GENUINELY CHRISTIAN YET PRACTICALLY AGNOSTIC

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. This is an agnostic uncertainty not in God himself but rather that God will act. It's practical agnosticism.

(I will pursue this subject in a few posts in the days ahead)

PERSONAL PIETY

How is personal piety expressed? I didn't even ask how should it be expressed. That would have inferred a prescriptive formula or instruction, perhaps even an edict. The church has historically been effective at stating expectations of those who practice Christian faith, using measurables such as frequency of church attendance, generous financial contributions, willing service, consistent Bible reading and prayer. The accent on 'personal' piety may diminish in such cultures to become 'corporate' piety. The church must remind itself that it is not fashioned after an Old Testament model with regulations for dress code, diets, relationships, contracts, and benevolence and with harsh penalties for wrongdoing. Christ's arrival transitioned God's people into a family that enjoys the privilege of calling God, 'Father.' Personal piety pertains primarily to relationship with Father.

A church comprised of believers eager to be authentic must articulate a definition for personal piety that distinguishes between authoritative and advisory recommendations. Such distinction contrasts posturing and sincerity. It's the difference between telling and showing, between ordering and mentoring. Genuine personal piety is principally private. By that I mean that if it is unaffected piety, it is real to God as well as the believer even when no one else observes the indicators. Observably, genuine piety affects relationships with others in every arena of life but that is the outcome rather than the motive.