Photo courtesy of We Heart It.
This may be controversial to post? I dunno. But I read this line a few days ago in a book (thanks for the recommendation, Emi!). My heart skipped 2 beats. And for once, my mind was quiet. Whoa baby. This quote is literally haunting me because I've been working through this notion for a few weeks now:
"You guys are all into that born again thing, which is great. We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy named Nicodemus. But if you tell me I have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you have to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, because Jesus said that to one guy too... But I guess that's why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest."
-Rich Mullins, by way of The Irresistable Revolution.
I hope I don't get dinged on this by other readers, but I have to say that I very much agree with Rich Mullins' quote here and for that matter, much of his outlook toward the last few years of his life. His view on inclusivity of all - not just those like you or those who share your narrow view of a certain religion - is key. As a Catholic, I do not take the Bible literally - I believe there is a beauty in how it can be taught, how we interpret it and how we learn from it. Just because one can memorize it and recite verbatim doesn't mean much if you're not with Christ. "Love one another as I have loved you" is the quote I go by. Good post, Ashlyn.
ReplyDeleteI am a lost Catholic, too many changes in my religon. I will die a Catholic, but have lost the feeling I used to have as a child. The NEW masses leave me Flat, I feel like I came out of my first Baptist church. Maybe I don't interpret the new
ReplyDeletestyle. I still have questions no one can answer.
Doubtful Thomas. Do beleive in God.
yvonne
Yvonne, I felt this way for years. Until I found a church that fed me. It was just like sitting down for supper and realizing I was starving. The food at this church is so good, that I almost every Sunday I need my napkin to wipe my tears. Keep seeking God's face.
ReplyDelete