In Reply to: Re: Another View: Will the real Jesus please stand up? posted by CB on June 11, 2010 at 11:07:08:
Ever since leaving TFI I had to revise many of my basic Christian beliefs, a process I’m sure many of us went through - with varying intensity. I tabled the “Would the real Jesus please stand up” metaphor because it became apparent to me, while cutting my umbilical TFI cord, that anglo-saxon Christianity and, its interpretations of scripture, use very much the same language, the same euphemisms and metaphors – yet coming to totally opposite conclusions. Like having a relationship with Jesus, being led of the Lord, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, answers to prayer, receiving this or that in prophecy, being born again, the End-time, being spirit led, etc, etc. It became confusing to me since, for instance, TFI claims that having an intimate relationship with the Lord led them to their conclusions and spiritual insights. Don, the Baptists, the Pentecostals and a slew of other denomination, mainstream or fringe, claim the very same thing, while condemning the others conclusions to hell. TFI would claim that their spiritual superiority comes from following the Holy Spirit and being led of the Lord. Ditto for Don and the rest of them. Same language but totally different conclusions.
Well, I threw it all to the four winds and what remains is a simple child like faith in and love for Jesus. I know that because I hunger and thirst after righteousness I will be filled. I refuse to even discuss anymore theology, scripture interpretation, dogma, the end time, theories about the afterlife, etc. They have become utterly irrelevant for me.
Rather than concentrating on my place and position in the afterlife, or if I even attain to it or not, I have chosen to concentrate my efforts on this present life and leading it as successfully, dignified, righteous and best I can. Even if this is in direct contradiction to someone’s purported interpretation of this or that scripture. For now this life is all I have.
When I get to the next life, I’ll worry about that…