my name is john paul. i was once a devout christian missionary, on fire to bring everyone closer to God, but am now a firm atheist. still, my wife and i have decided to return to church. not to seek answers. simply to be inspired by christianity. this will most likely be difficult to understand. i don't fully grasp it myself. i lack faith, and have no desire for faith, however i still appreciate the poetry and truths that are available within christianity. my favorite christian writer is meister eckart. my favorite contemporary christian books are If God Is Love, If Grace Is True, and Love Wins. i am not interested in being saved or engaging in debate. just hoping that someone might have any thoughtful reading suggestions that will be compatible with eckhart and the books i have listed. in other words, i'm looking for controversial christian thinkers who might further my inspiration from christianity. if you can point me in the right direction, i will appreciate your input.
thank you,
jp
=)
We value honesty. Truth is interpreted so what may be true for you is not necessarilyf truth for all. If you want to discuss, fine. If you want to be contentious and convince others to believe as you do then we are not so fine. One of the finest books you can read is downloadable for free at this website http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/ (http://www.hopebeyondhell.net/) This is not a website to discuss whether God exists. This is a discussion forum whcih talks about the saviour of the world, Jesus. By world, we mean everyone and that includes you.
Welcome to the discussion forum. :Peace2:
John Paul, I read your post with interest, and am always interested by people's spiritual journeys. I am an ex-atheist, and I don't think I am the only one here at Tentmaker. Are you really convinced that non-belief in God (or is that belief in non-god?) is correct, or are you simply burned out? I hope we can be a blessing to you. :friendstu:
I would like to suggest, JP, that your mind rejected much of what you saw identified as Christianity- and thus you became an intellectual atheist. Perhaps however, in your spirit, in the depths of your being- the place where you had connected with God, who is a Spirit of pure being- the thirst for spiritual reality remained. That little trickle of the water of life that you are following for no good reason may turn into a glorious fountain of religiously unencumbered truth and a renewed relationship with the I AM that has no use for proseltyzing others, but rather just the pure joy of communion with the one who is the source of all being.
At any rate, I welcome you regardless to Tentmaker. Peace :o)
Wow eaglesway! You just summed up what happened to me lol! (I never became an atheist but I had often thought it sounded a lot better than a God who tortures people.)
Welcome John Paul! There is a lot of good reading at lighthouselibrary.com. Joyful seeking dear brother. :cloud9: