I “give my testimony”…

 

I always disliked that term, because it somehow implies that what we are engaged in is a Court of Law, and what one is about to say is to be judged “true or false”. I don’t like “True or False” either, because it gives way too much power to the words of people in relation to others.

 

I had a brief run in with the equivalent of Southern Baptists in 9th grade. I was lonely. I was the one everyone bullied, except the Christians. So, when presented with the idea of God, I jumped at the chance. It gave me protection during recess, because people didn’t mess with the Christians. I quickly learned that reciting Scriptures to everything that was said gave power and status in the Fundamentalist Christian Community I was part of. I am a quick study and have an excellent memory.
Between 9th and 10th grade I left home, emancipated myself and went to stay at an High Lutheran (it’s pretty similar to the High Anglican Church) retreat. There I was, due to my extreme basic knowledge of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures, set to teach youngsters Christianity 101. I took part in the services which were 6 times a day, including Mass every day. There was only one problem. Because I was not Baptized I wasn’t allowed to take Communion, something that grieved me, at Mass. After some thinking and praying I decided that being baptized wasn’t such a bad idea. I told the Priest, who told me to spend the night in the Church, praying. I did, and on the morning of July 13th 1979, I was exorcised, baptized, confirmed and immediately took my first communion. Did I believe? Yes. Was there any doubt anywhere in my heart, soul or spirit? No. I knew exactly what I was doing, and I made a conscious choice to commit myself to God. Period.

 

Today I am 48 years old. I would like to think that after several years studying for the Ministry (two different denominations), my faith has deepened, matured and become more nuanced than it was when I was 16 and let myself be dragged into a Fundamentalist Community. I would like to think that it has changed since I took my first communion, wet and tired, 28 years ago in a strict High Lutheran 11 century Church. I would like to think that it has grown more tolerant and forgiving, less black and white, and that what I believe today is in all its basics what I believed back then. That God is merciful, loving, kind, truthful and forgiving, and that He is constantly Present through His Holy Spirit, as He promises in Scripture.

 

You may all doubt that any of this that I have told you is just the free fabulations of a blind and hardened heart, and that I am an unbeliever who needs to be saved, for all practical purposes God did that 28 years ago, and since I believe in daily commitment to His Ways, what took place 28 years ago is still in effect. All complaints and doubt about the status of my soul and my salvation – please take them up with God Almighty by Whose grace we are all Redeemed and Saved, and stop insinuating that He did something half-hearted, half-baked and flawed 28 years ago, because you are insulting not only me, but the Almighty Himself.

 

Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

 

Now, can we commence with discussing Scriptures?
H