Exploring Christianity. For people who are curious about Christianity.
Hello and Welcome to Exploring Christianity!
My name is Richard Collinsworth. I am NOT a Pastor, a Theologian, or a Religious Scholar. What I AM is a practicing layman, who like you is attempting to know God better and improve my relationship with Him through the application of Christian Principles (as I understand them).
This site and these blogs are dedicated to helping us all learn and better understand Christianity, the Faith it describes, the Life it intends for us, and the wonderful Future that it promises. Please join me and your fellow readers as we explore questions about our Faith and how we are to relate to it, to God, and to one another.
The Purpose
I have been involved in my chosen Denomination for over 69 years, and I still struggle daily with my Faith and how to live and grow as a practicing Christian. A core Purpose of this blog will be to speak to anyone else who is similarly struggling, or who feels that their personal acquaintance with and understanding of the Christian Faith is inadequate. I have spoken to many wonderful people who have told me that they’d love to go to Church, improve their relationship with their Creator, or engage in dialogue with others about matters of Faith. But, that they felt inadequately prepared for these activities given their self-perceived ignorance of the Church, its beliefs, or its practices. Through this blog, I hope to help reduce this uncertainty, and to encourage the reader to feel more confident as they move toward their own goals for their Faith.
Disclaimer
Please note that I have not (nor do I intend to) disclosed the particular ‘type’ of Christianity that I practice, nor will I proselytize for my chosen Denomination. The comments in this blog are intended to give ‘general’ information about Christianity, its fundamental doctrines and beliefs, and how those doctrines and beliefs can help inform one’s life journey as an aspiring Christian.
Furthermore, the thoughts and opinion expressed herein are my own and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, doctrines, or practices of any particular brand of Faith. I may (and frequently will) refer to the thoughts, writings, or discourses of others who have had (and continue to have) an impact on the Christian Faith and its pertinence to this time. But it is my intent to remain as Denominationally Agnostic as possible, so that each reader can come to his or her own understanding of the material presented and to incorporate it (or not) into their own belief system as best suits their personal search for God and their own developing relationship with Him.
Encouragement
You each are encouraged to read, study, pray and think about these matters on your own, and to come to your own conclusions. You are also encouraged to respond to my postings with Questions, Comments (agree or disagree), Observations or anything relevant to your selected topic that you’d like to share. My thoughts are only meant to get yours started! So, let’s go …
Richard, Your blog are very interesting and informative. They make of think about their own believes. Can’t wait for the next one,
Glad you are enjoying the posts. Don’t hesitatee to give critical feedback as well. And, if there are topics you’d like to see addressed, let me know what they may be.
Richard, in your blog as you share your calling, you are standing for the truth in all matters great and small. I’m glad to know you and share God’s grace and understanding with you! I know it sorta sounds like Mr Roger’s Neighborhood, but I mean it, thank you for being my friend!
I am an ardent follower of your teachings,Richard. I would recommend a book to you, The Light Between Us. by Laura Lynne Jackson. She & I believe light passes between worlds. The spirit is forever connected through Jesus
Christ & love.
Thank you, Dee. I will look the book up.
Richard
Looking forward to joining you, Richard.
Thanks for the thoughtful intro to your blog. I expect I will be one of those who post here and may not have congruent thoughts or beliefs with most others. I was raised the son of a Methodist Preacher and my mother the dutiful preachers wife….so I have a very clear understanding of that denomination’s view of Christianity. I have read widely on Christianity and other religions including the main books like the Bible several times. And, while I understand “faith” as a tenant of most religions to me it is “spirituality” that is the key element in a close relationship with “God” or “higher power” or “Allah”. The name anyone chooses to call the deity seems to me to be beside the point of being a spiritual and caring person. So, as my initial remarks I wish to say I am very glad that you are doing this blog with an agnostic view of denominations, but would suggest that perhaps a broader more productive discussion might take place with an agnostic view of religions?
I am trying to be brief, but am very interested in discussions of most, difficult questions regarding these topics. Good luck and I will continue to read and educate myself with the wealth of knowledge you and the other posters here provide.
Glen:
Thanks very much for your interest and your response. Thoughtful dialogue is one of the main goals of this site, and a skeptical participant is most welcome and appreciated!
While this blog’s primary purpose is to explore Christianity specifically, a broader discussion of the topic of “religion” in general and some overview of other religions might be very helpful. Also, you bring up a good point about “spirituality”. I’d be interested in other readers’ reactions to your ideas. So, let’ see what they say!
Richard
Excited to read your thoughts.
Richard, I’m so excited about this new ministry opportunity for you! I can’t wait to follow your blog. Thanks for sharing with me.
Richard, we are always so blessed when you teach in Sunday school. I look forward to reading your blog as you share what God has put on your heart. Diane Hoggle
HEY DIANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How awesome to read a message from you to Richard! We are all still praying for your continued improvements in health and so grateful to God for every bit of progress He has Provided! Richard is teaching this coming Sunday, so I hope he’ll put something on his blog that he gained from teaching this lesson. Our new book is Sinning Like Christian – A New Look at the Seven Deadly Sins. It should be a powerful study. Blessings and lots of love to you and Al, Susan Mincey
Thank you, Richard, for doing this blog. We love it when you teach in Sunday School class. You are profound in your aproach to Christianity. You speak truth as you know it from your heart and soul. We are always blessed when you teach and now we will get to hear your voice more often. Thank you for following God’s Lead and letting us be a part of it through this blog. I shared it on facebook. Love in Christ, Susan Mincey
Thanks Richard for initiating this blog to share your Christian ideas and beliefs. Looking forward to it!
I’m excited to see what comes from your blog. There can be no doubt that you have great communication skills and an extensive knowledge base. I’m certain I will learn from your insights and observations.
David Wallace
I’ve always wanted you to write a religious book so this is great. Very proud of you.
Thank you for initiating this venture Richard. I look forward to being a part of it.
Thank you for acting on your calling, Richard! This is very exciting!! You are so gifted in this area, and your teaching always leave an indelible mark . So now we can have those profound and thought-provoking ideas about our Lord and Christianity in print!!
Hey Richard!!!!
Excited to follow your thoughts about the Christian concept. Like you, I was raised in it from day one, but at age 77, I am still evolving my own grasp of my Christian existence. This should be interesting!!
Derry
So excited for you!
I’m so excited to begin this journey with you!