I teach Church History and Bible classes as an adjunct. This past week I had an Orthodox friend of mine come in and speak on Eastern Orthodoxy. He is a man that is a dear friend. We agree on very little politically. (Well, you’d think we don’t agree, but when we talk we are quite civil.) We have incredible conversations on politics, culture and theology.

One thing I have so deeply appreciated in Orthodox theology as I have learned more about it over the years is the willingness to embrace mystery. There are things we simply just don’t know. And we need to learn we honestly can’t explain absolutely everything.

I have to tell you, it is refreshing. The theological grenades just don’t get thrown around when we talk. He doesn’t call me “barely saved” if I have an Armininian point of view. He doesn’t call premillennialism “anti-gospel.” There are just things we don’t know fully. Have grace. Love Christ. Love his Church. Love your neighbor.

I may be “barely” saved and possibly “anti-gospel” to some (if I could ever figure out the millennium like so many other brilliant people seem to have already accomplished), but I do know that if someone really does “have it all together” and could be a Calvinist and/or Amillennial, I happen to love them, too. I happen to think we could disagree on some of that stuff and end of loving the exact same Jesus.

And I really hope we end up living close together in heaven. That way, every “day” (whatever a “day” may constitute in heaven), I’m going to show up at their door with a cup of coffee for them and say, “Look, I’m still here!”

Grace and peace to all, even those who have it figured out… but especially to those of us who don’t.

Barely saved and loving Jesus,

The Apprentice