I was thinking back to conversation I had with a few friends here on Facebook a couple of months ago on the validity of the Bible. One of the last comments from my good friend Mr. Hemmer in Austria reminded me of how I felt during these conversations when I was on the other side for the 18 or so years that I was. It reminded me that no amount of words could sum up the notion of, reason for belief in or passion for, Christ that now exists in me.
I remember when it all sounded like nonsense and desperate to me and how trying to convince me otherwise was pointless. I remember that I argued against Christ and the Bible having never read it and knowing very little about the historical context in which it was written and He lived. I also remember how my life was (and sadly wasn’t) before I came to know him on a personal level.
I remember that the difference for me was in watching those whose testified on behalf of Him not with words, but with the enviable way that they lived their lives; the quiet calm and confidence of those who know the truth. When I finally read the truth, it hit me as the truth about anything hits anybody – it was undeniable. It didn’t matter what intellectual ideas and objections I thought I had, the truth is the truth. I could no more deny it than I could deny that the water is wet and ice is cold; it is… well, what it is.
As I grew in my faith and research into Christ I also began to realize what the problem facing me was and is to those still in my former position – it is a potent mixture of ignorance, misinterpretation, half-truths, and most importantly poor, POOR representation by many that wore the badge “Christian.”
Ignorance, not the derogatory use of the word like calling someone stupid or an idiot but simply not knowing, really knowing, what I was talking about. How could I argue against what Christ said having never read His words and putting them into the context of His world at the time?
Misinterpretations take place in the form on trying to literally reconcile the Old Testament, which to most intellectuals becomes foolish upon attempt i.e. “You really assert that the Earth is 6000 years old?!” or condemning homosexuality while preaching love despite the fact that the Greek word that was used spoke of pederasts who were abusing young boys, not consensual, loving relationships between the same sex. Dolphins, considered to be much, much smarter than we, have homosexual sex all the time. Does that mean that God condemns them? Hardly…
Half-truths. This is a tricky one because it is so elusive. If you tell 98% the truth, it makes it very easy to slip in 2% lie because you have established credibility with the amount of truth you displayed. So say that the prophets predictions were verified by the life of Christ and they were done so beyond question, which they were, well then the writers of the OT, all human men prone to sin and error, could and I believe did, slip in personal, religious and nationalistic agendas and many would take them as legit because everything else had been true. Then you have people believing passionately in things that don’t add up, regardless of how little sense it make. For example, God loves the people of Israel above all others and God hates homosexuality. The list goes on.
The reason that half truths are so dangerous is because to the person who is told to believe “all or nothing,” the half truths discredit everything – working exactly opposite to those that believe unquestionably. So while Dawkins or others poke holes in the obvious places in the OT and even in places of the New Testament, it cements the idea that “it’s ALL rubbish” in their minds – regardless of whether 98% is spot on.
The last and most harmful is the hypocrisy of the most vocal Christians. I don’t have to explain that much because we all know and see it. Christians kill in the name of God, judge when they are told not to and condemn even though we don’t have that right. To the onlooker/non-believer it is comical, sad and even angering; I know, I was there for a long time.
So what I do know is that because of the grace of some amazing Christians and from the example that Christ actually set through his life and death, I caught a glimpse of God’s unconditional love for me and us all. Unconditional is the key and Christ knew to show us that through his actions. God doesn’t only show us his plans, ideas and love through the Bible or through Christ’s life… he shows us in many other teachable ways. Parents know this very well. Once you become a parent you realize that no matter what your kid does, even to the point of wanting nothing to do with you, EVER, your love doesn’t fade or fail. My love for my kids is as vast and unending as the universe that we are a part of.
And I am just a sin-filled, broken man.
Imagine the endless capacity for love that God has for us. He’s eternal, infinite and surely beyond labels and boundaries. We call him “He” because we have to put a face on Him, but He is bigger than we can’t imagine.
So regardless of whether you believe in Him, love Him, or even care to discuss Him, He loves and always will love you. Unconditionally. Jew, Muslim, Christian, Atheist, murderer, adulterer and yes, even Mormons 
IMHO.
