I can’t call myself a Christian anymore. I’ve tried. Actually, that’s not entirely true. I had a surgery recently, and part of the pre-op appointment included the question, “What religion are you?” The question took me by surprise. Within seconds, I answered “Christian,” but internally, a long series of queries flashed through my brain before I opened my mouth…
This definitely resonates. For years now I feel more comfortable calling myself a Christ follower instead of a Christian, but that is primarily rooted in my frustration with the representation of the western church still shaped by modernity.
Hi Kevin! I hear this. Thank you for sharing. If you want, I'd love to hear a few more words about what you mean by your "frustration with the representation of the western church still shaped by modernity."
Hmm....good stuff. Thanks for the invitation to this dialogue and I agree that inviting others into your journaling/writing/processing could hold some benefits as I suspect that there is much to be learned from others journey through this life. Looking forward to sharing my thoughts as I gather them.
I would love to hear your thoughts along the way, Neil. You are a wise-guy, in a non-mafia sort of way. 🤣 I hope the Alvarados are all doing quite well.
Thank you Eric, for creating this thoughtful space. As someone born into evangelicalism, most of my deepest personal relationships are with Christians. And those relationships have been beautiful. But when it comes to re-evaluating my faith, there aren’t many close friends or even family members that I can engage with, for fear that my doubts will potentially jeopardize the relationship - or come across as me being critical of their beliefs. All that to say, again, I’m grateful for the honest and thought provoking conversations that are sure to happen here.
This definitely resonates. For years now I feel more comfortable calling myself a Christ follower instead of a Christian, but that is primarily rooted in my frustration with the representation of the western church still shaped by modernity.
Hi Kevin! I hear this. Thank you for sharing. If you want, I'd love to hear a few more words about what you mean by your "frustration with the representation of the western church still shaped by modernity."
Hmm....good stuff. Thanks for the invitation to this dialogue and I agree that inviting others into your journaling/writing/processing could hold some benefits as I suspect that there is much to be learned from others journey through this life. Looking forward to sharing my thoughts as I gather them.
I would love to hear your thoughts along the way, Neil. You are a wise-guy, in a non-mafia sort of way. 🤣 I hope the Alvarados are all doing quite well.
Thank you Eric, for creating this thoughtful space. As someone born into evangelicalism, most of my deepest personal relationships are with Christians. And those relationships have been beautiful. But when it comes to re-evaluating my faith, there aren’t many close friends or even family members that I can engage with, for fear that my doubts will potentially jeopardize the relationship - or come across as me being critical of their beliefs. All that to say, again, I’m grateful for the honest and thought provoking conversations that are sure to happen here.
So glad you are here, Mike!