Biblical References
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Category Archives: doubt
More about Progressive Christians and How to Connect with Them
Last time we talked about who progressive Christians are and some things they tend to believe. High on the list of what most of them do NOT believe are harmful doctrines like angry god, inerrancy, hell, legalism, penal substitution, homophobia, … Continue reading
What is a Progressive Christian?
When I began my journey out of fundamentalism, I had no one to assist me. But neither did anyone try to ‘lead me astray’—I did that on my own. I began questioning beliefs I had been taught in a somewhat … Continue reading
Jesus Without Baggage Welcomes Inerrantists!
Last week, I posted an article in which I explained that appeals to inerrancy in discussions were totally ineffective with those who do not embrace inerrancy. I had in mind those inerrantist believers who aggressively argue against progressive believers but … Continue reading
For My Inerrantist Friends: Why Appeals to Inerrancy are Totally Ineffective in Discussion
Frequently, I receive comments from those who disagree with me—and this is as it should be! I enjoy dialog with those who disagree with me because I never learn anything if I only talk with people who already agree! However, … Continue reading
Posted in authority, Bible, doubt, evangelicalism, fundamentalism, inerrancy, Old Testament
Tagged American Literature, Dialog, Progressive Christians, proof-texting
91 Comments
Thank You to My Jesus Without Baggage Readers for Making 2017 the Best Year Ever
Jesus without Baggage readers, I want to thank you! You made 2017 by far the most successful year ever for Jesus without Baggage (in its fifth year). In 2017 the blog had considerably more followers, views, and comments than ever … Continue reading
5 Potentially Bad Consequences of Insisting to Questioning Kids that Santa Claus is Real
Christmas is an exciting time for children, and Santa is a key part of the magic! Amidst the gift-giving, and food, and sparkle and lights; along with snowmen, and eggnog, and parties and cheer; it is difficult to imagine Christmas … Continue reading
5 Widely Different Ways to Handle the Santa Issue with Questioning Children
Christmas is a fun time for children, and Santa is a big part of that. But there comes a time when every child begins to question the Santa myth; how should parents handle this transition? Last year I posted an … Continue reading
Lean Not On Your Own Understanding: The Fear of Thinking in Fundamentalism
If you have ever questioned what you were taught by conservative churches, I am sure you experienced a certain amount of fear and trepidation in doing so. This fear is built into the conservative Christian culture and is constantly reinforced … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, doubt, fear, fundamentalism
Tagged proof-texts, Proverbs 1, Proverbs 3, wisdom
94 Comments
Doubting Thomas Could be My Patron Saint!
Do you have difficulty accepting some things believers claim with certainty as God’s very truth? Do you sometimes question things you were taught in church and Sunday school? Then you might be a doubter. Well I am a doubter too—and … Continue reading
Posted in doubt, hell, inerrancy, Jesus, legalism, resurrection
Tagged angry God, Doubting Thomas, John 11, John 14, John 20
21 Comments
The Saddest Passage in the Bible to Me (John 666)
In this series on the feeding of the 5000, we have discussed the historicity of the event, how it backfired and led to a serious crisis, and how it is connected to the story of Jesus’ temptation by Satan in … Continue reading
5 Great Fears Believers Should Never Have
We mentioned before that many believers today are driven by fear—especially in very theologically conservative groups. This includes the fear of God, the fear of hell, the fear of making a mistake, the fear of being wrong, and the fear … Continue reading
Dealing with the Fear of Doubt and of Questioning Religious Beliefs We have been Taught
Growing up a fundamentalist, and then 25 years as an evangelical, I witnessed a lot of fear and experienced significant fear myself. These very conservative environments are filled with fear and, to a large extent, are based on fear—fear of … Continue reading
Posted in authority, baggage, doubt, evangelicalism, faith, fear, fundamentalism
Tagged Proverbs 14:12
48 Comments
Embracing Ambiguity in the Bible and Theology
Beginning as a child, I read the Bible incessantly. I won a Bible in Sunday school for learning more Bible verses than any of the other kids, and I took it with me to school every day; both my fifth … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, doubt
Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:22, certainty, critical thinking, proof-texts, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25, Romans 14:21, theology
51 Comments
The False Power of Theological Certainty in Conservatism
When I was 7, I began to follow Jesus as a fundamentalist. More than 50 years later, I am more devoted to Jesus than ever, but it has been a long journey out of fundamentalism, and theological conservatism, to where … Continue reading
Who Does God Refuse to Forgive?
When I was a child I witnessed a perplexing sight. The pastor had preached his sermon (on sin, no doubt) and gave the altar call. For those who don’t know, an altar call is given at the end of sermons … Continue reading
Posted in doubt, God, sin, sinners
Tagged forgiveness, Hebrews 6, Mark 1, Mark 3, Matthew 11, unforgivable sin, unpardonable sin
86 Comments
What Do We Expect God to Do to Prevent Suffering?
Recently, a reader brought up perhaps the most difficult possible question about God. Multiplied millions of people, over thousands of years, have asked this same, very serious, question. You probably have asked it yourself—or at least thought deeply about it: … Continue reading
Posted in doubt, faith, God, suffering
Tagged Garden of Eden, grief, human condition, miracles, theodicy
24 Comments
The #2 Most Harmful Religious Belief—the Inerrant Bible
It was the worst year of my entire life! 1994 was the center of more than a year of intense pain, anguish, and depression; but I was not ill, I had a good job, and my marriage was great. It … Continue reading
Discovering Jesus as the Foundation of All My Belief
My Spiritual Crisis (Part 3–Conclusion) Against an increasingly solid scientific case for evolution, creationists defend an historical view of the story of Adam beyond all reasonability. This appears a bit odd since the Bible rarely refers to Adam after the first chapters of … Continue reading
Posted in doubt, Jesus, Paul
71 Comments
Grieving the Loss of God
My Spiritual Crisis (Part 2) Discarding my belief in creationism plunged me into more than a year (1994) of agony, despair, and a deep grief over the loss of God. If you wish to read Part 1, go to How … Continue reading
Posted in creationism, doubt, inerrancy, Paul
25 Comments
How Rejecting Creationism Led to Deep Spiritual Crisis
My Spiritual Crisis (Part 1) Sometimes a crisis moment occurs that changes something about us forever. Today, I will share such a moment from my life—how I experienced the loss of God. I was a creationist. Growing up a fundamentalist, … Continue reading
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