About ten years ago I got an email about Grace Commons (then called Wicker Park Grace) that said this:
Before our discussions I naively thought that Christianity was a one dimensional theology with minor shifts in beliefs across denominations; and I definitely thought that it did not coincide with my own world view. However, after each discussion I feel a deeper connection to Christianity as a dynamic faith and feel an overwhelming sense of well-being and connection.
Christianity as a dynamic faith! That was such a great way to describe what Grace Commons was about–trying to reengage the dynamism that has been Christianity since its beginnings. Libraries have been filled with the conversations, the longings, the struggles, convictions and explorations of this faith.
Unfortunately, far too often, Christianity has been locked up in a box and presented as simplistic and one-dimensional, as the person who sent me this email said!
A dynamic faith is a faith about which we think. It engages both our hearts and our minds. It changes and deepens as we change and deepen, because we become more equipped to live what we believe, and to discover what we believe based on how we’re living.
A dynamic faith changes us. And a dynamic faith changes as we change. Hopefully, as we grow, we grow wiser. That, I think, is what we’re all trying to do.
When we realize dynamic faith, perhaps that shifts the meaning of “interfaith” relationships.
Say more, Bob. What do you mean?
I do think that a dynamic Christianity is open to learning about God from other people and traditions. Sometimes others can see things we don’t see, share perspectives we don’t have, or ask us questions about out faith that causes us to grow clearer about our own faith.
Two contexts – in Northern Virginia we have an “inter”faith group focused on peace in the Middle East. We have been calling it (the gatherings) Peace by Piece. In D.C. a group that also gathers is called Washington Interfaith Network but as far as I know all parties are Christian – so it could just be called Washington Faith Network. It is more Ecumenical than “inter”faith. So I am thinking that what we call “inter-“faith is less like the meeting of joining of architectural parts / pieces / members and more like a global dance of many partners. We are all alive and members, not cogs in a big “inter-“faith machine that somehow meshes.
Interesting! I like your more organic and less mechanistic imagery. I do think we’re all living and changing and not just static “parts” of the world, or “cogs” as you say.
Always spiritual, and always enjoying the colorful art-work that is presented – thank you Nanette.
Thanks, Chad!