I've recently been browsing the CNN page on a regular basis and I've come across this very marvelous columnist; LZ Granderson. The first article I read of his was Parents, don't dress your girls like trampsParents, don't dress your girls like tramps which was fantastic. So when I saw Why I believe in God by the same author it really caught my eye. As I read the article I became thoroughly uninterested. Another opinion about this Rob Bell book. I haven't read it, I quite frankly have no interest in reading it. Not because I believe its wrong or right or blessed by God or cursed by Him, but because I don't define my faith by the numerous Christian opinionated authors who claim to have interpreted the Bible in the right way.
However I did finish reading the article and this phrase really caught my eye;
"To admit doubt removes the arrogance of certainty prevalent in so many evangelical Christians and atheists alike and replaces it with the humility -- and even peace -- that comes with not knowing the answers. I do not find the mystery to represent the absence of God but rather his presence." LZ Granderson
What about powerful truth. We do not have all the answers, we can't possibly have all the answers and the most important at all is we don't NEED to have all the answers!
"One of the biggest problems with religion in general, and evangelical Christianity in particular, is the claim of having definitive answers about an infinite being. But true faith does not require us to have all of the answers. Faith, as it relates to spirituality, isn't knowing something others don't know -- we call that a secret -- but rather belief in something that can't be empirically proven or disproven." LZ Granderson
God does not require us to have all the answers. How liberating. All He asks of us is that we trust our whole lives into His hands by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior.
I liked that "parents don't dress..." as well. He has some good things to say.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, we do not have all the answers. As long as the people saying that are willing to admit that God's word gives us MANY absolute truths with no reason to question them. Questions on absolutes just create doubt in others where doubt is not needed.
ReplyDeleteWe may not "understand" why God says the things He does but we need to listen and obey! Stating a truth is not a lack of humility but a confidence in the God and faith we believe in.
(No harsh tone. Just fun conversation) :-)
Renee
I completely agree with everything you say. I think that's a point that the article points out and that I kinda mentioned; is that we might not understand as what God says or wants from us but we should have faith enough to accept and obey as you say.
ReplyDeleteAnd stating the truth is definitely something we should do. What bothers me is all the petty discussions that so often happen when what really matters is what we do with our lives and our relationships to reflect what God does in our hearts. Discussion and debate about faith and politics has rarely changed people's opinions, rather created bigger gaps within relationships.
And I'm glad your liking my posts.
... me encantó la última frase que considero confirma y resume todo....
ReplyDelete"God does not require us to have all the answers. How liberating. All He asks of us is that we trust our whole lives into His hands by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior."