The Other Road

Seven years ago I saw two roads diverge in the woods and the road I chose has made all the difference.  I saw that I could continue on the path of American “biblical” Christianity or I could follow Jesus.

 That moment was triggered by a vote of the General Conference of the United Methodist Church on an issue that I didn’t even know I had strong feelings about. I spent hours building a playhouse in the wooded section of our yard on a cold drizzly day and I knew I had to make a choice.

 In truth, my decision was not about the presenting issue, it was about the harm. I was overwhelmed by the harm caused by the policies that were based on a theology that lifted passages of Scripture above Jesus.

 I decided to follow Jesus. 

 The reason I write and share my story, my testimony, over and over again, is because I know that others have similar experiences. One day, the road appears to diverge. One day, we see the harm caused by our belief structure.

 One day, we become aware that American “biblical” Christianity is not the way of Jesus.

 I know that it’s a hard day. 

 I know that it's easier to hold firm to “biblical teaching.” 

 I know that the “high view of Scripture” was ingrained as the only way.

 I also know that there is another way so I want to share with others what I learned about the two roads.

 Prior to that day, I spent several years studying the concept of discipleship, what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and I came away with the simplest answer: it’s about Jesus.

 What I’ve learned since is that the “high view of Scripture” is the low view of Jesus. 

 What I’ve learned was that the Bible was elevated for the purpose of diminishing Jesus because the teachings of Jesus are a threat to people who crave power and wealth.

 What I’ve learned is that this theology was developed to justify slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation (among other ills). 

 What I’ve learned is that the “high view of Scripture” is idolatry.

 What I’ve learned is that American “biblical” Christianity is rooted in fear and that it leads to suffering. 

 What I’ve discovered since I decided to follow Jesus, is that the God of Jesus is the God of the slave, of the refugee, of the orphan, and of the widow. 

 I’ve discovered that it is the poor in spirit who are the blessed ones. It is those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted who are blessed by the God of Jesus.

 I’ve discovered that we do not have the authority to exclude anyone from God’s presence; it is not our place to call anyone unclean.

 I’ve discovered that the Kingdom of God is diverse, equitable, and inclusive and that forming a society around those values is what “on earth as it is in heaven” is all about.

 I’ve discovered that choosing Jesus is not a rejection of the Bible, it is the beginning of experiencing just how transcendent the Bible can be.

 I’ve discovered that Jesus didn’t come to save the atheists, the agnostics, the Romans, etc., he came to save the people who turned God’s law into a barrier to God’s presence.  

 Seven years ago, I accepted that I was one of those people that Jesus came to save and I turned to go in a new direction; I chose the other road. 

 I repented and I was born again.

 I share my story because I know that there are many who are now becoming aware that the Christianity they believed in is causing harm and suffering. 

 You are not alone. There is another way.