Comments on: Confessions of a heretic

By: timvictor

timvictor — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:15:43 +0000

Rory,

Great observation. Often the “heretic” feels legitimated because of their position, which may be ‘real’ in their personal world but not real in the world at large.

I agree that the primacy should to be on experience, for experience is the data upon which spirituality and religion ought to be built.

By: Rory Short

Rory Short — Sun, 04 May 2008 14:22:53 +0000

What is heretic? Someone who disputes orthdox views?

If the orthdox views in dispute actually reflect spiritual truths then the only real way forward is for the so called heretic to experience these truths for themselves. Seeking for ways to enable that to happen is the most useful thing that others can do.

If they do not reflect spiritual truths then the dispute is in the humanrealm.

By: Sentinel

Sentinel — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 05:33:01 +0000

The cartoon is disturbingly apt, and the “throwing out of all that has gone before” would certainly be an overkill which could affect a concept of emergence. I’ve been pleased to see that huge (although well discerned) sections of what has gone before are readily incorporated in the emergent movement. I guess that valid spiritual insights tend to remain valid, whether they are third century, reformation, or indeed biblical.

Also struck by the Luke passages, particularly with respect to those who are work-in-progress with their faith. There is so often a drive to smother the borderline potential Christian with theology, perhaps to try and sufficiently weigh him down with scriptures and doctrine that he can’t escape, that there is seldom the wilingness to let people discover at their own pace and their own way, simply being on hand should they ask for help. So many things are only valued once learnt personally, rather than taught, and I fear that many newcomers to faith never get that chance.

Great post.

By: timvictor

timvictor — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:18:53 +0000

Thanks Nic & Stray,

Both “process” and “becoming” are coming more and more into focus for me.

By: stray

stray — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:40:00 +0000

The “work in progress” comment is certainly right on. I think that many forget Jesus’ own analogies of growing – ie. a seed planted, a tender shoot, a tree that produces fruit and provides shelter for the birds.

This is a process, and to judge someone harshly for where they are in this process is probably a sign that you, yourself, are not quite ‘there’ yet either. It’s time for some people just to get honest and real, and realise that there is a bigger mission out there : the kingdom of God.

To quote you Tim : “I believe that this is because we’ve wrapped our theological edifices as well as the church franchises we subscribe to so closely and tightly to the truth that to unwrap the truth is viewed as denying it. ”

Great insight!

By: Nic Paton

Nic Paton — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 10:40:37 +0000

Strong observation, Tim, that the church rejects those whose faith is work-in-progress.

The “error” at fault pertains to the comic – that there is in fact a discreet “before and after” the start of worship. I see it more as an ongoing process.

Also I thought the statement “to be more concerned with people who were searching than with Christians’ need to preach at people” is very apt. It shows the hospitable heart of G-d rather than the insecure, xenophobic heart of orthodoxy.

Good solid fessin’.