Are you cynical? This is no compliment, and people of good faith and conscience strive to avoid earning this distinction. Do you believe in sin nature? This is also expressed as original sin, and this is one of the most widely accepted doctrines of the Christian faith. If one is true and the other is an undesirable trait, then what is the difference? Don’t they appear to be more similar than different? Can you hold the doctrine of original sin without using it for the broad scale condemnation of the human race? Can you look for and find redemptive purpose?

What are you willing to do to avoid being vulnerable? When you are vulnerable you are at risk of exposure, and your fears and weaknesses are on display, at least to those to whom you are able to confide in. For some this is intolerable and they feel they must present an image of strength and invulnerability, but this is only an illusion. They never have as much control as they would like, and lead small and defended lives as a result. On the other hand, haven’t you observed those who are willing to be vulnerable lead lives of expansion?

Do you like stories? In the modern world stories are presented as novels, movies, and television programs. Do you consider yourself to be logical and rational? This is a realm of propositional truth where claims can be tested and verified to be true or rejected for a lack of proof. This is the unquestioned paradigm of scientific inquiry. But the novels and movies mentioned above are outside of this realm. Everyone knows that they are not ‘true’ by these standards, so why do people put so much effort into engaging with stories?

Do you view prayer as a means for obtaining things from me, or as a way of being? You can make a case for the first approach from scripture very easily. You already know the verses. What about the second approach? This may not be as obvious, and not as many people seek it, but the path is real. The Bible teaches you to pray without ceasing. You can’t speak continuously, but you can always abide. When I tell you to be still and know that I am God, do you think of it as a prayer? I told my disciples that in that day they would ask me nothing.