Long on this Path

For much of my life, I’ve been journeying along the spiritual path, following Jesus. Initially, this journey was about “believing” in Jesus as the embodiment of Christ in human form. As someone who finds comfort in intellect, the concept of belief suited me. Over time, I began to see belief as more than an idea; to me, it meant entering into a relationship with the Eternal.

However, a persistent challenge lurked in my mind: the science of evolution. For a long time, I couldn’t reconcile the pieces of my faith with the evidence of evolution. I first tried to separate these aspects of my life—science in one box, faith in another. But eventually, this separation felt unsatisfying. If God isn’t intertwined with Reality (which science seeks to empirically describe), then what is the essence of God? After all, “God” is merely a simple word pointing towards something infinitely complex.

This unease led me to a crossroads. I was torn between clinging to my existing faith or acknowledging that my understanding might be flawed. It was a daunting choice, filled with fear and uncertainty. Could there be a mystical, evolutionary perspective that honored my faith and acknowledged the vast, ancient universe?

Over a decade ago, I began a meditative practice. Starting with an active practice involving a mantra, as taught by Father John Main, I later transitioned to a passive, contemplative practice of centering prayer, guided by Father Thomas Keating and others. This practice of letting go, of delving into the Mystery, gradually helped me release my fears and deepen my understanding of Love.

This journey transformed my worldview. I moved away from viewing faith solely as a moral code, instead embracing it as a path to healing and wholeness. It wasn’t an easy transition. As a Protestant, my primary lens for understanding faith had always been the Bible, as interpreted by the Reformers. Other elements like tradition, reason, and experience were secondary. The Bible, not being a scientific text, doesn’t address concepts like evolution.

The more I delved into the Bible and the works of various scholars, the more I realized the fallacy of claiming to proclaim THE biblical truth, detached from personal experience. Our interpretations are inevitably colored by our perspectives and biases. How can we truly grasp the original intentions of Jesus, the disciples, prophets, and priests from millennia ago?

I write this not to sow discord or doubt, but to share my journey with those who may share similar struggles. If you’re certain in your beliefs, that’s where you should be. But if you’re wrestling with these questions, know that you’re not alone. This blog is my way of exploring practices and understandings that resonate with the evolving faith on which I find myself.

The authors I find insightful include Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Thomas Merton, Richard Rohr, Thomas Berry, Brian Swimme, Ken Wilber, Bruno Barnhart, Carl McColman, James Finley, Ilia Delio, Beatrice Bruteau, among others. And yes, I continue to engage with the Bible in various translations and even dabble in the original languages.

Questions to Ponder

• How can one reconcile the teachings of faith with the empirical evidence and theories presented by science, such as evolution?
• In what ways have your own beliefs evolved over time, and how have different practices or teachings influenced this evolution?
• How do you navigate the complexities of interpreting ancient texts like the Bible in the context of modern scientific understanding and personal experience?