The juxtaposition of a confident and wagering Christianity (or any faith) is really interesting. I do wonder whether it needs to be either/or. Is it possible to be confident in your faith, but also know that you don't know everything and can't know everything? I think it is. But I also appreciate that the words we use have a history that are unique to our perspectives, experiences, and traditions. I really enjoyed reading this post, especially in reference to how you used to view fellow South Asians. As a Muslim of Indian origin, in the past, I too have taken issue with the syncretism I found - perhaps not as overt as it may have been in your experience. I'm learning to appreciate the history of Islam in India (and the rest of the subcontinent). In an earlier phase of my life, I was made to feel that it was not "pure" Islam, but now I realize that's a woeful misunderstanding of the faith. Thanks for this food for thought, Amar!
Thanks for reading, Rafia—and for sharing your experience! I think you're exactly right. There is a healthy and good place for confidence in one's faith - for Christians, though, I think that confidence is often misplaced in theological systems and the ideas we have about God, rather than God, Godself.
Always glad to talk more about the history of India and the fascinating role religion plays in it.
The juxtaposition of a confident and wagering Christianity (or any faith) is really interesting. I do wonder whether it needs to be either/or. Is it possible to be confident in your faith, but also know that you don't know everything and can't know everything? I think it is. But I also appreciate that the words we use have a history that are unique to our perspectives, experiences, and traditions. I really enjoyed reading this post, especially in reference to how you used to view fellow South Asians. As a Muslim of Indian origin, in the past, I too have taken issue with the syncretism I found - perhaps not as overt as it may have been in your experience. I'm learning to appreciate the history of Islam in India (and the rest of the subcontinent). In an earlier phase of my life, I was made to feel that it was not "pure" Islam, but now I realize that's a woeful misunderstanding of the faith. Thanks for this food for thought, Amar!
Thanks for reading, Rafia—and for sharing your experience! I think you're exactly right. There is a healthy and good place for confidence in one's faith - for Christians, though, I think that confidence is often misplaced in theological systems and the ideas we have about God, rather than God, Godself.
Always glad to talk more about the history of India and the fascinating role religion plays in it.