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Are we in an open relationship with God?

October 17, 2007 By Ryan 2 Comments

I was reading the Onion this morning and came across this article.

Im In An Open Relationship With The Lord

The Onion

I’m In An Open Relationship With The Lord

“With Jesus as my personal Savior, I felt like I had it all. But then we hit a rough patch, and before long, I was beginning to question both my…”

I wonder if all of the arguments and fighting over Gay rights within the denomination and other denominations has lead us to an idolatrous and unfaithful response to the Gospel.

In the pervading culture of 2000′s America we demand to be individual and special. We cannot stomach to be a sheep. We make fun of sheep. We look down at sheep. Yet we are called to be sheep. When we put on our religious gear we wear the sheep costume uncomfortably. When we go into the world we seek to hide our lambs wool.

What happened to the call to be in the world and not of it? Sisters and brothers have we lost our salt? Have we truly sought a biblical discourse on reconciliation? I am tired and weary from the fight. Maybe we need to split in San Jose. Perhaps the solution is to part ways and schism? This would be the seemingly easiest solution. It is the one I have been kicking around lately.

What would a missional posture mean to this discussion? Imagine the call on all our lives if we walked humble and in the shadow of Christ, absent of the false confidence of possession of the truth. We, I, fail and fail big. We all must don the sack cloth and ashes. Let us mourn together for we have crucified Christ again in our zeal to be right, to hold the truth. In this we miss the silent, quiet Christ that blesses the meek, that holds the marginalized in his arms and reconciles.

I believe, help me with my unbelief. I want to be faithful. I want to be true. I want to be right. This is my sin.

Filed Under: Churches, Culture, Emergent, PC(USA), Polity, Presbymergent

About Ryan
I am a recent graduate from Austin Seminary. I am recently married and now live in Louisville, KY. Where I am the Associate Pastor for Spiritual Direction at Douglass Blvd Christian Church. I am a die-hard fan of Ben Harper and TVOTR. I deliver madd Esoteric Piracy. I would like to describe myself as a Royal Pain in the Arse, Beloved creation, Beer Chug Champion, Amateur Sock Puppeteer, Buckaroo, Post-Denominationalist, runner, Reclaimer of Lost Treasures, Seeker of Truth,Tamer of Lions, Pugilist of Toothless Circus Bears, Defender of the Oppressed, Enigmatic Lover, Servant,& Tinker of Convoluted Ideas, one could toss in something about theology and liturgy. I write at thefetteredheart.com & drop knowledge like Hogan drops elbows!

Comments

  1. James Moore says:
    October 20, 2007 at 12:54 pm

    Ryan, it’s likely that I’ve misunderstood your comments, but I don’t think the discussion / argument(!) about the role of gay people in the church is idolatrous. Perhaps our American “demand to be individual and special” is a different matter!

    Throughout the history of the church, questions of more severe consequence (in my opinion) have been dealt with. Another schism probably looks like an easy option, but it’s not one I welcome. If we who love Jesus can’t trust him to make a way where there seems to be no way, what can we say to a world which seems to be increasingly divided, fearful, and violent?

    But I think I hear you. I also want to be faithful.

  2. David Williams says:
    October 24, 2007 at 8:31 am

    Sure, splitting is easier, in the same way that falling down is easier than standing.

    I just wish folks had taken the PUP report more seriously. Having realized intentional mutual prayer and discernment was necessary for healing, what did we then do to facilitate that?

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