"The Four Fundamentals of a Forwarding Looking Faith"
January 28, 2007
    The Rev. Charles Holmgren      

 

When I was asked to fill in during Sharyl’s sabbatical, I decided to begin with a sermon entitled "Why I Am Not a Fundamentalist". But Carolyn told me that’s not you. Why base a sermon on something that you are not rather than what you are. So, I struggled with that and came up with the topic for the six times that I will be speaking to you over the next six months…."The Four Fundamentals of a Forwarding Looking Faith."
Questioning has been a part of my life since I was a child. I remember in Sunday School class asking why the church taught that unbaptized babies could not enter heaven. I have not quit asking questions.
For example:               Why does round pizza come in a square box?
                                        How is it we put man on the moon before we put wheels on a suitcase?
                                        If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
My favorite is:             If you have to put in your two cents worth, why is it a penny for your thoughts? Who gets the extra penny?

Questions, questions, I have a lot of questions. That is why I led the exploration called "Living the Questions". Questions….sometimes they are hard, sometimes they excite. Sometimes they baffle you. Sometimes they lead you to an "Aha!"..a new idea, a new thought, a new way of looking at something, a new way of experiencing. Questions…What I will do over the next few weeks with you is to focus on some of the issues that are part of questions for Christians. Not only now as we enter into the 21st century, but issues that have been questions for a long, long time. Issues that have been questions that people have struggled with. Not seeking to determine answers; not seeking to tell you "This is the way", "This is the truth", "This is the life". What I will be sharing with you are some of my struggles so that you, as you walk in your faith each day, knowing that you have not arrived, knowing that there is more that could be, knowing that it is so easy not to look at the positive, the hopeful, the loving. Questions for me provide hope. I often times would tell my confirmation students that for me, I cannot say that I believe, until I wonder whether or not it is true. It would be accepting the truth of something based on another person’s opinion. Until I experience the truth of something in my own being it is not truth for me. There are people who live their life without that problem. If someone says that something is so, they believe it. I am happy for them. I do not want to challenge someone who believes this way. I hope that by sharing my feelings and the struggles which I have gone through over the years, it will shed light for you on your journey.

I will be approaching four different issues in the "Fundamentals of Faith". First, we are all one. That is the fundamental of divinity. Second, is community. Our humanness is expressed in community. Third, how faith in our lives always leads us forward. That is the fundamental of hope. Fourth, what is the place of metaphor and myth in our faith. This is the fundamental of action. Metaphor and myth move us forward and outward.

These fundamentals may lead to questions, and perhaps challenge some of your beliefs. My intention is not to minimize anyone’s beliefs. For me questioning has always been important in my faith journey. Even though I may have questions about literal interpretations and understanding of the Bible, I still believe that Christian tradition exists in community as a living organism of many individuals.
How many discussions have you had regarding "What is the church?" , or "What is the mission of our congregation?" We come up with many different answers…the church is a building, the church is an experience, the church is an idea, the church is a community.

There are fundamentals to our faith. We can be proud of those fundamentals. Each of us must struggle with how we have won the right to claim that these are our fundamentals. Some were born into a church family; some weren’t. Some have grown into the concept that there is something beyond us, whether we call that God or a "higher power" , we all know that we are not alone. There is something more, something greater, something that goes beyond.

The Four Fundamentals of a Forward Looking Faith involve our looking at that Oneness, individually and together. And as we look outward and forward, with hope; and as we see meaning in metaphor and myth, I hope this journey, as we walk it together, will be a journey that doesn’t become one that is restrictive, but is one that allows us to find a new way to celebrate our faith, ourselves and our differences. We can celebrate our individuality, our togetherness, our hopes.

This is the day that the Lord has made…it was made for us.
This is the day that our God has made…it was made for all.
This is the day that is here…let us rejoice, look forward, have hope, see each other, know life, Amen