What to call myself?

I had lunch today with a friend of mine who is a Reformed Church in America clergy. He told me if his denomination knew what he was saying he would have to face a heresy trial. I am glad I am ordained in the United Church of Christ where we are free to believe according to our own conscience. There is no creed or dogma. That can be both a help and a hindrance.

We discussed how it is very possible that there was no historical person that we know as Jesus Christ. We know little or nothing about him since most of what we read in the New Testament is based on Old Testament writings and Greek, Egyptian and other hero myths.

We also discussed orthodox and gnostic Christian beliefs and how I can’t fully agree with either. To add to the confusion, I also have a mix of Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Sufi and other beliefs. Therefore, it’s hard for me to know what to call or label myself. Eclectic is perhaps the best term. Yet, I am a unique person with unique beliefs that are not so much beliefs as conclusions reached after a lifetime of seeking, study, practice and self realization. Perhaps I am in the devotional, mystical, wisdom tradition. Perhaps I am a Zen Christian. I am. I am myself as fully and totally as I can be at this moment. I am constantly growing, evolving, changing. I am an instrument of God, a vehicle for God to work through. I am pure spirit soul. I am embodied. I am. May you be also.

ShalOm,

Steve

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