Drunken Mystic

Some comments and responses have come to me recently in regards to my writing in the TICFITB series.

First of all, people who know me and have relationship with me have been overwhelmingly supportive. I’m surprised people read them at all, considering how long-winded I can be and the challenging nature of them. Those responses truly encourage me as someone who often feels “outside the camp.”

On the other hand, some have come across my blog and been either concerned or offended. That has not been my goal. I have endeavored to tackle specific issues and principles without naming names or groups. Sometimes examples are appropriate, but I try to keep things as anonymous as possible.

So, based on those concerned responses, let me explain my purpose and agenda here and respond in kind.

As I’ve grown in the Lord, I begin to see things in the scripture I have not seen before. This is fairly common. The revelation of God is progressive in the sense that He never changes, but our perspective of Him does as our eyes are continually opened.

What may be more unique is that I also see what is NOT there. The absence of a teaching can be just as telling as what is being taught.

Therefore, I see many things in the modern Western Church that are held up as central to who we are, and yet I find a different standard in the scripture. And while these differing standards may not necessarily conflict, many times they do, especially when we choose a tradition of man that retards a spiritual need instead of a different tradition or standard that would strengthen it, something we can actually find in the Bible.

This is where many are challenged and even feel offended. To be honest, I expected more than what has come, for it is natural when certain things so ingrained in our religious conscious are questioned.

Of course, I have yet to hear an overwhelming biblical response to anything I have pointed out. I would welcome the discussion, but people mostly point to worldly values or give shrugging excuses or question my spirituality instead of allowing some things to be questioned.

I believe the Bible and the leading of the Holy Spirit are the standards by which everything is to be measured. It is actually one complete standard since the Holy Spirit is the standard and He inspired every word written in the Book. For us to hold so many things so high, I believe there should be biblical support for them. Where there is none, little, or a conflicting standard, I believe questioning is more than appropriate. In dealing with eternal issues, it is necessary.

Jesus pointed out error to those educated in the religious system of His day, Judaism and the old Law, by claiming they did not know “the scriptures or the power of God.” This would be like a “common” or “lay” Christian saying the same to a modern seminary graduate. Jesus continually used scripture to challenge the status quo and support the true Kingdom.
That is my purpose and agenda.

The fact that some encourage and support what is said here is an example of God’s mercy and love to one crying in the wilderness and that God is calling others to do the same.

God is, and always has been, wooing His Bride to the wilderness where she only has Him to rely on, as Hosea so beautifully expressed. Let’s meet Him there, as Hebrews encourages, where we wait for an eternal city with our Husband.

There are a few more TICFITB waiting in the wings, and a couple might challenge even the most free among you. I know they challenge me. I hope we will all be open to Truth and His revelation.

Peace.

This entry was posted on Saturday, October 28th, 2006 at 4:03 pm and is filed under ticfitb series. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.