My freshman year I attended several sessions of a dorm Bible study.But when the study leader suggested that we all go down to thecampus fountain the next Saturday noon and get baptized, I walkedaway. I spent a number of years searching for "truth."I investigated Eastern religions and dabbled in the occult.
I was even atheist for a week or so. I finally settled on beingagnostic, though I was rather hostile to the "born-againBible thumpers" who frequented the campus. (Really, manyof them were quite amusing.) But every so often one of them wouldsay something that actually made a bit of sense. And the CampusCrusaders seemed so doggone happy! Their smiles were insipid,but their happiness was undeniable. As a friend of mine put it,"Sure they're crazy - but what if they're right?"
One clear night (I was putting my BS in Education to good usewashing windows at a fast-food place) I looked up at the sky andsaid, "OK, God, IF you're there - and I'm not sure that youare, and IF all this Christian stuff is true - and I'm half convincedit's a crock, and IF you want me to believe it, - and you mightvery well not care what I think, then LET ME, 'cause frankly Idon't. And by the way - IF you want to drive this bus (I was referringto my life at that point) then go ahead, 'cause I'm sure not takingit anywhere useful at the moment!"
Well, there was no thunderclap, no flashing light, no road-to-Damascusstuff at all. I kept on washing the windows. But over the nextseveral days or weeks or months I gradually decided that I reallycould believe all this bit about Jesus, and the Cross, and Easter,and Heaven. In fact, it started looking better and better. Hey- cheap salvation! Just believe that you have the ticket to heaven,and you do! All you need is a little faith! So I became a closetChristian. I believed that I believed, but I was still livinga lifestyle that was … shall we say, somewhat libertine.I had told God that I wanted Him in charge of my life, but myactions denied that. I was still calling the shots - or so Ithought.
I got into and out of graduate school, and moved to Minnesotalooking for work. (There were no jobs in my field in Texas.) My first week in Minneapolis, I met a young woman through a mutualfriend (the "what if they're right?" guy), and she invitedme to church -- Bethlehem Baptist, in downtown Minneapolis. Idon't remember the sermon, but it pierced me through. I sat inthe balcony weeping.
Since then, God has given me the grace to live a lifestyle muchmore in sync with His teaching, and with my own beliefs. He hasguided me into a profession and a job that fully engages me, challengingme to use the talents that He has given me to the fullest. Partlythrough two Promise Keepers conferences, He has exposed areasof sin in my life, broken down strongholds, and shown me thatI must and can depend on Him for everything.
As regards the Bible, I can say this with a wholeheart: I believe that the Bible is a unique historical documentthat accurately details the interactions over thousands of yearsbetween the creator of the universe and His chosen people. Itis externally verifiable in its historical details, and it isinternally consistent in its spiritual teachings. Jesus of Nazarethheld the Old Testament Scriptures in the highest regard. Historicallyvalid eyewitness accounts provide sufficient evidence that Jesuswas who He claimed to be, the Son of the Living God. The writingsof his early followers and those whom they taught reveal timelessspiritual truths and are themselves useful standards for faithand practice.
Although I take an admittedly intellectual approach to the Scriptures,in practice I hold the Bible as my standard for life and practice.I would lay down my life rather than renounce Jesus Christ. Infact, my faith has cost me relationships with friends and familymembers.
The Lord can bestow gifts and perform miracles at His pleasure.I have had a woman pray in tongues and prophesy over me, and althoughit was a mighty unusual experience, I have little doubt that Godwas there.
Those who manifest such charisma, however, should be preparedto submit to skeptical inquiry, for the Devil can work wonders.I have little regard for those who "perform" on cue,or who seem to be intent on making a name for themselves ratherthan giving all the glory to God.
Gambling is stupid. The odds of course are stacked against you.It's poor, poor stewardship.
Tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine are none of them health food, butI do not believe that moderate, occasional consumption is absolutelyinconsistent with a Christian lifestyle unless itbecomes a stumbling block to you or your brethren, or it impedesyour witness. Yes, Jesus' first miracle was to create wine fora wedding feast, but it's hard to credibly explain the Empty Tombwhen you're drunk. Wine with dinner is fine. But if you can'tdrink without getting drunk, don't drink.
The use of illegal mind- or mood-altering drugs (as opposed tothe legal drugs listed above) can wreck your health andfamily, totally invalidate your Christian witness (remember "renderunto Caesar?"), empty your wallet (bad stewardship), andleave you extremely vulnerable to the Enemy's attacks and schemes.On the other hand, they can give you the opportunity to work withPrison Fellowship from the "inside." (Yes, that isa joke.)
I have never understood some churches' prohibition of dancing.That said, I think that some dance styles I've seen are inappropriatefor anyone save married couples in private, but I do not see anythinginherently wrong with social dances such as waltzes, polkas, clogging,square dancing, or even the jitterbug. To be honest, I can't sayprecisely where I'd draw the line, but the Lambada is probablypast it.
Pornography, promiscuity, premarital and extramarital sex, andhomosexual behavior are at odds with God's plan for healthy humansexual expression.
Christians should practice charity "outside the camp,"caring for widows and orphans, the poor and destitute, the sickand the dying, championing the oppressed. To fail to do so isto be a hypocrite, no better than the Pharisees.