I'm glad you've found a new church home! And congratulations on your teenager's baptism.
I have friends and people I respect in all the various branches of Christianity--many of them raised in fundamentalist evangelical who've crossed the Rubicon so to speak. :) And some former Catholic, who've found a place to land in Protestant-oriented churches.
It's great to hear how all these journeys (still in progress!) have led them to where they are now. I really do believe that God leads us to the places that will most nourish our trust in him and loyalty to him, not to any particular creed, although he uses these creeds and structures to help build us up and helps us find community and rest -- especially in times like these.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey with us. Keep up the good writing.
I agree with your assessment of the difference between 21st century Catholicism and the Catholicism of the middle ages. Unfortunately, for those of us raised on the conversative side Lutheranism, we are hardwired to distinguish Catholicism from Lutheranism based on grace vs. works. Old prejudicies die hard. Also, no need to apologize for requiring paid subscriptions.
I am more than happy to finanically support your work. I greatly appreciate the efforts you make to thoughtfully consider the intersection between faith and politics in a nuanced fashion. In doing that, I see you searching for the quickly disappearing center of our society. Deomcracy and faith work best when there is room for the whole spectrum from left to center to right. History shows that an atttempt by one end of the spectrum to dominate the other almost always ends calamity for both society and faith. You call the land you seek the border. I call it the center. In the end, I think we are both searching for the same place.
Jon, this is one of the most profound and ultimately Hope-filled essays I have read during the months leading up to Trump 2.0 - through the 1st 100 days - that are indeed “ an inversion of Christianity. “
You have pulled together huge philosophical and historical threads. And landed us with you in a place of transcendent Awe and Hope for His everlasting Kingdom as the “ kingdom of America” has been shaking more than in our lifetimes. (end of Hebrews 12).
I am thrilled to discover the artist and the film you reference here! You have always been a most trustworthy guide for me ever since your book as you discussed needing to think through your evangelical roots ( as did / do I ).
Thank you, and thank you again for being you, your moral clarity and depth of soul.
By the way, I realize that you and Donn are both paying subscribers, and I thank you for that. One of the main reasons I charge anything for this substack is to keep some quality control on comments and to put a bit of a gate around my archives. It was really nice to read your response, and it made me want to reduce the amount I charge to subscribe. Substack doesn't allow me to charge less than $5 a month, but I was able to lower the yearly subscription from $50 to $30, which is $2.50 a month. If I could, I'd charge $2 a month but I'm glad I had the thought to lower the yearly as low as possible.
I love your description of your Lenten/Easter journey as a new Catholic. While the Catholic church certainly has its issues, both now and in the past, it is nothing if not strongly rooted in a faith that accepts both suffering and joy. While I would struggle with the works-based salvation at the core of Catholicism, I supposed when viewed through the lens of a high-control, legalistic form of Protestantism, Catholicism might seem like a breath of fresh air. In the end, I just hope you have found a place in which you and your family can grow in your love of God and Christ and build genuine community. From your writing, you have always seemed like a person who knew going back to the roots of your faith was not an option, but could not see a clear path leading to a different form of faith that was authentic to you. I hope and pray that the Catholic Church is that place for you.
By the way, I realize that you and Lourine are both paying subscribers, and I thank you for that. One of the main reasons I charge anything for this substack is to keep some quality control on comments and to put a bit of a gate around my archives. It was really nice to read your response, and it made me want to reduce the amount I charge to subscribe. Substack doesn't allow me to charge less than $5 a month, but I was able to lower the yearly subscription from $50 to $30, which is $2.50 a month. If I could, I'd charge $2 a month but I'm glad I had the thought to lower the yearly as low as possible.
Thank you Donn - that's very kind! And by the way, I don't think the works-based salvation thing is an accurate critique of Catholicism now, though clearly there have been periods in history where it was. I'm not sure that that kind of spiritual abuse has been exclusive to Catholicism though - what else is legalism but a requirement that you work for the free gift of God's love?
I'm glad you've found a new church home! And congratulations on your teenager's baptism.
I have friends and people I respect in all the various branches of Christianity--many of them raised in fundamentalist evangelical who've crossed the Rubicon so to speak. :) And some former Catholic, who've found a place to land in Protestant-oriented churches.
It's great to hear how all these journeys (still in progress!) have led them to where they are now. I really do believe that God leads us to the places that will most nourish our trust in him and loyalty to him, not to any particular creed, although he uses these creeds and structures to help build us up and helps us find community and rest -- especially in times like these.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your journey with us. Keep up the good writing.
I agree with your assessment of the difference between 21st century Catholicism and the Catholicism of the middle ages. Unfortunately, for those of us raised on the conversative side Lutheranism, we are hardwired to distinguish Catholicism from Lutheranism based on grace vs. works. Old prejudicies die hard. Also, no need to apologize for requiring paid subscriptions.
I am more than happy to finanically support your work. I greatly appreciate the efforts you make to thoughtfully consider the intersection between faith and politics in a nuanced fashion. In doing that, I see you searching for the quickly disappearing center of our society. Deomcracy and faith work best when there is room for the whole spectrum from left to center to right. History shows that an atttempt by one end of the spectrum to dominate the other almost always ends calamity for both society and faith. You call the land you seek the border. I call it the center. In the end, I think we are both searching for the same place.
Thanks Donn. You've said it eloquently. You've done plenty of writing yourself it seems
Jon, this is one of the most profound and ultimately Hope-filled essays I have read during the months leading up to Trump 2.0 - through the 1st 100 days - that are indeed “ an inversion of Christianity. “
You have pulled together huge philosophical and historical threads. And landed us with you in a place of transcendent Awe and Hope for His everlasting Kingdom as the “ kingdom of America” has been shaking more than in our lifetimes. (end of Hebrews 12).
I am thrilled to discover the artist and the film you reference here! You have always been a most trustworthy guide for me ever since your book as you discussed needing to think through your evangelical roots ( as did / do I ).
Thank you, and thank you again for being you, your moral clarity and depth of soul.
Thanks Lourine - I appreciate you sharing that. I hope you don't feel like I've steered you wrong on the music and film recommendations!
By the way, I realize that you and Donn are both paying subscribers, and I thank you for that. One of the main reasons I charge anything for this substack is to keep some quality control on comments and to put a bit of a gate around my archives. It was really nice to read your response, and it made me want to reduce the amount I charge to subscribe. Substack doesn't allow me to charge less than $5 a month, but I was able to lower the yearly subscription from $50 to $30, which is $2.50 a month. If I could, I'd charge $2 a month but I'm glad I had the thought to lower the yearly as low as possible.
I love your description of your Lenten/Easter journey as a new Catholic. While the Catholic church certainly has its issues, both now and in the past, it is nothing if not strongly rooted in a faith that accepts both suffering and joy. While I would struggle with the works-based salvation at the core of Catholicism, I supposed when viewed through the lens of a high-control, legalistic form of Protestantism, Catholicism might seem like a breath of fresh air. In the end, I just hope you have found a place in which you and your family can grow in your love of God and Christ and build genuine community. From your writing, you have always seemed like a person who knew going back to the roots of your faith was not an option, but could not see a clear path leading to a different form of faith that was authentic to you. I hope and pray that the Catholic Church is that place for you.
By the way, I realize that you and Lourine are both paying subscribers, and I thank you for that. One of the main reasons I charge anything for this substack is to keep some quality control on comments and to put a bit of a gate around my archives. It was really nice to read your response, and it made me want to reduce the amount I charge to subscribe. Substack doesn't allow me to charge less than $5 a month, but I was able to lower the yearly subscription from $50 to $30, which is $2.50 a month. If I could, I'd charge $2 a month but I'm glad I had the thought to lower the yearly as low as possible.
Thank you Donn - that's very kind! And by the way, I don't think the works-based salvation thing is an accurate critique of Catholicism now, though clearly there have been periods in history where it was. I'm not sure that that kind of spiritual abuse has been exclusive to Catholicism though - what else is legalism but a requirement that you work for the free gift of God's love?