Conversations with the “Fallen”

During last Sunday’s fellowship service, my pastor and I were browsing on the internet when he showed me a blog site that he came across during his online research.

I was immediately intrigued by this site, as it seemed to me quite the opposite of mine.

I am now engaging in a discussion with it’s author, Mr. Bruce Gerencser.

He seems to me to be a perfectly rational and decent human being who has experienced some bad things in his life. Which to me means that he is no different from the rest of us humans.

I cannot express how excited and overjoyed I am to be given this opportunity to have a conversation with a person who in the spiritual sense seems to be my polar opposite.

I noticed during my early Taekwondo days that some practitioners tend to balk at the prospect of sparring with others, especially with those from higher skill levels. I understand their trepidation because I usually get paired with the most feared practitioners in our gym because of my height.

Although it cost me a lot of pain and humiliation, I am nevertheless thankful for these sessions because it gave me a real opportunity to learn about myself: my limits, the effectiveness of my techniques, etc.

In other words, sparring with someone, even under the prospect of pain and defeat, is an opportunity to grow as a human being (granting that none of you get killed in the process).

Let me make this disclaimer now that I am in no way attempting to convert Mr. Gerenscer back into the faith. If during the course of our discussions he chooses to change his mind, that is completely his prerogative and I take no credit for it. Similarly, if I make any revisions to my personal belief, this is due to my own decisions as well. (sounds like a traditional oral waiver prior to a kung fu match doesn’t it J).

You may view Mr. Gerencser’s site at fallenfromgrace.net.

You may view our conversation at http://fallenfromgrace.net/2011/03/23/no-bible-no-christianity-why-do-many-christians-distance-themselves-from-the-bible/

You may also read Mr. Gerencser’s testimony at http://fallenfromgrace.net/2010/03/01/why-i-retired-from-the-ministry/

If you decide to comment, please DO be polite. I shall not be held responsible for any scathing remarks you may receive as a result of your interactions with Mr. Gerencser or his friends at the site.

May the Great Arbiter watch over our discussions.

"You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! [Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you.] Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. - (Matthew 5:43-48 NLT)