How to return to Christian beliefs?

[ANewLifeIsMine]

Maybe the title of this thread is misleading.

I am middle aged. As a child I was Christened and went to Sunday School.

In my early youth my parents vehemently decided that suddenly they did not believe in God, and we were taken out of Sunday School and no longer attended church, with the exception of Christenings, Marriages and Funerals.

It would be true to say that my childhood was difficult. It was one of those upper middle class childhoods whereby your DCs are a badge of honour. We were brought out and displayed to make my parents look good, though as parents they were hands off, unless we did something very right that they could show off, or very wrong for which they could admonish us. Religious beliefs were scorned.

However, I feel strongly that God has never left me. I believe in the God my Grandparents spoke of, and the valuable lessons I learned through them e.g. do unto others.

I believe that God is in everything, not just churches.

My own relationship with God has been remote, but I have always felt that he is with me.

I see my return to faith as a very personal thing, I neither want, nor need, to go to church. As I said, I believe that God is everywhere.

How do I return to my Christian faith? In a chaotic world, how do I learn more about the lessons of the bible?

I do not want to go on a formal course. As I say, my relationship with God is very personal. I'm asking; how do I enhance, enrich and grow my faith further? How do I pray, for example?

Apologies for the length of this post. I'm serious about this and would be grateful for any serious answers.

@OMG12, yes, but how are you separating between what is exoteric and what esoteric? Within mainstream Christianity, each individual has a personal/individual relationship and engagement with God - they each have to seek Him. So how is that not esoteric?

well there are many esoteric christians too. Although it’s not a tradtion im drawn to Annie Besant the Once Atheist turned theosophist wrote to This book which should answer some of you mr questions (personally not a fan of Theosophy bringing in Eastern traditions, but that’s me. You might also want to look up the development of Rosicrucianism.

itsnit about having a personal relationship it’s finding the hidden meaning.

Yes there are lots of books, walk into Watkins, Treadwells or the Atlantis bookshop and you’re surrounded by thousands. But many people buy the books, quickly lose interest, don’t do the necessary work, are blocked by blinds, fail to connect etc. plus there’s lots of information not found in any of these books. It takes a lot of work

"itsnit about having a personal relationship it’s finding the hidden meaning"

@OMG12, why do you say this?

It suggests that 'hidden' has prevalence over what is personal/individual. Does it matter if personal experiences are not entirely unique? If we are seeking unity with God/Divinity then surely there will be commonality within experiences with God/Divinity ...although God is great and beyond full comprehension to an individual in this life. So what is hidden is not necessarily lesser than what is more widely experienced but it is not greater either, to suggest so could be reduced down to exoticism.

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. I’m saying what “escoteric” v exoteric means, it means hidden not overt. Of course people will have personal experiences on top of that, but having a personal experience does not mean something is esoteric, it’s possible to have personal experiences within both esoteric and exoteric perspectives.

Try reading a book on esoteric Christianity- I’ve linked that one because it’s public access but there’s loads out there. Lots of websites -try exploring it and see if it’s for you.

@OMG12, for me, knowing more about esoteric Christianity traditions isn't the primary issue here. My post was more about expressing my belief that the esoteric and exoteric exists concurrently and alongside one another and have equal importance. Shared experiences of God/Divinity are as special as personal revelations - which then can be shared. What was hidden can be revealed. 🙂

@OMG12, oh I see you are making a distinction between what is personal and what is hidden. I view what is personal as being hidden as no one person can have my unique individual experience and perspective or get inside my head. But I can choose to share my experiences and learn about what others experience and so share to some extent. Equally, individuals can agree on truths they have observed. 🙂

That is all very true.

Of course esoteric and exoteric exist concurrently, how can they not? I’m just pointing out that for some an esoteric approach will be more valuable. For some, they are more suited to an exoteric view. That is what I’ve been saying all along.

For those who seek a deeper understanding it is worth exploring as many different perspectives as possible, this applies to everything in life.

Yes, what is hidden can be revealed - maybe explore some of the esoteric traditions 😀

@OMG12, ah so we agree. We seem to be attempting to clarify each other's points!😂

"Yes, what is hidden can be revealed - maybe explore some of the esoteric traditions"😀

And yes, I do! Not least of all what is inside my own head! 😉I'm not of a singular denomination of Christianity...but I do identify as Christian. I read pretty widely and find much that inspires me.

@OMG12
And speaking of deeper understanding:

"4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you."
(1 Corinthians 1:4-6 New International Version)

I don't know why that crossed out. Weird glitch! What irony! But the scripture doesn't have the crossing out!!!

Ah I do. MN short hand. It is the dashes in this version of scripture that MN users can use to cross things out when typing their posts! Mystery solved! 😁

Spooky all the same...

What’s inside our heads is probably a whole new conversation 😉.

But yes I think we’re probably on the same page.

I identify as Christian largely too in fact I was confirmed as an adult as part of my exploration- I’ve now somewhat left behind the Nicene creed though. But it’s a perspective on Christianity which would have got me burned at the stake. Although identifying as a Christian doesn’t stop me also identifying as many other things.

I didn’t see any crossing out, maybe it’s a sign😀.

Just looking at where this previously happened on a scripture quote by another poster. It's reminding me of our humanity and the need for humility! Not seeking knowledge in order to gain power for our own ends...but in order to gain an understanding and unity with God/ Divinity.

Not seeking knowledge in order to gain power for our own ends...but in order to gain an understanding and unity with God/ Divinity.

I couldn’t agree more with this!!!💛💜

"I didn’t see any crossing out, maybe it’s a sign😀."

A lesson I've been blessed with then...but I've shared it too. 😁

"I couldn’t agree more with this!!!💛💜"

Doesn't unity feel fantastic!!! 😃

Yes and finding the middle ground

"Yes and finding the middle ground"

The epicentre. The heart of things. A most powerful and dangerous place. 👍

Might have to be careful who wanders there😀

"Might have to be careful who wanders there😀"

Indeed but then what doesn't involve some risk? Even inaction involves its own risks...

Risks always increase with benefits though

"Risks always increase with benefits though"

Hmm, that's one to think about, @OMG12.

In one way I see it but in another I question it. I mean if you are being lead by the most trustworthy, experienced, considerate guide (who knows exactly your own personal limitations) through lethally dangerous territory and there is actually no safe way to avoid passing through lethal dangerous territory then the risk is greater if you do not follow - but how is the reward greater?

I guess that’s something to be experienced

As others have said, what you described in your OP sounds just like the Quakers. They do have an unusual way of worship, but I think a sound spirituality, and they're usually on the right side of history.