I’m still receiving “helpful” articles about The Golden Compass from friends far and wide. It appears some of my friends are concerned with my apparent lax on Christian virtues and beliefs and their being attacked by this “atheist heathen”. ~sigh~ I have had more scripture quoted at me in the past two weeks than I have in the last year. I’m talking directly at me – not while I sit in church. It’s hard not to want to throw my hands in the air and scream “give me a freaking break!” I’m trying to hold my tongue and reign in my emotions and come at this topic with probing eyes and not just spout off a bunch of pious platitudes.
I have questions…lots of questions. Deep faith questions that require exploration and examination of what I’ve read, been taught, always believed, and do not fully understand. The only thing this has to do with Pullman is that the controversy surrounding his books and the movie have catapulted me into a place of defining more clearly who I am and what I am about as a follower of Christ. I have begun to dislike using the word Christian to describe myself because it so often shuts down conversations with those who have been hurt by Christians. Part of who I am is being a woman that God has invited in to love on people who have been spit on by the world – including being spit on by Christians, and wounded Christians themselves. It makes me more careful with my choice of words. But it seems my choice of words is also getting me into trouble.
So the conversation continues…not because I want to get everyone on my side and think as I do, but because I still want to get you thinking. So these are some of my questions that I’ve been thinking about. I encourage you to ask yourself the same things. Don’t just give a flippant answer of what you’ve always thought and believed. Ask yourself why you would answer the way you would. Put some thought into it, then feel free to share a few of them here. Ready?
- What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?
- Does it mean that everyone who is has to have the same core beliefs? If so, what are they?
- What does it mean when we can’t agree on what the core beliefs are?
- Can two believers be convicted by different things?
- Can two believers be convicted by different things when the focus is on the same subject?
- How should I handle conflict when I disagree with another believer about a conviction?
- Can we still be friends, or have I just made an enemy or lost my witness with them?
- Is it my responsibility to make someone choose Christ?
- If someone hasn’t made that choice yet, what is my responsibility then?
- What does it mean that it takes some longer than others to make that choice – if they ever do?
- How should I treat someone that hasn’t or doesn’t want to choose Christ?
- How do I show compassion towards others?
- Can I choose to look for God and his message in all things?
- What do I do if I find Him in something not meant to be about Him?
- What do I do if I can’t find Him in something not meant to be about Him?
- What do I do if I can’t find Him in something meant to be about Him?
- What is the difference between dialog and debate?
- Is it my job to change people’s minds if they don’t agree with me?
- What is the proper way to handle being told I’m not really a Christian?
- Who is my enemy?
- What is judgment and how often am I guilty of doing it to others?
- What is the phrase, “causing your brother to stumble” really about?
- What is the meaning behind the scripture about whether or not it’s o.k. to eat meat sacrificed to idols?
- What is fantasy/fiction and is it o.k.? (Fantasy as in characters and situations that don’t exist in our world)
- Is it o.k. to think about things through the lens of fantasy fiction that wouldn’t be o.k. in real life? (magic, ghosts, witches, etc)
- What does it mean to explore life, human nature, spirituality, and how they are intertwined?
- If I’m displeasing to another believer does that mean I’m displeasing to God?
- Is it o.k. to have questions about and struggle with faith?
- What kind of spirit did God give me and why?
- Are my sins covered by Jesus’ blood or not?
- Can they be uncovered once they’ve been covered ?
- What does it mean to work out my salvation with fear and trembling?
- What do I look like to other believers?
- What do I look like to unbelievers?
- Am I loving as Jesus loved?
- Do I have the right or responsibility to rebuke the pharisees around me?
- Is that a form of judgment?
- Why is it important to me to dialog with other believers?
- Am I surface or am I deep?
- What am I doing to bring the kingdom of God to those around me?
~deep breath~
That’s a lot, I know. I had a good cry on Saturday while mulling these things over and talking to Benny. Both always make me feel better. Talk about releasing emotion! O.K. play along…it’s your turn.
Beautiful questions, Niki. I’ll be back to answer them. (Most of them 😉 ) Not because I claim to have the answers as though I “had already attained all of this”, but because such well thought out questions deserve well thought out answers.
Hoping I have not discouraged you in any way…
Your sister,
-Jennifer-
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I’ll do a few.
What is the difference between dialog and debate?
Is it my job to change people’s minds if they don’t agree with me?
I think that following question answers the previous. A debate is an attempt to change the mind of a person who doesn’t believe in you or win over those who haven’t yet made up their mind. Dialog is when you discuss an issue so that both sides can come to a deeper understanding of why the other came to the decision they did and mull over the ideas and the position of the other in fairness and respect. And that’s key. Dialog means both parties think highly enough of each other that they are willing to give the other the benefit of the doubt when it comes to why they came to their own conclusion. Debate assumes one’s own position is superior or the only right one.
Is it o.k. to have questions about and struggle with faith?
I think of the father of the boy in Mark 9 (specifically 9:23). Many days, I cry out as he did “I believe Lord! Help my unbelief!” Jesus honored that in that situation, and He will honor that heart today. If we are honest people, there will be days of our lives (whether present, past or future) that we will struggle. I can tell you that those words have been my prayer. God is in the business of reconciliation. That’s what He wants. He’ll take us where we are if we are there.
Godzilla Houdini Rhagili Jones…Love Her Like A Sister
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Niki,
You are a dear sweet sister in the Lord – I love your heart.
I hate that people have been ugly with you on the Compass issues. The more I live out what has been bubbling in my heart, the more people see me yoked with gays, politicians, etc. They need Jesus just as much as you or I do – no more no less.
I am at work and do not have time to devote to your questions, but will return. In the meantime, I wanted to share a lovely book with you – a quick read of only an hour or so (110 pgs or something like that) Prophets and Pillars by Carl Medearis here in Denver. It’s about Muslim-Christian relations and the unity bend of Carl’s message is very inspiring 🙂
Finally, a message about acceptance and comfort as pertains to our walk with the lord:
http://redheaded-step-child.blogspot.com/2006/12/who-am-i-comfortable-with.html
(hugs)
Heather
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So I had 29 of the 40 questions answered in great detail, with daring intellect and studious usage of scripture and the church fathers. My computer decided to restart when I had left the room without saving my thesis errrr. I mean my response.
The summary of my work of art, which I will not restart, was that Jesus, Paul, and John repeatedly challenge us to love dangerously and indiscriminately. That applies to people who are followers of God, and those who will never follow God. I am trying to live that out (I’ve gotten better than when I started, but still have a long way to go).
My last point of summary to all the 1s and 0s that have been destroyed is that Romans 12 is the best answer to many of your above issues. It’s context is being spoken TO the church. All of it’s challenges are how we treat EACH OTHER foremost before how we treat the world. This means even those who do not extend love, friendship, and fellowship to us. We are still called to live out Christ love to them.
That is probably better than my previous work anyway!
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GREAT thoughts so far people! I just want to clarify that I’m asking these questions, thinking through them, and wanting to DIALOG about them. I’m not asking you to answer my questions for me. I’m looking for some introspection here and your thoughts.
Kevin, you know I can’t give you a certificate for your thesis, right? 🙂 Comments longer than 1,000 words need to be emailed directly to me. OR you can call me for a nice long chat. We haven’t talked in awhile anyway. You love my husband more than me! 🙂 😛
Heather, thanks for the book recommendation. I’ll check it out. I love having you as part of the discussion.
Jared, LOVE the sign-off! That needs to be our new inside joke.
Jennifer, we press on whether we agree or not. That’s what I love about us.
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Cool! I will call you tomorrow!
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Wow, when people were free to spout off their preconceived notions, everyone was here to have their say. Now that you’ve challenged us to think, only four people have something to say? That’s pretty sad. I suppose it’s true that if you make a person think you made them think, they’ll love you, but if you actually make them think, they’ll hate you (or, in this case, at least not respond to your blog post).
It makes me wonder if fear of honest examination is the culprit. Do you like Krispy Kreme doughnuts?..because it’s like Krispy Kreme doughnuts for your mind.
Godzilla Houdini Rhagili Jones…(kiss)…Love Her Like A Sister
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Wonderful set of questions here, Niki. In particular I’ve been following the bits in your past few posts (and their attendant comments) about finding God in things that aren’t about him. There is a pagan worldview that separates the spiritual/good ‘god’ from the physical/evil ‘world.’ That philosophy is rampant in some of the comments I’ve seen here, particularly in the idea that if Niki sees God in this movie, she’s seeing something that isn’t there. Do we really mean to say that an atheist is powerful enough to make the omnipresent God absent? It is right to distinguish good from evil, and Niki’s done a good job of that. But the world and everything in it is God’s (including all the stories its creatures try to tell). No story (not even Satan’s story) is free of God’s illuminating and truth-telling presence. Niki is doing the good work of searching for (and finding) truth, beauty and goodness wherever it may be found.
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I’ve started answering these over at my blog…good questions. And dancinggod, I totally agree!
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I’ve not yet replied to this entry, not because I have nothing to say, or because I fear introspection, but for two reasons.
1. This afternoon was the first time in the past couple of days that I’ve taken to sit and spend time reading posts from my “blogs of substance” category. (If I don’t have the time to linger and re-read and think a while, I might skim these quickly, but prefer to wait until I have a nice chunk of time)
2. Now that I’ve read the entry, it is going to take me some time to formulate my feelings and beliefs and thoughts on the matter(s) presented, in tangible words that actually convey what I feel and mean. Word-smithing takes time. But if nothing else, I’ve learned over the years that it is worth putting that time in, to try to avoid preventable confusion and misunderstanding. To answer all 40 questions and to do so after some serious thought instead of a quickly typed response in the comment box, could take days. I tend to write tomes, especially when I start digging deep into matters of faith. Each question could become a massive essay in size as I respond to them.
Many of the questions touch on things that have answers rooted in my childhood, that touch on tragedies I’ve experienced, that delve into realms that some of the world’s most learned theologians of various religions haven’t fully answered in the many tomes they’ve written and published. I think for many of us, some of these questions are what fuels our spiritual walk, and our attention to our spiritual growth.
Niki, know that your questions are deeply appreciated. You really have no idea right now how timely they are, nor how much I needed an external nudge to do some deeper introspection. *hugs*
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Hi Niki,
Great questions here. I have barely been able to keep up with my blog this last week and DH wants to watch a movie so I’ll be back later. 🙂
Love you!
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Hi Niki –
I’m back.
“Do I have the right or responsibility to rebuke the Pharisees around me?”
No, you may as well go talk to the wall. They are so bound up in legalism that they aren’t going to hear you anyway. It will take an act of God to break their stronghold. Your job is just to love them in spite of the giant log in their eye, which isn’t easy to do. It’s possible the Holy Spirit may use you to reach them at some point but you must get the go ahead from Him.
“Am I surface or am I deep?’
I think these insightful questions take care of that answer. You are deep and you feel deep, which is why you are troubled when someone questions your beliefs or integrity.
“If I’m displeasing to another believer does that mean I’m displeasing to God?” Not necessarily. The Bible says, “When possible live at peace with everyone. Let’s face it, some people are very hard to live at peace with.” If you have done all you can to get along, don’t sweat it.
“What is the proper way to handle being told I’m not really a Christian?”
I’ve had this one before. In fact, she was a very good friend of mine. She believed I wasn’t saved because I wasn’t baptized for salvation. The bottom line is – who cares what her opinion is – God’s opinion is the only one that matters. I told her that it doesn’t matter if she thinks I’m saved. I know I am, and in the end, only God’s opinion matters.
Okay, I’m taking enough space here. I’ll let someone else take the rest.
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Join my discussion on the Great Santa Debate.
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I’ve just found your blog, via another one, and I love it! I want to play! I don’t tackle such deep things on my blog, so it’s fun to go deep elsewhere. 🙂
# Is it my responsibility to make someone choose Christ?
I grew up in a variety of faith backgrounds. Catholic at birth, then atheist parents. Divorce and remarriage led to a Methodist (in name only) dad. Parents meet Christ and we’re Baptist/Pentecostals, all by the age of eight. At eleven we move to the Assembly of God, then Mennonite (I know, right?) at 13.
All this to say that I learned a variety of things in answer to this question. For a long time I thought it was my responsibility to MAKE people believe. But it never set right in my heart. Years of reading, listening, observing have brought me to the conclusion that it is the Holy Spirit’s job to woo unbelievers. It is my job to be obedient to God. That includes the Great Commission. But I can’t MAKE people believe. Shoot, I have enough of my own doubts in my faith walk. How on earth can I convince others that they HAVE to believe? I see Christ calling people to Him in the Gospels, but some people walked away. He couldn’t make them believe. Neither could the Apostles.
# If someone hasn’t made that choice yet, what is my responsibility then?
Ow, this one is tough. I think my responsibility is what God calls me to, depending on the person. But mostly to continue in relationship. But see, some of us are prone to certain sins and that person may lead us places God doesn’t want us to go. Really? Here’s where I think a community of believers is helpful, people we trust to listen to God with us, to point out when they see us falling and failing, to give us grace and teach us to give grace to others.
# What does it mean that it takes some longer than others to make that choice – if they ever do?
What do you mean, what does it mean? It means it takes some longer! LOL! Does it mean that the Holy Spirit doesn’t know how to do His job? Does it mean that the unbeliever’s heart is too hard? Does it mean that I don’t know how to relate to this person, or that I don’t know the right words to say? Am I not listening to God, since the Holy Spirit’s supposed to give me the words to say? How about, what did Jesus mean by His parable about the sower and the seed? And about some preparing the ground, some sowing, some reaping?
Your questions are harder than they look. Thanks for making me think. 🙂
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I came here from Jan’s blog, looking for your Santa post. Didn’t find that yet.
Anyway, these are great questions. I have wrestled with many of them already. I am still wrestling with some. And some are new to me. I will be back to read the list again and give it more time for contemplation.
I’m not going to give you any answers. You will get your own from God. My answers may not even be right!
I will say, that I am a firm believer in all the answers being found in the Word of God. How some people all come back with different answers– that I don’t understand. But I am responsible before God for myself. How I live, what I say, what I believe.
I do believe that different people will have different convictions, because we all have different weaknesses.
I love fantasy, yet, I feel very convicted to stay away from anything that gives any glory to the enemy and so there are many things that other Believers watch or read that I won’t. I’ve been mocked for that. Too bad. I have to go with what God convicts me to do.
I am often tempted to get on my high horse and judge others for their choices. But mainly that temptation comes when they make me feel defensive about my own choices.
I do wish we as believers could figure out this love, grace and unity thing. Yet, be able to hold one another accountable when it really matters. The Bible says to restore Believers who have sinned.
Yet, we are not to be piously judgemental the way the Pharisees were. How do we draw the line?
Ok, I’m thinking out loud, so to speak. But it just came to me that humility would be the answer to a lot of this. Humbly seeking God in every situation and never addressing another human without the attitude of humility.
As if that were simple. But as for me… maybe that’s where I’ll start.
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I”ve been soooo sick this week. (ER visit and medication side-effects.) So sorry I haven’t been around to answer your GREAT questions.
Here’s what I’ve pulled together so far…
What does it mean to be a follower of Christ?
I have struggled lately with the label “Christian”, not because of the scrutiny it brings me as a disciple of Christ (I will never deny Him), but because we have so many people who have taken the name “Christian” out there who malign the word of God through their sinful, destructive behaviour. It’s so incredibly painful to know that there are few, few characteristics that set us apart from the world. (Divorce rates, abortions, dishonesty, etc.) We have been set apart for a special purpose. Saved from our self-inflicted hells for a redeemed, renewed purpose. We are restored! And, we are sent out to help restore others like us. I will continue to wear the name of Christ… even if others malign it. I am a Christian… though I know that I am unworthy of that name.
Does it mean that everyone who is has to have the same core beliefs?
Yes.
If so, what are they?
Jesus is God’s son. In the flesh, and now in Spirit. We are called to be in his family, not inactively, but actively seeking out those whom Satan is devouring.
What does it mean when we can’t agree on what the core beliefs are?
I know there are some who would argue that there are more core beliefs than what I wrote. (And there certainly could be more discussion as to “how”, “what”, “where”…etc.) But I must be careful not to let my personal hangups become the standard for other Christians… and thus a stumbling block.
Can two believers be convicted by different things?
Happens all the time.
Can two believers be convicted by different things when the focus is on the same subject?
Yep.
How should I handle conflict when I disagree with another believer about a conviction?
First, I must be true to Christ – not to my personal convictions. This resolves 90 percent of disagreements. Second, check myself. If there is any way in I that would tarnish the message, ask God to purge it from me. Third, when it is necessary to use words – speak the truth in love. But, do speak the truth. Not a watered down, slanted, distorted version of it. And, then reinforce my love for the fellow believer. They will know we are Christians by the way we love one another, not by the arguments we skillfully recite.
Can we still be friends, or have I just made an enemy or lost my witness with them?
No, disagreeing doesn’t make us enemies or lost. We are lost when we turn our backs on God, not when we disagree with each other. (However, many non-believers will watch how we deal with each other and make their decisions about Christ and his church accordingly.)
Is it my responsibility to make someone choose Christ?
We can’t make anyone do anything. It is my responsibility to share Christ. First by deed. Then by word. Then by deed again.
If someone hasn’t made that choice yet, what is my responsibility then?
I patiently continue living the message. However, there does come a time when I need to “dust” my sandals and move on. It is arrogant to think that I am the only one that will reach that soul.
What does it mean that it takes some longer than others to make that choice – if they ever do?
It means that they have free will.
How should I treat someone that hasn’t or doesn’t want to choose Christ?
Gently, patiently love them.
How do I show compassion towards others?
If I lack motivation – I remember the grace given me and share accordingly.
Can I choose to look for God and his message in all things?
What do I do if I find Him in something not meant to be about Him?
What do I do if I can’t find Him in something not meant to be about Him?
What do I do if I can’t find Him in something meant to be about Him? (I’m still working on answers for these question… they’re coming…)
What is the difference between dialog and debate?
Your friend answered that eloquently.
Is it my job to change people’s minds if they don’t agree with me?
We can’t change people’s minds. BUT… our lives may be all the convincing they need.
What is the proper way to handle being told I’m not really a Christian?
It’s such a hard thing to hear… even when it’s not true. But after a time with the Father, go to your brother and ask “What makes you believe so?”. Then refer to the compassion answer.
Who is my enemy?
James 4:4-6 “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
‘God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.’”
And…
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
-Jennifer-
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I had another thought. Thinking about your statement about not liking the term Christian for describing yourself. I so understand this. I have given a lot of thought to it, as well. So many people are immedietly turned off by the term. They think we are haters and judgers and look what we did to the Middle East during the Crusades and look at the Inquisition, etc, etc.
Yes, unfortunately Christianity has a bad connotation to many people these days. But my thought is, if those of us who are really trying to live the Christ Life stop wearing the name, then the only ones left claiming the title will be the haters and judgers, etc.
So, my thought is we should re-claim it. Wear it proudly and BE it. Not that God needs a PR rep, (Sheila Walsh said that and I love it), not that we have to be works oriented. Let’s just BE Christians and let those with eyes to see, see.
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[…] friend of mine sent me to this link, where the author posted a list of questions about “the faith once delivered to all […]
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Still enjoying this conversation! I want to take a stab at the ‘evangelism’ questions…responsibility to make someone choose Christ…some take longer than others…how do I treat them if they don’t choose Christ, etc…
After a decade or so of wrestling with these issues, I’ve come a pretty comfortable place regarding evangelism. My job is simple–to join with my Father as He showers love on his children. And as I show love to people, if they want to know what I think of them, I’ll tell them–that I believe that through the incarnate Christ, they have been included in the Son’s eternal dance with the Father. Their journey of belief in this good news is the Holy Spirit’s job, not mine.
I guess you could say that I let the Spirit handle whether or not they “choose Christ.” But I get the fun job of telling them that Christ has chosen THEM.
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That is a lot to tackle in one post. I figure you have a year right there…
I will only put in my nickel’s worth on a few this time, but I shall be back.
#8 – Is it my responsibility to make someone choose Christ? My answer: No. It is our responsibility as followers of Christ to plant the seeds, not to try to create the growth. Paul planted, Apollos watered, God provided the growth. You (each of us) have the goal of showing Christ to the world. You may not demand of them to change. That usually drives them away. You may expect God to change them.
#28 – Is it o.k. to have questions about and struggle with faith? My answer: Yes. Even John (Jesus’ cousin!) asked if Jesus was really the Messiah. He had seen the lame walk, the blind receiving sight, and people raised from the dead. He had seen the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus, and heard the voice of God say, “this is My Son, listen to Him!” and still asked if Jesus really was the one. I believe that God does not want blind followers (tepid drink comes to mind), but that He wishes us to test the doctrines handed to us. If we are wrong, our faith is useless. If we are right, our faith is priceless. Each of us must believe and obey to be true followers of Christ, but we all have our own ways of getting there. The journey of faith is terribly personal. Is our faith borne of our ancestors’ teachings, or of first-hand searching? Both have faith, but each is a different experience, as it must be.
#39 – Am I surface or am I deep? My answer: Yes. You are a river, rushing over rocks, while occasionally pausing in the shallows. You are both at the same time. You have a calmness of thought about you that draws others near to sit quietly on the shore, and you have a passion for life that sparks others to jump in and splash around. You have humor and sensitivity in you (in people like me, sometimes these are not so compatible). Your surface level thoughts are funny, and your depth of contemplation is awe-inspiring.
Keep up the good work!
Love you.
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Chelf, your comment was a timely one and so encouraging! Thank You!
I think I’m going to be taking these questions a few at a time and posting them for a deeper discussion. There have been some good and well thought out observations here. I love it. Thinking is hard work and I’m of the opinion that we aren’t challenged enough to do it.
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