[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"][QUOTE="mindstorm"] I disagree actually. For example, I'm certain of my beliefs enough to have gone through 9 semesters of schooling in response to them and am only about halfway finished. Do I still seek to understand these beliefs and make certain that they are still valid? Of course. Do I believe my understanding of such things are still perfect? No. Do I have enough belief to devote my entire life to the subject? Yes.
Personally I believe I take a middle road. At the least, it certainly is my intention to neither be arrogant nor ignorant.
mindstorm
Are you certain of your core beliefs that you'd take 9 semesters to enforce them? ... Certainty - No doubt.
I am not going through so much schooling to reinforce my already set beliefs but to learn. If this were not the case then why has my opinion about many matters changed over the years?
You may recall I mentioned this first item was the only real item I thought you did doubt, rather than were certain about (as you wrote). I wholeheartedly agree with your argument here - positioning your opinions in line with "established" and mainstream theology.
[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"] Do you still seek to find more evidence to support your core belief (i.e. more guided religious study) ... Certainty - No doubt.
mindstorm
I do continue to seek evidence but I also try to examine evidence that might point otherwise. I do not study for the sole purpose of making my already set understanding stronger, I study to find the strongest argument available.
Your "need" is in no doubt - it is certain. If your statement about other faiths (and none) is true, why not study other religions with as great a focus as Christianity? I 've noticed you "come out" into society from a life of particular Christianv seminarial study, but not by your choice, since I recall you wanted to go straight into preaching.
[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"] Do you think you have a perfect understanding? ... Certainty - No doubt that you disbelieve this statement.
mindstorm
I only claim to understand the core message of Scripture to a strong degree. Many of the details I am less certain of. One of the many major issues I have with many Protestant churches is that they so quickly divide over secondary issues. Of those issues, I do not claim to have a perfect understanding but I do still have views on those subjects.
So this is more agreement with me in that you don't think that you do have a perfect understanding?
[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"] Are you devoting your entire life to seeking more support for your core belief? ... Certainty - No doubt.
mindstorm
Not exactly. I have enough certainty to continue despite whatever doubt I might have. I don't devote my life to supporting my core belief but I devote my life to spreading the message that I think to be true. Could I be wrong? Yes.
There is no doubt from me that you devote your life to this extent. Doubts over your core beliefs go back to statement #1, that I found doubtful myself!
[QUOTE="RationalAtheist"] I think the doubts you have are about how your view from scripture fits with the reality you now find yourself in. I think the first statement of yours is the important one here and I can't see how you do have certainty about it, given your previous disclosures about being "emergent". Also, the second statement does nto follow. You would more logically try and find evidence to disprove your view, so as to ensure your view is robust.
I certainly see doubt as part of emergent Christianity; if not about its core values, then about the relevence and meaning of its doctrine. You've also had some certainty over creationism if I remember well, but are now rather more obtuse over its meaning. Is there still doubt over this stuff?
mindstorm
I'm technically not of the Emergent Church, I merely sympathize with the struggles of those who are. They rightly see many of the faults within the Western church but they often respond to it wrongly. It is not my goal to either have a modern mindset or a post-modern mindset but the mindset of Christ according to Scripture. It is my goal to not let such cultural understandings of such things warp my thinking but let Scripture alone. Is there a chance of Scripture being wrong? Certainly. Do I find more difficulty believing it might be wrong the more I seek to let the Scriptures change my worldview? Certainly.
Should Christians (and everyone else for that matter) question their beliefs in an effort to seek the truth? Yes. Does this mean they should live in a constant state of doubt? Not at all.
(Why am I asking so many questions in this post in order to get my points across? I don't know. :P )
I think we are getting really of track here. Isn't this about the grey area (if there is one) between certainty and doubt. If its your goal not to let your cultural understanding warp your scriptural understanding, then how do you know that you're not really enforcing an out-dated scriptural understanding over your real-life cultural understanding.
How can you really question the truth if you already know the answer is true? Doubt is the prime motivator for questioning. I like you bringing up "states" of doubt, since people don't often wrestle with doubt all the time - they can ignore it or reject it.
The doubt you do have over the various core and supplimentary beliefs associated with Christianity is natural. I think it is also quite natural to find solace and comfort in a single area of study while rejecting all others. Doubt starts coming in when you open yourself up to equally possible alternatives.
Questioning is a most excellent way of registering your doubt.
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