"Yeah....just why do I do that?"
"I appreciate "Banned By HWA", but I must say that some of the articles, especially this one and Diehl's "religion"(not to say I don't enjoy reading some of Diehl's repeated philosophy), get a touch long-winded....
Yes, Dennis writes interesting articles, but he seems to repeat himself over and over again. No matter what the subject is, he goes back to the astrology aspect, or Paul being a fake. "
I agree...
The last Festival sermon I was able to give was before about 8000 in Myrtle Beach in the late 90's. Those were the days when the ministers were assigned sermon topics to prevent us straying too far afield I suppose. Somehow I was always able to take the assigned topic and twist it into what I felt i wanted and need to say anyway. I don't do assigned sermons anymore than I "to be played in all the churches" my local congregations to death with boredom from Pasadena. Anyway, the topic of my last Festival sermon was "The Politics of the New Testament" and was basically showing that all the key players in the NT, Peter, James, John and Paul were not all speaking the same thing and had issues with each other expressed in fascinating ways in the text if one knew how to read it and what to look for. Much if not most of what I repeat here was in that sermon. My point, and not seeing the dark clouds of church disintegration on the horizon yet, was merely endeavoring to show the church that as today so it was then. Leaders differ and have been arguing over the meaning of Jesus since before the body cooled. Paul and the Gentile view he taught won and James and the Jewish Church evaporated into history.
WCG was a Jewish Christian Church that never knew how to view Paul accurately. Both concepts are in the texts.
I got a standing ovation for the sermon and that was a no no back then if you remember. It was a real high to see such response as I later learned that a few things i said pushed the buttons of those over me and would be used against me to terminate me. I know now I wanted out but didn't have the guts to walk away. I had to be pushed. I was not going to be a hand waving, Jesus smooching freak for them and they knew it. My Epistle of Paul teacher who was the main speaker that year was enthralled and took me out to dinner after the sermon to talk more about it. I have shared most of that sermon save for the Astro-theological origins of the core Jesus story here on this site.
And while I know I have already said this before, my exit interview, which I did not realize was one until a few weeks later left me a bit stunned when I was told, sitting in Barnes and Noble, "Dennis, we know you know a lot about Jesus, but we don't think you know Jesus." In my mind that meant, "We know you know enough to make people think and question the status quo but we don't think you are going to be a team player and tell people they need to soak themselves in Jesus." I grew up soaking in Jesus which is why WCG caught my attention when they seemed to focus not on the squishy Jesus but what he said and taught. Anyone can see, if they wish, that Jesus and Paul did not have the same message.
So I ask myself, just why do I repeat myself on these topics? I agree totally with the opening observation about the repetative nature of my postings. Why do I do that? Here is my best answer.
I crave open and honest discussion with intelligent folk on these topics. I keep thinking that someone will engage me on these observations about Paul and such but as you know, it is rare. The "as above, so below" aspect of the story of all godmen and sun gods as the 12 month journey through the signs of the zodiac just captivated me and it just seems true to me.
There was no one more religiously curious than me as a kid. I got yelled at by ministers for too many questions and pitched out of catechism classes a time or two for 'well why does it say this here and then this over here?" I haven't changed much.
I'll keep this short. I think the implications of what theologians call, "The Problem of Paul," are just short of stunning, as are some of the other larger issues that I have finally taken a good look at and drawn big conclusions about Christian literalism and Evangelical Fundamentalism. They are more harmful than helpful and they hurt more than help people in the long run.
I have always studied origins. It mattered not whether it was human origins or the origin of scripture and religions that really expect great sacrifice from their followers. I want to know where things REALLY come from and their REAL origins. It's just how I think. I don't want to believe what is not true and do not wish to practice that which is not necessary especially if it causes people personal pain thinking they have to do the right thing. I hate unfairness and I have always defended the underdog. It's just how I am. I certainly don't and never wanted to tell others what they had to do or be or think or practice if it was not necessary. When I taught it, I believed it. When I didn't believe it, I stopped teaching it and fell back to the "what the hell do i do now," point of view. Transitions are messy and it took time for me to realize the implications of my own study in religion while I was teaching religion.
Ok, ok,...I really mean this to be short. The bottom line is that I don't mean to repeat myself but I know I am looking to engage in discussion on these fascinating topics. I don't even care if I am not agreed with but it's not enough to just say, "Diehl is an idiot." Tell me you're view on the problem of this or that. Actually most don't have a view and have never thought of it as a problem so I do understand. I realize I am probably expecting something from this site that the site is really not designed for.
As most of you know, the whole experience introduced me to various forms of depression and personal anxiety on any number of issues, but that seems to have been part of the price of moving on. I'm doing the best I can for who I am and my nature and temperament. I know myself very well now more than ever. Kinda creepy...ha.
I miss teaching and tackling topics that others only think about. I have been told all my life by members and ministers, "Dennis, you say things I am only thinking," "You are ahead of your time," and "That was fascinating..." My debate with Art Mokarrow last year was very stimulating to me and a real opportunity to speak up to my old WCG and COG types. Art invited the fox into the hen house and I had a ball. My WCG minister buddies in the audience wanted more after the debate and were very much in agreement with me on many points they had always thought personally about.
My last comment to several was, "Do you agree with a lot of this?...oh yes, And you teach it now?....oh no. But you still get your paycheck? .....oh....yeah...." We parted with that kind of knowing half smile only ministers know the meaning of....
