As a byproduct of multiple Protestant denominations, interpreting the Book of Truth (the Bible) seemed to be a more challenging endeavor than I ever imagined. The older I became, the more complications I seemed to encounter. What doctrines were true? What is the nature of theodicy and eschatology?
My background is only relevant to what value you might apply to my knowledge. I graduated as Salutatorian in HS, aced the SAT, graduated at the top of my class at Case Western Reserve University in Management and Economics, and attained my Masters in Theological Studies at Liberty University. While these accomplishments should define my worldview and skill sets, they only defined how my background intended me to evaluate the reality around me.
After working a 12 step program and re-evaluating my worldview, I could finally be born into the Holy Spirit and understand what really is truth and what is the consequence of systems thought or internal biases. While I knew Christ since childhood, I was not born of Spirit until recently. Being reborn is simple in concept, but much harder in practice. The tendency of man is to blame others rather than understand the causes and effects behind current situations. Once you let go of these biases and generate comforts with your strengths and weaknesses, you can understand how sin creates slavery, one that binds your reality and makes the Bible confusing or paradoxical.
Rather than pushing all through my journey, I will inform them what the Bible actually teaches us and how to evaluate the world as it stands now. Yes the Bible is true on a fundamentalist interpretation, but churches who claim to be fundamental are often cult like in their pragmatism. There is picking and choosing of certain passages rather than understanding the consistency of the narrative. Until those consistencies are established, all doctrines are rooted in confusion, since the biases of background tend to validate the superior nature or understanding of the teacher, rather than asserting the power of humility. Humility is the basis on which to change behavior, to learn, to love, and to be honest with what can truly work in a universal utopia known as heaven.
I could not understand a heavenly multitude, rather than God and Christ alone. Many churches seem to be less than Christlike and more anchored in illusory version of perfection that even the apostles warned against. However, that’s likely because more followers possess the heart than the leaders. In these pages, we will address perceptions, the biblical consistent message, and how it relates to our current world.