I was brought up in the church ruled by Francis Chan, Mark Driscoll, and Matt Chandler. The real shift away from that happened in 2016 when I was diagnosed #actuallyautistic and then the election within weeks of each other.
Having my eyes opened to both my own disability as well as the violent level of blowback I got for admonishing others in the church showed me it does indeed take faith to move mountains.
My story now in Christianity is that I continue my education in interpretation of the OT. But being on the outside of hermeneutics by a matter of neurophysiology has shown me new voices. I almost hate that I bought into the Acts29, alpha-male, “complimentarianism” rhetoric.
But it goes to show what education and critical thinking does in an #evangelical space. I have been ridiculed, ignored, ghosted, and abandoned by people I was supposedly close to in faith and friendship.
The fact that I gender-fluid is another landmine for most imperialistic Christians who can only see in binaries. My brain doesn’t work on a binary, neither does my gender. The Autistic community is much more understanding.
The seminary I attend is at least somewhat cognizant of this, recognizing and affirming both the privilege of the white Christian as well as its inherent bigotry. That is, at least, a breath of fresh air.
This is the space I inhabit now. I am concerned with the text of the Bible in its own context, and attempting to eschew my imperialistic, colonial assumptions when applying hermeneutics.
I cannot say the Bible means whatever you think it does, but I also grant that there are interpretations “from the edge” that are valid from someone else’s POV. Indeed, even as an Autistic, I recognize I interpret things differently at the point of application.
I’m learning a lot from the space in social media that allows these kinds of topics arise without judgement. I have so many questions for some, answers for others. I like to embrace uncertainty and discomfort. That’s how I learn and maybe some of you do too.
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