Take A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole
76
Come Along For The Ride
I've been told I wanted to start my own religion just because I dared to question denominational dogma. Patently untrue, I question all dogma - if you can't ask why, you can't learn why.
I've been run out of more than one church because I dared to challenge people over ignorance and indefensible positions. Youthful arrogance, for which I repent, sort of.
The kindest compliment anyone ever gave me was to describe my brand of Christianity as "intelligent resistance to the status quo". At least he called me smart.
The greatest friend I ever had let me rant and rave and swing wildly in the dark without ever once accusing me or brow beating me or kicking me out. Well, he did once but I deserved it, and he was the first person at the door with his arms open wide when I came back in. You have been life itself to me, Bob.
I've destroyed the logic of athiests and been branded a fool; destroyed the logic of Christians and been called a heretic. I'm just a sucker for proper logic.
I've been accused of jumping down the rabbit hole. They're right. I did.
If they mean I believe that those who never hear the gospel can be saved by God, they're right.
If they mean I want my gay and lesbian friends next to me on the pew, they're right.
If they mean I believe a church that doesn't care for the poor in its own neighborhood isn't church at all, they're right.
If they mean I detest the Jesus of the religious right, political party, moral majority crowd, they're right.
If they mean that rather than condemn a prostitute I believe the church should feed her, clothe her, employ her and introduce her to the loving Alternative to the life she's living, they're right.
If they mean I'd rather wipe the spit of skid row derision off my face than drink the wine of communion, they're right.
If they think I'm going to quietly sit by and swallow every racist attitude, every ignorant blog about the "role of women in the church", every wrong attitude and reprehensible action the church perpetrates on innocent individuals that leaves them broken-hearted and bleeding outside the church's doors, they are so,so very wrong.
The rabbit hole is dangerous, and risky, and messy, and difficult beyond measure. I can't trust "church" to lead me the right direction, I've got to keep my eyes glued on Jesus. Only He knows the way out of this mess.
I'm jumping down the rabbit hole. The company is so much better.
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Bro Dave. WOOZER Up all the way. I loved this. Proud of your brother. You keep sharing the truth in this fallen world. Keep feeding the poor and loving the heartbroken. U will I know it. Phil 4:13 Keep shining the light of Jesus brother. Well done good and faithful servant. I am helping this to get out. Rabbit hole story love it.
Truth needs to be heard my friend. Thank you for a powerhouse holy spirit moving read. Hugs your sister. Love to you and your. In Christ.
@Skye2day, thank you for your beautiful comments and your encouragement.
@WD Curry you wouldn't always know by my writing that I'm actually a pretty happy, easy going guy... but then I'm a Marine too, so sometimes those natures just lead in different directions. I don't mind, most of the time.
This is a good one Dave. Just to clarify where I stand with gay and lesbian individuals - They should be welcome in the pews. Jesus loves them and maybe through hearing the word the Holy Spirit will help them to realize that Jesus does not love their lifestyle, and will lead them to repent and change. If they do not repent or change they should not be allowed to become members of the family of believers. We are told in Hebrews 10:26; "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God."
If they are aware of the truth of God's Word and still continue in their lifestyle they are disregarding the sacrifice Jesus made for them and trampling Him underfoot. As believers we need to confront them with their sin and pray for them to have a change of heart and lifestyle.
I am probably making enemies here, but I have to say it. I am compelled to speak out with the truth because I love the Lord. Thanks for sharing. Stay blessed.
Hey Dave, you have very strong feelings about very real issues in our world and church today. I do have some of my own but neither you nor me will be effective if we keep such a critical eye on everybody. There are a lot of people in the churches today whom I know are not for the status quo but know that they cannot leave the system to those who want to maintain the status quo because that is the only way of completely destroying the system. I believe in staying to do what I should until God tells me to move and besides I am humbled by the fact that I do have my own issues that others can help me with. Let us strive to be compassionate with those who do not seem to understand how wrong they are because like other components we may stand for, they also need help and loving even if they may not know it.
@kristeen - thank you for your comments. You bring up a subject that requires its own treatment, that is, we are all sinful, some public, some private, yet we all sit on the pew together. The issue of "church discipline" is one that has brought more grief into the church than peace - perhaps because of the way we do it? Something to consider.
@donnaisabella - you highlight my point exactly. Each of us has strong opinions, and we are supposed to, but the art of living side by side in harmony with those strong opinions is more mature than most people seem to be able to accomplish. Thanks
This is a great write Dave, once we had a couple of young gay people come to our church and some of our people shun away from them which was very bad, but these young people have come back on a few times which is good yes we need to take a good look at where and what the church thinks about many issues, and these issues are man made so yes there will be problems. well done Dave.
Thank you Ray. No one said loving people was easy.
I have been to the matrix. I went down the rabbit hole, I discovered a world more real than this one could ever be. It was a place of perfection and nothing evil or unclean exist there. No time has ever existed there, it is but one eternal day. I say this, make your calling and election sure, it will be so close that the very elect would be deceived if possible, but it is not. The Bible says, The Elect obtained and the rest (religious) people were blinded. few there be that find this.
Very inspirational, we are in very similar places spiritually and it's nice to know that I'm not alone in challenging dogma.
@shiningstar - I'm still confused, do I take the red pill or the blue pill?
@ Jeremy, thanks friend for the kind comment.
This is a powerful Hub, Brother.
I hope all is well with y'all way out there in Sugar Grove.
Yesterday I attended Moody Church and it was absolutely a wonderful experience in every way. Maybe you guys can join us there one day.
The sermon was called "The Invisible World." I am pretty sure it is available for listening on their website. It is really good.
God Bless!
My first brush with fame was at Moody - I'll tell you about it some time. Haven't been in years, I'll get with you about going together. I'll look up the sermon online. Thanks for dropping by brother - talk soon.
WD Curry 111 Level 8 Commenter 3 months ago
Hey brother, I have had a few of those experiences myself. Please don't get mad at me. Are you sure you don't have a predisposed bias of your own? I don't know many Christians or churches who are racist or won't let your gay friend in the door.
I did live in Montgomery Alabama during 1967-68 disturbances there (Air Force family). The minister at our church allowed a black family join, and lost half the congregation. Then in Conway, South Carolina where the sidewalks still had faint remnants of "colored entrance" at the hospital, there were no blacks in my girl friend's church. I asked and was told they had their own church. In both places, you will see mixed race couples today.
I went to a semi-mega church where they had an outreach to homosexuals. It was fairly successful for a while, but there was a lot of pressure to hurry their repentance from the lifestyle. It was a tough situation. I had words with people more than once. Let the Holy Spirit do the convincing . . . I'm not the guy. Meanwhile read it again. Turn the page, "Who are you to judge who do the very same thing?"
Then again, your response could be from a holy fire in your heart. A couple of the old prophets got pretty dicey, not to mention Jesus himself.
Anyway, this was a cool look into your head and heart. I got caught up and wrote a hub for a comment. Hope you don't mind.