Faith Journey

I stumbled upon a post the other day that almost perfectly describes where I am on my faith journey. The post, called A Different Kind of Evangelical, is by Steve Bush. I highly recommend that you take four or five minutes and give it a read.

If you've read this website, you know that I read A New Kind of Christian and A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren and have been investigating the Emerging Church. I've come a long way in my journey of faith since I was a senior in high school, and I know that I have a long way to go. In fact, the journey is never over.

I recently wrote an email to a former professor of mine, who moved to New York to teach at a graduate school. I'll let the email do the talking:

I've been doing a lot of personal reading this semester, and one book in particular is of interest. I read "A New Kind of Christian" by Brian McLaren, one of the leaders in what is known as the Emerging Church (I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not). Without minimizing the movement, the main idea is that as we shift into a new era - Postmodernity - we need to rethink how we do church. After I read that book, which blew my mind, I read "A Generous Orthodoxy" by the same author and it is equally mind blowing.

I've been reflecting on these readings and I am almost upset that I didn't read them three or four years ago, before I came to college. I would say (and I think you would agree) that I came to college a conservative Christian and I was searching for something "better" or maybe more relevant. Well, I think the whole time I was here you were pointing me in the right direction but I never REALLY caught on. I find myself wishing I could take all of your classes again with this new set of glasses on, you know? I don't think I could have arrived here without your influence, yet I think I could be much further on my journey. I remember specifically you giving the class a handout on postmodernity and at the time I was really confused. I think I'm starting to get it, and better yet, I find myself resonating with it.

She hasn't written back yet, but I'm sure she is incredibly busy with finals and such. I want to do a lot more reading and a lot more reflecting on all of this - it is very exciting.