Purpose for the blog

Trevor and I have been talking for years about some sort of presence on the internet that could serve as a resource for people walking the long, difficult and sometimes very lonely road away from oppressive pseudo-fundamentalism. This blog is our attempt to do just that. Our mission statement from the first is to lift up Christ, not to tear down any man or institution. Of necessity there will be some difficult issues raised and spoken about on these pages, but we will honestly seek the Lord with all of our hearts to keep a positive, constructive and Christ-honoring tone in all we say. To that end, we are specifically asking those who would simply attack or fight to do so elsewhere. This blog is not geared for the true "believer." If you are fully satisfied where you are, God bless you! We wish you no harm and do not wish to debate you. This blog is for those with questions. There are many questions that simply CANNOT be raised in the Extreme Independant Baptist circles both of us come from. To raise those question is to be "disloyal" or a "rebel" or a "liberal." As Ben Stein points out, questions not adequately answered don't tend to go away. If you're not satisfied with being told to shut up and get back in the box, this blog is a safe place to dialogue, test your ideas, or simply interact with others who have made the journey.

Both of us have struggled through many difficult questions. We do not pretend for a moment to have all the answers; in fact, part of maturing in Christ is coming to the point where you realize you DON'T have all of the answers. Though we have come to certain conclusions in different areas, we do not approach this blog dogmatically, rather seeking to encourage real questions and real thinking. You will probably leave here disagreeing with us, and you know what, outside of the box, that's not a crime! God calls us to use the reasoning faculties He has given us and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, NOT a man or a movement.

Both of us have experienced something akin to the title of this blog. Early on in the process as you wrestle with difficult questions and feelings in your heart, it's very difficult; but there comes a day when you break out of the box. A day when it fully dawns on you that you CAN think for yourself, that you CAN come to different conclusions than the ones being force fed to you! It's like stepping out of a box and seeing the mountains for the first time. You stare in sheer wide-eyed wonder, and you begin to realize that you have been confined all of this time in a man-made, tradition hardened box, and the whole time you had missed THIS! Our prayer is that you will experience that moment! Our prayer is that your journey will draw you closer to Christ as ours has, not take you to a place of bitterness and anger. Sure, you could focus on the box, it's makers, and keepers and be distraught, or you could focus on the mountains and soak them in, enjoying every single moment of your new found freedom.

Feel free to leave comments or questions. You can do so anonymously if that would be better for you. You can feel free to contact either of us and know that we will gladly be a sounding board for you and keep a confidence. There is a link provided to our forum where you can participate in a wide array of dicussions. May the grace of God keep you and may you rejoice in the liberty with which Christ has made you free! Blessings!


Tony