Daniel:
Matt Nightingale: i Such darkness. http://www.atruechurch.infowhat's dark about it?
Matt: Dude. That tweet is nine years old. Where did you come from? ii
But as I look at that website, all these years later, I see such fear and extreme fundamentalist teaching. It makes me sad.
Daniel: I joined that church recently; did a search for the link and found yours and many other tweets.
What do you mean fear?
Matt: It’s like the whole premise of that church is avoiding hell. And this idea that God is going to punish the vast majority of all humanity iii throughout all time. It’s such an ugly picture of God. So violent, vindictive and cruel.
Of course, you are talking to a former fundamentalist Christian who is now a progressive Christian mystic agnostic. I mean, I am very liberal politically and theologically.
Daniel: well yeah, the Bible is about avoiding hell; iv the picture of God is how the Bible portrays; v your religion and most others who also call themselves christian vi do not believe the Bible.
Matthew 4:
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
John 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
You can’t believe in the true Christ if you do not believe every word
Matt: Well, I guess we will have to disagree. The beautiful thing is is I’m not afraid of your god vii anymore. If you think the entire Bible is “about” avoiding hell, that’s such a small and sad picture of reality. Jesus said he came to bring abundant life. Set captives free, to bring healing and freedom.
Daniel: the Bible makes it very clear. if you are not made free by Christ, your place is hell; viii if it is all about the one, it is all about the other.
Matt: I suspect our conversation is not going to be very productive. I wish you well, and I hope you find what you’re looking for.
Daniel: may God save you
Matt: Thank you. He already did. May the living Christ save you from small minded, fear-based religion. May you find the beautiful, abundant life that Jesus promised us. Right here, right now.
Daniel: yours is right here, enjoy it while it lasts ix
Matt: I definitely am.
I’m so curious. Have you always been a fundamentalist Christian? What were you before? How old are you?
I’m a 47-year-old man. I was married to a woman for 23 years, and I have four children ages 17 to 23. I grew up as a fundamentalist Christian, but I have become more progressive/liberal over the years. Finally came out of the closet 2 1/2 years ago, so now I am living authentically as an openly gay man for the first time in my life
I was a pastor for many years, and now I am still working part time at a church where I lead worship. I believe God has called me to share the good news of Jesus with as many people as I can. Including so many who used to believe that we could not be a part of the kingdom of God. So many beautiful queer people have a hunger and thirst for God.
Daniel: I am 32. I was raised atheist.
Nobody seeks God according to the Bible you claim to believe in:
Psalm 14:
2 The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men,
To see if there are any who understand, who seek God.
3 They have all turned aside,
They have together become corrupt;
There is none who does good,
No, not one.And i’m sure you are aware of this one:
1 Corinthians 6:
9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. x
But you are a false teacher, xi which means:
1 Timothy 4:
1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron...
Matt: Right. Yeah I’m familiar with all of those passages. And your perspective.
- From his profile:
Dad. Teacher. Musician. TEDx speaker. Gay Christian. All will be well. Our flourishing is #resistance.
- Cyber space! ^
- Matthew 7:
13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
- See "Hell." ^
- See "THE LORD KILLS." ^
- See "You Think You're Saved, But You're Not!" ^
- That's the problem! See "The True Fear of God." ^
- John 15:
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
- Luke 6:
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets. - See also "Homosexuality and Marriage." ^
- See "Identifying False Teachers." ^
Sad, sick person!