Posted on 01/14/2007 5:08:26 PM PST by sionnsar
via email
Author: Manny Publius
I came to the CTsix blog once upon a time believing I was an extreme of all extreme progressive. I liked the term “revisionist” cause things surely had to change. I was going to set right all the erroneous thoughts that the evangelical, conservative, homophobic Christian world held dear. I was on a mission!
And so, I set off upon a journey that has taken me to places I could never, ever have dreamed. I began by reading your posts. I was looking for ammunition. I wanted to use your words against you. What I heard was pain from the hijacking of your church by the revisionists and the joy that your faithfulness brought to you. I wanted to hear the “Q” word or the “F” word (not THAT “F” word) so I could launch my attack. I wanted to hear you deny Christ for me and mine. I didn’t hear that.
I began posting comments and you responded graciously. I began to feel your pain for I knew that very pain all too well. I started to listen to those opposing voices, angry and demanding, attacking the traditionalists so enthusiastically. My prayer deepened. My critical thinking skills became quite useful. My definition of “me and mine” grew considerably. I realized the church is a collective “we” and not this side or that side. But, I did not stop there.
I can’t take imagine taking Christ out of Christian. What exactly would be left? Still, I went further. Sunday after Sunday, I have looked closely at the Nicene Creed as I recited it. There is not one word I need to change to make that my truth for it is THE TRUTH and I say that with 100% certainty. I believe in the Trinity even though I can’t describe, define or explain it away. Actually, I like that there are some things I just will not be able to understand completely (BIG sigh of relief!). It is the taking of those “leaps of faith” that assure me of my faithfulness. I believe the Bible is the Word of God. I believe Jesus is THE way, THE truth and THE light.
I guess what amazes me is that I no longer believe I am a liberal, progressive, revisionist. I see that as a negative direction for anyone to be heading in. The progress in progressive is about moving forward, but that seems like an oxymoron to me. How can moving away from Jesus be progress? Sounds like a whole lot of backsliding from where I am sitting!
For a lifetime I’ve heard the question, disdainfully asked, “How can you be gay AND Christian?” It was just as likely to be asked from my gay associates as from my Christian associates. Apparently in the minds of a good number of people the term gay Christian is an oxymoron of sorts. For years, the best answer I could give was simply, “I am what I am.”
When people found out I was Episcopalian they simply nodded their heads like it made some kind of special sense cause I belonged to “that church.” But, I shall have to start confusing people all over again. I think honesty is the best way to go so I shall have to start introducing myself as a traditionalist. Yup! It’s time to start “coming out” all over again!
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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
"We all want progress, but if you're on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive." - C. S. Lewis
Liberals are not at all progressive. They continue down the wrong road.
By being chaste.
I suppose "gay" and "chaste" are contradictory, though ... but you can be homosexually-oriented and chaste, just as you can be heterosexually-oriented and chaste.
I'm very sorry for you, whoever you are.
I concur.
I read the article at 4 in the morning and still loved it and made me think of what is truly at stake in this country. God hear our prayers and forgive us for wanting our own desires and not that of your divine will. amen.
That is one fine mighty prayer right there. Thank you and amen.
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