Choosing faith is conscious. People do it because they believe life is better when the choice for faith is affirmative. Some might do it because they are afraid of hell or something else, but that is less interesting. Plenty believe faith is unnecessary for a fulfilling life. In fact, they would probably argue it gets in the way. In that context, faith is necessary for those too weak to rise above the difficulties of life. It's hard for me because I feel so very weak.
itext 4
It would be so nice if everything I thought was true actually was. Past and present - need to throw doubt out the window. To be child-like. To pretend. Perhaps the most real?
itext 3
Could it really all be orchestrated? Maybe some parts were written and the drama just unfolds. That does sound more interesting. Like jazz - there is a beginning then it just goes from there. Does it need to resolve?
itext 2
Clearly the "doing something" part is the issue worth discussing regarding Christianity. Maybe it's really not complicated though. You can't "do" anything to get into heaven - which is why Christ died. So there it is...can't do anything. Nothing. That part is covered. Yet here we are still doing stuff. Still making stuff. Still believing or not believing. So make a disciple? Clearly we can't do anything to achieve salvation - which would imply that we can't help anyone else out in that area either. So it would seem to me that going into the world and making disciples involves going into the world and being awesome at what we do. Like work really really hard at being excellent and knowledgeable. Then people might follow - or you might follow something awesome - and in turn find community and the loving benefits that come with it. This only works though if you're not preoccupied with getting others to see Christianity or the world or whatever - just like you. I think it requires that it be OK to agree to disagree. Kind of cliche but something no Christian I know would be willing to accept - because to "say" that you're not a Christian is to be wrong. And to "say" that you're not a Christian means that you're going to hell. This can't be OK. It just seems disconnected from Christ dying on the cross because he did it and my "religious" affiliation really can't have an impact on it. If it does it sure seems to weaken the idea of Christ dying on the cross for sin - because it means that it's only for some.
itext 1
Evangelism represents a clear point of weakness. This isn't to criticize passion in belief. However the moment you need to recruit members to increase size and believe or behave as you do - something has gone off track. I have a hard time believing that making a disciple involves some sort of intentional bbq in my backyard or knocking on someones door with an agenda for a particular conversation that is anything but personal. Discipleship happens when someone is really good and really passionate about what they do - then people follow because what they do is worth following.