THE NARCISSISM OF SMALL DIFFERENCES

This terminology was coined by Sigmund Freud.  He based on one of Ernst Crawley’s early works.  It has since found its way into philosophy, political science, and religious studies to explain specific types of behaviors.   What is this and how does it apply to religion you ask?

Let first look at how this is defined.  It is easiest to define it as the in-fighting between like-minded groups that share similar ideas in order to distinguish themselves.   It was originally proposed as a way to show the difference in individuals, egos, one’s personal goals, and feelings.   It has been applied over time from the individual to groups, organizations, and even beliefs.  This is oversimplified, but it will work for this brief writing. 

In the last year, I have experienced and seen this concept of behavior act itself out.  I have always searched for a way to explain it.  Recently a professor from a religious studies program and I were discussing the modern Christian movement and the traditional church.  He brought up this to explain what is causing the friction. 

He gave this example: I and him agree on everything in our beliefs except one small but salient point.  Salient to each of us as we disagree on it. Now we are passionate about this small difference.  We both take a stand.  Our ego and our feelings are on the line in our minds.  We both passionately believe we are right and the other is wrong.  At first, it is a gentle ribbing.  But, our egos keep getting offended so it escalates, maybe too polite insults.   It just keeps going from there to the point of heated hatred.   We still agree on everything but that one small point.  We just chose to dig in on that point and was willing to let it rule over everything else, including common sense and willingness to agree to disagree on something small, minor, and not of any consequence compared to all that we agree on.

Now take this to a larger scale, a church or politics.  I am going to use church because politics are way too sensitive at this writing to even use as an example.    Now imagine a church that has a sister church. They both agree on everything in their dogma and rituals.  Then one day a new pastor takes over and one little thing he starts doing differently.  Nothing major.  It does not change anything in the dogma or rituals, but it is different.  Very minor.   The Church members like the change so they share the news or the change.   The other church is offended.   At first, it is quiet mutterings. Then the Pastor starts to bring it up as how their church is now in a better position as they did not make changes.   This escalates and now you have two hostile churches. 

This is how reformations happen, how new denominations happen, and how religious wars have started.

Next time you find yourself focused on something minor and fixated on making it a point to argue over, think about this simple but dangerous contextual thinking pattern.

Labyrinth

 

Think of your life as a Labyrinth.  The only problem is you have not been given a thread by Ariadne to help you get in and back out.   Now consider this thought, there is a bright light that appears.  It is the holy spirit.  It is bringing you a thread that is even stronger and a better guide than others have.   How many of you have taken this thread and let it guide you through your life's Labyrinth?  My experience has been not many do.

Let God be God

We Christians are an arrogant single-minded lot.   We say god created everything.  Then in the same breath say only true believe Christians will be saved.   I am sorry if God created everything and he is the ultimate arbiter, then I am pretty sure that he can choose anyone he wants to enjoy his grace and his salvation and there is not one single thing humans can do about it.   On top of that if he created everything and everyone but as Christians tend to believe and push as the holy truth that only they will be saved, they are excluding Socrates, Aristotle, Buddha, and many other more worthy people than most Christians.  I think God will choose who he wants when he wants, and for whatever reason he wants. None of us can assume we know or that only those that believe as we do will matter. Let God be God and give Him praise for letting us even exist.

We Christians are also very fickle and a disagreeable group.  We have survived 2000 years despite ourselves.   We have turned Jesus into a Christian, but there was not a Christian religion did not exist in his time.  He was a Jew trying to reform his church.  We have forgotten many of his teachings while we are busy trying to force our version f his teaching on others.  We in the Christian world have become so fractured that we have no right to consider ourselves Christians.  We have spent so much time fighting over who understands the bible, Jesus’ teaching better, whose version is more accurate, what he really meant, that we have forgotten the simple thing of practicing his teachings.  We have killed our fellow man over believing the wrong way.  This proves we were not ready then, when mankind killed God’s son, nor ready now to live by his teachings.  Only God knows what God knows when it comes to what is acceptable and it is used to live by the simple messages of his son.  Let God be God and give Him praise for giving us his son’s teaching.

I think Christians have failed and just are afraid that they have failed.  We have forgotten what being a Christian means.  We have put ourselves above God in how we practice Christianity.   In the end we need to let God be God, and not read or assume we know beyond the teachings of his son.

Thought from being down in the rabbit hole

 Generally, on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, I try to go walk the Labyrinth at a local church.  It is in a beautiful, treed setting so quiet and peaceful.  So easy to get into my own head.   I was thinking about commonalities that various things inside the different denominations have and I wondered, with so much in common why do we have such large spaces between each other in accepting beliefs.  Of course, this led my mind down the rabbit hole.   It occurred to me; Jesus was a reformer.  His original intent was to reform the Church of his people.  To take it back in some areas close to Moses and David and progressive in other areas.  Jesus did not intend to start a whole new religion.  The same can be said for Luther.  He did not intend to break away from the Catholics.  No, he wanted them to return to the roots of the belief in Christ and God and away from the Papacy.  He did not have an actual issue with the existence of the Papacy, but at that time in history, the Bishop of Rome was more powerful on Earth than Christ or God.  He felt that was wrong.  Calvin did not intend for a breakaway religion from Luther’s breakaway, but he saw issues in the dogma and doctrine that had drifted from what Lutheran had intended.  There is a reoccurring process here. 

Based on what I am seeing we are at an epoch again where someone will come forward and led us into a new direction in Christianity.  The problem I have is that it is going to be two people or groups and in two different directions.  This is dangerous for Christianity’s survival.  I hope and pray I am wrong.

Just a humble opinion and observation

A discourse by Jesus found in Luke.

 Today in an online church discussion group, humility came up.  It reminded me of another lesser-known of the discourses Jesus gave.  In scholarly settings, this is sometimes listed as a discourse and sometimes as "just a parable."  I think considering in anything less than a discourse and teaching lecture that has a parable as part of it is an injustice to Jesus' teaching.   So take the time to read through Luke 14.  All of this chapter equals the discourse.   Comments and discussion afterwards is gladly accepted and sought.

KJV Bible Verses from the Book of Luke

Chapter 14

14:1 And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

14:2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.

14:3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?

14:4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

14:5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?

14:6 And they could not answer him again to these things.

14:7 And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them.

14:8 When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;

14:9 And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.

14:10 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

14:12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

14:13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:

14:14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.

14:16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

14:17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

14:18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

14:19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

14:20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

14:21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

14:22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

14:24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

14:25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

14:31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

14:32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

14:34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

14:35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Thoughts on Salvation

 

Okay, I am going out on a limb and hope it starts a conversation and not a conflict.   I have heard and read about salvation. There is salvation through Grace alone, there is Salvation through Faith alone and there is Salvation through both Faith and Grace.   All of the reformers appear, to the best research I can do, to base their salvation theory’s on Augustine's writings on Paul or from Paul’s writings alone.

I struggle with this.  You see, I have no idea what God will ultimately do.  I am not one to assume based on 2000 years old inspired writings nor presume they still apply as originally intended since they were not intended for humanity to become what it has.  That is my internal battle.  

As I see it, no one, absolutely no one can speak for or to what God will do with or to us as our spirit/soul passes on.   We have all made assumptions on the importance of Grace and Faith.  We even make assumptions and arguments on what each of those means.  So, in deep reflection and prayer, I came to the only answer I can come to and works for me and how I understand all of this. 

 Live your life in such a way that you leave no doubt to God your holiness, grace, and faith is/was according to his word.   That way you remove worry about how others interpret and the argument over salvation because of grace and/or faith.    I have always believed life is to be lived for God’s glory, not for someone else’s determination of what God’s glory and love is.  You know inside if you are doing this.  So, do it: Live your life for God

A thought from this A.M.

 In our youth, we build an image of ourselves, then spend a lifetime trying to live up to that image.  Why not deconstruct that image and build one that is based on one you do not have to live up to but can live daily with. 

Another Book Review - Albert Camus and the Minister

 Albert Camus and the Minister

Written by: Howard Mumma
Published by: Paraclete Press

For those not familiar with who Albert Camus was, he was a very well know author in the 1940’ to his death in 1960. His main topic was existentialism. This book is about a period towards the end of his life. But this is a book of two half’s The first half of the book is about the actual title of the book; Albert Camus and his interaction with the author Howard Mumma. The second half is more about those people who impacted the author's life. Mumma’s own recollections of his letters and his discussions with Camus comprise roughly the first half of the book. Mumma clearly states that he is writing from recollections many years later. The thing was Camus did not want notes are anything taken while they were together. This led Mumma to have to wait until he was back in his apartment at the church to write notes down. He used those and his memory to write this book.

Albert Camus and the Minister is a look at the period of Camus’ life in the early 1950s when he corresponded and visited in person with a new friend, Methodist minister Howard Mumma. They met when Camus visited the American Church in Paris to hear the music of a renowned organist; Mumma, an American Methodist Minister from Ohio that was a visiting minister to the American Church. These two became valued friends. Mumma answered Camus’ questions about theology and the idea of faith. Over the next several years, their unusual and unexpected friendship grew as Camus explored Christianity. One of the things that struck me most was that Camus had read the bible completely three times and had marked it up so he could ask questions. His question struck me as those all of us have as we read the Bible.

One of the most poignant parts of the book is how the author deals with Camus’ eventual death, which Mumma terms a suicide. In believing that he had failed Camus, he overlooks the central point of the book–that before he died, Camus had found faith in a higher power. Camus may have still been struggling with more personal demons and his own trademark angst, but the minister had answered many of the questions that most plagued Camus–issues of God. But only Camus could have answered for himself the issues of humanity still plaguing him at the time of his death. The part where Camus asks to be baptized and said he was read, but the Minister tells him he is not ready unless he is also ready to join a Church was very telling to me on the naivete and arrogance of the way churches dealt with individuals in the late 50’s. It is easy to look at this in the prism in time and wonder if he had agreed to the baptism would Camus lived longer and finish his course of inquiry and find the things he needed. I know I wondered that.

To quote another book reviewer: “If you read with the understanding that it is very human for people to want others to agree with them, Mumma’s personality is a bit less overbearing and Camus’ questions all the more touching.”

I highly recommend reading at least the first half of this book and take a journey of what one of the Giants in existentialism in the last 100 years wrestle with and his realization that he had it wrong and atheism missed the central point of faith and belief.

Saint Columbanus, patron Saint of motorcyclist.

 

Saint Columbanus is a remarkably interesting Saint for me.  I stumbled across his existence purely by accident.  I was looking to see who the patron saint for motorcyclists might be if there even was one. I am a rider myself.  Like most bikers I know, we all have some type of superstition.  Some it is a pre-ride ritual.  Others it is gremlin bells.  For me it is a prayer and quietly ask for a blessing for all those riding with me and on the road at the time I ride. 

 It turned out that Saint Columbanus was designated as the patron saint in 2002 by The Vatican.  His patronage was suggested by an Anglican Bishop named John Oliver.  John Oliver was an avid motorcyclist and tied that into his love of traveling.  To him, Saint Columbanus just made sense.

So, who was our patron saint?  That was my question once I found out we had one. 

Let us start with the basics.  He lived between 540 and 615 CE.  He was born in Ireland in the Kingdom of Meath.  He was born to a prominent family.  This allowed him to attend a higher-quality school in what is now Northern Ireland.   According to the legend and history of the church, he was handsome and attracted the attention of the women he was around during his schooling.   This led to a warning by an older pious lady in the city.  He chose to heed this warning from her and chose to forsake his worldly life and became a monk. He entered the Bangor Abbey to study and become more educated.

He left the Abbey after many years and headed to the Burgundy region of France.   Saint Columbanus made his way with a small party to Annegray where they founded a monastery.  This led to him founding several more monasteries.  Do you see the connection between him and traveling?  He eventually ended his traveling in Bobbio Italy where he found his last monastery.  He died at Bobbio and his relics are still maintain at the abbey there.  Of course, he is also buried at the abbey. 

So for me, I see it as another layer of protection during riding.  Everyone out there on their bike, keep your knees in the wind, your heart belonging to God, and thank the traveling monk for become a motorcycle patron.

Wesley, and not being pigeon-holed

 I am just going to say this upfront I am not a pigeon-holed Christian that hate or accuse those from a different branch of thinking to be committing heresy.  That is not my right, only God gets to sit in judgment of other's actions and beliefs.  I find certain historical figures that were and are still influencing the direction of Christianity.  John Wesley is one of those I find fascinating.  If he saw what had become of his thinking in the form of systematic theology, Wesleyan theology, and the Methodists Churchs that claim his teachings as their found dogma, he would be shock and ashamed in large parts of it.

I do not believe in reading about him that he had the intention of his version of learning to study and understanding the Bible to be a theology.  As I understand him, he was writing both to a small elite group of theologians and trying to provide a way for the minimally educated churchgoers to be able to understand and appreciate the bible and learn both the words and the meaning. Let us all be honest.  Luther, Calvin, Arminius, and even Wesley were trying to find ways to give the common person to understand.  Most of those that attended were barely literate if at all.  The learned by memorizing text and scripture, but most did not understand.  They chose to believe what the Priest or clergy told them it meant.  All these theologians wanted that changed.   No one way was wrong.  The systematic way was a direction that felt a system would work better than the others.  In my opinion, it was all that was meant in the way it was done.

The problem with everything, and what we all face now, is that the original intentions are lost throughout time and sides are taken.  That is what I have encountered in just presenting a look at an important figure in the historical development of Christianity. Look how far we have strayed from what Christ was trying to do.  He just wanted to reform the Jewish belief and way of doing business.  He wanted to change his religion, not be the founder of another one.   He failed in his mission to reform but succeeded in finding another based on his teachings.   Instead of celebrating this, we all tend to fight over how to celebrate his teachings, each staking out our own beliefs as a territory and fighting against anything that is not the same.   Why can't we all just celebrate his coming, passing, and resurrection and not get tied down to a singular way to see it?  Just a question that vexes me.  

So when I am talking and researching Wesley, I am not trying to insult anyone or to tell you your belief is wrong.  I am celebrating just another way people have found to praise God and Jesus.  That's is all that is important.

Okay, Soapbox is done.

Just a thought.

I always have looked at denomination more as stacked from four root groups.   The first is based on Catholicism: The Catholic Church, The Orthodox Church, the Coptics, and the Ethiopians.   The second is the original church that formed from the reformers like Luther and Calvin.  The third was the Anglicans and their derivatives and final the fourth is everyone else.

All of this have their roots in the simple teachings of Jesus of Nazareth before he was elevated to Christ.   But that is how I have looked at it as it made it easier to handle everything Academically.

There is a study that shows that as of 2012 there are 43000 distinct Christain Denominations.  Think about this, in 1900 there were only 1600 know denominations in Christianity, This exploded to 43000 in 112 years.    It took from the time Christ walked this earth till 1600 derivatives of his teachings, approximately 1870 years.  It took only 112 to add another 41400 derivatives.  The question is why are we so arrogant as Christians that we believe we know better than the one who started it all that we have to twist to fit what we think or want?
Just my humble opinion and rant.

Thoughts on being a Chaplain

Part of being a Chaplain something has nothing to do with faith or scriptures.  In Western culture, especially here in the USA we tend to be more concerned with "witnessing" and with "testimony" of those of faith.   As a Chaplain, it is more important for you to be there, being present than just "doing" what those wanting proof expect. 

two scriptures I find are helpful in explaining both aspects of a chaplain

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 pIf a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 an one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good2 is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.  James 2:14-17

This is the call that as a Chaplain, you need to provide action, not just stand and quote faith to those needing more than religious platitudes.

36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and qwatch4 with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” 40 And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.5 See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

When I first read this, it occurred to me that this was when Jesus just ask for three of his disciples to just be there, nothing more.   Something to think about in our daily interactions with others,  Sometimes we can do more to help the person and to serve God, by just being there and nothing more.   Think about that.

Thought on our personal religion

I was sitting in my doctor’s office and picked up a trade magazine that was laying around her office. While waiting for her to show up with test results.  Yes, in her actual office and not an exam room.  There was this article about germs and being human.  It got me thinking about religion.

In the article, the quote that hit me as religious applicable was from Louis Pasteur and a Noble Laureate in medicine recently that I don't remember his name at the time of writing this:  The human body needs to be exposed to germs, viruses, and bacteria at some level for the body to be healthy.  An example and information were provided in as simple terms as I can understand; for the immune system to work, it needs to be exposed to bad things so it can build its immunity to them.   The recent Nobel Laureate explained as your body's immune system is built for war and to fight wars always, If it is always supplemented and never gets to fight, the immune systems are weakened.  So, both scientists at different times recommend, fight out a cold now and then, suffer through the mild flu.  Give your immune system something to fight, something to live for. This will make you healthier in the long run.

This got me thinking that religion is much the same.  It is built around faith, belief, and salvation.  But how do we know that we are on the right track unless we encounter sin and despair and other negative life events, temptations?   So, does that mean we need to go out and seek sin, temptations, or the like, No, it doesn’t!  We are exposed to it all the time in small doses.  What I say is it means much like our immune system, our beliefs are a warrior that needs to resist what is thrown at us each day to stay strong and build itself up.  We need to feed our warriors through our prayers, or recognition that we fight temptations every day.   We need to celebrate those wins to help us build up our own immunity to issues of the world around us. We need to embrace our prayers daily, our faith and salvation need to be strengthened daily. Just my humble opinion and thoughts. 

What edition of the Bible.

While I was going through the various Bibles that I have that are King James Versions I came across a slip of paper  I wish I could take credit for, but alas it was my mother's insights she had written and stuck in my baptismal gift Bible.

It goes like this

   This book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of Salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers.  Its doctrines are Holy,  its principles are binding, its histories are true and its decisions are immutable.  Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be Holy.
    It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.  It is travelers map, the pilgrim's staff, the pilot's com[pass, the soldier's sword, and the Christians chart.  In here, Paradise is restored, heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed.   Christ is its grand subject, our good its design, and the Glory to God its end.  It should fill the memory, rule the heard, guide the feet.  Read it slowly, fervently, and prayerfully.
    It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of health, and a river of pleasure.  It is given to you in life, will be opened in judgment and will be remembered forever.   It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifles with its Holy content.

Give to you my son, December 1966.

A scribbling

If I said I am a Christian, I am not saying I am a clean living person, I am whispering that I am not, that I was lost, but have been found and forgiven. If I tell you I am a Christian, I am not speaking it with pride, I am whispering it, as I know I have to stumble and need Christ in my life as my guide.   I am not trying to be strong if I say I am a Christian, no I am admitting I am weak and need His strength to carry on.  If I told you I am a Christian I am not bragging, no I am stating I have failed, and I have failed many times, and need God to help me clean up my messes.  If I tell you I am a Christian  I am not claiming I perfect, My flaws are far too many and way too visible for that claim,  by God believes I am worth his grace.  When I say I do say I am a Christian  I am not saying it as holier than thou, no I am just a simple everyday sinner who received God’s grace, somehow, and want to share.

What is you chosen Bible version?

What version of the Bible do you use every day?  What version would you recommend if asked to make a recommendation?

There are 7000 know languages of those 7000 the Bible has been translated into 2900 as of 2018.   
There are 531 known versions of the Bible published.  Of those 531 as of 2018, the NIV is the most sold and the KJV is still in the top five depending on where you are at.  The survey in 2018 shows the KJV as number three overall.   An interesting side note was the Evangelicals tend to use the KJV more than other major Christian denominations.

KJV is considered still to be the most eloquent translation. King James had wanted readability and eloquence over truth and accuracy. 

Now to answer my own questions, I used the ESV the most daily.  It was what the seminary I attended used in the main and I am comfortable with it.    If I was buying or gifting someone a Bible it most likely would be giving them the NIV.   The difference if they are a student entering into a religious study course I would recommend the Bible be the Oxford Bible with notes, commentaries, and the Apocrypha.  This is by far the best Bible for academic use as it is denomination neutral in the notes.

Something to think about

If all of us are honest as theologians, we must admit we are in the midst of a paradigm shift in the perception, acceptance, and view of the bible, the church, and the Christian religion.  As more of the 20 and 30-year-olds move into leadership positions in religion, they bring a different view that is driving this shift. 

I know many I speak with and when in seminary, spoke with, in that age bracket felt that Christian, as it has been present, is no longer in sync with their faith and belief.  Yet in conversation it was obvious we are speaking about the same things and we have the same beliefs.  It was apparent to me at least that it was in the execution and the understanding.   This shift is forcing all Christian denominations from Catholics to evangelicals to review what they are doing and how they are doing it.

So is religion as we know it facing extinction in its present form, or as my son put it, committing suicide because of its rigid adherence to 500-year-old dogma?  I think we are.  We can present a more current message without sacrificing faith and belief as we believe Jesus was teaching us.    To many of us have strayed from the root messages and teach to further a denominations agenda or a personal agenda that has little to do with faith and belief.  THIS HAS TO CHANGE.  If it does not we will be on the trash heap of history.