Hello

[Bannister]

Hello. My name is John.

Over the past couple of years I've been growing closer to God by seeking a deeper understanding of him.

I was raised in a conservative evangelical congregation that upheld the more popular beliefs such as everlasting torment in hell. As I read the Bible more, it just seemed chaotic to try to hold to this and just believe because someone was telling me to, and that I would lose my salvation status if I questioned otherwise. This God of extravagant love didn't seem to be compatible with one that would allow his beloved children to burn forever.

As I read the Bible on my own, I began seeing a lot of "all" terminology used. This led me to ask questions to my pastor at the time that he avoided. Feeling disappointed after numerous attempts at conversation with leadership, I left the congregation I had been a member of for over 30 years.

I began daring to believe that God really is good and that he really is love as I read the Bible. This has led me to more of a Universal Reconciliation viewpoint. On a side note, and I'm not sure how relevant this is to the community here, I've also began leaning more towards a preterist view of the N.T. prophetic scriptures. This personally makes more sense in the overall story of Jesus' revealing and coincides better to an all-loving God for me.

In my everyday life, I've felt fairly alone in my beliefs. I'm still not 100% sure of everything I'm beginning to believe, but I have so much more faith in God now and am enjoying studying the Bible. The beauty and benefits of what I'm discovering are outweighing the isolation and disillusionment I've experienced.

[Tom]

Welcome, bro. It's amazing isn't it? how you can get out of church and into God. God is love, and an accurate translation of scripture reveals that. You may find some folks here who agree with your preterist interpretation because there are various opinions about a lot of stuff. I personally think there's still some things to come, but that's just my thing. The perceived isolation of no longer experiencing the socializing at church is more than compensated for by the realization that the ecclesia, the body of Christ, is a global spiritual body easily accessed anytime anywhere especially online because it's not bound by space or time. This is the only Christian forum I know of online that tolerates talk of universal reconciliation. That's why I keep coming back. Enjoy!

[ed]

:welcome:

[sheila]

   Hi  :newb:      :girlheart:

[lomarah]

Welcome!

[rosered]

 

  Welcome John ,  good witness .  :icon_flower:
 
  I to had to grow in truth and grace over  the many  years and   many questions  that did not fit with   the general    church systems of the world ,
I find  that I really do feel closer to  the true and Living  God     with a lot less mystery    of  Who God really is ,  though Jesus Christ whom is the power and wisdom  and  is Love   expressed ,  and ever so  thankful   

I am grateful for the Tentmaker   site  and forum .  and my brothers and sisters in the Lord   .
His Word is Truth and By His Spirit      we are made a new ..

[joeteekay]

I too say welcome to the tent. Most of us got here because we saw God's plan of salvation for all, and it is by His grace nothing to do with our smarts. I just received a package of books I ordered from tenet maker book store and two of the tittles are "When the Church Leaves the Building" and  "So You don't want to go to Church Any-more".  I think those titles tell a lot about us who are on this forum.  :dsunny:

[Searching_For_The_Truth]

 :welcome:

[Lazarus Short]

John, welcome to the Tent!  :friendstu: :gimmefive: :friendstu:

Remember that the church/Church is run on a business model, but the body of Christ is not.

[eaglesway]

Welcome John :o)

[Psalm91:4]

Hi Bannister, 

  :)

I think we are relatively "few" who believe this good news,  but it seems to me that our loving Lord is bringing in more and more of His children into the depths of his love in this day.  It's a beautiful work of God to behold.    :dsunny:

Welcome!   :girlheart:

Sue

[Dandelion]

Welcome, John.

Church is not always as 'safe' as we would like it to be. Unfortunately, sometimes there is persecution inside a church, as well as outside, for who one is and/or their beliefs. The balance of holding true to beliefs, without making individuals feel that they are not welcome, who question them, is a delicate one, which I believe few churches ever actually achieve.

But, God provides, and he has brought you here, and hopefully, you have found a 'home'.

I look forward to talking with you, which I probably have already.

:welcome:

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: And then there are those that one day hear "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord", differently than the mainstream, and like Moses experience Him alone in the wilderness and are led by HIM instead of a go-between pastor.

Welcome to the tent of meeting.  :Peace2:

[Searching_For_The_Truth]

Welcome to the tent

[Bannister]

Thanks for all the welcomes. I've been reading over some of the articles on the site and it seems Gary holds very similar views as I've come to know.

"So You don't want to go to Church Any-more".

This is one of the first books I read that led me on the path I've been on and one of my favorites. I also utilized a lot of Wayne Jacobsen's material to help in this journey.