Who Cares What I Think?
Probably no one. But I don’t care. I have my reasons (five of them, to be exact).
First, I believe myself to biblically have a leadership position in my family, and that it is my responsibility to ensure my family thoroughly understands what I believe about how life works. Perhaps this is frowned upon as misogynistic or whatever. It could be argued that they don’t respect me or my opinions, perhaps reject them altogether. It may also be true that this is pure hubris, because I do so without any special knowledge or expertise. But that doesn't allow me to abdicate that responsibility. I want to lay it all out there for their reference in case I can’t tell them directly.
Second, writing in this format helps force me to re-examine long-held beliefs and opinions. My thoughts have evolved over time on a variety of subjects, especially over the last several years as I've become more serious about trying to ensure my faith is the lens through which I view all aspects of life. I have reinforced opinions in some cases, but for different reasons. In other cases, I have reversed positions entirely. What some might call “abandoning your roots” or something, I think is completely proper. Growth and experience alters our frame of reference and adds context that should be taken into account. I want to model that for them, and show that doubts and learning are not enemies to be ignored, but rather opportunities to explore and come to better understanding.
Third, I am a firm believer in understanding the reasons why we believe what we do. If we can't explain the "why" in terms that might convince someone else, how do we know what we believe is true and we're not just being misled? Why would someone find us credible? "I just do" or "I always have" or “the Bible says so” (it often doesn’t actually say what people think it does; more on this another time) - those don't cut it. This is especially true with matters of faith. So much so that there is direct biblical instruction in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be ready to explain the "why" of our hope, even when suffering or ridiculed or slandered, and to do it with gentleness and respect. I write to show how important this is and that I take it very seriously.
Fourth, I want to demonstrate how our faith should permeate all aspects of our lives and how we think even about contentious issues such as politics. I know far too many people for whom, if all you could see was their Facebook or Twitter accounts, you would come away with one of two impressions: (a) they are clearly not fellow believers; (b) they are believers that don't understand what their faith demands of them. Nothing destroys credibility or does more damage to Christianity than hypocrisy. I do not want that to be the take-away for my kids. I want to show what it looks like when you truly try to apply biblical principles to everything you do. I am not great at this, perhaps not even good, but I do try. And I want them to see that through this.
Fifth, I want to show them that Christianity is not about empty meme-ish platitudes that fall apart when held up to the test of real life. Nor is it based on emotional experiences that are fleeting, often unrelatable, and sometimes flat out wrong. It can instead be based on reason and evidence, and foundational truth doesn't rely on your mood or circumstance or experience in order to be true. It just is, and it can be trusted - especially when they're not "feeling it".
As I add more and more content to this blog, I hope that it will somehow accomplish these things and provide some help.
Also, it's my web site and I do what I want.
Image: Jacob Peter Gowy / Public domain
