Theologically liberal Christians (TLC) Fresh New Thread Spring '09

[hrsmom]

Hi- I'm starting us a new thread. I have so appreciated the discussions here! Here's a link to the old thread: link to thread

We're a group of people who have been or are Christians and are exploring (like everyone else!) The "theologically liberal" is in contrast to "politically liberal"- politics isn't the main focus of our discussions. We have differing views, the point kind of is that we don't all necessarily believe the same things. It's more about exploration than staring firm beliefs. (for me anyway!!) Some of us believe Jesus is actually God, some don't. Some believe Jesus resurrected bodily, some don't. Some believe the Bible reflects literal truth, some don't. That kind of thing. So far we've taken a quick look at a documentary (I can't remember the name now!) and read the book Misquoting Jesus by Bart Ehrman. We're thinking about starting another book, or perhaps just sharing what we've been reading.

Lots of great book recommendations in that old thread, also. More are always welcome!

[hkowell1]

Im here again, I would like to start a new book. However my library is VERY limited so I don't have any to suggest, but if come up with one I'll do an Amazon. :

[Leta]

How 'bout something by Spong?

[Suzukimom]

Hi everyone! Sorry, I've been under the weather and haven't been visiting this forum.

I'm reading a book by Spong - Why Christianity Must Change or Die.
I like it. What he writes really makes sense to me, especially after reading Misquoting Jesus.

[hrsmom]

I hope you're feeling better, Carol. I felt the Spong book I just read went well with MJ also.

[hrsmom]

So are you reading anything interesting? I know Carol is reading someting interesting! What kinds of things does he talk about, Carol?

I just finished a book by Deepak Chopra, called The Book of Secrets I have always enjoyed his writings, and that one was at the library when I was last there. Most of it seems really over my head, or maybe I'm just not ready to understand what he's saying, or I just don't get the language, who knows. I have appreciated some of what he writes about. He talked about the potential in every moment, there's potential for good and potential for bad. The potential for good is there, just like there's potential for rain. I loved that! It's helped me see things more positively. Here's a quote at the end, "...you were designed to survive and thrive, no matter how life unfolds. Be strong today in that knowledge."

I don't know what I want to read next.

I'm really starting to enjoy my life in the NOW and not waiting for a better or different life situation! :

[athansor]

The Chopra book sounds like a good read. I just read his Life after Death book.

I really enjoyed Misquoting Jesus. It sort of gave voice to something in my head for a long time, understanding the Divinity of Jesus. I've always had a hard time with "true God and true Man". Understanding that there different schools of thought among the early Christians was somewhat comforting. I think that I'm probably more of an adoptionist.

I read the Spong book "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" and really enjoyed it. I'll be glad to follow along the discussion. I'm starting Bishop Gene Robinson's book Eye of the Storm tonight.

[hrsmom]

I just had a wonderful lunch with my good friend Paula, who I know from church. I talked to her about some of my frustrations, and she said she was having the some of the same frustrations. We're going to go visit another church together the week after Easter! : I also shared with her how frustrated I am when I do go to church and everyone bugs me to leave Hannah in the nursery. I actually started crying when I was talking about it. Hannah is just not ready for that!! And maybe I'm not either, who knows. I finally started telling people, "we do church as a family" and hopefully they will quit bugging me about it. I really do not want Hannah to think of church as a place where Mommy leaves her alone with strangers. That's the craziest thing I can think of! And I really do want to be with her. Plus, there's the fact that I do not agree at the moment with what the pastor is teaching! Minor detail! Anyway, it felt so good to share what was on my mind with a friend from church. I'm starting to feel like a big fraud when I go, because I'm not buying what everyone else seems happy to go along with. I feel like I'm in a relationship and not ready to tell the person that I am going to break up with them! I just read the belief statement of the denomination that my church is planning to join up with (Church of God) and I know that I will not stay there.

I might have to get that Spong book! This week I'm getting ready for company to come, to celebrate my daughter's birthday! Do we celebrate just the actual day, or both days I was in labor? I celebrate her birth just about every day, actually!!!

I'm glad to see you guys here!!!

[Subliime]

I peeked in at your thread last month but only read a couple pages in. I think this might be where I belong. I would love to read some of the books you all are talking about but I'm in school and having trouble keeping up with that as it is. I am writing them down though. Maybe this summer...

[hrsmom]

Hi Subliime- welcome! We've had some people join in the conversation that didn't have time to read any books, or one who was reading birthing books, I wonder how she's doing!

I like the idea about sharing what we've been reading. And having conversation based on that!

I can't imagine being in school with a little one! I'm impressed!

[Subliime]

Originally Posted by hrsmom

I can't imagine being in school with a little one! I'm impressed!

It is kind of hard but my husband and I both only work part time so I have him to help a lot and my mom will usually help out if there is a conflict with our schedules. I am really glad I found this thread actually! I've had my mind on some pretty deep stuff lately. For my english class we had to write a paper on a consipiricy theory and I got sucked into reading about some pretty deep stuff . : My mind hasn't been the same... I don't recommend it to anyone!!! This thread might help keep my mind off that stuff.

I guess I'll introduce myself...
I grew up Catholic and went to Catholic schools my whole life. I've always been an extremely spiritual person and a huge part of my adolesent and teenage years I thought I really wanted to be a nun. I'm still drawn to the sisterhood for their acts of service and humanitarianism. The past few years I've been really drawn toward paganism. No particular path, just in general, the idea of paganism. I still relate to it a lot but no longer consider myself pagan. I like the idea of calling myself a "Christ Follower." I am still confused about what I really believe though! I hope I'm not the only one on here who still doesn't know what this is all about!

[luckysam]

Hi, I'm Sam, and I'm new to this thread. I am so glad you all are here! I'm not familiar with the old thread, I'll have to go back later and peruse. You might have all already discussed this, but has anyone read The Woman with the Alabaster Jar? I just got it a few weeks ago and it looks really good. Just wondered is anyone else knew about it or was interested in reading it. I just felt pulled to get it.

[hrsmom]

Thanks for the introduction, Subliime! And welcome, Sam! That book looks interesting, I looked at the description on Amazon. Have you started reading it yet?

I just got the Spong book Carol (Suzukimom) was talking about, it's in at the library. I'll pick it up tomorrow. I don't know when I'll get to it, this is my daughter's birthday weekend! That made my heart jump a little just writing that!

[proudmomof4]

You sound like a very welcoming community. So, here I am, confused, doubting, all mixed up.

[hopefulfaith]

Originally Posted by luckysam

Hi, I'm Sam, and I'm new to this thread. I am so glad you all are here! I'm not familiar with the old thread, I'll have to go back later and peruse. You might have all already discussed this, but has anyone read The Woman with the Alabaster Jar? I just got it a few weeks ago and it looks really good. Just wondered is anyone else knew about it or was interested in reading it. I just felt pulled to get it.

I really liked it. It was one of those books I read in one sitting, on a long sunny afternoon (before kids...when I could do that!!!). Tell us what you think when you're done!

[Grace24]

What a great thread! I'm having trouble finding a church where I belong now. Haven't been to church in years, grew up Presbyterian but have trouble with the concept that Christianity excludes all non-Christians from the Kingdom of God. But I do believe in Jesus. I would really like to find a church though, because it was important to me as a child, and now that I have a family I'd love for my son to have a church community he can depend on as he makes his way in the world. Any suggestions? We're considering Unitarian.

[athansor]

I think Unitarian is a good choice, and you also might want to look at the Episcopal church. I find there's a strong sense of community, and it's a pretty big tent, including diverse views like Bishop Spong.

[hrsmom]

proudmomof4, you'll fit right in! I'm right there with you on the confused, doubting, all mixed up. I'm glad you found us!

Grace24, I'm with you, too, on the excluding of non-Christians from the Kingdom of God. I really don't want my daughter to grow up in a church that emphasizes this (like the church where I go now) and I'm searching as well. I wish we had a Unitarian fellowship closer to wear I live, I would love to visit. I was fine at my church pre-baby, but now I'm thinking about the church environment where she will grow up.

hopefulfaith- oh, I remember reading on long sunny afternoons. What a luxury! What did you think of the book?

I got two books today, which I may crack open next week. I have company this weekend for my little love's first birthday. I'm excited! I'm making bread right now. In addition to "Why Christianity Must Change" I got the one called "Sins of Scripture" with the subtitle of something like how the message of love got twisted into a message of hate. I'm looking forward to that one. A friend of mine were chatting Sunday, and she asked, "Does the Bible really say only Christians are going to heaven?" I told her no, it doesn't say that! This is a friend from church, the one who's going to go with me to visit some other churches in a few weeks. I think we might check out the Episcopal church. Their priest just retired, he's my neighbor! The two final candidates for his replacement were a gay man, and a woman. Sounds like a good start to me! I think they went with the woman.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!!!

[hrsmom]

I just started the "Why Christianity Must Change" book by Bishop Spong. It's one of those books where the author is saying exactly what I've been thinking! He is definitely talented, and understands how a lot of us feel. I suppose he feels the same way! I just started, and he's going over the Apostle's Creed and how he and many others can not honestly recite that creed. I'm only up to "born of the Virgin Mary"... so literally just getting started. I'm so glad to have found this book, though, so far!

I'm babysitting in the nursery on Sunday. It's perfect. I'm on the schedule, so they won't hassle me for not leaving my baby in the nursery, and I don't really feel like listening to an Easter sermon anyway! Some years my pastor has a great sermon on Easter, some years not so much. I'll get the CD and listen to it (they give them to us when we babysit). Then off to mom's for Easter dinner! I often host Easter dinner at my house, but we just had a big dinner this past weekend for my daughter's birthday.

[boigrrrlwonder]

Don't mean to change the topic, but I've been thinking about this a lot.

I've recently been re-exploring Christianity. I was raised Lutheran. Attended Catholic schools. Rejected Christianity. Did a brief stint as a militant atheist. Became a Unitarian Universalist and became really active in the church. (During this period I really explored Paganism and still identify with parts of it.) Had a kid. Realized the UU churches around me were not compatible with my parenting. Mostly stopped attending church. Through my interest in Paganism, became interested in finding meaning in my natal tradition. Came across Marcus Borg's work. Learned more about the Emerging church movement. Became a Christian again. At this point, I want to start going to a church again. Part of me wants to go back to a Lutheran church, since that was the tradition in which I was raised. I like the idea of returning to my natal tradition. However, Lutherans officially have very different beliefs than I do. Now, for me, the ritual aspect is more important than the beliefs - however, it goes back to the kid thing - is this what I want my kid to learn? A community I really want to be a part of? Not to talk about finding a Lutheran church that supports my parenting.

I was wondering if anyone else has these thoughts and how you have navigated this kind of conflict.