GENUINELY CHRISTIAN YET PRACTICALLY
AGNOSTIC (1)
Within the context of Christian faith in an
omni-everything God, one should assume that the two terms 'christian' and
'agnostic' cannot describe the same person. Yet here I am advancing the opinion
that some people of faith are practicing Christians yet practical agnostics. In
daily life they are not acting in faith. My own guestimate is that this is true
of a large percentage of authentic Christians.
I am not suggesting that a person can be
both Christian and agnostic. I am saying that a Christian who believes in the
person of God and the deity of Christ and the redemption available through
trust in the substitutionary death of Christ for sinners, may be living each
day without meaningful contact with God, communication with God, or reliance
upon God. This person sincerely believes what the Bible teaches, accepts
mainstream theological tenets, yet when real life could benefit from the
intervention of God, this person's faith does not translate into dependence
upon God.
This
person may pray in public with other believers; may be sincere as the words are
expressed. I am speaking about personal life, private practice, where the
evidence of dependent faith or lack of it is on display to the God in whom the
Christian professes faith. This person may teach scripture to others and
earnestly intend each truth. At home the only prayer that is uttered is the
grace before a meal. An inertia takes over when it comes to intercession for
oneself, for spouse, or children, or grandchildren or neighbours.
(I
will pursue this subject in a few posts in the days ahead)
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