It Is Okay to Change Your Beliefs
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
If you are tired of political ads, you are not alone. One of my pet peeves is that one politician will show a video of another politician making a statement years before, making it appear they lack consistent values. Worse, politicians are accused of “waffling” or pandering if they change their understanding. As a pastor, I have been in the public eye for over 35 years, and in that time, my beliefs, ideologies, and socio-political views have transformed and changed in many ways. That is not waffling or pandering but growing.
How shallow our world would be if we had to retain the same belief system from the age of 18 until the day we die. God calls us to a life of intellectual, social, and spiritual transformation. One example of my life transformation is my growth around social justice. In college, I was a religion major influenced by the more conservative professors on campus. Then, I attended a more liberal seminary and learned about liberation theology and other forms of justice ministry. After that, I started serving churches, with many members more interested in personal piety than social justice.
Ironically, my theological reading increased after seminary. Studying in school was theoretical and for passing tests. As a pastor, reading became specific, dealing with real-world issues and their Biblical and theological questions. People’s issues necessitated transformation by fire. One quickly reevaluates thoughts and beliefs when faced with people grasping for life-and-death guidance and support. If you are not empowered to change your beliefs based on life experience, your faith is little more than shallow quips and cute phrases that bring little comfort or understanding.
Today, give yourself and others a break. When their belief system differs from their past, we should not listen for life-long inconsistencies but how their transformations took place and for what reasons. If you dig deeper into someone’s motivations, you will often hear amazing stories of courage, loss, and renewal based on grace, love, and faith. When you give others intellectual grace, you will begin to give yourself permission to learn, develop, and grow. The Holy Spirit is at work in our hearts and minds. Take time to listen, learn, and grow.