Satisfaction works for me because I don't believe in the Trinity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are separate people/personages working towards a common cause - for all God's children to be reunited with Him after death. In my theology, Jesus acts as our advocate with the Father. He says, "Look, they're all a bunch of knuckleheads. We built that into the plan when we gave them free will. I'll take on all the sins, the pains, the stupid decisions, everything we told them not to do, and I'll pay the price, and everybody starts at zero again after they die. Clean slates for everyone, and You get the glory." God says, "The prissy ones are gonna be mad about that - getting saved along with all the "bad" people." Jesus says, "Prolly. But they've got eternity to get over themselves."
I used to believe straight-up LDS theology about the Atonement (Jesus dies for our sins; everyone gets resurrected; people are assigned to different kingdoms of glory based on their earthly righteousness; only active, endowed, super-righteous LDS people will make it to the best kingdom and if your family members aren't part of the Church, you won't get to be with them and there's no visiting between kingdoms). I think the kingdom idea is bollocks. And cruel, fear-inspiring, and anguish-causing. I have three brothers who have left the Church, and my parents believe that they'll never see them again. John's death was even more shattering than it needed to be. The boys are NEVER coming back to Church. Does that mean our family is splintered for eternity? I can't think that, and I cannot conceive of a loving Father, earthly or Heavenly, who wouldn't want to have His children near him. And if we truly believe that Jesus' sacrifice justifies our sins and pays the debt, then we're all clean and worthy to be in God's presence.
Oh man, this is good, Chelan. Thanks for your transparent sharing. I agree with what you’ve said, especially regarding your brothers.
I think one of the things I’m learning in this deconstruction is the value of intuition and feelings over dogma that just doesn’t ring true. My younger Evangelical self would cringe to hear me say this, but I don’t see any point in forcing myself to believe in something that doesn’t make sense with my experience of people and the world.
I’m glad you have that hope for your brothers. Your hope is no less valid that the other theories that have been conjured based on other subjectivities.
I like my Diet Dr. Pepper with vanilla creamer.
Satisfaction works for me because I don't believe in the Trinity. God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are separate people/personages working towards a common cause - for all God's children to be reunited with Him after death. In my theology, Jesus acts as our advocate with the Father. He says, "Look, they're all a bunch of knuckleheads. We built that into the plan when we gave them free will. I'll take on all the sins, the pains, the stupid decisions, everything we told them not to do, and I'll pay the price, and everybody starts at zero again after they die. Clean slates for everyone, and You get the glory." God says, "The prissy ones are gonna be mad about that - getting saved along with all the "bad" people." Jesus says, "Prolly. But they've got eternity to get over themselves."
I used to believe straight-up LDS theology about the Atonement (Jesus dies for our sins; everyone gets resurrected; people are assigned to different kingdoms of glory based on their earthly righteousness; only active, endowed, super-righteous LDS people will make it to the best kingdom and if your family members aren't part of the Church, you won't get to be with them and there's no visiting between kingdoms). I think the kingdom idea is bollocks. And cruel, fear-inspiring, and anguish-causing. I have three brothers who have left the Church, and my parents believe that they'll never see them again. John's death was even more shattering than it needed to be. The boys are NEVER coming back to Church. Does that mean our family is splintered for eternity? I can't think that, and I cannot conceive of a loving Father, earthly or Heavenly, who wouldn't want to have His children near him. And if we truly believe that Jesus' sacrifice justifies our sins and pays the debt, then we're all clean and worthy to be in God's presence.
Oh man, this is good, Chelan. Thanks for your transparent sharing. I agree with what you’ve said, especially regarding your brothers.
I think one of the things I’m learning in this deconstruction is the value of intuition and feelings over dogma that just doesn’t ring true. My younger Evangelical self would cringe to hear me say this, but I don’t see any point in forcing myself to believe in something that doesn’t make sense with my experience of people and the world.
I’m glad you have that hope for your brothers. Your hope is no less valid that the other theories that have been conjured based on other subjectivities.
Thanks so much for your encouraging thoughts!
Also: Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla Creamer… yum?