I want to preface any or all writings with the following:
1. I claim no absolute truth. My intention is to ask questions and encourage others to question, doubt, believe, and engage in authentic conversation.
2. While I hold the utmost respect, gratitude, and appreciation for my fundamentalist Christian background, my quest for knowledge, truth, and understanding are sincere and have been my greatest life purpose.
3. I do not believe the Bible to be literal or inerrant. The language and cultural barrier have made it impossible for me to do so. I do believe that the Bible is a collection of inspired writing from imperfect humans detailing their own experience with faith. The Bible is a narrative from beginning to end that collectively tells a message of love, redemption, and promise of restoration.
4. I believe other texts to be important in discussing Jesus, such as the gnostic gospels.