\nWith so many different theological \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \nHow are we to know when we are \"on the right \nIf you examine the major traditions within the \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nAt a deeper level, though, we need to think about what it means to grow \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nFor us to grow, there are \n\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nJust as <\/span>engaging <!\u2013 With so many different theological beliefs within Christianity, how can we be confident that we’re living a faithful life?\u00a0 Should we just pick one and hope we’re picking right? D.M., Chicago\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1176,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-399","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-c22-ask-a-theologian"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nbeliefs within Christianity, how can we be confident that we're living
\na faithful life?\u00a0 Should we just pick one and hope we're picking right? <\/span>D.M., Chicago\u00a0\n<\/p>\n
\npath\" with regard to our Christian faith and practice?\u00a0 If by \"know\"
\nyou mean to ask how can we have complete certainty, I am not sure there
\nis an answer.\u00a0 As you note, there are many groups offering somewhat
\ndifferent beliefs and practices, and each of those groups is \"sure\"
\nthey have it right (or, at least, righter than anyone else).\u00a0 Perhaps,
\nhowever, that kind of certainty is not what God is after.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nChristian faith, there is a great deal of agreement.\u00a0 We affirm the
\ntrinitarian nature of God, restoration to right relationship with God
\nand our fellows through faith in Christ, and the empowerment of the
\nHoly Spirit for walking the life of faith. On practices, we pretty
\nmuch agree that we are to celebrate the sacraments of baptism and
\neucharist, engage in works of mercy, and live in ways that are worthy
\nof our being called God's children.\u00a0 So, before we focus on
\ndifferences, we should celebrate our common heritage.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nin our faith over an extended period of time. When we begin the walk
\nof faith, we are, metaphorically speaking, like little children. As
\nlittle children, we only have a beginning grasp of what it means to be
\na Christian and to live faithfully as one.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nthree ways in which we are guided to maturity: First, we have friends
\nand family who serve as mentors in the faith. They both teach us and
\ndemonstrate for us what it means to be faithful to God.\u00a0 Second, we
\nparticipate in the distinctive Christian practices of baptism,
\neucharist, bible study, prayer, etc. These serve to form us into the
\nkinds of people God intends. Finally, and most significantly, God's
\nSpirit leads us in the path of faith encouraging here, correcting there so that, over time, we come more and more to conform to the image of Christ. <\/span><\/span><\/span>\n<\/p>\n
\nin \"guitar player practices\" makes us better guitar players, so
\nengaging in this set of practices makes us more faithful Christians.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nD([\"mb\",\" At a deeper level, though, we need to think about what it means to grow in our faith over an extended period of time. When we begin the walk of faith, we are, metaphorically speaking, like little children. As little children, we only have a beginning grasp of what it means to be a Christian and to live faithfully as one. For usn to grow, there are three ways in which we are guided to maturity. First, we have friends and family who serve as mentors in the faith. They both teach us and demonstrate for us what it means to be faithful to God. Second, we participate in the distinctive Christian practices of baptism, eucharist, bible study, prayer, etc. These serve to form us into the kinds of people God intends. Finally, and most significantly, God's Spirit leads us in the path of faith encouraging here, correcting there so that, over time,we come more and more to conform to the image of Christ<\/span>. Just as <\/span>engaging in \"guitar player practices\" makes us better guitar players, so engaging in this set of practices makes us more faithful Christians.n\u201d,1]
\n);
\n\/\/\u2013>
\n<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"