My Intimate Thoughts

Hi! I’m Brother Scott and before you read any of my posts, I ask that you read this first. It’s meant to enlighten you into my mindset, so that if I’m fortunate enough to find readers, there may be some understanding into the workings of my noggin. I’m 61, with no formal education (Too many drugs in my youth) and I question everything, to the delight of some and the consternation of others. To use a popular buzzword in the modern-day Christian vernacular, I de-constructed. For those who are not familiar with that term, here is a short definition. “ A critical re-appraisal of one's faith tradition” in my case Western Evangelicalism, which sprung out of The Great Awakening that happened between the 1720s and 1740s in colonial America. Readers should know that I am eternally grateful for this movement. I believe it's because of Western Evangelicalism that the missionary push to spread the gospel came to its zenith. However, that being said, after examining many of the beliefs tha...

 It's Christmas day, and 2023 will soon come to a close. Looking back, if I had to put a name to it, I could call it many things. The year of struggle, the year of the moving, the year of the blindness. But a more apt name for it is the year of family. The Year of Struggle: For some reason, this year my struggles seemed to be exacerbated. Not only were external forces at play, but internal ones, that I thought were long gone. Particularly the feeling of abandonment. But why? There is really little reason for it. Seems the enemy always attacks our weakest points, and this is mine, rejection. Situations in my past, at the hands of other Christians, were not always pleasant, I wasn't always treated with kindness, respect, and love. On that, I'll elaborate some other time. The Year of the Move: Because of circumstances beyond my control a few years ago, I ended up in a dumpy little apartment. It was small, cramped, and filthy. My roommate had personal hygiene issues. (He took a...

Christians, what’s our job? I ask that question with all sincerity. Before Jesus ascended back to the Father, what did he tell us to do? Matthew 28:19-20 NIV Therefore go make disciples of all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Then why do we get so politically charged up, that we forget our purpose? Making disciple. As a whole, we are gung ho for this narrative as long as they don’t cross our borders illegally, are not Muslim, or some other undesirable people that we deem not worthy of the American dream. We forget that the Kingdom has no boundaries, and is for all. I have to admit I struggle with this issue. Having spoken to someone dear to me recently and whose opinion I greatly respect, she made some compelling arguments, and that she lives in a state that is affected by this issue, I can understand her point. ...

This will most probably be several entries into this blog, because of the complexity it entails. Books are written on this subject, and condensing it down to a few paragraphs will never do this subject justice. It is sure to bring questions of my salvation to some, my mental stability to others, and cognitive dissonance to most. It has to do with our scriptures. The need for respectful dialog is a must.  According to most evangelicals I've spoken to, their view on biblical inerrancy is as follows. Strict Inerrancy: This view holds that the Bible is completely without error in all areas, including historical, scientific, and moral matters. Proponents often argue that any perceived errors are due to human interpretation or translation errors, not flaws in the original text. This doctrinal stance was codified in 1978 with the publishing of The Chicago Statement of Innerantcy. This was when hundreds of evangelical leaders gathered together for a three-day conference to discuss th...

While related, the concepts of biblical moral infallibility and biblical inerrancy differ in their scope and focus when viewed through the lens of the cross. Here's a breakdown: Biblical Inerrancy: Focus: Claims that the Bible is completely free from factual errors, including historical, scientific, and moral claims. This implies that everything in the Bible is literally true and divinely inspired. Challenges: This view faces challenges from historical and scientific discrepancies in the Bible, as well as passages that seem to contradict each other or condone morally questionable actions. Relationship to the Cross: The cross, as a symbol of God's radical love and forgiveness, doesn't directly address inerrancy. However, some argue that the cross's message of grace transcends literal interpretations and emphasizes the core message of love and redemption. Biblical Infallibility: Focus: Claims that the Bible's moral teachings are always true and reliable, even if the t...

A fter reading my previous post on this matter, the reader might assume I don't adhere to inerrancy, and the reader would be wrong. I just question literal inerrancy, which doesn't allow for different details in the same story. Example: The number of Angels at the tomb: Matthew: One angel sits on the stone. Mark: One young man sits on the right side of the tomb. Luke: Two men in dazzling white stand beside the women. John: No mention of angels. Or The presence of the witnesses: Matthew: The women are first to witness the empty tomb. Mark: Mary of Magdalene is the first witness, then the two disciples on the road. Luke: The women are the first witnesses, then the two disciples on the road. John: Mary of Magdalene was the first witness, then the disciples behind locked doors. These are just two examples, there are many more. But, what does this mean? Does this make the bible untrustworthy? Of course not! It means there's a bit of a discrepancy in the details, but the narrativ...

Taking a nuanced approach to biblical Innerantcy involves acknowledging its complexity, and engaging with it in a way that goes beyond simplistic interpretations. Here are some key aspects of a nuanced approach: Understanding context and historical background: Recognizing that the Bible was written over a long period by diverse authors with different agendas and audiences. Looking at things strictly through the lens of the twenty-first century can lead to misunderstandings. Considering the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which the texts were written. Imposing our current cultural norms over the backdrop of biblical times gives an unfair bias against biblical historicity. Understanding the literary genres used in different parts of the Bible (e.g., poetry, history, prophecy, law) and how they shape meaning. Recognizing diverse interpretations: Acknowledging that there are multiple ways to interpret biblical texts, both within and across different Christian traditions. Engag...

  When having a conversation with some people, you'll find they often don't believe the bible. They may cite some vague inconsistency, supposed contradictions, or other manner of excuses to discredit our scriptures. But the fact is, when you ask them to elaborate, they often can't. However, that is changing. Because information is now readily available at your fingertips and easily googled. Even the uneducated can come up with plausible arguments.  These people are often very biased for many different reasons. They generally seek out information from scholars, who are critical of the orthodox biblical narrative. The most popular today are Bart Ehrmann,  Annie Besant, Thomas Pain,  Jesus Seminar, and others. These scholars have terminal degrees, (Ph. D.s) and are considered experts in their field.  Why an atheist, agnostic, or practicing Jew would want an advanced degree in New Testament studies is beyond me. But they do, and they have them. In all honesty, they ...

  The act of "de-Christianizing" other believers in recent years is on the rise. It seems that having civil discourse is now passe' and has been replaced with a virulent form of dogmatic expression that emphasizes theology over grace. They often mix politics and religion emphasizing one political ideology over another. with an outcome that divides the brethren. We are to keep the unity of the Spirit Ephesians 4:3-6. We need more solidarity within the body.     Imposing specific interpretations of scripture or doctrines as the only valid ones can stifle intellectual exploration and diverse expressions of faith.  It's crucial to remember that Christianity encompasses a wide spectrum of beliefs and practices. Judging and excluding others based on differences in biblical interpretation or emphasis can be counterproductive and harmful to the unity of the faith. Instead of focusing on the differences in  Christian doctrines, we should strive to foster understandi...

I've got leukemia. Along with the many maladies I’ve endured like, numerous strokes, a ’ heart attack and cancer, plus many other life altering circumstances. It's just become another thing that’s made me tired. Yet I still trudge on and sadly, that’s how life gets for all of us, if we live long enough. Life is now on the down hill slope to death. By that initial statement one would think I was most pitiful. Honestly, if I were to constantly live in that attitude, I would be the most wretched of souls. But I don’t, and I’m not. Instead I’ve learned to live in gratitude, to celebrate the youth in others that I can no longer live. Celebrate children's play (even if it’s a bit loud) , revel in the laugh of a baby and take in the beauty of all the wonderful people that have surround me. God is good. About 8 months ago, I started to lose my eyesight due to diabetic retinopathy. I’d been having problems for several years with bleeding in my retina and though it was a hindrance...

I am going to make a statement, words matter, definitions matter. It’s my opinion that words and definitions hold immense significance in the lexicon of Christian understanding and we should be meticulous in our understanding of them. The Bible, the foundational text of Christianity, the inspired word of God, it depends on the precise meaning of its words. Making it crucial for understanding God's character, nature, and plan for humanity. Throughout history, such theologians as Ignatius, Polycarp, Origen, Clement of Alexandria, and many others have meticulously examined and debated the meaning of specific terms and concepts found in the scriptures, as these words shape one's perception of God and faith. For instance, the definition of "love" in Christianity is not merely an emotional sentiment but encompasses a profound commitment to the well-being of others, as exemplified by God's sacrificial love for humanity. Similarly, the concept of "salvation" in ...