This is spot on! Having been brought up white evangelical poor but also having been able to attend public schools, my childhood was a constant tension between the curiosity needed for the knowledge seeking and the certainty needed for existing in my religious space. My curiosity eventually led me to reject the dogmatic views of evangelicalism and begin exploring other denominations and faiths. Do you think giving way to a curious and uncertain mind will often lead someone away from evangelicalism?
Thankful this link was in your Footnotes email today. What resonated today are the ideas of "inerrant certainty" and "Not Keys But Cages". These 2 ideas don't just support David French's article on "The Failure of Fundamentalism", but hits at the core belief systems of fundamentalism as an individual element/virus. He mentioned that fundamentalism doesn't just affect white evangelicals, but also other Christian denominations, Muslims, Buddhists as well as many more groups. As an early believer, I was also drawn to the certainty and "clarity" of seasoned evangelicals around me. Until I wasn't. I didn't doubt my faith, but in the belief systems that I began to see in those around me. That part of me has grown and has been my compass of sorts for the past 40 years. Of course, I now understand that "my compass" was actually the Holy Spirit at work in me. Keep up the good work, Jemar!
What a beautiful summary of this issue. Dualistic thinking and all that. I too come from this very orientation and the journey to think for myself has been super judgmental (on both sides) and just hard in ways. However, the freedom that I now feel and the curiosity to follow black authors and faith based writers has definitely expanded my mind and encouraged me to learn more grace for others. Thank you for this message!
This is spot on! Having been brought up white evangelical poor but also having been able to attend public schools, my childhood was a constant tension between the curiosity needed for the knowledge seeking and the certainty needed for existing in my religious space. My curiosity eventually led me to reject the dogmatic views of evangelicalism and begin exploring other denominations and faiths. Do you think giving way to a curious and uncertain mind will often lead someone away from evangelicalism?
WOW!! You nailed it! Thank you! In my deconstruction I came to similar thoughts but couldn’t articulate them as well. Wonderful!!
Thankful this link was in your Footnotes email today. What resonated today are the ideas of "inerrant certainty" and "Not Keys But Cages". These 2 ideas don't just support David French's article on "The Failure of Fundamentalism", but hits at the core belief systems of fundamentalism as an individual element/virus. He mentioned that fundamentalism doesn't just affect white evangelicals, but also other Christian denominations, Muslims, Buddhists as well as many more groups. As an early believer, I was also drawn to the certainty and "clarity" of seasoned evangelicals around me. Until I wasn't. I didn't doubt my faith, but in the belief systems that I began to see in those around me. That part of me has grown and has been my compass of sorts for the past 40 years. Of course, I now understand that "my compass" was actually the Holy Spirit at work in me. Keep up the good work, Jemar!
What a beautiful summary of this issue. Dualistic thinking and all that. I too come from this very orientation and the journey to think for myself has been super judgmental (on both sides) and just hard in ways. However, the freedom that I now feel and the curiosity to follow black authors and faith based writers has definitely expanded my mind and encouraged me to learn more grace for others. Thank you for this message!
Perfect. And gracefully written.