Dale Cresap's blog

Do you think that Christianity is a single unified belief system and that the same is true of every other faith? Yet you see a tremendous diversity of positions between and even within denominations that identify as Christian. If you take other faith traditions seriously and inquire you will find the same principle in them, and even atheists come in different flavors. Do you think it is inherent in the concept of truth that it is single and unified and only one concept can be right? Is it discouraging to consider these concepts together? Do you recall the story of the Good Samaritan?

Have you heard that public discourse is getting more polarized? Do you see less common ground between opposing viewpoints, and less civil dialogue? Have you encountered debates between opponents that could not engage with and respond to each other because each was so entrenched in their position? Have you ever been party to such a confrontation? The term polarization also applies to static electricity. Do you know how to eliminate the polarization of static electricity? You connect it to ground. How can you connect yourself to ground to reduce your own polarization?

Have you ever been ‘set up’? Circumstances can lead you in a direction you would not deliberately choose. In some cases people who are well-rehearsed in advance can lead you in the direction they want you to go with a persuasive appeal. This can take you to a place that is beneficial for you, but more often the other party has their interests in mind rather than yours. Be awake and alert. Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning, and be as wise as serpents. Beware of those who would divert you from the strait and narrow way that I have set before you to lead you to life.

Have you ever had an experience that was ahead of your theology? Did this leave you searching the Bible for answers that matched your experience? Were you able to find them? Have you ever had theology ahead of your experience – believing things were true that you were unable to observe or experience directly? Did this leave you with a hunger to see it happen in your life? I can speak to you in many ways, including scripture and life. You can expect to find agreement between them. You can count it a blessing if your advancement in one area leads you to advance in another.

I spoke of a narrow way and a broad way, and declared that the narrow way was better, for it led to life. What do you think of as the broad way today? Have you ever been in a crowd that was moving? It is easy to move with the crowd even as it is easy to drift with the current in a river. Popular culture will provide you with easy choices for everything. It takes a strong sense of identity and purpose to make choices consistent with your own destiny. Do you know who you are and where you are going? Can you walk this path alone?

Have you ever heard someone justify a personal indulgence with the words, I’m worth it? Does this seem like a disingenuous argument? How would you refute it? It would seem ungracious to say they are not, but the argument confuses intrinsic worth with the budget for indulgences. Your intrinsic worth is priceless, but this does not give you unlimited resources to satisfy your appetites. Don’t confuse your wants and needs, or attach your personal worth to external gratifications.

You are familiar with my commandment not to take the name of God in vain. Do you think this applies only to profane expletives? Could it have another meaning? What about those who invoke my name with intended piety, but in a way that claims a righteousness they do not possess, or to advance a self-serving interest that is not according to my will? Isn’t that as bad as using profanity to express anger or frustration they cannot otherwise articulate? What about swearing an oath to gain greater authority than a simple yes or no? Which of these is the worst form of taking my name in vain?

Do you expect to go through a spiritual transformation? Have you gone through one already? Every believer must say yes because they were not always believers. Do you expect to go through another one? The alternative is to be settled and comfortable in your current position. But this is not a way to grow and be transformed. There is a human tendency to think that things will continue in the current state, but is this realistic? Wasn’t it a journey that got you to where you are now? Apply the same logic to the future.

Do you believe that generosity is important? Do you believe that generosity can be compelled or coerced? Doesn’t that sound like a contradiction, because true generosity must be freely expressed, and if coercion or compulsion are present that extortion is a more accurate term than generosity? How does your church go about raising money? Churches have real expenses, and it is reasonable to expect the members to support them by contributions. There are many ways to go about the appeal for funds.

Have you ever gotten in trouble for doing something right? We are accustomed to the idea that we can get in trouble for doing things wrong, and expect to get commended for doing things right. But have you ever made a stand for principle or truth for which you paid a price? Did you pay the price cheerfully, or did you resent it and feel that you were the victim of a great injustice? Did you regret doing right because it cost you? Don’t you admire others who will take an unpopular stand on principle as opposed to seeking their own gain?