If I may cut in...
Postliberal Christianity, goes way beyond the first two key stages in Christianity. And not everyone is ready for this new stage (which I believe is where we're supposed to be heading and should have been in, long ago). The first stage is the literal stage (infant stage). That is everything that is Biblical is absolute. We had to do that because we had to develop a set of core Christian values that could not be shaken. So, all the extremis was weeded out during this first stage (consequently one very positive note to this is the fact that people began to learn about more than themselves and their own existence, as being all important). Once that "core set of values" coalesed, Christians became "secure" in their basic belief system, which allowed for inquisitives to begin to question, what if?
This leads to the second Key stage in Christianity, namely comparing the Biblical stories to the world around us, with the "new" scientific data we have. Suddenly, we wonder why the Bible was so short on details as to why this or that happened. And where is the proof, or evidence to back up these Biblical passages?...We now enter the adolescent stage. This is where we rebel, or question, or demand proof. Often times a "Christian" either, go back to the first stage, or walk away from Christianity all together, or just go numb, because reality is fighting with what we were taught as children.
The third stage is where we need to go. This is the stage were we understand what we were taught, and accept that there is conflict with what is current, but understand something fundemental. The Bible is our ABCs, and life is our classroom, and once we've graduated from class, we are to apply what we learned and know to today.
In the third stage we realize there is God, and there is us. The Bible has some powerful lessons for us to make use of (if we are wise) and now we know why many things work, but that God, isn't in a Book. The living Bible isn't a book at all...it is us, and how we live, and how we relate to our God, nature, people...
This is the point where we take what we've learned and experienced, and use it to fulfill the wholeness of us and God. This is where we "Walk with God" through the rest of our lives. Fear is gone. Uncertainty is gone.
In this stage we don't need to run back to scripture for confirmation on this or that, we don't have a rebellious attitude about what may or may not be literal. We understand that we and others are in various states of learning, but we have the tools and more importantly, the line of communication open between us and our Creator.
"I AM" manifests Himself through us...and we look forward to it, and count on it, and delight in it.
In short, we have become "adults" in our relationship with God...(at least as close as we can until the next phase of our life).
What are the tell tale signs for this new stage? "I forgive" and "I apologise", roll from our hearts as easily as they do from our tongues.
The "Bible" is considered absolute truth, in that we know it teaches us to be better people, people of God. Nothing between the pages are stumbling stones for living a good life, or getting closer to God.
There becomes more out there than being a success unto ourselves. We simply delight in the pleasure of...God.
my thoughts.
v/r
Q
This leads to the second Key stage in Christianity, namely comparing the Biblical stories to the world around us, with the "new" scientific data we have. Suddenly, we wonder why the Bible was so short on details as to why this or that happened. And where is the proof, or evidence to back up these Biblical passages?...We now enter the adolescent stage. This is where we rebel, or question, or demand proof. Often times a "Christian" either, go back to the first stage, or walk away from Christianity all together, or just go numb, because reality is fighting with what we were taught as children.
The third stage is where we need to go. This is the stage were we understand what we were taught, and accept that there is conflict with what is current, but understand something fundemental. The Bible is our ABCs, and life is our classroom, and once we've graduated from class, we are to apply what we learned and know to today.
In the third stage we realize there is God, and there is us. The Bible has some powerful lessons for us to make use of (if we are wise) and now we know why many things work, but that God, isn't in a Book. The living Bible isn't a book at all...it is us, and how we live, and how we relate to our God, nature, people...
This is the point where we take what we've learned and experienced, and use it to fulfill the wholeness of us and God. This is where we "Walk with God" through the rest of our lives. Fear is gone. Uncertainty is gone.
In this stage we don't need to run back to scripture for confirmation on this or that, we don't have a rebellious attitude about what may or may not be literal. We understand that we and others are in various states of learning, but we have the tools and more importantly, the line of communication open between us and our Creator.
"I AM" manifests Himself through us...and we look forward to it, and count on it, and delight in it.
In short, we have become "adults" in our relationship with God...(at least as close as we can until the next phase of our life).
What are the tell tale signs for this new stage? "I forgive" and "I apologise", roll from our hearts as easily as they do from our tongues.
The "Bible" is considered absolute truth, in that we know it teaches us to be better people, people of God. Nothing between the pages are stumbling stones for living a good life, or getting closer to God.
There becomes more out there than being a success unto ourselves. We simply delight in the pleasure of...God.
my thoughts.
v/r
Q