The principle of evolution is not exclusively applied to biology and science — culture and attitudes also adapt and evolve.
Such is the state of Christendom as it is an ever-evolving, morphing, adaptation to modernity as society changes and shifts as technology and science progress toward better understanding in the pursuit of knowledge.
By accepting the basic presumption that God “loves” all humanity, and assuming that all homosapiens are different and varied, God therefore loves each person on a relative, individual level.
Since the times are changing, I believe that God loves each person in the same way, but in different contexts. This makes for an individualized “God experience” per person, verified and cross-referenced with Biblical characters’ experiences.
Because the times are and will inevitably change, so will the understanding of God from the collective of all genuine “God experiences.” These experiences are expressed in the words of the Apostles in the New Testament as to what actually is a genuine “God experience.”
In my personal life, it was the point where I put the knife down because there was something else desperately pleading me not to follow through. And in the same way, it was that girl I spoke with about Jesus to a year and a half ago who randomly broke out into tears because she was sorry for all the wrong she had done to God over the course of her life.
These genuine experiences are what Paul describes as “fruits of the Spirit.” These “fruits” are simply the product of a genuine experience. Paul states that when a genuine “God experience” occurs, there is a fundamental change in a person’s demeanor, attitude, character and, sometimes, physical features. This is classically called a “conversion.”
God interacts with individuals on a relative basis, and the changing times lead to God interacting with people differently than before.
This, of course, has caused tension within the Church because these experiences differ so much. But one thing does stand out: The principles of how God interacts remains completely unchanged. Why? Because God’s love is completely unchanged.
As these two concepts weave in and out of each other like double helices to make the DNA of modern Christianity, different theologies have arisen because of the ever-evolving state of Christendom.
What I’m trying to say is that this evolution is natural, conflicted and destined to continue to morph as social understandings and the revelation of God’s character also continues to grow. This is due to the collective, and genuine, God experiences of those who have chosen to live a Christ-like life.
But, of course, there have been, and continue to be, Christian denominations that hold on to well-established principles. This is the meaning of the term “orthodoxy” as it applies to theology. It is a belief that the tenets of a particular faith have not changed, and so what was believed eons ago should also be believed today.
This semester has been wonderful in so many ways as you, my readers, have struggled with these concepts with me. For that, I commend you, but I also rechallenge you to think about the things we have discussed involving Christianity, religion and other topics.
I challenge all to give Christianity another try when the face of an angry person who claims to be a Christian screams and hollers that you’re going to hell.
I challenge all to not judge Christianity by the few isolated incidents over history that many attribute is the basic underlying attitude of modern Christianity today.
I challenge all to think about why Christians are desperate to get the message of Jesus out to the masses — not for money, but because of an antidote to the pain, anguish and confusion that comes with being a person today.
The state of Christendom is in a state of transition, and any who would judge its validity without at least attempting to understand why is a fool.
We’re here to help. And we’re here to stay.
Just like God.
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