From as far back as I can remember, until around the age of ten, we attended church every Sunday and Wednesday. Sometimes, we would even go to people’s houses for Bible study. But when I turned ten, I moved to the city with my biological mother. Church was no more. Reading When Bible Meets History helped me understand more than I had before.
I remember feeling like the church was a burden. No one ever explained why we were going; it was just something we had to do. “Dress right, stand up straight, don’t do this, act like this, you’re going to hell if you do that, you’re not good enough”—that’s all I remember. It felt great when I didn’t have to go to church anymore because I felt judged more there than anywhere else. I felt worse being in church than when I was living my life, minding my own business.
I joined the Air Force in January 1997, and during training, I became a chapel rope, helping out at the church and even singing in the choir. (I’m glad I sang in the background because I can’t sing to save my life.) I felt welcomed, encouraged, loved, and accepted. I loved every Sunday service and the people, especially because we all wore the same clothes—our uniforms. Sunday best wasn’t a thing because it didn’t matter; we all had to wear uniforms.
When training ended and I was in the operational Air Force, I got to choose a church. But I couldn’t find one where I felt comfortable. Once again, it was that uncomfortable feeling of all eyes on you. “Where are you from? Who do you know? What are you wearing? Don’t do this, don’t do that.” The judgment was there all over again.
What did CJ do? I embraced the idea that I don’t need to be in church to be faithful. The problem was I didn’t nurture my faith anymore. I simply lived my life and didn’t pray as much as needed. I thought I had to guide my life, fix my own problems, and figure things out myself. This road was tough and had a lot of bumps I probably didn’t need to go down.
I say all this to make this point: church shouldn’t be a place of judgment but acceptance. You should be able to show up in a towel and pray, and everyone should wrap around you and give you a piece of clothing off their back if you need it.
The more you learn about faith, the less judgmental you are. The more you embrace the concepts of faith and don’t cling strictly to religion, the fuller your life becomes.
People ask me what my religion is, and I say non-denominational. When you look into the origins of religion, it all came from one place: God. I don’t believe God meant for us to fight over whose rules and laws are right. Worshiping one singular divine being offers many paths to reach them. Choose your road, but be a good human.
Check out my review below.
When Bible Meets History: Ancient Voices Tell Their Version by Stephen Lee Crane
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Have you ever wondered how the context of the Bible fits into our historical construct? How did the words from the Bible not only originate from prophets but also fit into the human world?
Growing up, I knew the Bible was considered gospel. My curiosity about faith led me to question much of what I read. I felt Jesus and God in my heart but wanted a deeper understanding of the scripture.
I drifted away from my faith because I couldn’t find anyone or anything that could teach me what I was seeking. Being told, “That’s the way it is”, and “You have to have blind faith,” didn’t sit right with me. Some might label me a bad person for that, but I see myself as someone who desires such a strong faith that it becomes unshakeable.
As an adult, I embarked on a journey to regain my faith and learn as much as possible. I picked up books, took classes, and surrounded myself with both the faithful and the unfaithful to understand every perspective.
Reading “When Bible Meets History” brought so much into perspective. Faith isn’t an idea from a distant fairytale. The figures of Jesus, Moses, and the prophets in the Bible were real, and historical data supports their existence.
This book was enlightening and poignant, and I am very thankful for winning it in a Goodreads giveaway. It has become a reference I will cherish for years to come.
Steven Lee Crane’s book is not just a one-time read; it’s a lifelong treasure that reveals hidden truths with each revisit. It’s a book to share with your children and future generations.
Thank you, Steven, for researching, writing, and sharing this invaluable work. It is well-written, thoroughly researched, and exceptionally well-rounded.
View all my reviews
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