This is amazing, inciteful , and keenly introspective . Leadership would do well to read and ponder this carefully- they have been shooting themselves in the feet, while trying to run a marathon.
Very interesting perspective. I usually agree with most of what you say. I think the majority are often defined by the minority. We see this in Christianity- with Christians being defined by the most radical self proclaimed believers- as well as we see it in politics. The frustrations that political progressives feel as conservatives clutch tightly onto values with very little insight into the hearts and minds of those voices they defend, and the conservatives frustrated as they feel their bodily autonomy and freedom of speech is infringed upon by a compulsory demand of society to not offend people with discussions that counter the mainstream narratives.
The reality is most people have the ability to see nuance in situations and when we show the ability to compassionately listen to others we find that it is much easier for us to engage in sharing our own perceptions of things. Mockery and absolute statements of cause and effect get us nowhere in bridging the divide.
I believe that the primary reason that people are worried about the COTN pursuing the path of mindfulness towards the climate and environment is because some of us disagree with secular science as an authority and feel it is driven by man’s nature to create and manipulate. As with most things, the intentions start off good but can quickly take a turn to creating solutions to problems caused by science itself.. It’s why many need a medicine to counter the negative effects of a medicine and so on and so forth. While that medicine might be purposeful there is also a reason for the problem and sometimes finding a solution to the problem is easier than the solution to the problem caused by the solution…
So many people who doubt the narrative around carbon emissions being the reason for the climate issue are likely concerned that the COTN is merging its biblical doctrine with a scientific doctrine that has started to run off the rails from being a wholistic approach to understanding nature and the world we live in, to what appears to be more of a religion of people called “experts” deviating from the dogma that they have put their stamp on.
Not everything mainstream is evil, but not everything mainstream is honest.
This is complex issue and the question is, when people feel specifically convicted of what God is revealing to them, there is a weariness of whether the church- when defining for the COTN a specific doctrine - will miss the mark or become too specific as it seeks to define the role Christian’s should play in environmental conservation.
Like we no longer are under Levitical law, there is a question of whether or not even having a code of conduct itself is putting believers and clergy under the burden of the law after having received such a profound freedom in Christ. But that said, because all of these things are generally good and don’t deviate from the convictions received from the Spirit of God, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for most. I believe as we go forward and as I myself am navigating whether or not this is the right path for me, the question may be …are we allowing Jesus to do the convicting? Or is the COTN trying to use a forcefield against the revelation that Jesus is trying to bring to the members of the body? And will they be able to let go of that control as He works all things out to the good of those who love Him, realizing that in an effo t for the individual to move toward the entire sanctification, the church will itself as an institution never be able to avoid getting it wrong…we either become overly pharisaic or we become heretical. But in my humble opinion, it really comes down to the condition of the heart, and His Grace is sufficient for all our sins.
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to read your thoughts on all this.
I take a medicine that requires me to take another. The only solution is a medicine such as the one I take as my body attacks itself otherwise. Which shows why nuance is important.
The issue we have is that many times political terms like progressive and conservative get misapplied to theology or doctrine and that muddies the water. On things like the climate, it helps to take a long view and acknowledge where science has helped us make positive changes that have improved our health even as we continue to learn. A good example is the cleaner air and water we now enjoy relative to my childhood where smog was an issue nationwide.
Thank you for your voice. It is so frustrating seeing and experiencing ordained elders who seem to not remember, know, or care about our Nazarene roots and what our manual actually says.
This is amazing, inciteful , and keenly introspective . Leadership would do well to read and ponder this carefully- they have been shooting themselves in the feet, while trying to run a marathon.
Simply excellent, Brandon!
Very interesting perspective. I usually agree with most of what you say. I think the majority are often defined by the minority. We see this in Christianity- with Christians being defined by the most radical self proclaimed believers- as well as we see it in politics. The frustrations that political progressives feel as conservatives clutch tightly onto values with very little insight into the hearts and minds of those voices they defend, and the conservatives frustrated as they feel their bodily autonomy and freedom of speech is infringed upon by a compulsory demand of society to not offend people with discussions that counter the mainstream narratives.
The reality is most people have the ability to see nuance in situations and when we show the ability to compassionately listen to others we find that it is much easier for us to engage in sharing our own perceptions of things. Mockery and absolute statements of cause and effect get us nowhere in bridging the divide.
I believe that the primary reason that people are worried about the COTN pursuing the path of mindfulness towards the climate and environment is because some of us disagree with secular science as an authority and feel it is driven by man’s nature to create and manipulate. As with most things, the intentions start off good but can quickly take a turn to creating solutions to problems caused by science itself.. It’s why many need a medicine to counter the negative effects of a medicine and so on and so forth. While that medicine might be purposeful there is also a reason for the problem and sometimes finding a solution to the problem is easier than the solution to the problem caused by the solution…
So many people who doubt the narrative around carbon emissions being the reason for the climate issue are likely concerned that the COTN is merging its biblical doctrine with a scientific doctrine that has started to run off the rails from being a wholistic approach to understanding nature and the world we live in, to what appears to be more of a religion of people called “experts” deviating from the dogma that they have put their stamp on.
Not everything mainstream is evil, but not everything mainstream is honest.
This is complex issue and the question is, when people feel specifically convicted of what God is revealing to them, there is a weariness of whether the church- when defining for the COTN a specific doctrine - will miss the mark or become too specific as it seeks to define the role Christian’s should play in environmental conservation.
Like we no longer are under Levitical law, there is a question of whether or not even having a code of conduct itself is putting believers and clergy under the burden of the law after having received such a profound freedom in Christ. But that said, because all of these things are generally good and don’t deviate from the convictions received from the Spirit of God, it doesn’t seem to be a problem for most. I believe as we go forward and as I myself am navigating whether or not this is the right path for me, the question may be …are we allowing Jesus to do the convicting? Or is the COTN trying to use a forcefield against the revelation that Jesus is trying to bring to the members of the body? And will they be able to let go of that control as He works all things out to the good of those who love Him, realizing that in an effo t for the individual to move toward the entire sanctification, the church will itself as an institution never be able to avoid getting it wrong…we either become overly pharisaic or we become heretical. But in my humble opinion, it really comes down to the condition of the heart, and His Grace is sufficient for all our sins.
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to read your thoughts on all this.
I take a medicine that requires me to take another. The only solution is a medicine such as the one I take as my body attacks itself otherwise. Which shows why nuance is important.
The issue we have is that many times political terms like progressive and conservative get misapplied to theology or doctrine and that muddies the water. On things like the climate, it helps to take a long view and acknowledge where science has helped us make positive changes that have improved our health even as we continue to learn. A good example is the cleaner air and water we now enjoy relative to my childhood where smog was an issue nationwide.
“Experts” who don’t like people deviating from**
Good work my friend! I really enjoyed this piece. Very rich and insightful. I appreciate your perspective and for your faithfulness to HCN.
Thank you for your voice. It is so frustrating seeing and experiencing ordained elders who seem to not remember, know, or care about our Nazarene roots and what our manual actually says.