Killing Sacred Cows—Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed the freedom and permission you have and how indispensable it is to question any teaching or doctrine vigorously, no matter how foundational it may be. 

As you do this, your faith becomes your own, and your relationship with God blossoms! With this freedom, there are also some ditches, or even faith crises, that can happen. 

These can lead us into dark places and even overt deception. So, while we need to question our faith to solidify it, we also need to be wise and engage in ways that will guard our growth so that we don’t go off the rails. 

In Part 1, I discussed the preeminence of diving into scripture and how to avoid the pitfalls of mishandling it. I also discussed being led by Holy Spirit in deep ways to avoid pitfalls and uncover truth —  bringing glorious freedom!

 There are more guidelines that will help you safely deconstruct what should be deconstructed without spinning out and abandoning your faith. 

These are the practical “where-the-rubber-meets-the-road” tools that I wish someone had laid out for me, instead of the “read-the-Bible-and- pray” dismissive advice I usually got. 

Additional Guidelines for Safely Questioning Sacred Cows

 Let’s dive into some additional guidelines.

1. Follow Peace. Practice connecting with the peace emanating from Holy Spirit deep inside in your inner person:

 Colossians 3:15 (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition) brilliantly admonishes:

 15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

(emphasis added)

Peace in your inner person trumps others’ opinions, your opinions, emotional upset, lack of understanding, cluelessness, and lack of direction. 

This is because peace is of God and can’t be manufactured or counterfeited by us or any spiritual dynamic. The more you walk in the guidance of God in any direction or vein of inquiry, the more peace will grow. 

As you explore, continually PAY ATTENTION to Holy Spirit inside you as you engage with scripture interpretation, prayer, grappling with doctrines… 

We get into trouble when we “wander off” in our own reasoning, as if we are apart from Him (a delusion in and of itself). This is where it is possible to become deceived — so don’t do that! 

If you lose your peace, back off and retreat to the God Who is wild about you and keeps you safe. Ask Him if you should proceed. He is lovingly faithful. He will guide you. He is your peace!

2. Have discussions with mature believers and allow them to question you and vice versa. 

Don’t isolate. There is safety in community. 

I had some great discussions recently with my team and others. They challenged me and asked some awesome questions. I LOVED it (I am so proud of my team)!

But recognize that not everyone can handle what you are grappling with. Even mature believers can get triggered by people questioning their pet doctrines, not to mention immature and broken believers (hint: don’t share your process on social media). 

So, ask Holy Spirit who you should go to, to share these things safely, and engage respectfully and in love.

Be forewarned, though. If you start believing differently, the painful truth is that some people may separate from you. That rejection can be a heartbreak. If so, and if you handled yourself with love and honor to the best of your ability, it is their deal. God will bring you (eventually) to a new healthier, growing community as YOU continue to grow and heal your heart (Matt. 5:10–12 and John 15:20). 

Always follow God to the best of your ability as the fear of man brings a snare (Prov. 29:25). Only God is your Source! God will help you navigate through these difficulties and upgrade you in the process!

3. Recognize that all of us grew up with filters and traditions that distort who God is in our understanding. 

Re-examining and growing in your capacity to experience your lovely Creator in ways that may be new to you may well challenge ingrained traditions. 

Holy Spirit can reveal and heal these blind spots as we seek Him.

Jesus spoke of the traditions of men (in the context of honoring parents and the law vs. heart) in Mark 7:9 and 13 (New American Standard Bible, 2020)

9 He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 

13 thereby invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

(emphasis added)

4. Right doctrine/teaching/beliefs yield happy fruit!

Wrong doctrine/ teaching/beliefs yield yucky fruit (Matt. 7:15–16)!

• Is it resulting in love or fear? (1 John 4:17 – 18)?
• Does it bring peace or anxiety (Col. 3:15)?
• Does it make you feel closer to God or alone/separate/distant (Hebrews 13:5, Colossians 2:9–11, and John 15:5)?
• Does it bring freedom/self-control or bondage/oppression/being controlled? (Gal. 5:22–23 and 2 Cor. 3:17)?
• Does it bring condemnation/shame/accusation or forgiveness/mercy (Romans 8:1 and 33–34)?
• Does it bring rest/faith/dependency on God or toil/self-effort/independence? (Matt. 11:28–29, Heb. 4:1, and John 15:5)?
• Does it result in love/community or division (John 17:21 and James 3:16)?
• Does it bring clarity or confusion (1 Cor. 14:33 and James 3:16)?
• Is it the fruit of the spirit or carnal flesh (Gal. 5:18–23)?
• Is it about correction/healing or punishment/retribution/wrath (Hebrews 12:10–11; Romans 8:16–17, 19, 29, and 31–34; 1 John 2:2)?

 If it is a teaching from someone (including me) that you respect that seems scriptural, but it results in the ongoing negative fruit, something is off. It is not passing the sniff test. Galatians 5:18–23 (New International Version) says:

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(emphasis added)

5. Leave room for paradox and mystery.

 Particularly in western culture, we have a need to figure things out and tuck them into our well-defined boxes. We have a hard time with paradox and mystery. But God is paradoxically knowable and ungraspable, at least with our human minds. Moreover, humanity, regardless of culture, has a propensity to get trapped into our limited perspectives.

6. What if I miss it?

Hmmmm — you will!

And I have too!

If you already have, probably nobody died. But even if they did, that is where mercy, grace, healing, and restoration come in!

There are many things I once held onto as gospel truth. But wow! I believe totally differently now — with the happy fruit as a result!

And I taught people wrong.

Repenting (changing my mind) was crucial.  I cleaned up my mess the best I could. This looked like receiving forgiveness from God, forgiving myself, asking for forgiveness (as needed and led), re-teaching, and, especially, trusting Holy Spirit in people to lead them into all truth, sometimes despite me.

We all will mess up. That’s what mercy and grace are all about!

Final Thoughts

 Growing in intimate knowledge of God is truly where heaven floods earth! It is worth your time and energy!  

Bringing down the burdens of religious paradigms so that you can be free is exactly what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 11:28–30 (The Message):

28–30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

(emphasis added)

RELAX and enjoy the adventure! You are safe! God is ALWAYS with you even if you wander off into a ditch (or chasm). This is an exciting exploration of Him and you together!

 Whew! I know this was long, but I’d love to hear how this impacted you!

 

Much Love,

Catherine

 

1. if you want some more excellent help here, you can watch my video Interview with Mike Zenker | Healthy Deconstruction

or find it on my Perspectives with Catherine Toon podcast or YOUR favorite podcast platform.