Sources cited from this episode:
Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith https://a.co/d/5y4a1tD
Also, https://www.nextlevelchurch.org/blog/2020/11/2/brick-walls-trampolines-mortgages-and-faith
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I wanted to share a concept with you I was recently introduced to —but first I share from a post written by Clay Mathus at nextlevelchurch.org/blog/2020/11/2/brick-walls-trampolines-mortgages-and-faith
He’s talking about this idea that we have a notion of what GOD thinks about things in life…like he uses the example of a mortgage….he says
“I spend more on my mortgage most months than I do on food, savings, and even more than I give. It’s the biggest chunk of our family budget. Therefore, more of my blood, sweat, and tears go to that thing every month than go to any other category of the budget. So, I do wonder what he thinks about it.
I know that what I think he thinks about it has changed over the years. In regard to changing beliefs, a pastor friend of mine put it this way:
‘Live passionately by what you believe and know that much of what you believe may change in a decade.’
My point is that much of what we believe about certain aspects of life change over time.
Don’t believe me?
Think about how you viewed parenting before you were a parent. I bet that has changed. I remember when I was 17 thinking that if I could make $20,000, I would be set for life…. That has definitely changed.
So, asking Jesus what he thinks about important things in life matters. In fact, exploring our subterranean beliefs with Jesus and allowing him to alter our assumptions and beliefs can be very transformative.
I’m talking about getting to the question below the question — getting to the subterranean layers of my heart and to my core beliefs.”
Rob Bell explores getting to questions below the questions through Bricks and Trampolines….
From Bookey.app “with a…commitment to authenticity, Bell prompts readers to reimagine their understanding of Christianity and its role in a rapidly changing world.
He starts with the idea that we all have faith…even the atheist. “This is not a discussion between people of faith and people who don’t have faith. Both perspectives are faith perspectives built on systems of belief. The person who says we are here by change and there is no greater meaning has just as many beliefs as the person who says there’s a creator.
An atheist is a person of tremendous faith. In the discussion of things that matter most, we aren’t talking about faith or no faith. Belief or no belief. We are talking about faith in what? Beilief in waht? The real question isn’t whether we have it or not but what we have put it in.”
He shares the metaphor of the brick wall and the trampoline…
He shares that for much of his life his belief system or core doctrines were “like individual bricks that stack on top of each other. If you pull one out, the whole wall starts to crumble. It appears quite strong and rigid, but if you begin to rethink or discuss even one brick, the whole thing is in danger.”
With time, experience and increased wisdom his structure shifted to be more like a trampoline with the springs likened to the doctrines/beliefs themselves.
“When we jump we begin to see the need for springs. The springs help make sense of these deeper realities that drive how we live everyday…The springs are statements and beliefs about our faith that help give words to the depth we are experiencing in our jumping.
They help us understand the point but they are a means and not an end.
They give us insight and understanding into the experience of God we’re having. Which is why the springs only works when the serve the greater cause: us finding our lives in God. If they ever become the point something has gone seriously wrong. Doctrine is a wonderful servant and a horrible master.”
This may be controversial for some to hear. I”m genuinely curious to know your thoughts on what Rob Bell is purporting.