What are the biggest reasons you think the church has neglected these philosophical quandaries? Is it that Bible Belt churches, where most everyone is a church-goer or church-sensitive, don’t feel the same need as churches in more secularized regions? Is it that the churches assume the same a priori beliefs on people outside the church? It seems to me that believers’ presuppositions about the raw authority of scripture might hinder conversations with those not sharing those presuppositions. That isn’t to say scripture isn’t authoritative, but it certainly isn’t for the non-believer. It’s as if believers might be speaking a separate language at times; but if we want to reach secular culture, we should speak their language too, especially since we can agree on a common language: philosophy.
My faith has been challenged more in the past eight months than at any other time in my life. My daughter left her husband and two precious children and moved to another state. I was hurt and confused. I was filled with anger and doubt. The only way I survived was through counseling and taking care of those two precious children. During these months, I have come to understand why she had to run (I will never grasp her reason for leaving her kids though). Through counseling with my pastor, I have learned that her leaving is not my fault and I have to take care of myself. I like the passage about the armor of God from Ephesians 6. I finally understand the reason believers have a helmet of salvation. First of all, we have to KNOW that we know! Secondly, we have a HELMET of salvation on our HEAD so that when the heart is shattered into a million pieces and we cannot make sense of tragic events in our lives, our belief in a sovereign God takes over and helps us return to the Word where God can slowly mend those broken pieces of our hearts. I have questioned my God so many times these months of pain. There are days that the devil would have me believe that God doesn’t care, that He doesn’t listen, that my little grandchildren will not survive, that I myself will not get through this. I wish that I could say that I have been steadfast and righteous in these months, but I have drifted into sadness, depression, and despair. Some days it seems that I take two steps forward and three steps back. Just this week our ex son in law has moved the children to another state in an effort to get them away from everyone in their past. So…with my helmet back on my head, and the sword of the Spirit in my hands, I will again attempt to stay strong, knowing that God is faithful!
Mrs. Burns, thank you so much for sharing. Though I can’t imagine the pain and heartache you’ve experienced, I can assure you that you and your sweet family are in my prayers. I appreciate what you’ve shared about the helmet of salvation, and I love that visual—the blood of Christ as infallible protection while we weather the storms of life. I have faith that he will sustain you.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank you for your encouragement when I was writing essays for your honors and AP English classes. I certainly wouldn’t be writing this if not for your influence!
I relate with everything you said so much. I was very well versed in “Christianese” and had years of youth group, camps, and Bible reading under my belt when I went to college as well. But those four years my whole spiritual life was rocked so hard. I believe whole heartedly that the Lord used that time and my doubting and questioning to tear down a shallow faith and build back a deeper one. And when I mean “tear down” that’s what happened. I remember looking at my husband, then fiancé, and saying “would you still want to marry me even if I decide I don’t believe.” I also remember this feeling of my soul believing but my mind really struggling hard to. During this whole time I ended up as president of the Baptist Camus Ministry at my school and felt like such an imposter. Thankfully the God of the universe knows my heart better than I do and held my hand all the way through college. But all of this to say, apologetics also helped me so much. And it’s still one of my most favorite things to study. I’m also on the journey (let’s be honest all believers are) and some days I question absolutely everything, but most days I know that I know that I know.
And as for your question, my biggest question during that time was “If God had the angels why did he create us in the first place?” Which after intense study lead to my next question of “Do the angels have free will and if they do how did Satan fall?”
And for someone reason those were the key questions that lead me down a pretty long path of doubt of faith and if God even existed.
Jessica, thank you so much for sharing! Part of my reason for sharing any of this in the first place is to be an encouragement for other believers who are going through similar things. It can be so terrifying to realize that you may not know what--or even if--you believe. I’m so thankful the Lord held me close when I didn’t realize it!
What are the biggest reasons you think the church has neglected these philosophical quandaries? Is it that Bible Belt churches, where most everyone is a church-goer or church-sensitive, don’t feel the same need as churches in more secularized regions? Is it that the churches assume the same a priori beliefs on people outside the church? It seems to me that believers’ presuppositions about the raw authority of scripture might hinder conversations with those not sharing those presuppositions. That isn’t to say scripture isn’t authoritative, but it certainly isn’t for the non-believer. It’s as if believers might be speaking a separate language at times; but if we want to reach secular culture, we should speak their language too, especially since we can agree on a common language: philosophy.
My faith has been challenged more in the past eight months than at any other time in my life. My daughter left her husband and two precious children and moved to another state. I was hurt and confused. I was filled with anger and doubt. The only way I survived was through counseling and taking care of those two precious children. During these months, I have come to understand why she had to run (I will never grasp her reason for leaving her kids though). Through counseling with my pastor, I have learned that her leaving is not my fault and I have to take care of myself. I like the passage about the armor of God from Ephesians 6. I finally understand the reason believers have a helmet of salvation. First of all, we have to KNOW that we know! Secondly, we have a HELMET of salvation on our HEAD so that when the heart is shattered into a million pieces and we cannot make sense of tragic events in our lives, our belief in a sovereign God takes over and helps us return to the Word where God can slowly mend those broken pieces of our hearts. I have questioned my God so many times these months of pain. There are days that the devil would have me believe that God doesn’t care, that He doesn’t listen, that my little grandchildren will not survive, that I myself will not get through this. I wish that I could say that I have been steadfast and righteous in these months, but I have drifted into sadness, depression, and despair. Some days it seems that I take two steps forward and three steps back. Just this week our ex son in law has moved the children to another state in an effort to get them away from everyone in their past. So…with my helmet back on my head, and the sword of the Spirit in my hands, I will again attempt to stay strong, knowing that God is faithful!
Mrs. Burns, thank you so much for sharing. Though I can’t imagine the pain and heartache you’ve experienced, I can assure you that you and your sweet family are in my prayers. I appreciate what you’ve shared about the helmet of salvation, and I love that visual—the blood of Christ as infallible protection while we weather the storms of life. I have faith that he will sustain you.
Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank you for your encouragement when I was writing essays for your honors and AP English classes. I certainly wouldn’t be writing this if not for your influence!
I relate with everything you said so much. I was very well versed in “Christianese” and had years of youth group, camps, and Bible reading under my belt when I went to college as well. But those four years my whole spiritual life was rocked so hard. I believe whole heartedly that the Lord used that time and my doubting and questioning to tear down a shallow faith and build back a deeper one. And when I mean “tear down” that’s what happened. I remember looking at my husband, then fiancé, and saying “would you still want to marry me even if I decide I don’t believe.” I also remember this feeling of my soul believing but my mind really struggling hard to. During this whole time I ended up as president of the Baptist Camus Ministry at my school and felt like such an imposter. Thankfully the God of the universe knows my heart better than I do and held my hand all the way through college. But all of this to say, apologetics also helped me so much. And it’s still one of my most favorite things to study. I’m also on the journey (let’s be honest all believers are) and some days I question absolutely everything, but most days I know that I know that I know.
And as for your question, my biggest question during that time was “If God had the angels why did he create us in the first place?” Which after intense study lead to my next question of “Do the angels have free will and if they do how did Satan fall?”
And for someone reason those were the key questions that lead me down a pretty long path of doubt of faith and if God even existed.
Jessica, thank you so much for sharing! Part of my reason for sharing any of this in the first place is to be an encouragement for other believers who are going through similar things. It can be so terrifying to realize that you may not know what--or even if--you believe. I’m so thankful the Lord held me close when I didn’t realize it!