The Balieyan Creed
I.
I believe in God - most of the time.
I believe in Jesus - most of the time.
I believe in the Holy Spirit - most of the time.
God believes in me - all of the time - at least I think God does.
II.
I believe faith is the constantly evolving state of affairs between me, God, and the community of faith.
My faith is not easily categorized.
I am a Lutheran, a Methodist, a Catholic, an Evangelical, a Charismatic, an Emergent, a Quaker, and a Liberationist.
I am not a mix and match Christian.
Not all religions say the same thing.
To believe this is intellectual laziness.
I am a Christian
Other faiths have something to teach me.
Buddhists - mediation
Muslims - the importance of prayer
Jews - a sense of history
Agnostics - a sense of honesty
I am a Christian
My faith has something to teach others.
III.
I don't always get God.
God always pursues me.
I don't always believe in God.
God always pursues me.
I have moments of supernatural clarity.
I have moments where I feel enclosed in a coffin of doubt.
Sometimes I think
This. is. all. there. is.
God always pursues me.
I believe in absolute truth.
I don't believe I know exactly what absolute truth looks like.
I do believe that I have had glimpses of the absolute truth - and not even known it.
I believe in heaven.
I believe in hell.
I don't know with certainty who goes where.
I anticipate being surprised with who is where.
I hope I am not surprised with where I am.
IV.
I believe we are blessed so as to bless others.
I believe we are generally selfish.
I believe the love of God supersedes any national boundary.
I believe God cares more about our hearts than our politics.
I believe the church has very little grace.
I believe there is more grace in the church than anywhere else.
I believe the church has enormous potential for good - and bad.
V.
I believe endless debates about evolution are not a good use of the church's time.
I do believe feeding the hungry is a good use of the church's time.
I believe endless debates about homosexuality are not a good use of the church's time.
I do believe making disciples is a good use of the church's time.
VI.
I believe in God the father - most of the time.
VII.
I believe in the sacrificial death of Jesus - most of the time.
VII.
I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit - most of the time.
IX.
God pursues me - all of the time. - I think.
