Brendlinger on Nagging Questions
A long time ago, in a life time far, far away, I took piano lessons from an amazing woman named Shirley Brendlinger. Presently, she teaches my youngest brother, but what I didn’t know at the time was that her husband is a professor of church history and theology at George Fox University. When Mrs. B heard I was taking my worldview class through the book of Ephesians, she generously sent me a copy of Dr. Brendlinger’s book The Call to Authenticity: A Handbook of Hope for the Church. I can’t yet comment on the substance of the book, but in a sort of biographical introduction, he makes a profound statement about a place I’m been far to many times:
Still, the questions persisted. Adding to the discomfort, when I hinted at those questions with others more experienced and seasoned in ministry, I did not sense resonance with my unease. Not being willing to push them, or to expose my doubts, I felt alone in my uncertainty.
But what is more encouraging is his response:
That turned out to be a good thing. Rather than either alienating those who might not understand, or forming alliances with those who did, I began to search for a better understanding on my own.
Member discussion