. Take care.
hawkeye — July 10, 2010 at 5:31 p.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )
Never say "Bye" I'll see you soon.
Take care, be safe. :)
ELISI — July 23, 2010 at 10:10 a.m. ( reply | permalink | suggest removal )