christianity – Page 9 – The Curious Pilgrims

A Scholarly Reflection on My Theological Progression

August 18, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Introduction

Religious identity is never static; it evolves in conversation with scripture, tradition, personal experience, and the cultural context of one’s life. My own pilgrimage has carried me through three distinct traditions—Free Will Baptist, United Methodist, and Episcopal—each contributing to the shaping of my theological outlook. This progression illustrates a movement from a biblicist foundation, to a more holistic engagement of multiple sources of truth, to a sacramental and inclusive vision of the gospel.

Free Will Baptist Foundations

The Free Will Baptist tradition, in which I was nurtured and ordained, emphasizes sola scriptura—Scripture as the sole and sufficient authority in matters of faith. Its theology is Arminian, stressing human free will, the universal offer of salvation, and the possibility of apostasy. The ecclesial life of Free Will Baptists is marked by simplicity of worship, believer’s baptism by immersion, and a memorialist understanding of the Lord’s Supper.

This tradition provided me with a profound respect for Scripture and the importance of personal holiness. Yet its reliance on biblical literalism often curtailed theological inquiry and left limited space for the integration of broader human experience or historical tradition. My decades of ministry within this framework laid a firm foundation but also raised questions that could not be resolved within its narrow interpretive boundaries.

United Methodist Engagement

In 1997, I transitioned into the United Methodist Church, a move that corresponded to my growing appreciation for a more expansive theological method. The Wesleyan Quadrilateral—Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—presented a more nuanced epistemology of faith. While Scripture retained primacy, Wesley’s framework acknowledged the essential role of history, rational reflection, and lived human experience in discerning God’s truth.

This broadened hermeneutic was complemented by the United Methodist commitment to both personal holiness and social holiness, balancing evangelical piety with social justice concerns. My studies at Memphis Theological Seminary (M.Div., 2003) reinforced this synthesis, exposing me to ecumenical theology and constructive dialogue with modern thought.

The United Methodist Church thus expanded my theological horizon, allowing me to embrace both the authority of Scripture and the legitimacy of critical reflection. Yet ongoing denominational tensions, particularly around human sexuality and inclusivity, left unresolved questions about the nature of the church as a fully hospitable community.

Episcopal Inclusivity and Sacramentality

In 2025, I formally entered the Episcopal Church, drawn by its sacramental depth and theological openness. The Anglican “three-legged stool” of Scripture, tradition, and reason offered a similar balance to Wesley’s Quadrilateral, yet with a stronger ecclesiological and sacramental grounding. Worship rooted in the Book of Common Prayer reoriented my spirituality toward liturgy and the Eucharist as the center of Christian life.

Perhaps most decisive was the Episcopal Church’s commitment to inclusivity, particularly in the ordination and affirmation of LGBT persons. This stance was not merely a social accommodation but a theological conviction: that the image of God is borne equally in all persons, and that baptism confers a full and irrevocable dignity. By embracing such inclusivity, the Episcopal Church embodied what I had come to believe about the wideness of God’s mercy and the radical hospitality of the gospel.

Conclusion

The progression from Free Will Baptist to United Methodist to Episcopal reflects a theological trajectory that mirrors broader currents in modern Christianity: from biblicism, to holistic hermeneutics, to inclusive sacramentality. Each step represented not a rejection of the previous tradition but an expansion of vision:

From a faith grounded in Scripture alone,
To a faith enriched by reason, tradition, and experience,
To a faith embodied in sacrament and radical inclusivity.

My journey underscores the truth that Christian identity is best understood as pilgrimage—ever faithful to the gospel of Jesus Christ, yet always seeking deeper and wider expressions of God’s love in the world.

The Conservative and Liberal Impulses in Christianity: Guardianship and Renewal in Tension

August 18, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Introduction

Christianity, as a living tradition rooted in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, has always contained within itself two vital impulses: the conservative and the liberal. These terms, though often associated with modern politics, serve as useful categories for describing a long-standing tension within the church between preserving the faith once delivered to the saints and reforming or expanding the faith’s application in new contexts. Christianity has endured for two millennia not by choosing one impulse over the other, but by allowing both to shape its identity. The conservative impulse secures continuity, while the liberal impulse ensures vitality. Together, they form a dialectic that has allowed Christianity to survive and flourish across cultures, centuries, and crises.

The Conservative Impulse: Guardians of the Deposit of Faith

From its earliest days, the church recognized the need to guard the essentials of the Gospel. The apostle Paul exhorted believers to “stand firm and hold fast to the traditions” (2 Thess. 2:15), and Jude urged the faithful to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 1:3). This conservative instinct manifests in several ways:

Doctrinal Preservation – The early ecumenical councils at Nicea (325) and Chalcedon (451) serve as clear examples. Faced with heresies that denied Christ’s divinity or humanity, the church preserved orthodoxy through creeds that remain central to Christian identity.
Institutional Stability – The creation of canon law, the development of episcopal authority, and the preservation of liturgy safeguarded the continuity of worship and discipline across generations.
Moral Order – By emphasizing holiness, repentance, and personal responsibility, the conservative impulse has protected Christianity from dissolving into relativism or cultural accommodation.

Without such conserving energy, Christianity would have lost its coherence and identity amid the shifting currents of history.

The Liberal Impulse: Prophets of Renewal

Equally essential, however, has been the church’s capacity to reform itself in light of God’s Spirit at work in history. Jesus himself embodied this impulse: while affirming the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17), he scandalized religious leaders by healing on the Sabbath, eating with tax collectors, and including women and Gentiles in his ministry. The liberal impulse, then, has expressed itself in:

Prophetic Critique – The Hebrew prophets demanded justice for the poor, widows, and orphans (Isa. 1:17; Amos 5:24). The church, when true to this voice, has opposed slavery, racial segregation, and economic exploitation.
Reformation and Renewal Movements – From the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century to the Methodist revival of the 18th, liberal energy has challenged corruption, revitalized worship, and expanded participation in the life of the church.
Social Engagement – Abolitionists, civil rights leaders, and liberation theologians have exemplified the liberal strand by insisting that the Gospel demands systemic change to reflect God’s Kingdom of justice and peace.

Without this reforming energy, Christianity would have hardened into lifeless tradition, unable to speak to new generations or contexts.

The Dynamic Balance: Scripture and History

Both impulses find grounding in Scripture. The call to remember and preserve (Deut. 6:12; 1 Cor. 11:2) sits alongside the call to repent and be transformed (Isa. 1:17; Acts 10). Peter’s vision of clean and unclean animals in Acts 10 represents a paradigmatic moment: the conservative instinct to maintain Jewish purity laws gave way to the liberal recognition that God was including Gentiles in the covenant. The Spirit was doing a new thing, yet still fulfilling the promises of the past.

History demonstrates the interplay as well:

Monasticism preserved Scripture, prayer, and learning during the chaos of the Dark Ages (conservative).
Francis of Assisi reimagined Christian discipleship through radical poverty and solidarity with the poor (liberal).
The Protestant Reformation broke ossified structures and restored biblical authority (liberal).
The Catholic Counter-Reformation deepened devotion and clarified doctrine (conservative).

Each movement alone would have been incomplete; together, they ensured Christianity’s survival and growth.

Theological Implications: Christianity as a Living Tradition

The coexistence of conservative and liberal impulses suggests that Christianity is neither a static museum of the past nor an unmoored revolution. It is, rather, a living tradition—rooted in Christ, carried faithfully across generations, and flowering anew in each context. Conservatives provide the roots; liberals nurture the branches and fruit. Without roots, the tree dies; without fruit, it fails its purpose.

Conclusion

Christianity has endured because it has embraced both guardianship and renewal. The conservative impulse preserves the faith’s continuity, while the liberal impulse ensures its relevance and prophetic witness. Together, they keep the church faithful to Jesus Christ—the one who both fulfilled the Law and broke barriers to bring the Kingdom of God near. In every age, the church must hold these impulses in creative tension, lest it lose either its identity or its vitality.

Comparative Chart: Conservative vs. Liberal Impulses in Christian History

Era / Context	Conservative Impulse (Guardianship)	Liberal Impulse (Renewal/Expansion)
Early Church (1st–5th c.)	Defining orthodoxy through creeds (Nicea, Chalcedon). Preserving apostolic teaching.	Inclusion of Gentiles (Acts 10). Development of diverse ministries and monasticism.
Middle Ages	Monastic preservation of Scripture, liturgy, and learning. Upholding sacramental system.	Francis of Assisi’s radical poverty and outreach to the poor. Mystics exploring new depths of spirituality.
Reformation (16th c.)	Catholic Counter-Reformation safeguarding sacraments and authority.	Protestant Reformers challenging corruption, restoring Scripture to the laity.
Modern Era (18th–20th c.)	Defense of tradition, creeds, and established church structures.	Methodist revival, abolition movement, Social Gospel, Civil Rights movement.
Contemporary Christianity	Defense of biblical authority, traditional moral teaching, liturgical continuity.	Liberation theology, feminist and LGBTQ+ theologies, ecumenism, and interfaith dialogue.

Temperance as a Fruit of the Spirit: Lessons from F. D. Maurice and John Stuart Mill

August 18, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22–23 that one of the fruits of the Spirit is temperance—or self-control. This fruit reminds us that Christian maturity is not just about passion or conviction, but about living with balance, restraint, and wisdom that serves the good of others.

When I think of temperance, I see how it shone—though in different ways—in two 19th-century voices: F. D. Maurice and John Stuart Mill.

Maurice, the Anglican priest and Christian Socialist, lived in an England torn between unchecked capitalism and harsh reactions to it. Yet instead of rushing to extremes, he held fast to a Spirit-shaped balance. His call for cooperative education, just labor, and fellowship across class lines reflected temperance—convictions expressed with patience, compassion, and faith.

Mill, though not a man of the Church, also practiced a form of temperance. He refused to let his life be ruled by either cold calculation or blind passion. Instead, he sought a balanced liberty, reminding us that freedom without responsibility is no freedom at all. His willingness to listen, revise, and walk the path of moderation shows us that temperance can emerge wherever truth is earnestly sought.

For us as followers of Christ, temperance is more than moderation—it is the Spirit’s gift to help us love with strength and steadiness. In a world that often pulls us toward extremes, we are called to walk the narrow way, where passion is disciplined by love, and freedom is guided by care for our neighbor.

Prayer:
Lord, by Your Spirit, cultivate temperance in us. Teach us to hold fast to truth with gentleness, to act with strength and patience, and to let all our freedom be guided by love. May the example of those who sought balance in their time inspire us to live faithfully in ours. Amen.

Litany on Temperance

Leader: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and temperance.
People: Lord, let Your Spirit grow in us.

Leader: In a world pulled toward extremes, You call us to walk with balance.
People: Teach us temperance, O Lord.

Leader: As F. D. Maurice sought justice with patience and faith,
People: Give us wisdom to hold truth with compassion.

Leader: As John Stuart Mill practiced liberty with responsibility,
People: Teach us freedom guided by love of neighbor.

Leader: Where anger divides and fear controls,
People: Fill us with temperance, steady and strong.

Leader: Spirit of God, shape our hearts in self-control,
People: That our lives may bear fruit for Your kingdom.

All Together: Come, Holy Spirit. Grow in us the fruit of temperance, that we may live in love, walk in freedom, and serve with grace. Amen.

Rediscovering the Kingdom: From Adam Smith to F. D. Maurice

August 17, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

When we hear the phrase “the kingdom of God is here now,” many of us imagine a spiritual ideal, a distant reality yet to come. But Jesus’ teaching often emphasized a present, active kingdom — a call for justice, mercy, and love to transform society today. Surprisingly, there’s a historical thread linking this vision of a present kingdom to the thought of thinkers like Adam Smith, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, and F. D. Maurice.

Adam Smith and the Invisible Hand

Adam Smith, in The Wealth of Nations (1776), laid the foundations of modern capitalism. He argued that individuals pursuing their own economic interests could, as if guided by an “invisible hand,” contribute to the overall good of society. On the surface, this appears purely economic, even amoral — yet Smith’s moral philosophy emphasized sympathy and concern for others. He believed that markets worked best when individuals also cultivated virtue and social responsibility.

In a way, Smith anticipated a society where human actions could collectively generate social benefit — a structure through which the kingdom of God could manifest in human cooperation and stewardship.

Bentham, Mill, and the Calculus of Happiness

Jeremy Bentham’s utilitarianism framed ethics around maximizing happiness. John Stuart Mill, his intellectual heir, refined this approach by emphasizing higher pleasures and individual liberty. Both grappled with the social consequences of human action. Mill, in particular, argued that social reform, education, and liberty were essential for human flourishing — echoing Jesus’ concern for the well-being of all people in the here and now.

Mill’s focus on liberty and social improvement resonates with the kingdom of God as a present reality. It’s a kingdom where freedom, justice, and the cultivation of human potential are not postponed until an afterlife but actively pursued in society.

F. D. Maurice and Christian Socialism

Enter F. D. Maurice, Anglican priest and theologian, whose Christian Socialism sought to make Jesus’ vision tangible. Maurice critiqued laissez-faire economics and unbridled utilitarianism for neglecting human dignity and community. He argued that society should embody God’s kingdom through education, fair labor practices, and care for the poor.

Maurice’s thought is strikingly “kingdom-centered.” For him, the church was not merely a spiritual sanctuary but a catalyst for transforming society into a place reflecting God’s love and justice — much like Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and his ministry of healing, inclusion, and mercy.

Connecting the Threads

Adam Smith provided a framework for economic interdependence; Bentham and Mill sharpened moral reasoning about happiness and liberty; Maurice infused these concerns with a moral, kingdom-focused vision. All these thinkers, in different ways, were responding to the same underlying question: How can human society reflect the good?

Jesus’ teaching on the kingdom of God “here and now” aligns with Maurice’s activism and Mill’s social liberalism: it calls for justice, compassion, and the uplift of the marginalized. It invites us to see economics, law, and social policy not as ends in themselves but as instruments for creating a society in which love, dignity, and human flourishing reign — a present manifestation of the kingdom.

Living the Kingdom Today

Reflecting on these thinkers can inspire modern Christians (and all people of conscience) to ask: How can we live in ways that make the kingdom visible now? How do our work, policies, and daily interactions contribute to justice and mercy? Smith reminds us of the power of cooperative human action; Mill of the importance of liberty and moral reasoning; Maurice of the divine imperative to serve the vulnerable.

In combining economic insight, ethical reflection, and Christian vision, we glimpse a world where the kingdom of God is not only promised but actively embodied — here, now, in our workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities.

Living the Kingdom of God Today: A Bridge Between Jesus and Progressive Christianity

August 17, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

When Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God, he painted a picture that was both spiritual and transformative. He described it as a realm of justice, mercy, and love—a place where the last would be first, the meek would inherit the earth, and the hungry would be fed. Yet, he also reminded his followers that the kingdom was both “at hand” and a future reality, a mystery that unfolds gradually, like a mustard seed growing into a tree.

Progressive Christianity takes this vision seriously, emphasizing that the kingdom of God can be lived and experienced here and now. Through acts of compassion, social justice, and community building, believers participate in God’s work of making the world reflect divine values. Far from contradicting Jesus’ teachings, this approach can be seen as putting his message into action in tangible ways.

By caring for the marginalized, advocating for fairness, and creating spaces of inclusion, we help make God’s kingdom visible in everyday life. This doesn’t replace the spiritual, inward transformation Jesus emphasized—it complements it. The heart changed by God’s love becomes an instrument for extending that love outward, embodying mercy, justice, and grace.

In this way, Progressive Christians live in the tension Jesus described: the kingdom is “already” present in the love and justice we bring to the world, yet “not yet” fully realized until God’s reign is complete. Each act of kindness, advocacy, or reconciliation becomes a seed of the kingdom, growing quietly but surely, fulfilling Jesus’ vision that God’s reign is both personal and communal, spiritual and practical.

Living the kingdom today is a sacred partnership with God—an invitation to let divine love transform both our hearts and our communities. By connecting social action with spiritual devotion, Progressive Christianity helps believers step into the reality of God’s kingdom, one act of love at a time.

Selfless Love

August 16, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Selfless love is at the heart of discipleship and spiritual growth. Here’s how it is often understood:

1. Rooted in Christ’s Example

Jesus embodied agapē love — the Greek word for unconditional, sacrificial love. He reached out to the marginalized, forgave enemies, healed the sick, and gave himself fully for others without asking what he would gain in return. Selfless love follows that same pattern: giving without needing repayment.

2. Seeing the Other as Sacred

Selfless love recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person as a child of God. It calls us to treat others not as means to an end but as beloved ends in themselves, whether they are friend, stranger, or even adversary.

3. Letting Go of Ego and Control

It means loosening our grip on pride, entitlement, or the need to always be right. Instead, we listen, serve, and enter into relationships with humility, seeking the flourishing of others as much as our own.

4. Practical Expressions

Offering kindness without expecting thanks.
Standing up for justice even when it costs us comfort or privilege.
Forgiving when we have every right to stay angry.
Caring for the earth, future generations, and communities we may never see.

5. A Lifelong Practice

Selfless love is not about erasing one’s own needs or boundaries (which can lead to unhealthy sacrifice), but about living in a way where compassion and generosity guide decisions. It’s a balance of caring for oneself and making room for the well-being of others.

✨ In short: selfless love is love that seeks the good of the other, without calculation, fear, or reward, flowing from the heart of God through us.

Daily Practice for Cultivating Selfless Love

Morning Intention (2 minutes):
When you wake, place your hand over your heart and pray something like:
“God of love, let me be a channel of compassion today. Help me to see others with Your eyes.”

Daily Awareness (throughout the day):
Choose one small act of selfless love each day. Examples:

Speak a kind word to someone who seems overlooked.
Offer your patience in a long line or with a difficult person.
Send a message of encouragement with no expectation of reply.
Refrain from gossip or judgment and instead offer silent blessing.

Evening Reflection (5 minutes):
Before bed, pause and ask yourself:

Where did I practice selfless love today?
Where did I miss the opportunity?
Tomorrow, how can I open my heart more?

Close with gratitude, knowing each step (big or small) builds the habit of living in Christ’s love.

A Daily Litany of Selfless Love

Leader (you):
Gracious God, awaken my heart to Your love this day.

Response (you or silently):
Let me love without counting the cost.

Leader:
When I am tempted to act from pride or selfishness,
Response:
Teach me humility and gentleness.

Leader:
When I encounter the stranger, the overlooked, or the hurting,
Response:
Let me see Your image in them.

Leader:
When fear or anger rises within me,
Response:
Fill me with patience and compassion.

Leader:
May my words bring kindness,
my hands bring service,
and my presence bring peace.

All (you):
God of boundless mercy,
make me a vessel of selfless love today.
Amen.

From Heart to Words: Living with Integrity Before God and Others

August 13, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Scripture Focus:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7

“Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” — Matthew 15:18

We live in a world that often rewards appearance over substance. Smiles can mask resentment, polite words can hide selfish motives, and religious rituals can be performed without a trace of love for God. But Scripture is clear—what is in our hearts defines us more than what is on our lips or in our outward behavior.

Proverbs 23:7 offers a timeless warning: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” In context, the verse cautions us about dining with someone whose words say, “Eat and drink,” but whose heart resents the cost. This is hypocrisy in everyday life—when there is a disconnect between what we present and what we truly believe or feel.

Centuries later, Jesus pressed the same truth even deeper in Matthew 15:11–20. Confronting the Pharisees’ obsession with ceremonial handwashing, He declared that it’s not what enters the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out. The real issue, He said, is the heart—because what fills the heart will inevitably spill out in our words and actions. And if the heart harbors evil thoughts, lies, or hatred, those will find their way into our speech and defile us far more than any unwashed hands or unclean foods ever could.

Both passages cut through the human tendency to focus on outward performance. Proverbs tells us that who we are inside shapes our true identity; Jesus tells us that what we say and do flows from that same inner reality.

Put simply: you can only fake it for so long before your heart writes its truth across your life.The call here is to integrity of heart and speech. This isn’t about pretending to be perfect—it’s about surrendering our inner life to God so that what overflows from us is love, truth, and goodness. It means inviting the Holy Spirit to search us, cleanse us, and align our thoughts, attitudes, and words

.A heart is like a well—whatever’s in the water will come up in the bucket. If the well is clean, the water will refresh; if the well is poisoned, the water will harm. The words you speak are just the bucket’s contents—your heart is the source. Keep the source pure, and the overflow will bring life.

When our hearts are right with God, our speech will honor Him and our relationships will be marked by authenticity. When we speak from a clean heart, we offer life instead of harm, blessing instead of bitterness. That’s the kind of integrity that not only pleases God but also builds trust with those around us.

Prayer:
Lord, search my heart and know me. Root out any hidden bitterness, pride, or deceit. Fill me instead with Your love, Your truth, and Your peace, so that my words reflect Your character. May my life be an honest overflow of a heart made new by You. Amen.

God is Love

August 11, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

💜 Love at the Center: Understanding 1 John 4:7–10

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” — 1 John 4:7–10

1. The Command: Love One Another

John begins with a tender word—Beloved—before calling us to love one another. This is more than a suggestion; it’s the defining trait of Christian life. Love here isn’t reduced to warm feelings or fleeting affection—it’s active, deliberate, and self-giving. It’s the choice to seek another’s good even when it costs us something.

2. The Source: Love Comes from God

John doesn’t say love merely reflects God; he says love is from God. This means:

God is the origin of love. We can’t manufacture it on our own.
Genuine love is evidence of spiritual birth and a true relationship with God.
Where love is absent, intimacy with God is also absent.

When we love, we are participating in the very nature of God.

3. The Definition: God Is Love

“God is love” is one of the shortest yet deepest theological statements in Scripture. It doesn’t mean God is only love—He is also holy, just, and wise—but love is at the core of His being. Everything He does is an expression of love, even His discipline and correction.

4. The Proof: Love Manifested in Jesus

John points to the ultimate demonstration: God sent His only Son into the world so that we could live. This is not love in theory; it’s love in flesh and blood, in nail-pierced hands and a crown of thorns. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are God’s visible “I love you” to humanity.

5. The Priority: God Loved First

Love didn’t begin with us reaching toward God. It began with God reaching toward us. Before we could ever desire Him, He already desired us. Before we could ever respond in faith, He had already given the greatest gift—His Son—as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

6. The Challenge for Us Today

In a world quick to divide, label, and dismiss, 1 John 4:7–10 calls us to live differently. To forgive even when wronged. To show kindness when ignored. To act with generosity when it’s inconvenient. This kind of love doesn’t come naturally—it flows from time spent with God, being transformed by His Spirit.

🕊 Closing Thought:
When we love as God loves, we are not just obeying a command—we are revealing God’s heart to the world. Our love becomes the evidence of His presence in us. The question for each of us is: If love is the proof, can others see God in me?

Membership in God’s Family

August 8, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

Galatians 3:28 reads:

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

Paul’s point here is not that social, cultural, or biological distinctions vanish when someone becomes a Christian — rather, it’s that those distinctions no longer determine a person’s value, access to God, or membership in God’s family.

Here’s the meaning broken down:

Context in Galatians
- Paul is arguing against the idea that Gentile believers must follow the Jewish law (especially circumcision) to be fully accepted by God.
- He emphasizes that faith in Christ — not ethnicity, status, or gender — is what makes someone a full heir of God’s promises.
“Neither Jew nor Greek”
- Ethnic or cultural background does not give one person a higher spiritual standing than another.
- In Christ, both Jews and Gentiles are equally part of God’s covenant family.
“Neither slave nor free”
- Social class, economic position, or legal status does not affect one’s standing before God.
- In the Christian community, a slave could stand side-by-side with a free person as a brother or sister in Christ.
“No male and female”
- Gender does not determine spiritual worth or access to salvation.
- Men and women are equally called, equally gifted, and equally heirs in Christ.
- Paul isn’t denying that men and women exist, but he is removing hierarchy in spiritual worth.
“For you are all one in Christ Jesus”
- The ground at the foot of the cross is level.
- Unity in Christ transcends the old divisions that society used to enforce.

In essence, Galatians 3:28 is about radical equality in the Gospel: nothing about your ethnicity, social standing, or gender can make God love you more or less, nor can it qualify or disqualify you from His promises.

How does this apply to LGBT?

If we take Galatians 3:28 seriously in its spirit, then its principle speaks powerfully to the question of LGBT inclusion in the Christian community.

Paul’s statement is a sweeping declaration that in Christ, no human category—ethnic, social, or gender-related—can be used as a barrier to belonging. While he didn’t directly mention sexual orientation or gender identity (terms not part of his cultural vocabulary), the underlying theological principle can still apply.

Here’s how:

1. Radical Equality in Christ

In Paul’s day, the biggest divisions in the church were ethnic (Jew/Greek), social (slave/free), and gender (male/female).
Today, one of the most divisive questions in the church revolves around sexuality and gender identity.
By analogy, Paul’s argument means: If you are in Christ, these categories do not determine whether you are fully accepted as part of God’s people.

2. Identity in Christ is Primary

Paul’s focus is not on erasing differences but on removing them as status markers in the kingdom of God.
For an LGBT person, this means their value, worth, and spiritual calling are not diminished by their orientation or identity—those are not barriers to being “one in Christ.”

3. A Model for Inclusion

The early church had to make a radical cultural leap to welcome Gentiles without demanding they first become Jews.
Many affirming theologians argue that this sets a precedent: the church should not require LGBT people to erase or deny core aspects of themselves in order to be welcomed into full fellowship.

4. The Unity Paul Envisions

This unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means the church is called to live in a community where diversity—whether in ethnicity, gender, or sexuality—is embraced without hierarchy.
Under this lens, LGBT Christians are not “second-class” believers; they are equally heirs of the promises.

💡 In short:
If Galatians 3:28 were written today in the same spirit, Paul might have said:

“There is neither gay nor straight, neither transgender nor cisgender, neither queer nor hetero, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

That doesn’t mean all churches accept this application—but it is a faithful extension of Paul’s principle if we read it through the lens of grace, equality, and the tearing down of dividing walls.

“Day by Day”: Finding Meaning in Solitude Through Song

August 7, 2025The Curious PilgrimLeave a comment

This morning, during my quiet prayer time, I came across a hymn that spoke directly to a deep place in my soul. “Day by Day” by Karoline Sandell-Berg is more than just a beautiful piece of music—it is a profound reminder of how God’s love sustains us, even when life feels confusing, lonely, or uncertain.

In a moment of reflection, as I pondered the questions I often carry—Why am I alone? Why don’t I have a partner or husband? Where do I fit in this wide world?—this hymn gently answered.

A Hymn Born from Grief

Karoline Sandell-Berg, a Swedish hymnwriter, experienced great sorrow early in life. At just 26 years old, she watched her beloved father drown during a boat trip. Out of this tragedy came one of the most tender hymns ever written—a song of trust, surrender, and quiet faith.

“Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here…”

These opening lines are not poetic escape—they are a declaration of faith. Not in our own strength, but in the strength God gives each day—just enough for what we need.

The Answer Hidden in the Words

As I sat with the hymn, I heard a truth that I needed:
God does not promise all the answers at once. He promises His presence day by day. When I long for love, companionship, or a clearer sense of purpose, I am reminded that what God gives is not random. It is what Karoline calls:

“The Father’s wise bestowment.”

I may not understand why I walk this journey alone, but I am not unloved. I am not unseen. What I experience is not absence—it is invitation. An invitation to discover that even in solitude, I am never without God.

Loneliness, Held in Love

“He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best…”

There are days when the loneliness is heavy. Days when silence echoes too loudly. But this hymn does not deny that weight—it holds it tenderly. And then it offers hope.

This hope is not that things will suddenly change, but that each day will come with enough grace to carry us through. That the God whose heart is kind beyond all measure will not fail to provide what is needed—whether comfort, strength, or the faith to keep walking.

A Refrain for the Soul

“Day by Day” reminds me that I am not forgotten. Even without a partner, I belong—to God, to the body of Christ, and to myself. My story is not on hold. It is unfolding under the care of a loving God.

“Help me then in every tribulation
So to trust Thy promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Thy holy Word.”

These words have become my prayer.

Final Thoughts

This hymn is a spiritual roadmap for those of us traveling unfamiliar roads. It reminds us to trust in divine timing, to rest in the daily provision of God, and to believe that love is always present—even if it does not arrive in the ways we imagined.

So today, I choose to live day by day.
I choose to trust.
I choose to believe that I am held.
And for today, that is enough.