I share this not to boast or brag but inform.

When I was younger, I never knew this kind of faith existed and felt alone and worthless.

So, if someone reads this and is transformed the way I was it would be worth it.

Plus, I want to make my views clear, so dishonest people won’t frame me as something I’m not.

I’m a non-denominational Christian Libertarian which is defined as “synthesis of Christian beliefs with libertarian political philosophy, with a focus on beliefs about free will, human nature, and God-given inalienable rights.” so basically, I believe you have God-given freedom that can’t be taken away by anyone. (The horror!)

But when I was younger and in the worst period of my life, I was an Atheist.

I had never actually read the Bible beyond quotes taken out of context and had a skewed worldview where I viewed all Christianity as bible-belt megachurch fundamentalism. (Not realizing that nobody likes megachurches unless they attend them…or are making money from them.)

I didn’t understand the beautiful rich diversity of Christian history and philosophy. I guarantee if you look at the vast history of the Church you’ll find SOMETHING you’ll agree with.

I also thought it intolerant and intellectually repressive when Christianity encourages sharing one’s faith with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15) and urges followers to “prove all things and hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

My conversion didn’t happen overnight.

Like the parable of the Prodigal Son, I had to be allowed to come on my own.

I was angry at God for my life at the time as an Agoraphobic, for the death of my beloved Grandfather, and what I thought was a hopeless future.

I eventually realized God was responsible for none of those things.

My Agoraphobia was the result of human trauma caused by teachers and actually began to get better once I heard the good news and began to get hope before I made the decision to not be afraid. (More on that for another day.)

My Grandfather’s death was not the result of God as he is not responsible for death. (Hebrews 2:14, John 10:10)

I realized that my future wasn’t hopeless, and I had the freedom to decide what I wanted to do.

Now I’m living my dreams and full of hope for the future.

In terms of doctrine…

I’m fine with gay people and think the Bible should be read in historical context as being against the widespread pederasty, weird ass pagan rituals, and temple prostitution of the day not normal gay couples who didn’t really exist because of a primitive societal structure that made it untenable. (i.e. get married for family alliances and have lots of children (since most will die) to survive and propagate to make sure society doesn’t collapse.)

So, in my opinion the discussion is as anachronistic as arguing about whether Christ was a capitalist or socialist when both concepts wouldn’t be developed for thousands of years. (My opinion is that since Christ actually fed people, he was not a socialist.)

I’m in favor of Birth Control as it entirely removes the “need” for abortions. The argument that it stifles God are ridiculous as if God is not greater than a contraceptive.

How old is the Earth?

Is Evolution true?

I don’t know I wasn’t there.

As an amateur Historian I believe only things witnessed and recorded by humans are valid and everything else is mere speculation or a matter of faith.

Why is there evil?

One word.

Satan.

Rather than a red devil with a pitchfork in hell he is a powerful fallen angelic being who is described in frightening and awe-inspiring terms.

The “god of this world/age.” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), he also “holds the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14)

…and more worryingly he is explicitly called “the prince/ruler of the world” by Christ himself. (John 12:31, John 14:30, John 16:11) and when he tempts Christ with all the kingdoms of the world Christ never says they aren’t his to give or the offer is trickery.

It’s described as a legitimate temptation. i.e. “You don’t have to suffer and die for them. You can be the god-king through me!”

But he is not a god and can be resisted. (James 4:7, Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:9)

Why doesn’t God stop him?

I truly believe one cannot act against their own nature including God.

Even though God is omnipotent he is “constrained” by his own nature of pure goodness. i.e. He cannot do evil. (Like a Human Constitution or The Prime Directive for fans of Star Trek)

Humans chose to let Satan corrupt creation through the temptation to become gods themselves (Genesis 3:5) and with Cain began to follow in his footsteps by choosing to be evil. (1 John 3:12) when you look at the history of evil unfortunately the words “Humans chose” are responsible for all of it.*

(*Excluding Natural Disasters but they still fall under Satan and his angels as they are the ones causing them directly or indirectly.)

A parent cannot force their child to do what they want no matter how much they care about them but can only offer guidance, love, and forgiveness when they repent.

I truly believe that there is a purpose for the world to continue.

I don’t have all the answers obviously, but I can offer some theories (even though some are heterodox but like Newton I’m a heterodox kind of guy)

Maybe there is a plan and Jesus will return suddenly for reasons we can’t fathom?

Maybe God will only interfere if shit really hits the fan, and we are helpless to Satan?

Maybe Jesus’s return is a metaphor for the Church Age?

Maybe humans through faith in God and Christ’s sacrifice can use technology can overcome Satan’s powers of sickness and death and then Jesus will return? (I’m a Christian Transhumanist so this is appealing to me.)

I have much more in-depth views in my writings but this is a good overview of what I believe.

Now I leave you with one of my favorite sections of The Bible.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
-1 Corinthians 13

Until then…

I’m Nathan Edward Priem…

and that was the Good News!