I love this! In the Bible, where it says "whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life " and in almost every other instance where the New Testament mentions believing in Jesus, the Greek word translated "believe" actually means to adhere to, to trust, and to rely on. It's my impression most people think believe just means an intellectual agreement that something is true. I used to think that, but it is so much more. Our English word, "believe," does not translate the original word well. I think the translations should include all these shades of meaning to really be accurate. The Amplified Bible does include them.
We must be careful with the word "love" – It is so romanticized in this time and culture. So, what does "loving God" mean? Being faithful to GOD has to do with trusting the “Way Life Is” - trusting the totality of the life that is given us on this planet, Earth. This includes all the aspects of experience which displease, disappoint, and frighten us. Americans often seek a life devoid of discomfort, unrest, and confusion. We often react to life’s difficulties with denial, distrust, and resentment. Yet, the faithful see what is happening and react with trust and a willingness to face Reality. They can direct attention to others and devise solutions to life’s challenges. They walk on life’s turbulent waters. Relevant group and solitary practice help us to maintain and strengthen “the courage to be.’
Ted Lasso shares a picture of a group of flawed individual searching for a way to be meaningful. It provides a glimpse of each character’s journey with help from a caring other. It shares a hope for each of us as we try to find our way to our purpose. We are allowed forgiveness for our shortcomings and our mistakes (sins if you choose). Thanks for sharing the good news.
Diana, our paths cross again: I just LOVE LOVE LOVE that you discovered Ted Lasso!! As I did, late, just this year (after hearing the Ted Lasso name again and again and feeling I was missing out. The last time that happened to me, it was finally YOU, talking about Downton Abbey, that made me tune in, a few seasons late. Thank you for that!) I am also grateful that you recalled for me Marcus' notion of "believe" and "believe" which was a breakthrough for so many. I just listened to the Greyhounds podcast and felt so proud of you as a theologian bringing depth and new insight to Ted Lasso. Yes, it made us HAPPY. Who knew how much we needed that?!
Thank you for sharing this! I too found that section of Borg's The Heart of Christianity very powerful when I read it after coming back to church 20 years ago. Now when I say the creed, I think about giving my heart rather than an intellectual exercise.
We have to be careful with the word "love" - so romanticized in this time and culture. So, what does "loving God" mean? Being faithful to GOD has to do with trusting the Way Life Is;. trusting the totality of the life that is given us. This includes all the aspects of experience (Reality) which displease, disappoint and frighten us. Continual, relevant group and solitary practice help us to build and retain this strength. i
Wilfred Cantwell Smith has written in the same vein - that our Modern take of belief as intellectual assent to propositional truths is a mis-take. See his book "Faith and Belief" for a thorough exploration of the matter. Also see John Hick's "Faith and Knowledge" for an exploration of faith as "experiencing as..."
Thanks for the Borg comments, that was one of my favorite books. I'm reminded of Paul Tillich where he seems to blend belief in the context of faith. Faith being one's ultimate concerns and belief being an act of knowledge. Both express one's ultimate concern, particularly in a religious context. I guess in the context of Ted Lasso, (which I have not seen) "believe" would incorporate the ultimate concern of winning and losing with character, ethics, and hope that we will win next time.
I've come to think we have to TRUST in the Lord and not push to receive answers. My Jesus Calling keeps saying Don't make plans, just keep listening, praying and Trusting All Will Be Well.
Ted Lasso had its ups and downs as a series, but, in totality, it had, and contained, a rather deep resonance. A large part of that belongs to well-crafted, nuanced characters, finely, and sensitively, rendered. The deepest resonance, though, came from the sweet simplicity of its message: doggedness, authenticity, loyalty, and honouring the people who matter in our lives. It was “whole-some” and “whole-making”. And very funny too!
I am wry glad to loosen my attachment to dogma and creeds and doctrine, and just love Jesus. At times I am reluctant to refer to myself as a Christian but, rather, refer to myself as a ‘follower of Jesus’.
I love this! In the Bible, where it says "whoever believes in Jesus will have eternal life " and in almost every other instance where the New Testament mentions believing in Jesus, the Greek word translated "believe" actually means to adhere to, to trust, and to rely on. It's my impression most people think believe just means an intellectual agreement that something is true. I used to think that, but it is so much more. Our English word, "believe," does not translate the original word well. I think the translations should include all these shades of meaning to really be accurate. The Amplified Bible does include them.
We must be careful with the word "love" – It is so romanticized in this time and culture. So, what does "loving God" mean? Being faithful to GOD has to do with trusting the “Way Life Is” - trusting the totality of the life that is given us on this planet, Earth. This includes all the aspects of experience which displease, disappoint, and frighten us. Americans often seek a life devoid of discomfort, unrest, and confusion. We often react to life’s difficulties with denial, distrust, and resentment. Yet, the faithful see what is happening and react with trust and a willingness to face Reality. They can direct attention to others and devise solutions to life’s challenges. They walk on life’s turbulent waters. Relevant group and solitary practice help us to maintain and strengthen “the courage to be.’
Ted Lasso shares a picture of a group of flawed individual searching for a way to be meaningful. It provides a glimpse of each character’s journey with help from a caring other. It shares a hope for each of us as we try to find our way to our purpose. We are allowed forgiveness for our shortcomings and our mistakes (sins if you choose). Thanks for sharing the good news.
Diana, our paths cross again: I just LOVE LOVE LOVE that you discovered Ted Lasso!! As I did, late, just this year (after hearing the Ted Lasso name again and again and feeling I was missing out. The last time that happened to me, it was finally YOU, talking about Downton Abbey, that made me tune in, a few seasons late. Thank you for that!) I am also grateful that you recalled for me Marcus' notion of "believe" and "believe" which was a breakthrough for so many. I just listened to the Greyhounds podcast and felt so proud of you as a theologian bringing depth and new insight to Ted Lasso. Yes, it made us HAPPY. Who knew how much we needed that?!
Thank you for sharing this! I too found that section of Borg's The Heart of Christianity very powerful when I read it after coming back to church 20 years ago. Now when I say the creed, I think about giving my heart rather than an intellectual exercise.
How much more meaningful our ceeds would be with a change in wording.
We have to be careful with the word "love" - so romanticized in this time and culture. So, what does "loving God" mean? Being faithful to GOD has to do with trusting the Way Life Is;. trusting the totality of the life that is given us. This includes all the aspects of experience (Reality) which displease, disappoint and frighten us. Continual, relevant group and solitary practice help us to build and retain this strength. i
Wilfred Cantwell Smith has written in the same vein - that our Modern take of belief as intellectual assent to propositional truths is a mis-take. See his book "Faith and Belief" for a thorough exploration of the matter. Also see John Hick's "Faith and Knowledge" for an exploration of faith as "experiencing as..."
Thanks for the Borg comments, that was one of my favorite books. I'm reminded of Paul Tillich where he seems to blend belief in the context of faith. Faith being one's ultimate concerns and belief being an act of knowledge. Both express one's ultimate concern, particularly in a religious context. I guess in the context of Ted Lasso, (which I have not seen) "believe" would incorporate the ultimate concern of winning and losing with character, ethics, and hope that we will win next time.
Where is “faith” in “belief”?
I've come to think we have to TRUST in the Lord and not push to receive answers. My Jesus Calling keeps saying Don't make plans, just keep listening, praying and Trusting All Will Be Well.
Believe and Belove.
Thanks, Marcus Borg.
Thank you for posting and I Believe //Belove your Inspiration poems this morning!
Ted Lasso had its ups and downs as a series, but, in totality, it had, and contained, a rather deep resonance. A large part of that belongs to well-crafted, nuanced characters, finely, and sensitively, rendered. The deepest resonance, though, came from the sweet simplicity of its message: doggedness, authenticity, loyalty, and honouring the people who matter in our lives. It was “whole-some” and “whole-making”. And very funny too!
Don’t you just love typos- that should be: I am very glad …
I am wry glad to loosen my attachment to dogma and creeds and doctrine, and just love Jesus. At times I am reluctant to refer to myself as a Christian but, rather, refer to myself as a ‘follower of Jesus’.