Religion is a set of doctrines. It's a set of rules and regulations. It's cold. It's heartless. It's sticking your nose in a book (most likely the Bible... and commentaries.... and dictionaries...).
A relationship, on the other hand, is about true experiences. It's passion. It's a desire to strengthen and stay connected. It's all heart. It's sometimes sticking your nose in a book, but letting yourself feel the experiences so many authors within the Bible write about.
There is just as much to learn in a personal story than in a scholarly essay!
Personal experiences reach people. They often make someone stop and say "Hey! I understand what you're feeling. I've been there. I'm glad I'm not alone."
But these experiences aren't important enough to scholars. They aren't worthy of sharing. They don't "teach" anything.
Or do they?
Look at the Bible: the life journeys of Moses, David, Job, etc. Or, the book of John - a telling of John's personal experience following Christ. Many of the books in the Bible tell of the personal experiences of different people. These books aren't of people breaking down the languages used and what is meant by this or that. They aren't scholarly. They're about ordinary people experiencing God in their lives. Some are filled with lament. Some with joy.
If the entire Bible read as a text book, who would want to read it? Who would truly learn anything from it?
Most of what I write is simply personal experiences. I'm not talking the "my life was horrible, but then I found Jesus!" type of writing. I'm talking about the day to day struggles. I'm talking about the times when I've cursed at God for being cruel; and the times I've fallen to my knees begging for help; and the times I've looked up to heaven and praised Him for being such a wonderful Father. I'm talking about the struggles and joys and frustrations and love I've found while trying to follow Christ.
I'm talking about the things everyone goes through in life
I have been incredibly touched and brought closer to God by many of the articles I have read which were personal experiences. I have learned more of God's love through these articles. I have had my faith increased by the mere sight of others' faith. I have gained a greater understanding of why God allows things to happen, and the fact that He is always by my side, by hearing these incredible personal experience stories.
Yes, there is a time and place for scholarly articles. I enjoy reading those as well. Knowledge is important, and can actually strengthen one's faith. I would never consider dismissing these articles as unnecessary or unimportant.
But in the same manner, we cannot discount personal experience. This is what Christianity is based on. It's a personal experience with God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Without personal experience, all you're left with is a lot of knowledge that means nothing.
If you were struggling with belief in God... or didn't believe at all... And all you find on the topic are scholarly articles about the Bible, or about what is needed to be a true Christian, but never read or heard people's real life experiences with being a Christian... would you want to follow God?
Nice. I think folks in this era are geared to listen to stories first and foremost. I think we want to know the stories behind the person, the stories behind the faith. Because of this, we can't invalidate our stories. On the other hand, we have to keep them real, too. I think that these stories can press the bounds of believability to the point where we discount everything that someone said or believes. Because of this we sometimes throw the baby out with the bathwater. I would think that a lot of the people who have read the bible have done that very thing. Instead, we should try to see the overall stories for the ideas that they represent and the bigger story that is the bible. How we tell our own stories, and how we frame the stories of the bible today have a lot to do with how others receive what we like to call good news.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, April. I think people in every era have always been geared to listen to stories first and foremost. This is why many of Jesus' teachings were parables. They were stories which showed how others followed (or didn't follow) God, as a way of showing us the correct way to follow. And we can teach so much through our own stories.
DeleteI agree they need to be real though. I have heard some stories that just made me go "uh huh... sure...." But, I've also heard the real stories... a friend who lost her week old baby, and the pain she felt, and the real anger at God, and eventually coming around to acceptance of what happened, and giving thanks to God for that one week (although, she is still in the stage of being angry with Him at times as well). It's these real struggles, and victories, that help me during my own times of low faith.