Comments on: Questioning the System While Being Part Of It http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2009/06/17/questioning-the-system-while-being-part the home of Nathan Colquhoun Sat, 11 Feb 2012 06:45:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Ian http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2009/06/17/questioning-the-system-while-being-part#comment-2303 Ian Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-2303 I was listening to the latest Rob Bell sermon last night, and he was talking about forgiveness and the reality that we can't forgive institutions like the church because it is not institutions that cause us pain or grief, but rather individuals from within that institution. So when we talk about people leaving the church because of feeling wronged by her and not having room to doubt and question, it's more a reflection on the specific community of individuals around them than the 'system' as a whole. That's what seems to be going on when you write about the awkwardness that comes when friends begin to question their faith. I think that what is most important is not having to have to answer all these questions and doubts, but like you said, embracing our faith as the Way, an ongoing process of learning and becoming. If we can learn to create room for questions and doubts while remaining loving people in the process, then the whole question of staying in or getting out becomes moot - the church is meant to be made up of individuals who can show love to others no matter where they are in their journey. To put that burden on an abstract system takes away from the call to love individuals and build communities that help sustain faith through meaningful practices such as friendship and hospitality. I suppose it all comes back to what we define as church in the first place, which is a whole other conversation. I was listening to the latest Rob Bell sermon last night, and he was talking about forgiveness and the reality that we can’t forgive institutions like the church because it is not institutions that cause us pain or grief, but rather individuals from within that institution. So when we talk about people leaving the church because of feeling wronged by her and not having room to doubt and question, it’s more a reflection on the specific community of individuals around them than the ‘system’ as a whole. That’s what seems to be going on when you write about the awkwardness that comes when friends begin to question their faith. I think that what is most important is not having to have to answer all these questions and doubts, but like you said, embracing our faith as the Way, an ongoing process of learning and becoming. If we can learn to create room for questions and doubts while remaining loving people in the process, then the whole question of staying in or getting out becomes moot – the church is meant to be made up of individuals who can show love to others no matter where they are in their journey. To put that burden on an abstract system takes away from the call to love individuals and build communities that help sustain faith through meaningful practices such as friendship and hospitality. I suppose it all comes back to what we define as church in the first place, which is a whole other conversation.

]]> By: Nathan Colquhoun http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2009/06/17/questioning-the-system-while-being-part#comment-2304 Nathan Colquhoun Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-2304 That's a really healthy perspective. In regards to our faith, almost remove the system all together because really its about our relationships to individuals not an idea of what a community should be.<br /> <br /> Thanks for adding that! That’s a really healthy perspective. In regards to our faith, almost remove the system all together because really its about our relationships to individuals not an idea of what a community should be.

Thanks for adding that!

]]> By: Devan http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2009/06/17/questioning-the-system-while-being-part#comment-2305 Devan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-2305 Some good questions here!!! Some good questions here!!!

]]> By: dan http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2009/06/17/questioning-the-system-while-being-part#comment-2308 dan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-2308 I've been thinking about this post for awhile and coming back to it several times.<br /> <br /> I like it. Quite a lot.<br /> <br /> (Yep, that's my oh-so-profound response.) I’ve been thinking about this post for awhile and coming back to it several times.

I like it. Quite a lot.

(Yep, that’s my oh-so-profound response.)

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