Bible Discussion Thread

Emergentcoach, I just read your story in August, 2010. You may never see this, but if you do, I have some questions for you, as a oellfw Multnomah grad (Th.B., 1971).I have completely de-converted in the last 3 years. Currently an agnostic, a paused briefly for 6 months or less at the emergent stage, then at the liberal stage, then deist, and now (and probably where I'll remain) at agnostic. In the past 4 decades, I have been a missionary in Europe, deacon, youth group leader, or always in some way involved in church. I may post my story here, although the site seems to be moribund at present.My questions have to do with this: now that you've stripped your deity of his christian trappings, do you find the remaining deity satisfying, either intellectually, or emotionally? How can you be sure he exists, if he is not the personal god as portrayed in the N.T.? If you think he is a personal god who listens to your prayers, how can you verify that?OK, with those questions out of the way, just one last item: I would love to hook up with other Multnomah grads who have de-converted or left the faith. I moved back to Portland, but I'm trying to shield my fundamentalist mother from the fact that her eldest son is apostate! So I've got to be a little cautious how I do it, but if you know of anyone else, I would like to get in touch.Take care . . .