My Chains Fell Off, My Heart Was Free, I Rose, Went Forth and Followed Reason

Paul Benedict is my pen name and is used for two reasons: to
protect those whom I love dearly and who would be subjected to verbal abuse
by those who cannot handle deflections from the Faith and: because of the
counselling work in which I am involved - I have clients who need their
evangelical belief. When I wrote my book, EVANGELICALISM, ANOTHER
HALLUCINOGENIC, I settled on PAUL (a-la-the Apostle) and BENEDICT (the Papal
tag).

I remember, most clearly, the genesis of my gradual evolution from religion
and evangelicalism in particular.

Before doing so, may I share, briefly, why I became a Christian? At a
religious camp I learned that I was a sinner ... separated from a loving God
who gave his son, Jesus, to die for ME. All I need to do was repent as a
sinner (which I, as a 15-year old did), receive Christ as my personal
saviour (which I did) and then witness for Jesus (which I did). I started a
Christian Union at my school and was responsible for leading mates to
Christ. An analysis of this process will follow in my next blog.

Some 6-years later I went to study full time to serve the Lord.

My slow journey out of Christianity began the day before my graduation from
theological school. I spoke to the Vice-Principal expressing my doubts about
the veracity of the Bible and the singular place that Christianity held in
the world. As gracious as ever, this wonderful man listened ... I spoke. At
the end we prayed and the devil was rebuked for tempting me. I graduated the
following day and gave my testimony.

During my some 35 years of ministry I questioned whether the evangelical
faith related to the poor, the suffering and the politically oppressed and
Romans 13 was continually brought to my attention. I could not link with
what the Bible taught and what I saw in practice. My own hypocrisy and those
whom I new within the church rankled ... plus personal trauma tipped the
scales (I have explained this in my book) .

The charismatic experiences were mine. Many came to Christ and much was
accomplished.

My crossing the Rubicon, after years of dripping niggles, was painful. I
felt like a traitor. I had willingly given my years to the Gospel and
Christian work IN HIS NAME and now, in one foul swoop I was beginning all
over again! What lay ahead ...?

This will be continued in my next blog.