Response to One "Lost"

I recently received an email from a college student who was self-described as "lost". This person grew up in two different Christian traditions but doesn't now understand either one of them. The inquiry was for a Pastor to explain what Christianity and faith are, with the overt stipulation that I do this without saying others are wrong. Here was my response:

Thanks for your email and your questions. Indeed, they are deeply important questions, ones that I hope my congregation is struggling with right now. I would be happy to meet with you at some point to explore answers with you.

I would say a couple things via email to you:

First, the questions you are raising about what Christianity is and by implication what faith is, are questions that most Christians struggle with. Faith, in general, is best described in terms of a journey. It requires exploration, study, partners, expansion of ideas. It is not something that is ever known perfectly. For example, I was baptized when I was 12 years old. I do not have the same set of beliefs now as I did then. My baptism set me on a journey of faith that has changed over time. I have had varying experiences in the church and outside of it that have all shaped my faith and my understanding of who God is. These experiences have included anger with God, doubts, serious questioning, and arguments, even as they have included faithfulness, love for God, longing for answers, hoping for justice, being certain and so on. I have had and continue to have many companions on my journey, both inside and outside of the church. People who help me explore my questions and doubts, call to me when I am lost – though the best ones never impose a direction “home” – rather they call to me and help me discover my own way home.

The other thing I would say about faith is that it is more than a set of beliefs into which one is indoctrinated. Faith is also a set of practices. Practices help us shape our lives. Christianity is, then, more than just a set of beliefs but also a set of practices that shape who we are as our lives unfold before God. Practices can be shared among religions – prayer, meditation, helping the poor, worship, and so on, but usually take a particular shape in the context of that religion. Simply put, I am Christian because I believe certain things about God, namely that God has revealed the divine self most fully in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth a first century Palestinian Jew, but also because I engage in practices that shape my life as a follower of Jesus.

When it comes to people of other faiths and my faith being ‘right’ and theirs being ‘wrong’, I tend to practice what is described as “holy envy”. That is I can find things that are good and attractive about another faith – their practices and beliefs – and still remain unabashedly Christian. I don’t have to take on another faith because I like something about it, nor do I have to say another is wrong to validate my faith (as both belief and practice). I can also proclaim and live what I believe without expecting someone else to share that belief or practice. That is not to say that we don’t say different things about God, but then again, different Christians say different things about God as well.

I hope this is helpful to you in your quest. It was as thorough as I could be briefly. I am available to be in conversation with you if that is what you would like to do. I can also talk to you further about the specific practices of our congregation. You are also welcome to come to worship or any of the activities we have at the church. Worship is at 9:00 and 11:30 on Sunday morning. Sunday School is at 10. We also have Wednesday Night Fellowship beginning at 6 p.m. with a meal. College students always eat free. You will find people at our church all over the spectrum – from people who question their faith on a daily basis, to people who seem to have certainty about what they believe.

Blessings to you as you search for answers.

What do you think of my response? What would you say to a person with the same kind of inquiry?

Shalom, Y'all!