I Want to Be a Christian

Over the Christmas holiday, Leah and I spent some time with her family in Baltimore. One evening, Nancy (my mother-in-law) leaned over to me and shared Nicholas Kristof's article Am I a Christian, Tim Keller? 

This was a big moment for us - to be openly and calmly discussing things of faith and Christianity. It was great. I really enjoyed our conversation about the article, and some of the comments as well. Nancy had great questions about the uniqueness of the suffering of Jesus, the necessity of believing in the Virgin Birth, the nature of doubt in faith, and whether you had to believe everything or if there were parts that you could choose and leave others behind.

I don't pretend to have all of the answers to her questions, or to others. However, it occurred to me that these are really insightful questions. For many people, these questions are the concerns that have been on their mind, but they have either been unwilling or afraid to ask them. In some cases, they may have been told they couldn't ask them, or that the asking already expresses doubt and disqualifies them.

What struck me as I reflected on Nancy's questions and the comments of so many others on the article, was the number of people who sincerely desire to be a part of the Christian faith. When I read the questions about the details of believing, doubting, and specific questions, I hear and unspoken desire to be connected to the Church. I may be hearing things people aren't saying, but for the first time, I think I began to hear the true desire to belong from people that are wrestling with real questions about their faith.

One of the most powerful moments of the article, for me, was the question and answer about the role of doubt in the Christian faith:

Can I ask: Do you ever have doubts? Do most people of faith struggle at times over these kinds of questions?

Yes and yes. In the Bible, the Book of Jude (Chapter 1, verse 22) tells Christians to “be merciful to those who doubt.” We should not encourage people to simply stifle all doubts. Doubts force us to think things out and re-examine our reasons, and that can, in the end, lead to stronger faith.

I think it is very helpful for us to acknowledge the truth about where are hearts are as we reflect on our faith.

In order to continue to process this article, and the questions raised, I am going to take some time to develop my thoughts around the following questions:

• Why is the suffering of Jesus so unique or special when millions of others have endured such terrible suffering over the millennia of human history up to the present (Eben Spinoza's comment)?
• What is the nature of the Christian faith? Where is the boundary of those who are in and those who are out (Pastor Keller's response)?
• Who needs to believe (general response to comments/questions posed)

I'm glad to tackle others if anyone has comments or questions they want to add after reading the article.

The People Groan - But We Rejoice

When righteous people increase, the people [of God] rejoice, but when a wicked person rules, everybody groans. Proverbs 20:2

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Thank you, God, for the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States. 

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It has helped me have deeper conversations with my neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

It has helped redirect my hope.

It has shed light on concerns of other Americans that I did not know existed.

It has helped clarify the true nature of our fellow Americans' attitude toward the rest of the world.

It has created an opportunity for the church to stand up for what she believes in regardless of political affiliation.

It is serving as a deeper call for every individual to get involved, and do something to ensure that the systems change.

It has helped me appreciate and respect previous Presidents.

It has caused me to pray more regularly and with more clarity and vigor for our country and for our leaders.

It has shown me my role to be a leader where I am, instead of hoping for someone else to lead me and others.

It has caused me to remember that there is no law against the fruit of the spirit.

It has caused me to be thankful for the checks and balances of power.

It has made me thankful for a peaceful transition of government.

It has made me thankful for the freedom of speech, that citizens of this country can question, refute, and challenge those in power.

It has given me more opportunities to encourage other believers in a real and tangible way as they process the results of the election and the additional decisions.

It has brought the plight of refugees to the forefront of conversation and consideration in the public eye.

It has emboldened me to live by the Fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control), because against these things there is no law.

It will give an opportunity for Christian people to stand up in defense of their Muslim neighbors.

It will provoke more debate about the life of unborn children and the plight that faces women in crisis pregnancies.

It has made me look to God to ask what his purposes and plans are, and how he will use these things to bless those He loves and cares for.

It has caused my mother-in-law to have resolve to run for school board.

It will provoke many more people to take up the mantle of social justice for their neighbors, friends, and family.

It will provide a window in time for politicians to reveal their character as politically savvy or full of integrity.

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As I reflect on these things, I want my thanksgiving to be genuine. I want to believe that I would give thanks for these things regardless of who was elected. I want to believe that God will use this to bring His Kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven.