I read this a few weeks ago ... RT “Thought you might be interested in this story- Minister To Atheist: http://fry.am/JmDOEc ” What an amazing story! It got a small response at the time, but as Stephen Fry wrote it the millions who read his Tweet might have pursued it.
(If the link above does not work try this http://www.npr.org/2012/04/30/151681248/from-minister-to-atheist-a-story-of-losing-faith?sc=tw&cc=share )
There is a lot in this story that saddens me - not least the compassion I feel for anyone grappling with issues of faith. It would be great if there was just one button that can be switched on which removes all doubts and issues - but there isn't. What we have is the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth, the Word that provides guidance and the 'body' that should encourage faith. That is 'the Church' but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much space for anyone, especially those in leadership, to acknowledge that they have doubts and struggles with faith. If there were greater openness and vulnerability perhaps others in Church would be better equipped to explore their doubts and become stronger in their faith as a result.
Christianity is not a religious construct of rules and regulations, at it's root it is about a relationship with a person not a power. It saddens me greatly when I hear people share that they have followed a 'system' for many years - some even doing great exploits of faith - but have never really known a deep personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. How lifeless a form this is, and so much less than the 'abundant life' that Jesus came to give.
My other sadness is that this one article exploring one example of somebody who is making the journey from 'Minister to Atheist' will probably gain far more exposure than the thousands of stories across the world of those who are journeying from 'Atheist to Minister' ... I wonder if, in the interests of balance, Mr Fry might tweet some of those ... I wonder too, where do people who are part of strongly Atheist groups go to explore their doubts in the absolute belief that God does not exist?
(If the link above does not work try this http://www.npr.org/2012/04/30/151681248/from-minister-to-atheist-a-story-of-losing-faith?sc=tw&cc=share )
There is a lot in this story that saddens me - not least the compassion I feel for anyone grappling with issues of faith. It would be great if there was just one button that can be switched on which removes all doubts and issues - but there isn't. What we have is the Holy Spirit that leads us into all truth, the Word that provides guidance and the 'body' that should encourage faith. That is 'the Church' but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much space for anyone, especially those in leadership, to acknowledge that they have doubts and struggles with faith. If there were greater openness and vulnerability perhaps others in Church would be better equipped to explore their doubts and become stronger in their faith as a result.
Christianity is not a religious construct of rules and regulations, at it's root it is about a relationship with a person not a power. It saddens me greatly when I hear people share that they have followed a 'system' for many years - some even doing great exploits of faith - but have never really known a deep personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. How lifeless a form this is, and so much less than the 'abundant life' that Jesus came to give.
My other sadness is that this one article exploring one example of somebody who is making the journey from 'Minister to Atheist' will probably gain far more exposure than the thousands of stories across the world of those who are journeying from 'Atheist to Minister' ... I wonder if, in the interests of balance, Mr Fry might tweet some of those ... I wonder too, where do people who are part of strongly Atheist groups go to explore their doubts in the absolute belief that God does not exist?
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