Tuesday, March 29, 2005

I Do Believe

My friend James had a wonderful posting today entitled I Just Don't Believe, which explores all of the things he does not believe concerning religion, politics, life, etc. He was inspired by our friend Craig's posting on what he did not believe. I decided to follow suit. However, in light of my friend Mike's comment that I do the angry prophet thing very well and need to offer more hope, I have decided to post some things I do believe (in the positive) during the next few days.

It is influenced by my friends, but an homage to The Creed of Crash Davis in Bull Durham along with the song God, Part II by U2. Please feel free to comment with your creed. I must add the disclaimer that I am not attempting an orthodox creed of my entire theology ( feel comfortable with the major early Christian Creeds, along with Sojourner's Confessing Christ in a World of Violence and, surprisingly, much of the 1963 Baptist Faith and Message).
  • I believe the Bible says exactly what God wanted it to say. No more. No less.
  • I believe that innerrantists attempt to make the Bible say and do things God never intended.
  • I believe that what we usually think is the point when we read the Bible is usually not the point.
  • I think apologetics is overrated.
  • I think apologizing is underrated.
  • I believe the kingdom of God is greatly misunderstood.
  • I believe Christ is the hope for the world (not democracy, capitalism or the USA).
  • I believe most seeker sensitive "come and we will give you a free gift and practical message" churches practice a shallow form of Christianity.
  • I believe the Anabaptists were on to something.
    I believe George W. Bush is a Christian.
  • I believe Bill Clinton is a Christian.
  • I believe Dan Rather was a great reporter.
  • I believe the 24 second shot clock is the single greatest sports innovation in the past half century.
  • I believe instant replay is a good thing.
  • I believe the stealing of the 1987 World Series from the St. Louis Cardinals is one of the great travesties of the last 100 years.
  • I believe Bill Buckner should be remembered for his great baseball career (and not one moment he should not have been on the field for).
  • I believe Kermit Washington was a great basketball player and gentleman (and should not be remembered for the Rudy T hit only).
  • I believe that teaching my children to be kind, compassionate followers of Jesus is the single best thing I can do for them.
  • I believe that spending an inordinate amount of time with my family is better that making much money for my family.
  • I believe I have the best looking dog in the world and we could be rich if we took him to a casting call.
  • I believe a good Dominican cigar is better than a mediocre Cuban cigar.
  • I believe that Belgian Trappist Monks make the best beer in the world (and to the Glory of God).
  • I believe that Jesus Christ and the disciples drank alcohol. And so did the Pilgrims, Puritans and Martin Luther.
  • I believe certainty is overrated.
  • I believe fidelity is underrated.
  • I believe security is overrated.
  • I believe that fear is dangerous to the Christian faith.
  • I believe that the government, media and advertisers feed us a healthy dose of fear to keep us under control and well behaved (and raising the GNP).
  • I believe the movie Fight Club was right.
  • I believe American Foreign policy had something to do with 9-11.
  • I believe the terrorists hate us for our relationship with Israel and presence in their Holy Land of Saudi Arabia more than they do for our freedom.
  • I believe that Christ's freedom is better than America's freedom.
  • I believe Christ's freedom and America's freedom have nothing to do with each other.
  • I believe Patriotism and Nationalism are idolatry.
  • I believe competition is great for sports, but bad for foreign relations and the church.
  • I believe the United States is a very good place to live and a wonderful country.
  • I believe that other countries are good places to live and wonderful countries.
  • I believe that my theology and worldview cannot fit on a bumper sticker.
  • I believe that the church's duty is to protect and stand for the rights of everyone.
  • I believe the church should speak for those that are unable to speak for themselves.
  • I believe that this life is entirely overrated.
  • I believe that the greatest sin of the religious right and the powers that be in my denomination is that of idolatry (to Nation-State and Power).
  • I believe there is hope for my denomination.
  • I believe that Christians should renounce violence and embrace peace-making as a way of life.
  • I believe everyone preaches against situational ethics, but everyone practices situational ethics.
  • I believe this is fun.
  • I believe that I could go on all night but will stop here.
  • I believe I will continue at another time.
  • I believe I am wrong more often than I am right.

11 comments:

james said...

Awesome. Just awesome. You've actually done something I was hoping to do for my next post, and still will, namely, "I do believe."

Thanks for posting this. Still trying to decide on my favorite, or the "I do believe" which you've you've listed, that I find most inspiring.

Anonymous said...

Good morning Rick. I remain encouraged and inspired by your belief. Thanks. - Mike

kidpositive said...

"I believe that Belgian Trappist Monks make the best beer in the world (and to the Glory of God)."

amen, brother rick. amen.

Bob Robinson said...

I've linked to this post. Thanks!

Rick Bennett at Cheaper Than Therapy has begun to write his own "creed" which is more personal than just theological, and stimulates my thinking about what I really believe.

Alex F said...

I believe this was a fun post I'd like to imitate sometime.
I do believe that I agree with many of your beliefs (including some that might surprise you.)
I also believe that I disagree with some of your beliefs.
I believe that we can still be friends even when we disagree!

DLW said...

I also linked to it. Keep up the creative posts and stay tuned to posts I'll have coming from Sweden and Ukraine.

dlw

Anonymous said...

Loved the post although being a Twins fan we have to aprt company on the 87 Cardinals:)

niebuhrian said...

Thanx for posting this... I wasn't thinking about doing and still am not, but I do appreciate the thought and effort you put into an important statement such as this...

grace and peace

Anonymous said...

Great post. Thank you for your honesty and insight. I've linked to it on my blog: http://www.jakebouma.com.

jonathan said...

I do not know enough about the anabaptists, Dan Rather, the beer of the Belgian Trappist Monks, or the 1987 World Series.

Other than that, I believe I agree with every point you made.

:)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your post. I too would also like to do something like this. I love the name of your blog and the stuff about you. (I think I am the female of that.) People often mistake my almost constant kindness as a weakness or a disadvantage. They have no idea how hard it is say the right and kind thing most of the time. Only God in me--really. I believe in kindess and respect to all. I believe there is nothing wrong in apologizing when necessary. I believe admitting when I am wrong is a strength. I love and believe in the certainty of God and His Word. Stand on it--it's firm. I believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven as He said in the Word. I believe in miracles . . . Well, thanks for starting me up. I will keep up with your blog--it's great.