Digging

I logged into Facebook this morning to catch up on friends news as I have been away from an internet connected computer for a whole day. What I found was somewhat saddening...

1. An article by an atheist who writes on religion. He's decided to dig through the number of clergy in pastoral positions who don't believe in God. Unfortunately, he sort of dances gleefully through the article missing the point that doubt is not atheism. Broke my heart on a number of different levels.
2. A quote from John Wesley about Christianity being a social religion and how turning it into a solitary religion destroys it brought dissent from one person. He first attacks Wesley for being greedy (which was rebutted well) but then argues that faith is personal: single, solitary and personal. Major problem with this. First off, it's impossible. Faith is something that changes your heart and your way of being. simply as you live your faith, others are affected. Secondly, faith should help you recognize that God has granted you gifts and those gifts should be used among one another in community. You share yours. You receive others. Etc. That cannot be done apart from a social engagement. Third, the "personal choice for Jesus" stuff drives me bonkers if for no other reason than it oversimplifies faith and baptism, it assumes a commitment that may not be there, and it often falls short of helping nurture the person along in their faith walk into deeper understanding of the triune God. I could go on digging but I'll stop here as there is a number three...
3. A classmate from grad school is on dig at the moment, working through some nifty bronze era stuff. You can follow her chuckle heavy trip here. I love having smart, successful friends!