Advice about moving on after suffering power abuse.
A guest Blog by Peter G Nelson (Retired lecturer at the University of Hull)
I am sorry about the difficulties Chris and others are having with Evangelicalism.
The problem is that Evangelicalism today is not what it used to be. It has branched off in various directions, each departing from the teaching of Scripture in one way or another. There is a need to bring the different branches together by combining their strengths and removing their weaknesses.
In the meantime, the best advice I can give to those who have had a bad experience is to forget what they have been taught and read for themselves the life and teaching of Jesus. A good place to start is Matthew or Luke, followed by John. Let Jesus speak to you. Anchor your faith in him. Then look for a local church that is seeking to follow Jesus in the same way. If you can find one, join it. If not, seek to follow him on your own, as faithfully as you can.
Remember what he said to a wayward church, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and commune with him and he with me’ (Revelation 3:20).
Peter is a long time friend of Chris Pitts and has written books about the relationship of contemporary science to an Evangelical perspective on the writings of the Bible.
As always, Peter gives gentle caring advice. I agree with him, that it is absolutely necessary to look at those gospels, when we are totally alone and without a demonstrative hand of guidance! Peter like Stephen really cares for the underclass in our society and indeed all who suffer. Would that more from the present evangelical movement were as approachable as he is. I would make it clear that Peter would not cling to the identity of ‘Evangelical,’ in relation to himself.
Chris Pitts