Jeremy L. Berg

We Christians in the Christian blogosphere can easily isolate ourselves and our writing into a little club of associates who all speak our language and understand our biblical framework.  This goes for Christians in general who only surround themselves with other Christians and pastors whose social interaction is almost exclusively with fellow believers.  

When was the last time you had to answer some very basic, fundamental questions about your Christian faith and beliefs to somebody not completely immersed within the Christian subculture?  I was recently interviewed by a family member for a college paper for a class on an Introduction to the Christian Faith.  

How would you answer the following questions? For what it’s worth, here’s a glimpse at my off the cuff answers.

1. What program of Christian or general religious education has most significantly shaped your view of life?

My understanding of the Christian faith and worldview was initially shaped heavily by the Bible-based expository teaching of Pastor David Johnson at Church of the Open Door.  He unpacked the Bible’s meaning verse-by-verse and then applied the truth in relevant, personal ways. My church upbringing as a child provided warm relationships and some spiritually enriching experiences (e.g., Mission Trips).  

 Most significant in my journey of faith has been a rigorous 7 years of academic study of the Bible and Theology at Bethel University (B.A.) and Seminary (M.A.T.S.).  In college I experienced a radical and sudden “spiritual awakening” or “transformation” through a powerful encounter with Scripture.  The simplest way to summarize this experience is this: I discovered God’s bigger Story and my role to play within the unfolding plot of redemption history.  Ever since I’ve been trying to align my life with God’s purposes by finding my unique role in advancing the Kingdom using my unique gifts and passions. I have devoted my time and vocation to studying and teaching others the Christian faith through the teaching of the Bible and Theology. My influences are many which include Greg Boyd, N. T. Wright, Dallas Willard, C.S. Lewis to name a few.

 2. How does Christian worship (or another Christian experience) impact your daily life?

While many experience the reality of God through such spiritual practices as prayer, service, Christian fellowship, Bible Study groups, worship, the arts, etc., I am an intellectual who experiences the beauty and truth of God most powerfully through reading, writing, studying, discussing and teaching on all things found at the busy intersection of faith and everyday life.  I post daily essays and discussions at my Daily Illumination blog at www.jeremyberg.org. I read incessantly and write constantly.  I believe God’s beauty and truth permeate the entire creation, and I am continually discovering that the more I learn about God and the nature of his redemptive project carried forward in Christ, the more I realize I have yet to learn.

3. What are some of the struggles that you face in your Christian life? 

This can be answered in a couple ways.  First, Christians share in all the struggles common to man.  Christianity doesn’t promise to deliver us from trials or make our lives less difficult.  We all live life in a fallen and sin-stained world.  However, secondly, following Christ often creates new problems and challenges as we resist the tide of the culture and strive to live in holy obedience to the demands of the gospel.  Jesus warns us clearly:“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  Elsewhere we read:“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12-13). The difference is that Christians have vast resources for coping with loss, growing through trials, finding hope beyond ourselves and our circumstances, and find healing and restoration through the power of the Holy Spirit. “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong [in the Lord]” (2 Cor 12:10).  

More personally, I have struggled to remain faithful to God’s vocation on my life while swallowing my pride and resisting the desire for more worldly wealth and luxuries that might come if I pursue my own preferred career path.  I am currently a youth pastor who feels gifted and equipped for work in more reputable field of academic teaching. Nonbelievers are free to choose their calling; Christians must obey God’s call and direction in their life.  

I also struggle to live out faithfully the beliefs and values I hold so dear.  Christians are well-known to be hypocrites who “talk the talk” but do not “walk the walk.”  I strive to be humble, faithful, honest and follow the example of Christ the best I can.  I have a deep awareness of my own sinfulness and a strong view of God’s grace.  I believe Christianity is good news for broken people, and the church is first and foremost a hospital for sinners.

And, of course, a thousand other struggles too embarrassing to admit. 

 4. What are some of the struggles that you can share about living in the workplace and being true to your convictions?

I struggle to share my beliefs and convictions with non-believers in ways that are warm and winsome, honest and true.  In a pluralistic culture whose highest value is tolerance and in a relativistic society that rejects all absolute truth claims as arrogant and suspicious, Christians who believe in the divine authority and truth of the Bible have an uphill battle.  I find myself in the heart of this battle, engaging skeptics and teaching young students how to think rationally and open-mindedly about ultimate issues of faith, morality and truth. 

5. In your opinion, who is Jesus Christ?

I believe Jesus, in concordance with the ancient creeds and the testimonies of the Scriptures, is the divine, heaven-sent Son of God and long-awaited messiah foretold in the Old Testament.  I believe Jesus is the full self-disclosure of the invisible God (cf. Heb 1:3; Col 1:15-20).  Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” (John 14:9).  I believe Jesus is one in essence with the Father and Holy Spirit and God incarnate (cf. John 1; Phil 2:6-11).  I believe Jesus is God’s answer to the world’s problem of sin.  I believe God sent Jesus in the fullness of time to rescue the world from the power of sin, Satan and death.  I believe that Jesus, the second Adam, who was without sin was crucified as a substitute atonement for sinful humanity to reconcile humanity to God.  I believe God vindicated Jesus’ death by raising him bodily from the grave after three days. He will come again to judge the living and dead, and usher in God’s everlasting reign of peace and justice.  Jesus is my savior, my lord, my master teacher and example for life. And I’m only getting started…

6. What do you believe to be the greatest benefits of living a life of faith in Jesus Christ?

I think I’ve probably answered this above.  =)  Put simply: I have meaning and purpose in this life (i.e., to advance Jesus’ Kingdom on earth by serving God and others in love) and hope in the life to come.