A Clarification and Elaboration

I want to thank those of you that have already commented on my previous post or brought up the topic in non-blog, three-dimensional conversation. The interest and willingness to dialog has been encouraging.

However, since writing my last post I have kind of regretted something I wrote:

So while the trajectory of our journey has a likely destination--becoming Orthodox--it is by no means a foregone conclusion. I am more than willing to entertain the possibility that I (we) might ultimately reject Orthodoxy. And it is not completely outside the realm of possibility that at the end of the journey I won't even be Christian any more.

I say "kind of" regretted it because I wouldn't actually retract the statement, but it seems that it has been slightly misunderstood and shifted the focus away from the real thrust of the post. People's reactions after reading it seem to have been something like, "oh my gosh, Brian might be 'falling away.'" Even Shannon told me that it was scary to read.

So let me elaborate with two metaphors.

We are on the cusp of a major commitment, kind of like marriage. And I believe that the marriages that have the best chance of being successful/healthy are the couples who, during courtship, fully entertain the option of NOT getting married. The decision to commit the rest of your life to someone is so much richer and more real if it is freely chosen with eyes wide open.

(This metaphor unfortunately breaks down a little since I already got metaphorically married. I chose to become a follower of Christ long ago, so in a sense it's kind of like I'm open to divorce, which, when it comes right down to it, I guess I am--if my spouse is abusing my children, for example.)

Enter the second metaphor. The court case was settled years ago, but some notable evidence may have recently been discovered. Does it not behoove the courts to reopen the case? And doesn't a fair trial--ie. an honest search for truth--require an openness to a completely opposite verdict? If the judge and jury are not open to the possibility that the defendant, who was previously found innocent, might be guilty, then the trial is a sham.

All I meant when I said, "it is not completely outside the realm of possibility that...I won't even be Christian any more," is that I am fully committed to a fair trial. That's not to say I don't expect the defendant to once again be found divine.

If Christ is the Truth then my search for truth is bound to lead me right back to Him. And maybe--hopefully--I will come to a deeper understanding.

Inauguration

Welcome to our new blog. If you don't care for religious discussion and you just want to hear about our family's domestic doings go to our other blog Rushcapades.

Here, we look forward to sharing all things relating to our journey toward Eastern Orthodoxy. My next post will initiate a series of posts chronicling my journey toward Orthodoxy: from the early dissatisfaction with evangelicalism--the form of Christianity in which I was raised--through my inchoate interest in this previously unknown ancient branch/trunk of the Christian faith, to the point where my wife, Shannon, and I are now.

We have been regularly attending an Antiochian church for almost three years now, where we have been catechumens for over half that time.

We view the decision to be chrismated as a serious, life-long commitment to the community and a radical shift in lifestyle, so we're not rushing into it. As much as we can't imagine reverting to evangelicalism, we still have our reservations about Orthodoxy and we hope that this blog will incite lively discussion, with others of all backgrounds raising questions that will sharpen our discernment, catalyze the seeking-learning process and jolt me out of the comfortable doldrums in which I find myself (I won't presume to speak for Shannon here).

Your participation is key. If you read something here that you think is crazy or enticing, if something about Orthodoxy perplexes you or rubs you the wrong way, if you think Orthodoxy is a corrupt, irrelevant bag of $#!+, say so. Honesty reigns supreme here and I'm not easily offended. I am most interested in finding Truth. So while the trajectory of our journey has a likely destination--becoming Orthodox--it is by no means a foregone conclusion. I am more than willing to entertain the possibility that I (we) might ultimately reject Orthodoxy. And it is not completely outside the realm of possibility that at the end of the journey I won't even be Christian any more. To truly seek truth I think one needs to be open to such potentialities. In fact, in moments of utmost honesty, I know myself to be much more agnostic than I regularly admit.

But, before I get sidetracked on an endless rabbit trail of faith, doubt, and uncertainty, I want to reiterate: if you read this blog and you have something to say, please do! Leave a comment, send me an email, call me, whatever.

Wherever you are in life, join us in this discussion and journey.