The Bliss of Religious Homeostasis - Don't Rock the Boat

[Carl Emerson]

You were promoting "Intellectual humility". (no questions, except to God)

Wrong, that is not the definition.

It is about how we hold our questions.

Questions are good, but selfish demand for answers is not.

An enquiring mind is a good gift.

A Loving God does not feed you with information you don't need to know.

 

[Carl Emerson]

What is your real motive for trying to silence me?

[

My thesis is for general reading, answering the question you raised. it is not directed at anyone personally.

 

[St. SteVen]

St. SteVen said:
You were promoting "Intellectual humility". (no questions, except to God)

Questions are good, but selfish demand for answers is not.

Now you add "selfish demand for answers" to "Intellectual humility". But still deny a gag order. Terrific.

[

 

[Carl Emerson]

St. SteVen said:
You were promoting "Intellectual humility". (no questions, except to God)

Now you add "selfish demand for answers" to "Intellectual humility". But still deny a gag order. Terrific.

[

Stephen I am presenting an honest heart felt response to your question.

Can we stick to the topic rather than slipping into being personal ?

 

[St. SteVen]

Stephen I am presenting an honest heart felt response to your question.

Can we stick to the topic rather than slipping into being personal ?

Yes, sorry about that.
I was taking offense at the terms "selfish demand for answers" and "Intellectual humility". (from two of the topics we are on)

With fresh eyes this morning, I can see what you were trying to say with "selfish demand for answers". (questions are good, but...)
Still not sure about "Intellectual humility". Maybe these terms are triggering for me since I am re-evaluating my religious upbringing.

I object to the message I encountered in my religious upbringing that told us that:
Believer = no questions = heaven
Unbeliever = questions = hell

This idea that skepticism = unbelief

Questions were allowed as long as the standard apologetics were accepted as the answers.
Christian maturity was measured by the ability to memorize and recite all the apologetic answers.
Anything outside of that was considered "bad" doctrine.

[

 

[JohnDB]

Hallak is the Jewish term "the walk" where you have a question when reading scriptures....one not readily answered by the scriptures you are reading.
And that search for the answers gives rise to more questions....which demands answers. And somewhere along the way some of the questions get answers and some do not.

But it causes a person to study a LOT. Understand a lot. Learn a lot.

And that is the Hallak. The Way....the Path.

Anything else is something else.

 

[St. SteVen]

Hallak is the Jewish term "the walk" where you have a question when reading scriptures....one not readily answered by the scriptures you are reading.
And that search for the answers gives rise to more questions....which demands answers. And somewhere along the way some of the questions get answers and some do not.

Good info, thanks.
Jesus understood this, obviously.

Luke 10:26 NIV
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

[

 

[JohnDB]

Good info, thanks.
Jesus understood this, obviously.

Luke 10:26 NIV
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

[

Well,
Jesus backhandedly was referring to three things. Targums (Aramaic translation of scriptures with sermons) Sifre (commonly asked questions and answers to the meaning of the Laws) and Midrash (discussions/debates concerning various aspects of the Law which were debatable)

All three were ultimately for various positions that ranged from extremely conservative to extremely liberal. His answer could have gone on for days. (A daunting task)

 

[St. SteVen]

Excerpt from the OP.

There is a stability, whether real or imagined, that comes
with alignment to religious beliefs. And it doesn't seem to matter
what religion, or what sector of Christianity.

Full acceptance of what you are taught brings closure
to the "search" for truth. A sense of arriving safely.
You found it, and feel that you belong.

And if one wants to maintain this homeostasis,
best not to rock the boat. Don't ask questions, just keep
quiet and go with the flow, and everything will be fine.

However, if you do have questions and are not given
answers that satisfy your need, this can cause some friction.
Others in the tribe may prefer that you accept what you
have been given and don't make waves.

If you continue to press for satisfaction, the tribe may
decide that you no longer belong. Or at least they will begin
to distance themselves. Which leads to alienation
and a loss of your original homeostasis.

Questions to discuss:
1) What keeps us locked in homeostasis?
2) Should you be allowed to question the status quo?
3) Do feelings of alienation mean you are in the wrong?
4) At what point should you be put out of the tribe?
5) At what point should you decide to leave?

[

 

[Carl Emerson]

Yes, sorry about that.
I was taking offense at the terms "selfish demand for answers" and "Intellectual humility". (from two of the topics we are on)

With fresh eyes this morning, I can see what you were trying to say with "selfish demand for answers". (questions are good, but...)
Still not sure about "Intellectual humility". Maybe these terms are triggering for me since I am re-evaluating my religious upbringing.

I object to the message I encountered in my religious upbringing that told us that:
Believer = no questions = heaven
Unbeliever = questions = hell

This idea that skepticism = unbelief

Questions were allowed as long as the standard apologetics were accepted as the answers.
Christian maturity was measured by the ability to memorize and recite all the apologetic answers.
Anything outside of that was considered "bad" doctrine.

[

Sounds like you were subject to an unhealthy spiritual culture.

There is but One mediator for each of us - Jesus...

It is the anointing of His Spirit within that confirms truth - all else leads to bondage.

We are a long way from where we are meant to be as His Church, and doctrine, no matter how good, does not bring life and fruitfulness.

Healthy fellowship does not impose judgements on the flock.

Consider this scripture...

1 Cor 4
5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

So I have seen joy and praise in fellowship that is absent in unhealthy judgemental cultures.

So while Christianity is not an individual sport, we work out out own salvation personally and will be judged individually on that Day.

We won't be able to raise the excuse that the church didn't do that, or the pastor said this or that.

Strange that we have to fight for the precious personal loving relationship with our Father which spawns life and freedom.

Hey - is this not the treasure to be gained - in fact the very heart of the Gospel - Christ in us.