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Philosophy/religion

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Trying to be a Christian... any tips?

497 replies

HeroicMinute · 02/01/2024 18:58

I've just started listening to the Hallowed app. The first thing I've come across is a Routines course, which is great for me as I am horrendous time waster, which probably explains why I haven't spiritually evolved.
I was raised loosely Christian and attended the village church as a child. I think I want to replicate this traditional experience, but with some slightly more intellectual content.
I've been thinking about Christianity for a few years, and have tried a few different churches, but nothing's stuck.
My reasons for not sticking at a church:
-I can't handle a church band, it all seems very nice and worshipful but it makes me cringe a bit. I love a choir.
-I am very opposed to modern identity politics and didn't go back when a vicar started talking about structural racism in the church.
-I stopped going to an evangelical church because the curate was sweet and excited about his Christianity but did lengthy sermons suitable for children with no analysis or intellectual stimulation.
-found a curate at another church a bit creepy.
-found the sermon in a big popular church on 8th October to be a bit antisemitic.

You get the picture; I'm a bit of a PITA and I'm obviously putting up barriers. Don't get me wrong; I'm not a particularly intellectual person but I am curious and I sincerely want to be a Christian. I don't yet believe properly, sometimes I do, well I suppose I usually do, but with varying levels of conviction.
Any tips would be very gratefully received.
Thank you in advance.

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Kdtym10 · 11/02/2025 20:34

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 20:23

@Kdtym10 so our access to divinity is dependent on our connection to God. If a connection is not utilised it is not viewed as connected.

I would say our access to God is dependent upon our connection to our own divinity.

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 20:40

@Kdtym10

I would say our access to God is dependent upon our connection to our own divinity.

So you see that divinity as separate? To God's divinity? To other people's? As it is 'our own'?

I believe we each can partake in God's divinity. Since I believe in One God.

Kdtym10 · 11/02/2025 20:51

LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms · 11/02/2025 19:54

Oh, I’m so glad you have asked!

There are several scriptures which sum it up beautifully, the best known and most succinct being John 3:16 (the entire chapter should be read, for context).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16

in short, God who is holy and just and good made a way whereby He would satisfy His justice and yet save and redeem and restore to relationship with Himself, as a new creation, by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, any sinful and hell-bound helpless repentant human being, without minimising or overlooking their sin, and with all the work being accomplished by Himself, through union with the life, death and resurrection of His Son, the Man, Christ Jesus, God incarnate, the second Adam, solely by grace through faith in Him alone.

Other scriptures which relate to the gospel of Jesus Christ include
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
1 Corinthians 15: 1-11

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.”
Titus 2: 11-15

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:1-10

Perhaps this short video by Paul Washer will explain things in a way that is easily understood.

So in essence we’re saying Jesus is the Good News.

But that brings us no closer to what that the good News actually is.

Taking the Bible at face value what it’s saying is, God(s) made man and woman, the Woman condemned humanity because she didn’t abide by a rule God had given to Adam - these are the rules made by the omnipotent God.

God sends his son to earth with the sole intention he would suffer and die to get rid of humanitys sin which had arisen from Gods rules and now God had invented a new rule that his son would wash clean these sins if he suffered and died. The person who was instrumental in this whole plan Judas is villified for evermore, the people who Jesus didn’t trust with the plan are reverted.

Then along comes Paul with unsolicited talk of sinners and hell and damnation, unilaterally deciding Jews are no longer Gods only chosen people and we build religions on the back of his word.

Kdtym10 · 11/02/2025 22:00

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 20:40

@Kdtym10

I would say our access to God is dependent upon our connection to our own divinity.

So you see that divinity as separate? To God's divinity? To other people's? As it is 'our own'?

I believe we each can partake in God's divinity. Since I believe in One God.

No not separate at all

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 22:18

@Kdtym10,

No not separate at all

I'm confused then regarding our exchange below.

eyestosee
@Kdtym10 so our access to divinity is dependent on our connection to God. If a connection is not utilised it is not viewed as connected.

I would say our access to God is dependent upon our connection to our own divinity.

Why do you single out 'our own divinity'? Surely if we are connected to God we have access to God's divinity which we partake of in unity with Him. We don't 'own' His Divinity in that we don't have exclusive ownership of Him. We can be joined in unity with Him if we are willingly lead by Him.

Kdtym10 · 11/02/2025 22:23

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 22:18

@Kdtym10,

No not separate at all

I'm confused then regarding our exchange below.

eyestosee
@Kdtym10 so our access to divinity is dependent on our connection to God. If a connection is not utilised it is not viewed as connected.

I would say our access to God is dependent upon our connection to our own divinity.

Why do you single out 'our own divinity'? Surely if we are connected to God we have access to God's divinity which we partake of in unity with Him. We don't 'own' His Divinity in that we don't have exclusive ownership of Him. We can be joined in unity with Him if we are willingly lead by Him.

Our own divinity means our oneness with God

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 22:28

@Kdtym10,

Our own divinity means our oneness with God

Thanks for clarifying. As I said before, our different language and terminology makes it difficult for me to understand you. I fear much is being lost in translation.

Kdtym10 · 11/02/2025 22:29

eyestosee · 11/02/2025 22:28

@Kdtym10,

Our own divinity means our oneness with God

Thanks for clarifying. As I said before, our different language and terminology makes it difficult for me to understand you. I fear much is being lost in translation.

Sorry-please just ask if I’m not being clear

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 08:08

I would point you towards chariot mysticism so you can understand where Paul was coming from from his trip into heaven

@Kdtym10, I have read the link. A good post. And I am more confused now as to why you don't feel more compassion towards Paul, regardless of his personal struggles.

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 13:16

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 08:08

I would point you towards chariot mysticism so you can understand where Paul was coming from from his trip into heaven

@Kdtym10, I have read the link. A good post. And I am more confused now as to why you don't feel more compassion towards Paul, regardless of his personal struggles.

I think Paul experienced some amazing personal revelations, however, such things (mystical experiences) are, ultimately, personal.

I don’t think Paul’s writings encourage this personal revelation in others, I think his works seek to pass his experiences off as the teachings of Jesus . I think he has inappropriately co-opted the teachings of Jesus and merged them with a Jewish mystical path. Howver, he’s been neither honest nor transparent. To me he comes over exactly like the previously described people I come across day in and out in the occult world.

It feels like he’s trying to start a cult rather than preserve the teachings of Jesus. This is not to undermine his personal revelations - but they are just that.

The fact that these personal revelations have been appropriated by organised Christianity who have based much of their teachings on them and tried to apply them to millions without Pails background, is, at least to me, problematic

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:27

I don’t think Paul’s writings encourage this personal revelation in others, I think his works seek to pass his experiences off as the teachings of Jesus . I think he has inappropriately co-opted the teachings of Jesus and merged them with a Jewish mystical path. Howver, he’s been neither honest nor transparent. To me he comes over exactly like the previously described people I come across day in and out in the occult world.

@Kdtym10, and I read his writings and I don't get that impression at all. I do also feel receive personal revelation as my journey to greater understanding is individual, as I am individual. My whole history, personality, strength and weaknesses affect it. However, my journey to understanding is not only individual, I can learn from others. I am not an individual in isolation.

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:33

@Kdtym10

Sorry pressed post too soon. I believe personal revelations are more than simply personal. Having unity with God means we have connection in Christ to every other Christian. Truths might manifest and affect different people in a variety but the essence of those truths is the same. And even learning more about other's struggles and weaknesses gives us opportunity to let God work in us and through us and manifest compassion and understanding into the world.

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:33

Variety of ways

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 13:46

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:33

@Kdtym10

Sorry pressed post too soon. I believe personal revelations are more than simply personal. Having unity with God means we have connection in Christ to every other Christian. Truths might manifest and affect different people in a variety but the essence of those truths is the same. And even learning more about other's struggles and weaknesses gives us opportunity to let God work in us and through us and manifest compassion and understanding into the world.

And I do agree with that, however that should be on an individual basis, but Paul’s position offers no more incite to Jesus than mine or yours experiences. Therefore, while useful I don’t think Paul’s personal experiences belong in the Bible more than yours or my experience . This is one of the issues I have with Islam too.

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:48

@Kdtym10 I think it is interesting that you seem to be coming from a stance of personal revelations being very personal - for the individual only. This would necessitate some form of gatekeeping. For protection?

I think gatekeeping is something to be careful of. Who is (rightly should be) the chief gatekeeper? What I mean, there is balance to be had quite rightly in not just letting every fleeting thought being broadcasted to all and sundry however we should be honest. Transparency and accountability are important.

And people get this balance wrong. Some times through shame, self protection, as a power ploy. It is important to see that too. And exercise compassion and forgiveness in those circumstances.

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:53

While useful I don’t think Paul’s personal experiences belong in the Bible more than yours or my experience .

@Kdtym10, maybe contained within the Bible is simply enough clear example of the human condition in relationship to God to see how God interacts with people.

There could be and are whole libraries and we hear about other people's experiences through churches / other writings. But the Bible is a compact library which contains enough.

Chickoletta · 12/02/2025 18:05

Whereabouts are you? Can you get to a cathedral? Sounds like you would enjoy worship at a relatively high Anglican cathedral with a good choir to me.

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 19:05

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 13:53

While useful I don’t think Paul’s personal experiences belong in the Bible more than yours or my experience .

@Kdtym10, maybe contained within the Bible is simply enough clear example of the human condition in relationship to God to see how God interacts with people.

There could be and are whole libraries and we hear about other people's experiences through churches / other writings. But the Bible is a compact library which contains enough.

But Paul’s position is presented as universally applicable and he himself in his letters (the Tik tok of the day) seems to position himself as an authority.

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 19:30

But Paul’s position is presented as universally applicable and he himself in his letters (the Tik tok of the day) seems to position himself as an authority.

@Kdtym10, many many people now and over the centuries do find his writings very useful to their faith. Myself included. I find great comfort in a lot of what he has written. He is an authority. 🤷‍♀️

Which human figures do you find to be an authority in this respect?

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 19:42

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 19:30

But Paul’s position is presented as universally applicable and he himself in his letters (the Tik tok of the day) seems to position himself as an authority.

@Kdtym10, many many people now and over the centuries do find his writings very useful to their faith. Myself included. I find great comfort in a lot of what he has written. He is an authority. 🤷‍♀️

Which human figures do you find to be an authority in this respect?

Myself. I can get things from many different people, none of whom is an authority about me though. Paul is just another man, another example of personal revelation. He is being held out to be something he is not

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 19:49

@Kdtym10, sounds a bit lonely. Yes, Paul has not lived either of our lives but I find the messages contained within his writing are timeless and relevant to my own life. It is this timeless quality that I think shows the authority coming through his writing.

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 19:55

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 19:49

@Kdtym10, sounds a bit lonely. Yes, Paul has not lived either of our lives but I find the messages contained within his writing are timeless and relevant to my own life. It is this timeless quality that I think shows the authority coming through his writing.

Why would you think that would make me lonely? I’m not sure why you think reading the words of some random bloke who lived 2000 years ago would affect whether someone is lonely or not.

There are as many equally and more inspiring people than Paul. He’s one of many. So why do his writings specifically make up such a large part of the New Testament, such a large part of the foundations of Christianity?

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 20:00

@Kdtym10 Romans 14 seems a pretty apt passage to refer on this subject. 😉

Kdtym10 · 12/02/2025 20:06

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 20:00

@Kdtym10 Romans 14 seems a pretty apt passage to refer on this subject. 😉

That would be all fine and dandy had the church not been persecuting people, torturing and killing for 1000s of years because people disagreed with Paul’s teaching- maybe Paul should have kept his thoughts between himself and God eh?

eyestosee · 12/02/2025 20:15

@Kdtym10, there are lots of people that particular accusation could be levelled at. Many who have done a lot of good. Unfortunately the people who support them are not always peaceable.

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