edwardkelly4

Why Christianity? I guess it was because that tradition or religion is how I first encountered God. It was a fundamentalist tradition and even now 40 years later- I still cannot deny what happened to me that evening. Oh, my image of God has changed drastically since then. God was the omnipotent fire breathing punisher that I feared so much I knelt and gave my life to Jesus, Now I realize God is not that fire breathing dragon... Why Christianity? Because I still believe that God intervenes in the affairs of man- and one of the ways God did intervene was through Jesus Christ. Whereas I used to preach the one only incarnation- I know understand that God does not limit those interventions. (I use to hold to an exclusive view) Why Christianity? Because I still believe in the stories and traditions passed down through the Hebrew scriptures and the Christian New Testament- the stories of man encountering God....and of God's interventions into our world, Yes, I guess tradition has a lot to do with it...but as in my case- I changed my views about how to interpret those traditions.

I am rather new to this Liberal Progressive movement- having only been within the last 5 years discovered that I had slipped into it. I would like to make a few observations on why "our" numbers are shrinking. One, I think it is more difficult to be a progressive Christian. It was easy as a Fundamentalist Pastor, all I had to do was stay within the parameters of "the faith" and never question or doubt the faith. (The latter was becoming more difficult for me) It was easy because I knew all the answers to all the questions. But now as a "liberal-progressive," I realize I do not have all the answers and even some of the questions- I question. That may be one reason why the numbers are shrinking-because it requires much more work and study- and alot more honesty with oneself and others. Secondly, no one really "evangelized" me into the progressive side of Christianity. I am beginning to wonder about that. Why didn't someone approach me with some "liberal" wisdom? Oh, there were people who planted some seeds- like a Presbyterian History Professor who came up to me after one of my lectures and said "Ed, I know what your problem is -you only see black and white , no gray!" Yet He wasn't advocating that I become a liberal. The final thought is - the evaneglical Fundamentalist camp offers something that people are looking for in this world- the security of having "the truth." Our numbers may be shrinking because in a world of pain, poverty, injustice etc- people do not want an insecure faith- a faith with doubt- a faith that doesn't have all the answers. if we want to see our numbers increase- we need to begin to adrress that issue- why a faith with doubt is the real faith...that real security is found in accepting the realization that we do not have all the answers. That faith is not about the answers or the questions. something I was thinking about...ed

Greetings! My name is Ed Kelly Jr and I live with my wife of 34 years (Rose) and a spoiled ragdoll kitty name "Wicket" in a small town in Southwest Iowa called Red Oak. I am a former fundamentalist Pastor who recently discovered the term "progressive" and I am pleased with the term. Most of my former fundamentalists colleagues either believe I have become demon possessed or a flaming liberal. II have come to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter what labels others place on me- or at least I am trying not to care. The journey to the other side- as I call it- this evolution out of fundamentalism began when I began to read about Biblical Criticism. Yes, that is what started the landslide. My wife has been so happy about my journey- she now confesses that "she knew I would eventually grow out it!" I am not so certain of that! The issue is now finding likeminded people to fellowship with as most of my friends have abandoned me. We are attending a new church- the Red Oak United Congregational Church - a church I used to label "flaming liberal" - wow- God does have a sense of humor! We fit in this Church! Looking forward to learning more from other "Progressive" Christians and continuing my journey