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The older I get, the more I realize that faith is a journey. This is probably true for people of all religions.
As a Christian, I believe with all my heart that my journey will continue in eternity. Yet people of other non-Christian religions believe the same thing – just as strongly as me.
I fight with that. Who is right? Can we all be right? What if we were all wrong?
These are just some of the questions I will discuss with this column that will be published every month.
For example, if we believe in heaven, how can we do it? Is there a hell?
What do the various Christian denominations offer? Are some people too old-fashioned? Have some become too layman?
Could my beliefs withstand the interrogation of an atheist? Can I learn some things from an atheist? Is it condescending to pray for someone?
How literal is the Bible? How does creationism compare to evolution? Can they coexist?
Is it possible to love your enemies as much as you love your relative or closest friend? And, is it conceivable to forgive their worst transgressions against you?
Finally, on a more personal note, why do I sometimes feel like I'm not home on earth?
If you think I'm going to find concrete answers to any of these questions in the coming months, you have a lot more confidence in me than me. But I can not wait to look for other perspectives when I approach some of them.
We Christians can be a caring but combative group. It's a bit like the personality of Jesus, I suppose. He was perhaps the most tolerant person who ever lived. But he also dealt with the money changers in the temple so firmly and he often pointed out the transgressors.
Today, far right Christians are troubling me. Sometimes their rigidity and hyperbole seem to be the worst ways to convert others. They leave themselves open to constant criticism.
Yet, I understand that, in a way, they imitate the example given by the disciples of Christ, most of whom died for their categorical convictions. In Matthew 10:22 and Mark 13:13, Jesus says, "You will be hated by everyone because of me, but he who remains steadfast until the end will be saved."
Other Christians, more laypeople, forgive them? and tolerant of their far-right brothers as they are of their lay sisters?
Am I a keen Christian and washed not to evangelize further? If I am really a follower of Christ, should not I emphasize some of the dozens of Bible verses that say Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Or, am I worried too much about being politically incorrect? Oh, the journey of faith. It can be so robust. It can be so demoralizing. It can be so exhilarating.
Recently, I was hiking on a hot day in the Mines of Spain, which are as rich these days as maybe the Garden of Eden. After driving the five miles home, I realized that I had abandoned my driver's license. (Do not ask me what came into my thoughts in the first place.)
The biggest question was: how the hell would I find it? Coming back, I felt that heavenly calm that I could not explain. Why was not I more anxious? In one way or another, I felt that everything would be fine for us.
Well, after going through the strong growth, I reached the bottom of the Julien Dubuque track and here it is, face down in a clearing
As often as I question my faith journey, I receive signs saying, "Jim, just keep going."
Swenson wrote two books, including "A Mourning Man: God, I hope I did it right." Email him at [email protected]
Copyright, Telegraph Herald. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without TH's prior permission.
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