CDWolfe
Progressive Deist
Been gone for a while (focused on my studies/career/family), and have had some changes in my life. For starters, I have grown from a moderate to more of a progressive, with regard to theology and my views on religion.
I have always been a free thinker, and I never really clicked with my Southern Baptist upbringing. There were things that I questioned and felt blasphemous in doing so. I have always enjoyed studying theology, philosophy, and history, so it came as no surprise when I left my childhood church, and now, at the age of 38, I am "seeking" something that has been missing in my life.
I have made some posts here and there before, but I never really had a single direction that I was heading in. I dabbled with Judaism, Catholicism, and even Deism. I have yet to find a church that I feel comfortable with, but I have found a direction that REALLY calls to me: Progressive Christianity.
I am one that questions traditional teachings. I am one that wants to know WHY, and won't settle for copout answers like "it was meant to be," or "things happen for a reason." In my mind, those answers are a cover-up for "I don't know and can't really answer that."
I don't just read the Bible, I study it in-depth. I use multiple translations, research what the Hebrew and Greek actually say, and probably go overboard with being analytical. My biggest pet peeve is someone who uses a verse out of context.
Getting to the heart of my post...
I am not sure if this would be progressive, liberal, deistic, or whatnot, but here is how I think:
1. Satan is not the devil. Never was, never will be. He is merely a servant of God, following His orders and performing his assigned job. Besides, it is a title, not a name. Nor is his name Lucifer.
2. The rapture is not biblical. There is nothing in the Bible that even suggests it.
3. There is no immediate judgment upon death. You do not go to heaven or hell when you die. You go to the grave and will remain there until the Messiah returns, and the dead are raised and judged based on their deeds.
4. Bad things happen because people have free will, and someone makes a choice to do something bad.
5. God, while He may answer prayers, generally does not get involved with the day to day events on earth, as that would interfere with free will choices.
There are more, but I will stop there.
Thoughts?
I have always been a free thinker, and I never really clicked with my Southern Baptist upbringing. There were things that I questioned and felt blasphemous in doing so. I have always enjoyed studying theology, philosophy, and history, so it came as no surprise when I left my childhood church, and now, at the age of 38, I am "seeking" something that has been missing in my life.
I have made some posts here and there before, but I never really had a single direction that I was heading in. I dabbled with Judaism, Catholicism, and even Deism. I have yet to find a church that I feel comfortable with, but I have found a direction that REALLY calls to me: Progressive Christianity.
I am one that questions traditional teachings. I am one that wants to know WHY, and won't settle for copout answers like "it was meant to be," or "things happen for a reason." In my mind, those answers are a cover-up for "I don't know and can't really answer that."
I don't just read the Bible, I study it in-depth. I use multiple translations, research what the Hebrew and Greek actually say, and probably go overboard with being analytical. My biggest pet peeve is someone who uses a verse out of context.
Getting to the heart of my post...
I am not sure if this would be progressive, liberal, deistic, or whatnot, but here is how I think:
1. Satan is not the devil. Never was, never will be. He is merely a servant of God, following His orders and performing his assigned job. Besides, it is a title, not a name. Nor is his name Lucifer.
2. The rapture is not biblical. There is nothing in the Bible that even suggests it.
3. There is no immediate judgment upon death. You do not go to heaven or hell when you die. You go to the grave and will remain there until the Messiah returns, and the dead are raised and judged based on their deeds.
4. Bad things happen because people have free will, and someone makes a choice to do something bad.
5. God, while He may answer prayers, generally does not get involved with the day to day events on earth, as that would interfere with free will choices.
There are more, but I will stop there.
Thoughts?
