Today as I’m on my run, I’m thinking over this idea that I had to drop the label Christian a couple of weeks ago. Did I act too hastily? I mean it’s only been about 50 years of struggling with this doctrine or that doctrine, trying to reconcile it with common sense, with mercy, with grace with science. Maybe I should reconsider.
Then it hits me. “No.” comes the answer. Then John 8:36 comes into my head. “So, if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.” I thank Jesus for setting me free from the religion of Paul, the religion of Rome and the current incarnation the religion called “Christianity”. No, it wasn’t a hasty decision. Jesus has been coming into my life in various forms for many years preparing me for this day. For the first time I can say with confidence I am in the place I am supposed to be on the spiritual path. I think about the people who have come in and out of my life, the authors, the pastors, the lay people. Atheists, pagans, Jews, Muslims all of them. All pushing me away from what I needed to move away from or pulling me towards what I need to go towards. All sent at the appointed time in the appointed place in the appointed way.
Then my thoughts turn to one person in particular in my life right now. And another verse comes into my head. 2 Corinthians 12:7 “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.” Yes, I’m taking this one out of context because this particular person wasn’t sent to me for the same reason Paul had his thorn in the flesh. But, this person has been a thorn in my side for quite a while. When I think of returning to where I came from I only need recall some people like this who have been sent to me over the years to push me away, little by little until I finally got the message. They all serve a purpose and I’m grateful for all of them, no matter how much of a pain in the side they have been.
Here I am. No longer Christian. So, what am I now? What comes to mind is post-Christian. I’m not sure if that should be capitalized or not. I’m still heavily, heavily influenced by the Christianity of my youth, still a follower of Jesus, but no longer a follower of the religion that uses His title. Post-Christian. It has a nice ring to it.
