My Train Wreck Conversion..., I despised Christians. Then I somehow became one.

Christianity Today ^ | 2/7/2013 9:26AM | Rosaria Champagne Butterfield

[daniel1212]

The word Jesus stuck in my throat like an elephant tusk; no matter how hard I choked, I couldn't hack it out. Those who professed the name commanded my pity and wrath.

I began researching the Religious Right..

Ken Smith encouraged me to explore the kind of questions I admire:

Ken and his wife, Floy, and I became friends.

I started reading the Bible. I read the way a glutton devours.

I counted the costs. And I did not like the math on the other side..

Then, one ordinary day, I came to Jesus, openhanded..

[Elsie]

1. define ‘harm’
2. all kinds of behaviour can leave a person ‘feeling good’ after doing it. You’ll need to define this better.

[jongaltsr]

You are not a trustworthy person if you do not understand the use of the tern “Harm”.
Harm is all inclusive. Nothing physical, psychological, economic. One just does not allow such people to have power over others - only their family, and their business and where they choose to live.
You would make a great politician because you would fudge on the terms that are straightforward and clear to honest men.
You I would never trust because you would twist the meaning of simple words to your benefit.

[Elsie]

You are not a trustworthy person if you do not understand the use of the tern “Harm”.

You have just "harmed" my self esteem.

Have you no shame?

You would make a great politician because you would fudge on the terms that are straightforward and clear to honest men.

Couldn't you just straight out call me a LIAR and be done with it?

Or is vagueness your stock-in-trade?

---

You I would never trust because you would twist the meaning of simple words to your benefit.

Oh?

What 'word' have I twisted?

The only thing I detect that's twisted is your underwear.

[Lee N. Field]

I'm on the publisher's email list, so I get mailing from them from time to time. These came in one such this week:

Marvin Olasky Interview with Rosaria Butterfield; January 11, 2013 Youtube, an hour

Conversations that Matter: Homosexuality & the Christian Faith Q&A . Youtube 1.5 hour

Tin Challies and David Murray podcast: The Testimony of an Unlikely Convert, audio, a half hour.

Carl Trueman Much Better Than the Daily Mail

Third, it shows how conversion often does not immediately solve problems. Butterfield's description of the impact of her conversion is 'comprehensive chaos.' It shattered her career, her network of friends, her reputation with those she loved. It left her confused and at times lonely and depressed. This is no Hallmark Channel production; it is raw and real, chaotic and messy.  

Fourth, for those satisfied with the broad evangelical type of reformed evangelicalism, it is a paean to the delights of deeply rooted, confessional Reformed Christianity. For instance, Butterfield's knowledge of social and critical theory means that she understands at a profound level how world-view communities are formed, how the intricate network of ideas, social conventions and narratives combine to forge identity and outlook. It reminded me of why I am myself a 'sectarian' as some have said, and happy to operate in a small, culturally irrelevant denomination. I need roots, I need stable, biblically based, historically tested and ecclesiastically responsible theology. That is what confessional churches provide. And only such provide.

Carl Truman is always worth reading.

Book is on order.

[jongaltsr]

If I have harmed your self esteem then you do not have much self esteem in the first place.

What people think of me or call me affects me not.

Only the insecure worry about being “slighted” and losing self esteem.

I would feel sorry for you but I’ll just say “MAN UP” and seek confidence. Sticks and Stones you know.

[Elsie]

So; you have NO evidence for ‘twisted’; eh?

I don’t feel so bad now.

[metmom]

Elsie’s self-esteem is just fine.

He’s just rattling your cage.

[jongaltsr]

Elsie,
Consider the favor returned.
My goal in life is to rattle up others and get them to think.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it just pisses them off and they never make the attempt to learn.
jongaltsr

[WVNan]

Hooray! At last we are privileged to know the person who can tell us everything there is to know ABOUT God, Jesus, Christianity and morality. Those of us who actually KNOW God and have a relationship with God through His Holy Spirit are so deprived.

Jon, you remind me of myself when I knew it all because I had read everything there was to read about God and the lack of "proof" that God exists. Never did find that proof, but my Lord found me when I let go of self and opened my heart to Him. He gave me the proof that only He can provide. I pray He finds you too. Shalom.