I have to admit I haven’t written any amateur theology lately for two reasons. One,  I don’t have Internet connection at my house which sucks. Two, I have been experiencing alot of theological dillusion lately. I describe as a drought.

I guess it started with my quest for a serious understanding of the Christian faith. Growing up in a home of Baptist preaching family with warts and all, then immersed in evangelicalism in my college years with a touch of pop-pentecostalism (TBN), and then reading countless theobloggers, I don’t know where to begin with my recent distaste for the state of American Christianity starting with my own.

Devotional life

I’m not sure if I had a “devotional life” or daily Bible reading schedule but I used to have a joy in praying and reading the Scriptures. Ever since I came home after college I guess I haven’t reading and praying as often. That’s not good.  I’ve been having conversations with my brother who is a Christian and active in the church. He asks questions about the Bible and my answers are dry, and at times disengaged.

Recent Theological Challenges

A few recent issues have been bothering within the current theological battles:

Homosexuality and the Church

I’m a bit confused at recent challenges to sexual ethics and biblical authority. With the historic consecration of a openly gay bishop in the Episcopal Church, the recent acceptance of openly gay and lesbian ministers in the PC(USA) denomination, and the whole rise of gay liberation theology, I sometimes don’t know what to believe anymore.

I tend not to find the biblical-theological exegesis of Scriptures presented by these adherents convincing, but the testimonials of the LGBT and their fight for acceptance as full brothers and sisters in Christ in the Church is changing many peoples’ heart to judge  that the historic general consensus of the Church for the past 2000 years is wrong. And I must say I’m afraid that such a move has extremely negative consequences for the Church and the world. It’s like there some sick cosmic game being played out. Now I’m Christians on both sides don’t believe that they are playing any games, but it sure feels like there is a power play happening all around the Church. Consider the Lambeth Conference and the mainline Prostestant battles. Can one be orthodox in faith and liberal in ethics? How? Does Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Cantebury, or Kim Fabricius and Dan Poser case and point? Or is orthodoxy being redefined?

Evangelical trends and a question of (Evangelical) Identity

I have identified myself as evangelical on previous accounts. But everyday I realize that this may not be a good way to describe my theological leanings, since these same leanings change as I don’t know. Evangelical originally means “according to the gospel”, but evangelical tends to associated with conservative middle class WASP with Republican allegiances. Younger generations of evangelicals are now calling themselves “Emergents” and trying to disassociate themselves from their forbears and call for a more relational and pragmatic form of Christianity. I wonder if this approach helps. And don’t get me started on the excesses whole prosperity gospel movement! And I used to think it was really what God wants for every believer. I’m no Calvinist-Puritan but my God, if I want a Bentley it’s not because God wants me to have one!

Yet such challenges and droughts should not deter me from praying and continuing to seek the Lord for direction and guidance. I just need some help. Job hunting, education and career planning have been weighing me down lately. It tends to stress me out. I thank God for good friends and fellow Christians struggling to the mucky waters with me.