An Honest Church...

An intelligent church is an honest church...

It is honest in its open doubting...

It is honest in its passionate believing...

It is honest in its joyful proclaiming...

These are not three separate behaviors. Doubting, believing, and proclaiming all need each other to temper and inspire each other. A healthy, intelligent church doesn't have all the answers, and it is comfortable with the questions.

But what can be considered reasonable doubt in the church? Can the church doubt the validity of scripture? Can a church doubt the deity of Christ?

If a post-Christendom church is to truly be a voluntary faith community, then everything is "on the table." At the same time, it is appropriate for a faith community to say, "here we stand...we can do no other". It is appropriate for a church to say to its participants: "This we believe...if you don't and are unwilling to journey with us, there are other faith communities with whom you could join." What is inappropriate is for a church to coerce people to believe a certain way. Coercion of belief by a congregation and a congregation declaring a common point of view are different.

Here's to more doubting churches and fewer friendly churches...