JohnPalmieri.com

On a fairly regular basis I will get questions on various topics…most have some kind of theological implication. I’ve decided to share my responses to some of those questions…of course keeping the names of the questioner anonymous. My thought process kind of went like this; I’m putting time and energy into answering these questions via email between just me and the person asking the question – why not answer the question in a broader setting and maybe bring answers to others that might have the same question but never asked? So here we go – I was ask this question via text the other day:

“Question on thoughts that have been picking my brain: Why is our “religion” the right one? What makes a person choose Christianity? I was raised to always believe that our beliefs are the only ones God approves of. Why not pentecostal, lutheran or catholicism? All claim to have the Holy Spirit…I want to know why I am a Christian. The research and reading I have been doing has confused me and has me questioning. So now I’m looking for answers in the church…hope my ramblings make sense.”

Answer: 

I don’t think in terms of religion, rather in terms of relationship with creator God. I’m always super suspicious of folks who claim that they have an exclusive market on religion, church and/or Jesus. Unfortunately, many so-called Christians claim that their way, style of worship, history, experience is the only genuine expression of christian faith…sounds proud and divisive to me. There are many sincere, genuine, and yes even right expressions of Christian Faith – like the ones you mentioned – Pentecostal, Lutheran, and Catholic. Yes, there are differences and some of the differences are extreme…but I choose to concentrate on what unites us rather then what separates us…in most cases we have more in common then uncommon.

As I’ve matured in my walk with the Lord I’ve come to better appreciate and value diversity within the body of Christ. I actually enjoy learning from other expressions of Christian Faith. I only part ways with folks when we disagree on primarily two things: 1. Divinity of Jesus (He is God in the Flesh) 2. Faith in Jesus as the only way of salvation (grace not works).  Interesting that most cults deny the divinity of Jesus and claim that they are the only way. Also any church that claims to be the only right ones (Unfortunately many do this) I raise an eyebrow to and say “Watch out for them”

Unfortunately, many grow up in the church by name and denomination only – and never have a real life changing personal relationship with their creator God – they are devoted by denominational and family history only but not by a living real relationship with Jesus. This can be dangerous because you can become cynical/wearisome of Christianity or maybe worse live your whole life in the church but never really know God – have the lingo down, serve, attend, tithe but never really cross the line – this kind of lifestyle only breeds self righteousness and hypocrisy.

Christianity has many distinctive’s compared to other world religions (IE. Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism) – the primary one being the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – it is this historical act that substantiates all that Jesus said and accomplished in the 4 Gospels.

I hope this gives you some food for thought and sets you on a healthy journey of knowing the Savior Jesus in a deeper and even more intimate way then ever before in your life.

In Grace & Truth,

Pastor John

Found encouragement and perspective in the book of Exodus 14:19-31 today. God not only goes before us,leading us on the journey, but God also moves behind us, coming between us and our relentlessly pursuing enemies, anxieties, distractions, threats and uncertainties!

Reconciliation

I recently read Michael Emerson’s and Christian Smith’s book; Divided by Faith – Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. I resonated with Emerson’s conclusion that evangelicals tend to live and thrive in the land of the urgent. Evangelicals revel in the activism of the imperative, crusade, rescue and therefore have little time to reflect inward and think through processes and systems that contribute to systemic societal ills – like racism. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate the slower and more contemplative approach – before taking action. Emerson quotes Mark Noll in, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, effectively stating; “The evangelical ethos is activist, populist, pragmatic and utilitarian. It allows little space for broader or deeper intellectual effort because it is dominated by the urgency of the moment.” (171). Emerson also quotes N.K.Clifford’s poignant take on the evangelical mind; “The Evangelical Protestant mind has never relished complexity. Indeed its crusading genius, whether in religion or politics, has always tended toward an oversimplification of issues and the substitution of critical analysis and serious reflection for inspiration and zeal.” (171)