Abstract Faith

"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ, we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God."   2 Corinthians 2:15-17   I've been lately contemplating this idea of Christianity and the idea of embodying a "pleasing aroma." Nowadays, it seems like the modern-day church needs some Febreze, like, a lot of it.  Over the past few weeks on the show, we journeyed together through the Sermon on the Mount, learning the ethics of Jesus. In that similar vein, let's pivot towards the brass tacks of faith as we explore spiritual formation and practice. This seems to be the lost art of Christianity.  To recapture the pleasant aroma of Christ, we must look back to the basics of what it looks like to walk in the ways of the Kingdom of God.  When our faith has become about doctrine, dogma, theology, and philosophy, it's safe to say that you have an abstract faith not grounded in reality. It's more theory than practice.  Furthermore, that's not how Jesus discipled and taught his followers. Christ's way was grounded in the here and now yet pointed toward a hopeful future of potential.  The path towards that future involves us becoming who we are supposed to be. The journey of faith was never about stagnation. It's about being deeply rooted in your humanity and seeing where God is at work in the world around us, and joining Her there. The path of knowing ourselves is the same path that leads to knowing God, but you won't find it in organized religion. It's a journey into the wild.  Want to come with me?  There's no telling where the path will lead, and that's the beauty and mystery of it.  We'll talk about all that and more snarky!  This week's Christian Crazy features Hank Kunneman, Greg Lock (and his witches), Perry Stone, and Kat Kerr! Show notes Episode Timestamp: Housekeeping: 01:43 In the News: 05:00 Christian Crazy: 14:00 Main Conversation: 32:00 Big thanks to these outlets that make the Christian Crazy possible: Right Wing Watch Christian Nightmares Friendly Atheist Books Referenced: Spiritual Theology - Diogenes Allen Gifts of the Dark Wood - Eric Elnes Articles: https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/14/us/pastor-invalid-baptisms-resignation https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/15/opinions/tennessee-adoption-struggle-religious-freedom-graves-fitzsimmons-siddiqi/index.html https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/02/2500-christian-ministers-sign-letter-demanding-right-practice-conversion-therapy/ https://religionnews.com/2022/02/15/tennessee-preacher-greg-locke-says-demons-told-him-names-of-witches-in-his-church/ Come along for the ride as we skewer through life, culture, and spirituality in the face of a changing world. www.SnarkyFaith.com