HERETIC OF THE MONTH
Brad Hayden
Wow, first ever heretic of the month, eh? This is exciting! I'm not sure exactly what to say, but I'll stick with what God has been putting on my heart, where He brought me from and where He's bringing me to. Just like everyone else, I was raised in the church. Went every Sunday and Wednesday. On the worship team, I played 5 string bass. Now I play acoustic on Sunday mornings and teach the youth, as well as sing and play music with them. I guess the only reason I'm considered a 'heretic' is because I ask questions, or that I ask and come to a different conclusion. I guess having long hair and wearing an Iron Maiden or In Flames shirt doesn't help, either. I was always 'that guy' who defended what I believe so ferociously that I hurt some relationships. I defended The Bible being infallible, that you HAVE to go to church or you'll fall away, that we HAVE to follow the rules and many, many other stupid ideas that I didn't think about... I was told they were true, so I guessed they were. These pastor guys are professionals, after all, right? It was hard not to carry that over into my new belief system. Even a few weeks ago, I was defending my thoughts on grace and The Word of God in front of a group of these church friends. There was one friend in particular who I was engaging. He's a Calvinist, and he was teaching things that I just couldn't see being true. I was honestly getting angry. How can a guy who has never had a conversation with God, tell me how to have a relationship with the God I converse with every day? And how can he tell God that He doesn' talk anymore? So, we debated and nothing was accomplished. My fiancee who has superior wisdom and foresight, even told me beforehand it was no use. Later I seen how pointless it was to argue theology specifics when I KNOW that none of us have our theology 100% correct, and because the grace of our Lord, we don't have to. Any more, I just believe what I do. I don't push it on anyone, because no one will listen to what they cannot hear. We have only to answer to God for what we believe and why. Everybody's a heretic to somebody, so the title doesn't mean a lot to me. I have a truckload of heretical beliefs, depending on who you talk to. I guess I would see dividing 'Christianity' into 33,820 denominations, each considering the other as 'heretical', as really sad. We're all the ecclesia, we're all on the same team, and we're all just trying to get to know God. I think those who really do love Him and are after His heart will find it. 1 John 4:20 says if anyone says he loves God but hates his brother, he is a liar. And I believe Ephesians 4:29 says "let no 'corrosive' communication come out of your mouth, but that which is good for the use of 'lifting up', so it may minister grace to the ears." That being said, if you have the opportunity to post a comment on this, don't bash me or anyone else. Talk and debate if you must, but in a respectable, intelligent and productive way. I see some of the comments other articles get from angry protesters and theology police "defending Jesus" in a "loving" but very snide and hateful way. That only promotes division and no one likes being around those people. It's not up to us to bash others into subscribing to our thoughts. Believe what you do and talk with God about it, let Him reveal His heart to you in whatever way you listen to Him. Thanks for letting me share my heart with you. I may not be 100% right, but that's where I'm at in my journey right now. -Brad
Welcome to Heretic's Anonymous.
My name is Kameron...Dang! I guess I blew the 'Anonymous part". This is kind of a multi-purpose page.
In the future I want to do a "Heretic of the Month"
where we will post either a real life past heretic (Joan of Arc, Jesus etc)
or a current one we may know(Stephanie, Brandon etc).
Also if anyone doesn't want their friends and family to know they are part of "the Heresy"
You can write an anonymous article and post it here.
I also know some "Innies" that may want to post in the future as well.
I want to have fun with this so let me know if you have any ideas for HA!
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