Reconstructing in the Middle Way

Why do I focus so much on deconstructing and then reconstructing our faith within historical orthodoxy?

Why don’t I fit into a side? Why do I choose to muddle through life in this messy and awkward middle way?

I’ve wondered these things a lot lately. My more progressive friends are always encouraging me to join them and I’ve definitely faced condemnation from religious conservatives. I don’t seem to fit anywhere and I know that many of you feel that too.

I’ve been reading a book that is opening my mind to a bunch of junk that’s been going on within evangelical Christianity for years (you will hear about it eventually don’t worry). Although I don’t agree with all of the author’s conclusions or perspectives, it’s impossible to ignore the facts. I feel a mix of “I knew it” and “that’s really upsetting.”

I find myself overwhelmed by the twisting of truth on both sides — conservative and progressive. More than anything I just want to find the Real Jesus, but how do I even begin to combat all of the brokenness?

I was kind of a mess until Jesus blew my mind the other day. I love when He does that!

I’ve been reading in the Minor Prophets for almost a year now. It’s been comforting to see that the world has always been broken and God always provides a way. Anyway, I finished Malachi for like the fourth time in a row — I like to read a book until I feel like I get it — and I was looking at the notes in my study Bible about the 400 silent years. After Malachi’s prophecy God was quiet for 400 years until Jesus appeared on the scene. During this time Israel was occupied by the Persians, then the Greeks, and finally the Romans. My Bible gave me a list of glossary words in preparation for the New Testament. As I read them, I gasped in amazement. Two groups stood out: the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees were the holy ones who separated themselves from the rest of the religious establishment. They were obsessed with keeping the Old Testament Law and actually added thousands of their own laws in an attempt to clarify God’s original.

The Sadducees on the other hand were aristocratic intellectuals who were heavily influenced by Greek thinking and culture. They rejected the Old Testament as Scripture except for the Torah — the first five books of Moses. They also dismissed concepts like spirits and the resurrection.

Wait, what? There were two sides of religious people back in Jesus day too? One group focused on behavior driven religion and the other on intellectualism? One group added to Scripture and one rejected parts of it? King Solomon was right again: There is nothing new under the sun.

It felt like my middle way muddling was confirmed.

Because although they saw and spoke with Him both the Pharisees and the Sadducees missed God as He walked on Earth. Jesus didn’t fit into their boxes or match their understanding and so they rejected Him.

I’m not okay with the traditions added to Scripture by well meaning conservative believers. And I will continue to question and expose them. But I am equally not okay with the way many progressive beliefs require Scripture to be ignored, or tweaked, or explained away.

The black and white thinking and the rejection of others who don’t agree — on both sides — is eerily familiar. I’ve been-there-done-that before and I’m not doing it again. I don’t want to miss Jesus because of my own dogmatic human beliefs. Truth is found in tension and paradox…this has been my experience over and over.

I want to find the Real Jesus and I want to share Him with you.

The people who followed Jesus and knew that He was the Messiah were the broken ones, the rejected, the humble ones, and the sinners. Jesus called Himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and He spoke of a narrow way that few find but that leads to life. An online friend shared this piece of wisdom.

“The middle way is often where we find truth (and health) in all areas of life. It’s hard though because the extreme sides can feel like solid platforms to stand on whereas the middle can feel like an unsteady tightrope. But isn’t that what faith is all about? Walking in faith, relying and trusting in God rather than our own understanding?”

I couldn’t have said it better.

Friends, as you deconstruct and reconstruct your faith, look to the core creeds of Christianity. Watch for the adding to and taking away of Scripture. It is in the messy and awkward middle way that we will find the Real Jesus.

This blog post was inspired by a passionate video that I posted to my social media feeds. You can find it here.

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