Have you been in your church a number of years? Or at least that kind of church? Perhaps you grew up there? You know what you believe and why? Comfortable?

Maybe it’s time for a change!
No, you don’t need to become a Buddhist. And I’m not suggesting that you throw caution to the wind, or jump to the conclusion that everything you know is wrong. But maybe – just maybe – some stimulating challenge would be a good thing.

You might ask yourself, “Why should I spend all my time listening to people who agree with me?” Really; why should we only read things that reinforce what we already believe? Wouldn’t it be more profitable – more challenging – to read or listen to someone who might disagree with us; perhaps read something outside our comfort zone that would make us think?

I am not suggesting that you read or listen to things that are disrespectful, disreputable, or base. But I am suggesting that there are many Godly people who have very different views from whom we might learn much.

In conversation, we often spend the time while others are talking formulating our response. And the topics flow and rapidly change. We don’t have the ability to think critically during an animated discussion, and we forget the things we hear that might be fruitful in further study. But even there, if the conversation is for the purpose of learning from others, conversation with well-chosen people to discuss challenging topics can be very profitable. And learning doesn’t imply changing our views; it simply means learning how and why others have views that are different from ours. Obviously, that might lead us to change our views, but the value is in critically examining our views in the light of different views and deep thought and study.

Reading, on the other hand, is a more comfortable way to be challenged, and can be a very profitable way to stretch and grow. But, to be challenged to grow and change, the reading must include items that confront our views and make us thnk seriously about what we believe. Sometimes, simply reading a different translation of the Scriptures will give us genuine insight into the meaning of Scripture.
And reading an author who believes differently – but who has a life of integrity and authenticity – can be valuable and richly rewarding.

Listening – as opposed to conversation – is also a great option today in unprecedented ways. Audio books, tapes and CDs, padcasts and Youtube videos are wonderful ways to expand our understanding. Most of us spend time driving alone; time that could be well spent learning and growing.

Let me tentatively make a few suggestions:

● Ask a friend who attends a different kind of church to explain what
she believes about a particular topic, and really listen and try to understand her views.
● Read a book that helps you dig deeper into Biblical Truth, and spend
time thinking about what you read. I recommend something by Dallas Willard or George MaDonald. There are thousands of books freely available at books.google.com and gutenberg.org, and an ebook reader is excellent for such material.
● Read a different translation of Bible, and compare it to the one you
know so well. See if it expands – as opposed to alters – your understanding of Scripture. For that purpose, I recommend The New Living Translation.
● Burn some free podcasts to a CD for your car, and use your drive
time to listen to respected men and women from all walks of life address topics in ways that are simply not available locally. I recommend Veritas.org for challenging topics and excellent, decidedly Christian presentations.

Sometimes, by listening and studying carefully and being willing to examine rather than justify our own views, we might actually be willing to hear what God has to say.

Acts 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures