Thank you so much for this. I find it very hard to express to my evangelical family members how I no longer take the Bible literally--including the resurrection and hell, but how I still identify as a Christian (hesitantly) and regularly attend an Episcopalian church. It's a very weird gray space to exist in, but your essay really clarified a lot of the thoughts I have about what it means to follow Jesus, which is MUCH different than what it means to believe in Jesus.
Thank you so much for this. I find it very hard to express to my evangelical family members how I no longer take the Bible literally--including the resurrection and hell, but how I still identify as a Christian (hesitantly) and regularly attend an Episcopalian church. It's a very weird gray space to exist in, but your essay really clarified a lot of the thoughts I have about what it means to follow Jesus, which is MUCH different than what it means to believe in Jesus.
Glad it helped, Sarah! It's sad that we've traded action in the world inspired by Jesus for "right" beliefs about him.