Heretic or Filthy Christian

 Drawn to the old ways yet Chosen by God. It’s not as difficult as it sounds. Spending two years in prison at the age of 18 does have some perks. I know sounds really dumb, but it gives a person time to think. That’s about all that happened. Well other than working out, smoking, and eating various forms of top ramen. 

I think when you have that kind of time on your hands and relative quietness, you can’t really ignore that one question. How did this happen? Could it be the early drug use or “finding your identity in all the wrong groups”. Partially at least. But something was definitely happening spiritually. Anyway the question for me went further back. How did this happen? Turns into what is the point? Turns into I don’t know all sorts of stuff. By the way I’m not an expert writer so if you have something to critique don’t, it won’t do anything except make you feel superior. I’m happy for you. 

So what does a heathen Christian believe? Well, it means that I follow the old traditions of my European ancestors while maintaining my faith as a follower of the Christ. My pantheon is the Great Godhead as found in some versions of Voluspa. I believe that the old gods were created as it is written. Since this is the case there must be a creator. 

So why do I find this to be the God known as Yahweh. This part is interesting. Simply because he called me. Yep just lost some of you. When I was 4 I saw one of those Jesus shows on tv. He was healing people and seemed pretty important. I knew something was going on with this. Years later I was knee deep into drugs and alcohol I mean deep. Rock bottom. I was depressed and feeling worthless. In a moment I had placed a 12 gauge shot gun barrel neatly behind my teeth. I can still taste the metal sometimes. Anyway for some reason I called out to whatever God was listening gun still in mouth. From out of no where our family dog “Rosie” came in with a whimper and put her paw on my thigh. There was a still small voice that begged me not to do it. That there was a plan for me. 

Obviously I did not do it or I would not be writing this post. There was no miracle conversion, just a lot of questions. And more drugs. Looking back I think the drugs weren’t helping. Matter of fact if I hadn’t of been looking to get more of them I wouldn’t have gone to prison. Circle back Steve, that’s my name by the way. 

I spent the next 2 years in prison where I studied all types of religion. Buddhism,Wicca,Mormonism,Kabbalah. I was a straight Odinist for a while. Nothing quite connected the old ways felt right but this Jesus of the Bible also felt right. I spent a lot years being a normal Christian. Studied pretty hard and long. Went to Ecuador on mission. Became an elder/assistant pastor. Was a spiritual coordinator for a medical outreach. Spent a lot of time in Guatemala as a missionary doing water projects in remote villages. All this to say God was using me! 

So that sounds like you are just a Christian. Yes, yes it does. There was always something building in me at the same time I couldn’t shake my ancestral heritage. I met this group a while ago. They go by many names. One in particular is “Hebrew roots” some sort of Christian that is more like a Jew and not much Jesus. Apparently if you don’t believe what they believe you are considered a dootdoodledoo trumpet sound “heathen”

Well duh, pff. I mean I’m not Jewish, I know that. Many years of  hearing this and guess what the shoe fits. I love to read the eddas and contemplate the runes and seasons and nature. Guess what yeah I feel closer to the creator in the woods or on a mountain or next to the sea. The creators energy is all around us. 

The nine noble virtues not a problem. The Bible teaches the same stuff. Voluspa to the book of revelation. There is continuity. See these stories are similar because we all go back to the same beginning. The point is we don’t have to disregard all our history to follow Jesus. I can be heathen as I interpret it and a God fearing person. 

There is some tension here. As I am definitely not a universalist. I believe “the gods”were here to show us something. I believe God allowed for this so as to show his Grace. I believe that You can be a believer in both the old ways and Christ. He has continued to teach me and guide me. His light will forever guide me. 

The old ways continue to guide me and connect me. The ancestors continue to bid me join them in Valhalla. To fight for our people our ways and never forget. There is wisdom and strength in our past. I will not be a sheep and lay down. 

Remember that if you feel torn, you are not alone. Don’t give into the split live out your faith. You don’t have to relinquish your heritage to have true faith. Thank you for reading, if you made it this far. Feel free to ask questions or comment. If it’s not rude I will try and get back to you. We will be doing more online stuff as it comes up.

THE NINE NOBLE VIRTUES:

1. Courage

2. Truth

3. Honor

4. Fidelity

5. Discipline

6. Hospitality

7. Industriousness

8. Self Reliance

9. Perseverance

Galatians 2:14b If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force a Gentile to live like a Jew.
Galatians 5:3&4

3 Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.