• From Charlie Boyd I learned not to let anyone tell me I need to do anything special or extra to merit God’s favor or attention. Working overtime to “keep all the rules” is not only unnecessary, but dangerous. (See the entire book of Galatians.)

• From Brian Onken I learned that God doesn’t need my help to accomplish His purposes. I’m welcome to come along for the ride (and even help out), but God will get done what He wants to get done, with or without me. (Calvin wasn’t all wrong.)

• From Tim Keller I learned that it’s okay to believe that Science just might have the answers, and to speculate that Genesis 1 just might be more poetry than narrative.

• From Jon Hand I learned that all truth is God’s truth. If something exhibits love, beauty or truth, God can be found therein, regardless if it is labeled Sacred or Secular. And I learned it’s okay to ask the big questions, the REALLY big ones, questions that might earn me funny looks in most churches.

I also learned from Jon and others that I didn’t have to be a Conservative to be a Christian. It’s okay to disagree with the evangelical world’s consensus on social issues like poverty, war, and homosexuality.

Deconstructing and rebuilding one’s faith is a normal, even necessary part of spirituality. Never stop asking yourself why you believe what you believe, and don’t be afraid to change it if necessary.

So. I think I’ve become more Emergent than anything else these days, with a dash of the Reformation thrown in for good measure. In the next few months, Jennifer and I hope to find a community here in Ann Arbor in which to continue our spiritual conversation.