Ryan SA

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Submitted by Ryan SA on 1 November, 2007 - 14:58.

Country: South Africa

I am 25 and live in Durban, South Africa. I am an environmental scientist specialising in wetlands and I am busy trying to finish my Masters thesis while working at an environmental consultancy. Knowadays I am not as certain and sure of anything as much as I use to be and am at present going through a mini faith crisis. I feel like my search for God has just begun. I attend a seeker sensitive church. Ironically I have no real desire to tell people about my faith and do not hold the same values as my church, which is focussed on ‘saving the lost’. A lot of great things are going down but I can’t help but feel I need to be part of a creative community that is focussed on being God’s new creation in the world instead of trying to convert people. I know no one who has ever heard of this website or Andrew’s and others’views so it is difficult to discuss issues with my fiends. Throwing out ideas about how Jesus did not die for our sins but rather for Israel’s sins did not go down well. Narrative theology is almost unheard of. South Africa is always one step behind, and the church in my experience is predominantly traditional evangelical with a bit of seeker sensitive and pentecostal thrown in. The questions of the emerging church have yet to really hit home here. Except for Rob Bell maybe. Everyone loves Nooma’s come on. But then Rob doesnt identify with the emerging movement. Anyway I’m not crazy about the emerging movement, but I love Brian Mclaren’s books cus he is a good writer. Being extremely reflective and intellectual, books have played a huge role in my life. My favourites include Brian Mclaren’s trilogy, Andrew’s COSM (I just rceived Re:mission - it took like 2 months to get here), Clairborne’s Irresistable Revolution, Willard’s Divine Conspiracy, Bell’s Velvet Elvis, Lewis’ Mere Christianity, Boff’s Cry of the Earth Cry of the poor, NT Wright’s Simply Christian, Yancey’s The Jesus I never knew, and Chalke and Mann’s The lost message of Jesus.

I look forward to contributing to this site, but for now i’m just learning from the discussions and now and again asking questions. I have so many questions so i have to try hard not to burden you guys with my questions.

Thanks