I appreciate your feedback. This essay is a part of a few chapters of a new book I’ve written, but I am pivoting from that original vision to something “bigger.” Don't worry, you all will be the first to know :-) I want to use parts of that book for posts here in the coming weeks. Your continued feedback means a lot to me!
I'm mentally and spiritually exhausted by the frenzied political machinations of the last couple of weeks. This is a timely and much-needed reminder of where my focus should be. Thank you, Pete, for your clarity and wisdom.
“Wisdom is about striving to discern—patiently, over time, and with humility—what God’s agenda might be, which a deep and mature grappling with the Bible itself will show us.”
The frantic pace of the disruptive actions that has overloaded every waking hour (as well during fitful sleep) these past two weeks, is so unhealthy. Thank you for the reminder of how one comes closer to Wisdom and her first cousin, Love. My Mamaw used to remind me, “God never gets in a hurry, but is never late.” I think I’ll sleep better tonight. 💤
When God “calls you his own”, and he promises to support you, it’s easy to fall into what I think of as Christian narcissism. “Now that I’m a Christian and know better than you about everything, I should be able to tell you what to believe and what do.” It’s ugly and you either grow out of it or you go around alienating and hurting the lives of others.
“Wisdom in all things.” I needed those words to breathe again, as I’ve been consumed by indignation and rage for the last few weeks. Thank you, Pete, definitely looking forward to the new book.
Thank you SO much for this post, Pete. It was quite timely and very relevant for me, as over the holidays I was quite poorly and thus spent a lot of time in bed, scrolling. (I’m sure you would never fall into that trap 😜). The algorithms kick in and I find myself in a state of agitation and vexation from watching video shorts of preachers or evangelists using the Bible exactly as you describe. I can’t seem to help myself; it’s become a morbid fascination for me that people really seem to think this is the way to reach the ‘lost’.
So when I see the subtitles saying things like ‘READ MY LIPS - THERE IS NO NEW REVELATION’, or, THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE NOT FOR TODAY’, or, ‘it’s not me who says it, it’s Christ and if you don’t accept him you ((or your loved ones) are going to hell.’ And so forth. I feel like I am going to have an apoplectic fit. I came to faith through a church that was guilty of weaponising the scripture and I had all my arguments and memory verses neatly lined up. Yet somehow the real Good News was always omitted - never did we quote Luke 4, say - where Jesus tells the people in the synagogue that he has come to set the prisoners free and open the eyes of the blind and more! And we expect people to hear our harsh and arrogant and judgmental words and respond with ‘what must I do to be saved?!’
Sorry - I went on a rant there. I’m besotted with Jesus and it grieves me so much that we somehow miss the fact that he promises life in all its fullness, rather than the fear of fire and brimstone when we die - especially if we got our theology wrong.
I’m looking forward to your new book, Pete - keep doing what you are doing! (And sorry for the long post).
Thanks Pete. I’m considering getting a Masters in Biblical Studies. I want to go to a program that fosters intellectual curiosity and humility. Are there any Seminaries you recommend? Open to any denomination.
I appreciate your feedback. This essay is a part of a few chapters of a new book I’ve written, but I am pivoting from that original vision to something “bigger.” Don't worry, you all will be the first to know :-) I want to use parts of that book for posts here in the coming weeks. Your continued feedback means a lot to me!
I'm mentally and spiritually exhausted by the frenzied political machinations of the last couple of weeks. This is a timely and much-needed reminder of where my focus should be. Thank you, Pete, for your clarity and wisdom.
This statement jumped out to me:
“Wisdom is about striving to discern—patiently, over time, and with humility—what God’s agenda might be, which a deep and mature grappling with the Bible itself will show us.”
The frantic pace of the disruptive actions that has overloaded every waking hour (as well during fitful sleep) these past two weeks, is so unhealthy. Thank you for the reminder of how one comes closer to Wisdom and her first cousin, Love. My Mamaw used to remind me, “God never gets in a hurry, but is never late.” I think I’ll sleep better tonight. 💤
When God “calls you his own”, and he promises to support you, it’s easy to fall into what I think of as Christian narcissism. “Now that I’m a Christian and know better than you about everything, I should be able to tell you what to believe and what do.” It’s ugly and you either grow out of it or you go around alienating and hurting the lives of others.
"...if those who claim the name of Christ lay down their swords and beat them into ploughshares." Thank you for this. If only.
Perfectly said. I’m ready to live into the challenge. Thank you for the reminder.
“Wisdom in all things.” I needed those words to breathe again, as I’ve been consumed by indignation and rage for the last few weeks. Thank you, Pete, definitely looking forward to the new book.
Thank you SO much for this post, Pete. It was quite timely and very relevant for me, as over the holidays I was quite poorly and thus spent a lot of time in bed, scrolling. (I’m sure you would never fall into that trap 😜). The algorithms kick in and I find myself in a state of agitation and vexation from watching video shorts of preachers or evangelists using the Bible exactly as you describe. I can’t seem to help myself; it’s become a morbid fascination for me that people really seem to think this is the way to reach the ‘lost’.
So when I see the subtitles saying things like ‘READ MY LIPS - THERE IS NO NEW REVELATION’, or, THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE NOT FOR TODAY’, or, ‘it’s not me who says it, it’s Christ and if you don’t accept him you ((or your loved ones) are going to hell.’ And so forth. I feel like I am going to have an apoplectic fit. I came to faith through a church that was guilty of weaponising the scripture and I had all my arguments and memory verses neatly lined up. Yet somehow the real Good News was always omitted - never did we quote Luke 4, say - where Jesus tells the people in the synagogue that he has come to set the prisoners free and open the eyes of the blind and more! And we expect people to hear our harsh and arrogant and judgmental words and respond with ‘what must I do to be saved?!’
Sorry - I went on a rant there. I’m besotted with Jesus and it grieves me so much that we somehow miss the fact that he promises life in all its fullness, rather than the fear of fire and brimstone when we die - especially if we got our theology wrong.
I’m looking forward to your new book, Pete - keep doing what you are doing! (And sorry for the long post).
Thanks Pete. I’m considering getting a Masters in Biblical Studies. I want to go to a program that fosters intellectual curiosity and humility. Are there any Seminaries you recommend? Open to any denomination.