The Third Question: What Values Have I Derived From These Stories?

From my family story and my own story, a major theme which seems to emerge is to question the conclusions that I and others have come to, yet to continually affirm that a relationship with God is real and alive. It is from this lively internal conversation that I have come to my current sense of faith. I listen expectantly, and I find that sense which Buber called I and Thou in the most unexpected places.

The Second Question: My Own Stories

My own story has been a direct result of my family story, I believe. The right--and perhaps the responsibility--to ask questions about dearly held theological points of view is deeply ingrained in my genetic heritage. In my case, my questioning went in the direction of exploration beyond a narrow definition of Christianity. I've rubbed elbows with Jelaluddin Rumi, with Gautama Buddha and the White Buffalo Calf Woman. At the end of the day, I have come to the conclusion that all roads lead back to Jesus, but that the gate is through the middle of the human heart. I imagine my friend, who was a Tibetan Lama, getting to the pearly gates. He sees the Compassionate Buddha, who welcomes him with open arms. As he looks into the eyes of this person who has been his inspiration for so much of his life, he understands that he is looking into the eyes of Jesus. "Oh that's who you are," he says.

The First Question: Family Stories

Some of my earliest memories are of my father, who was a Methodist minister, debating theological fine points with my grandmother, who was the wife of a Baptist minister. The specific topic was Sanctification. Nanna insisted that once a person was sanctified, they were sanctified for life, although there might be some "backsliding". Dad insisted just as vociferously that the relationship with God is on-going, and that we can fall very far away. In that case, one must become sanctified anew.

I didn't know it at the time, but this type of passionate debate was anchored in our family history. Later, I heard stories from Granddad about his father. Great-grandfather Owen was an active participant in the theological debates which were a major aspect of the Texas religious scene during the post Civil-War era. These debates were apparently a major social event. People would come from miles around and picnic as the theologians debated. At the beginning of this period, my great-grandfather was a Methodist. However, during the course of the debates, he became convinced of the necessity of adult baptism, so he converted to the Baptist persuasion.