Simon Says

For a number of years I have been struggling with my faith and the apparent spiritual obligation to square it with Creationism. I suppose that over time I have gently rejected the 6 Day approach in favour of a Theistic Evolution, but more recently I have become interested in Panentheism (not to be confused with Pantheism) which states God's immanence as well as his separation from the Universe - if I've understood it correctly. This would allow for Evolution that would be Godly without have the necessity for God to have guided it at specific points throughout time.

Panentheism is still something that intrigues me, but it's something that I need to research more. So long as it allows the inclusion of Universalism I don't care!

Simon

Labels: Monkey business

The tragic events in Virginia raise two issues for society in general, and especially in America where the Constitution allows every citizen the right to bear arms. Not only does it bring the subject of gun control into the public forum once again, it also highlights the need for effective management and treatment for those in society who experience mental health problems. 

Some would argue that a tightening of both these things would not have prevented Cho Seung-hui from carrying out all that he did, and undoubtedly there is more than a grain of truth in that, but looking at the wider picture, a tightening of gun control could make buying a gun much harder. This might allow for more time and so possibly give the person time to think or cool down. Also, a more effective Pastoral/Councelling structure within our Institutions might well be able to pick up on particular problems before they have time to fester and develop. 

I realise that this is cold comfort to the families of those who were needlessly butchered at Virginia Tech, but they may give people food for thought regarding the future.

Simon

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Labels: Virginia Tech killings

Recently I have discovered the joys of reading Richard Holloway. His book Doubts and Loves was a fascinating and intellectually satisfying look at the needs of contemporary faith in what is undeniably a post-modern society.


Not that I am claiming to be in anyway intellectual of gifted in that field, but what Doubts and Loves does is to take the 'flat earth' mentality out of religion and brings it up to speed as far as our scientific knowledge allows it.

I look forward to reading some more of his books.

Simon

Labels: Richard Holloway

Recently I have been getting into what could loosely be called 'debate' with fellow co-religionists regarding the life to come.

Traditionally it has been the Church's teaching that after death people are separated into 2 groups: those destined for Heaven, and those destined for Hell. This is the stated view of my own denomination (which is Calvanistic in leaning, though many do sway from the official line) but many Christians shy away from the whole idea of Predestination towards the 'freewill' option i.e. we as individuals choose our own eternal destinies by either accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ as personal Saviour.

Over the last couple of years I have found even this more 'moderate' position difficult to swallow. The idea that somehow we 'choose' our own salvation seems out of step with the loving image of God that is so often projected by modern day churches. This, "well you've only got yourself to blame if you end up in Hell" attitude would be fine if life was a level playing field - but as anyone with eyes in their head will know, it's not.

The point of this blog is to try to develop a 'fairer' theology to deal with life beyond THIS life. I should probably point out that for the last 14 months I've been an unapologetic Christian Universalist and have been trying to read all that I can to support my new found theology. There's actually a lot of it about, especially on the Net.

I will leave you at this point with this thought: if you, with the simple push of a button, could end all suffering. Would you do it? If you had the power to cure all disease with the utterance of a single word, would you say it? If you could bring about peace and harmony by only raising your hands, would you lift them? I imagine the answer would be "yes". We don't have that power, unfortunately, but as Christians we believe that God does. Why then does the Church teach that the majority of people will not go to Heaven, but to Hell to be tortured for all eternity? Why doesn't the Church teach that God loves all people and as a consequence will save all people?

Keep reading..................