What happens when regular church people start reading books about God

I’ve been a Christian for a long time.   But last August I had a bit of an epiphany about how little I knew about God and Christianity, in spite of being in church and small groups forever.  So I started reading.  It’s been a year, now, and lots of books later.   I thought maybe you might find it entertaining to see what happens when a non-seminarian tries to learn.

1. How to Read the Bible for all its Worth.  I learned a tremendous amount about the complexities of translating the Bible, and recognizing how important it is to read the Bible in paragraphs and chapters and books, rather than in verse-snippets.

2. The Divine Conspiracy.  I had a sense that this book was “important.” But I’d read it ten years ago and remembered nothing.  I started it again and took notes this time… and realized that it was about the kingdom of God.  And I knew nothing about what the kingdom was.  How could Jesus talk so much about something that never got mentioned at my church?

3. Blogs.  I start finding people are talking about God online.  I learn new names and find lots of people ponder God and the church.  Mark Driscoll, John Piper, Carlos Whittaker, Michael Spencer, Anne Jackson.   They all seem to say we need a greater focus on Jesus and the gospel and the Bible.  But apparently, people argue about God too.

4. Epic of Eden, According to Plan, The Big Picture.  Turns out many people think the Bible tells a single story.  Biblical theology.  Never heard it before.  I learn about covenant, and God as a reconciler, and the themes of relationship and community.  I begin to question the definition of “gospel” beyond Christ dying to save me from my sins and get me to heaven.

5.  True Story, I Once was Lost, Death by Church.  Over and over, the ideas that the kingdom of God is now and should be part of the church.  That we need to enter the culture, be missional.  That issues of social justice and environmentalism are part of the role of the church, as well as evangelism.  But, opposed to that are the responses I see to ideas like this (mostly in blogs), that a kingdom focus is a function of liberal Christianity and is works theology.  That if the church is dedicated to preaching the gospel and encouraging spiritual growth, we’d all be better off.

I am now full of new words – Calvinism, reformed, missional, emergent.  Bible-centered churches vs attractional “megachurch model” churches.  Faith vs works.  Justification vs sanctification, N.T. Wright vs John Piper.  The Holy Spirit.  Covenant, incarnation, community, redemption, regeneration, reconciliation.  Eschatology and ecclesiology.

I have learned so much in a year… and am so much more confused, too.  But that’s okay.  I prefer my God to be mysterious.  It’s been good brain exercise, and has energized my faith.  Lots to think about, and write about, and discuss.  I don’t have a lot of answers, but I’m thankful I can pursue them.