Hi! I'm Kristien, a returning member! I had this posted over on the Progressive Christianity Board, and some one mentioned I might get better feed back over here, so I moved it.

I wanted ya'll's opinion on something. I've been struggling with what faith I truly believe in for about two years now. When I was 15, I found Wicca and it was very appealing to me because I've always loved nature and it was something I could be passionate about after a rather lack luster faith upbringing. I'm 20 now, and in the past two years or so, I've realized that I do believe in Jesus for various reasons, but I miss certain aspects of what Paganism brought to my life, like a closeness with nature and the mystical nature of it.

Anyway, what I want to know is, do ya'll think it is acceptable (by whom, make your own judgements) to believe in Jesus Christ, but to see God as multiple aspects of one god? That is, to revere the feminine and masculine sides of God separately, as well as other aspects, as in certain Pagan religions.

This is something I've been trying to figure out. I want my faith to fulfill me and make me happy. Wicca made me happy, so does believing in Jesus, but I want to find a way to incorporate both into my life.

I don't know a lot about Celtic Christianity, but I would like to learn more about how God is viewed and worshiped through Celtic Christian eyes.

Thanks, ya'll!
Kristien

[QUOTE=southernbelle;149128]Hi! I'm Kristien, a returning member! I had this posted over on the Progressive Christianity Board, and some one mentioned I might get better feed back over here, so I moved it.

I wanted ya'll's opinion on something. I've been struggling with what faith I truly believe in for about two years now. When I was 15, I found Wicca and it was very appealing to me because I've always loved nature and it was something I could be passionate about after a rather lack luster faith upbringing. I'm 20 now, and in the past two years or so, I've realized that I do believe in Jesus for various reasons, but I miss certain aspects of what Paganism brought to my life, like a closeness with nature and the mystical nature of it.

Anyway, what I want to know is, do ya'll think it is acceptable (by whom, make your own judgements) to believe in Jesus Christ, but to see God as multiple aspects of one god? That is, to revere the feminine and masculine sides of God separately, as well as other aspects, as in certain Pagan religions.

This is something I've been trying to figure out. I want my faith to fulfill me and make me happy. Wicca made me happy, so does believing in Jesus, but I want to find a way to incorporate both into my life.

I don't know a lot about Celtic Christianity, but I would like to learn more about how God is viewed and worshiped through Celtic Christian eyes.

Thanks, ya'll!
Kristien[/QUOTE]

Hello, Kristien, thanks for your post! It comes at a most interesting time in my life. You see, I am an ex-pagan convert to Christianity, and have felt a call to create a ministry that addresses some of the very concerns you have raised. I have been struggling with the thought that maybe I was being self-indulgent in this, and that perhaps no one else had these thoughts or struggles. I kept the faith though, and have ated as if it is valid, and then, hereyou are. Rather than repeat a lot of what I've already said, I have an under construction web-site that has some detail as to how I've come to terms in my understanding and belief about the nature of God. Feel free and check it out (especially the about us part) http://www.forministry.com/USTXNONDESFLTL. I'm also working on a book tentatively titled A Postmodern's Liturgy: Doing High Church in a Low Tech Way. In this book I look at celebrating the liturgical year of the church in a way similar to and partly incorporating the wheel of the year, fotr those of us who find connection through rhythmic, cyclical celebration, but find aspects of High Church stale and unmoving. I'd be more than interested in discussing this further.

Peace,

David

Hello Kristien,
May I offer a couple thoughts on your question, and what seekrdrd has said?
I think that possibly, as women, we are often so filled with the masculine image of God, that we don't think it "right" to see Him as being all the aspects of  what we percieve as male and female natures.
When you really fully realize that GOd created gender, that He put within us the nature, the instincts, abilities, and concepts that are built into us, then certainly He has to have in His divine nature the purest and fullest form of all those things. We are created male and female so that we could procreate and populate the earth,(we sure did that part well), but so that we could be in relationship with each other, nearest to that relationship within the trinity. God is in Himself a relational being, and being created in HIs image, we are by nature beings of relationship. SO as, seekerdrd said, the aspects of male and female are not separate in God, He is a being that contains all the things we know Him to be, but without compartmentalizing those things. This is difficult for us to grasp fully, but the most simple way I can understand and explain it is that GOd is not more just than He is merciful, not more powerful and almighty, than He is tenderhearted and meek, not more the shepherd, thant the lion of Judah, not  more the wielder of the sword of truth, than the God-man willingly beaten and bleeding for us on the cross. ALL these aspects in equal measure is our Creator!!!
Hope this helps...
Jill     PS.... woman to woman, there is no aspect of our female nature, whether physical, or spiritual, that He does not understand or relate to. It is not like going to an earthly father, or medical doctor and thinking,"oh, what could he possibly know or understand about what I am feeling or suffering, he's a man!) God is the Creator of both genders, and is fully, intimately knowledgeable about what He created, so women should never be shy about talking to Him about any need, or question or concern. Jesus in human form is a man, but being God, He understands. Again, hope this helps... if you ever want to, please feel free to email me, just go to my profile and leave me a message... Jill

Dia annseo isteach!
God to all here!

Greetings,

Since you posted your request in several places, I will just supply a link to my answer for you on CCS.  http://www.quicktopic.com/31/H/ACD32UG6jYw/m4892  Feel free to continue the discussion in either site if you have more questions!

Slan,
Marty