Unsettled Christianity

While we have several contributors, the blog’s primary owner is myself, Joel L. Watts. I am a happily married father of three, alive and well in the mountains of West Virginia. I have a few passions in my life. First, my family followed by all things Scripture. I love to read, to discuss, to analyze, to debate, argue and discourse.

I originally began to blog to correct the world and their foolish opinions, but found myself facing challenges that I didn’t except. It unsettled me. It unsettled my neatly trimmed Christianity, and set me on a course to my present position in life. I am a student at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio on the ordination track with the United Methodist Church here in West Virginia although that may chance as I no longer have any desire to preach. I do have a desire to dig deep into the word of God, and strengthen my faith and I hope yours. I attend, proudly, Christ Church United Methodist. While I may not lined up exactly with certain doctrines of the UMC, I have found great freedom to maintain my theological bent while working out my own salvation with God.

Unsettled Christianity is a way to meet the challenges presented in our current world. From theological differences, cultural changes, and biblical studies, Christianity faces difficulties in remaining centered on Christ. Further, we have become too settled in this world, and in large ways, are experiencing a resurgence of modern Constantinism – pleading with the Government or other culture structures to give us peace and to cover us with their cloaks of protection! We settled for a seat at the table in post-modernity, when instead, we have a voice which should be at the door, heard loud and clear.

My Christianity has been unsettled due to biblical studies, theology, science, and culture. I am not secure in my Christianity, but my faith is more assured.

For no one can lay any other foundation than the one we already have-Jesus Christ. Now anyone who builds on that foundation may use gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. But there is going to come a time of testing at the judgment day to see what kind of work each builder has done. Everyone’s work will be put through the fire to see whether or not it keeps its value. If the work survives the fire, that builder will receive a reward. But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builders themselves will be saved, but like someone escaping through a wall of flames.

This blog started as a small and feeble attempt to rid myself of words and thoughts that needed expressed. It was my feeble attempt to do something for the Kingdom of God. It has grown beyond my original intentions. I will focus on doctrine, on helps, and of course on bringing you news that interest me. I like to study. I like to know. Further, I like to know why and what I study and what and why you study what, well, you study. I want to learn more about what I believe, and why I believe it; if I find that my beliefs need to be changed, I will change it.

I enjoy a good debate and will often post things just for discussion. The one thing that I do not like is debating with the witless. Please do not come to a discussion with some special insight or revelation. I seek to engage atheists, agnostics, pentecostals, or any one really. Do not spam my comments to promote your site. That will not be allowed. More of that in the comment policy.

I am blogging to understand my faith and to defend the Faith. I enjoy deep theology, believing that if a theological precept cannot be proved by the Scriptures, it must be abandoned forthwith.

Please feel free to join in the conversation.

For Resources and Reviews, please see here.

******Comment Policy******

Generally, all comments will be allowed. Comments featuring vulgar speech/words will not be. Links to sites deemed vulgar will be de-linked. Sites to other denominations, etc… will not be touched. You have the right to remain anonymous, as I am not threatened by the unknown.

If you want to leave general comments, please go to the Discussion page.

If you an non-English speaking/writing visitor, and you wish to leave your comment, please feel free to do so. I will do my best to have it translated.

Si vous un visiteur non-anglophone/écriture, et vous souhaitez laisser votre commentaire, sentez-vous svp libre pour faire ainsi. Je ferai mon meilleur pour le faire traduire.

Se voi un ospite scrittura/non di lingua inglese e voi desiderano lasciare il vostro commento, ritenga prego libero di agire in tal modo. Farò il mio meglio per farlo tradurre.

英語を話さないまたは執筆訪問者、およびあなたあなたのコメントを残したかったらそうすること自由に感じなさい。 私はそれを翻訳してもらうように全力を尽くす。

Εάν εσείς ο μιλώντας/γράφοντας επισκέπτης ενός μη-Άγγλου, και εσείς επιθυμεί να αφήσει το σχόλιό σας, παρακαλώ να αισθανθεί ελεύθερο να κάνει έτσι. Θα κάνω το καλύτερό μου να το μεταφράσω.

如果您非英文或文字访客和您希望留下您的评论，请如此做。 我将做我的最好安排它被翻译。

Si usted un visitante no hispanohablante/de la escritura, y usted desean dejar su comentario, sienta por favor libre de hacer tan. Haré mi mejor para hacerlo traducir.

Wenn Sie ein nicht-Englisch sprechender/Schreibensbesucher und Sie Ihre Anmerkung lassen möchten, fühlen Sie bitte sich frei, so zu tun. Ich tue mein Bestes, um es übersetzen zu lassen.

Если вы non-Английский визитер говорить/сочинительства, и вы желаете выйти ваш комментарий, то пожалуйста чувствуйте свободно сделать так. Я сделаю мое самое лучшее для того чтобы иметь его быть переведенным.