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Q &
A
Philip welcomes your questions. If you have a theological
or spiritual question you'd like answered on this web page,
please email Philip at
questionforphilip@philipgulley.org
Philip doesn't
claim to know all things, and his advice is free, so bear in
mind the adage, "you get what you pay for." Also be aware
that his grasp of world religions is tenuous at best, and
downright faulty at worst. But he does have a common-sense
approach to God and religion many people have found helpful.
Q
How can I
effectively respond to those I angrily disagree with,
particularly
relating to the Health Care Reform debate?
Q Explain
why you occasionally reference God as "she" or "Mother."
Q
What are pastors supposed
to do?
Q
What
books do you read?
Q
Can an Army officer be a Quaker, given
the Quaker peace testimony?
Q
Does God listen to me all the time?
Q
Why did you leave the Catholic Faith
to become a Quaker?
QAn American Soldier
overseas writes:
"I am an Army officer and have always wondered if, given
their peace testimony, could I be a Quaker too? I have
wondered this for years and have been too embarrassed to
ask. For what it's worth, I do my best to quietly
explain Quakers to my local national friends (Iraqi,
Kuwaiti, Afghan, etc.). They are amazed that such a
gentle religion could come from such a powerful country with
seemingly limitless wealth. I am not there to convert
anyone, I am only speaking as to show a different side of
Americans that they might not be aware of. It strikes
them as odd coming from an experienced Army officer in full
battle gear speaking of grace, kindness and yes, even peace.
I can tell you that it has allowed me many friends and
bridged gaps."
A Dear Friend,
First, let me
thank you for your question. I've been in touch with
many soldiers who've read my books and written me.
Like you, they've discovered the very real limitations of
war, and have endeavored to create more peaceable
relationships with the people they've encountered.
I know several
Quakers who've served in the military. Some of them
are members of the meeting I pastor. They are, in my
estimation, wonderful Quakers, a blessing to our religion
and our world. Quakerism has made them more sensitive
to the problems of violence, has affected how they approach
their military duties, and I believe made them more
effective envoys for our country.
At one time,
military service precluded someone from belonging to a
Quaker meeting. Thankfully, we eventually realized our
"friendly" perspective can be useful in a variety of
settings and began urging one another to be faithful to the
witness of peace wherever we find ourselves.
I would much
rather a sensitive, thoughtful person, open to the power of
peace, be serving in our military than someone who has never
considered the full implications of violence. I
applaud your gracious spirit and invite you to seek out a
Quaker meeting when you return home. If you're ever in
central Indiana, look us up. In the meantime, I'm
praying for your safe return.
~Phil Gulley
QN.P. from Garland, Texas
writes:
"Is God really listening to me all the time? Because
I'm talking to him constantly, just rambling on about this
and that. And sometimes I get God confused with people
who tune me out when I ramble on, and even set the phone
down and pick it up again. It would be comforting to
me to know that God listens on and on."
A
Dear Friend,
Thank you for
your question. It's a very good one, one that many
others have also asked. Does God listen to us?
The short answer is this: I don't know.
I don't believe
God listens to us in the sense that if we ask, God will
intervene in human affairs and change our circumstances.
I used to believe that, but no longer do. Too many
prayers for healing and peace and intervention have gone
unmet for me to believe in a God who is sitting in heaven
just waiting for us to speak a word so he/she can grant our
desires.
Mostly, I think
the chief value of talking to God (prayer) is about its
ability to understand ourselves, our motives, our ambitions,
our fears, etc. We're probably most honest when we
pray, so in that sense it can be quite revealing. As a
Quaker, and one who values silence, I think we can also talk
too much. Sometimes it's helpful just to sit quietly
and listen. It's hard to learn when we're talking.
This is true in our human relationships, and doubly true in
our relationship with God. Silence can be a wonderful
teacher. Peace to you in your long journey with God's
Spirit.
~Phil Gulley
QKate Tibbits writes:
"I have enjoyed your book "Front Porch Tales" very much,
when I pick it up and read it I find a peacefulness in your
writings about life. You write with affection and
humor about the goodness of those who have touched you.
Thank you for writing this sweet book. My other
purpose in writing is to ask you why you left the Catholic
Faith to become a Quaker? I am interested, I feel that
faith though it is personal is not private, so I hope I
don't appear too bold in asking this question. God
bless you and your family."
A
Dear Kate,
Thank you for
your kind words. I'm glad you've been enjoying my
first book. I speak often about leaving the Catholic
faith for Quakerism, so don't mind your question a bit.
I began
attending a Quaker meeting at the age of sixteen, when our
next door neighbors invited me to participate in the Quaker
youth group they oversaw. Many of my friends were
Quakers, the group was a lively, engaging one, and their
simple, welcoming approach appealed to me.
While some
people leave their childhood denomination for theological
reasons, that was not the case with me. Indeed, when
it came time to attend college and study theology, I
enrolled in a Catholic college.
To be honest, I
have several issues with today's Catholic church. The
sexual abuse of children by priests, though relatively
modest when given the size of the Catholic Church, was
nevertheless shameful. It was, I believe, a direct
consequence of the Church's attitude about sexuality and
celibacy, which I can't help but think attracted priests who
were sexually confused and dysfunctional. I think the
time is ripe, if not long past, for the Catholic Church to
take a hard look at those policies which exclude women from
leadership, which relegate laity to second-class
citizenship, and otherwise diminish the value of all people.
This is not to
say I've found the Quakers a perfect community. Like
any other human institution, we have our faults. We
can be provincial, theologically-backward, and resistant for
spiritual evolution.
Someday, I hope
to find the perfect church. I suspect when I do, they
won't let me join.
Thanks for your
question Kate.
~Philip Gulley
Q
Pastor Scott
Eaton
writes:
"What books do you read? What are some books that have
greatly influenced your life? What are some of the
books you suggest to people (other than your own of
course)?"
A
Dear Scott,
Thank you for
your question. I'm often asked what I read, and I
always give the same answer --anything I can. I enjoy
biographies, novels, mysteries, essays, short stories,
thrillers, history books. You name it, I read it.
Most writers I know spend as much time reading as they do
writing. I read two or three books a week, plus
newspapers and magazines. Writers learn from reading
other writers.
I especially enjoy, and have found helpful, the writings of
John Spong, Marcus Borg, E.B. White, M. Scott Peck and Edwin
Friedman. For aspiring writers, I recommend William
Zinsser and E.B. White. For seekers, Spong, Borg, and other
progressive thinkers.
I seldom recommend my own books. Nothing annoys me
more than a writer always pitching his own products.
Again, Scott, thank you for your good question.
~Phil Gulley
Q
A friend
writes:
"In
your opinion, besides the obvious work of preaching,
what are pastors supposed to do?"
A
Dear Friend,
I've asked
myself that question many times. Clearly, one's faith
tradition determines what type of work a pastor will do.
Growing up in the Catholic church, it was the priest's job
to administer the sacraments. That was his chief role
and it occupied much of his time and attention. My
grandmother was a Southern Baptist. Her minister spent
much of his time leading persons into a saving relationship
with Jesus Christ. In both instances, the pastor's
theology determined the scope and focus of their vocation.
As a Quaker, I don't belong to a sacramental tradition, nor
do I believe non-Christians are lost or necessarily
estranged from God. To be fair, some Quakers do
believe that, but I'm not one of them.
So while I
don't speak for all pastors, I'll tell you what this
pastor does. My chief focus is to help people become
spiritually, emotionally, and relationally well and whole.
I believe each of us have areas in our lives that are
underdeveloped, which cause us and others great pain.
I believe my task is to help persons identify those areas
and give them the tools to grow and evolve. I believe
this is what God wishes for each of us, and as someone who
feels called to further God's work and vision, I have
dedicated my life to this work, too.
Secondarily, I commit a large amount of my time and
resources to making the church a healthier, more loving
community. For too long, the church has been the enemy
of common sense and enlightenment. Whenever and
wherever I can, I urge people of faith to expand their
minds, embrace
the benefits of progress, and put it to use for the good of
the wider world.
These things are important to me, because I believe they
were important to Jesus. If I am mistaken, I take
comfort in the idea that even so, my life's work will not
have been in vain.
Thank you for your question, friend.
~Phil Gulley
Q
Scott Eaton writes:
"Occasionally in your messages you refer to God
as "she" or "Mother." I heartily agree
that God is neither male nor female and that
Scripture sometimes uses feminine attributes to
describe God (i.e. nursing mother). I also
agree that we should do everything we can to
celebrate and affirm the giftedness and value of
women. But as a proper address we only see
God referred to as "Father" or with the
masculine pronouns "he" or "him." I guess
it makes me a bit nervous to refer to God with
feminine pronouns or the title "Mother."
Maybe this is silly of me, I don't know.
However, I'm always jolted a bit when I read
this. Obviously you think it is fine.
Could you explain your perspective and
reasoning? Thank you for your time."
A
Dear
Scott,
Your
questions is an important one, because it gets to
the heart of our perceptions about God. We
have assumed the "maleness" of God for so long, any
suggestion God might be otherwise is jolting to us.
I occasionally use feminine references to God
precisely to jolt my listeners and readers. It
seems to me, when reading the Bible, that folks got
in trouble when they never allowed their assumptions
about God to be challenged. Consequently, it
seems appropriate to do just that sometimes, and one
way is through my language about God. Of
course, God isn't a man or a woman. But in
never hurts to imagine God might possess attributes
we often ascribe to women--nurturing, life-giving,
etc. I do know this. When I first began
using this language about God at my Quaker meeting,
several Friends were alarmed. Now they take it
in stride. I'd like believe that's because
their understanding of God has expanded.
Again,
Scott, thank you for your question.
~Phil
Gulley
Q
Becky Lyon writes:
"I'm re-reading your book If Grace Is True and
again am struck by finding someone who writes so
eloquently about your faith. I found your
writing through a friend who said I should read
your sermons because it reminded her of what I
was expressing about my faith. So I found
a home in your sermons. They continue to inspire
me. Because of your insight and
thoughtfulness, I'd like to ask you to address
my concern over something personal - my reaction
toward people who show up at the town hall
meetings about Health Care Reform, so twisted up
with hatred and misinformation that I'm fearful
of the outcome for our nation and our values.
Without missing a breath, out of these hateful
mouths comes the word "Christian this" or
"Christian that." Unbelievable. My
concern is about my reaction as a person who is
normally absolutely non- violent. I am
filled with such rage and anger when I see and
hear the things that they are saying that I feel
out of control. I would like to get a
perspective that allows me to be more effective
in being able to talk about these issues without
being filled with hate in return. Its' not
in my nature to hate. It is in my nature
to speak out when I see injustice and I
want to continue this work with a more peaceful
heart. It's the only way. I know that this
is a tall order, but any help would be
appreciated, because I need it and so does this
nation."
A
Dear
Becky,
Like
you, I have been dismayed by the hatred exhibited at
these town hall meetings, and perplexed when those
advocating such views identify themselves as
Christian. I see nothing Christian in their
conduct or their stunning disregard for the millions
of Americans without access to health care.
Given Jesus' emphasis on healing, I don't see how
any of his followers could so easily reject the
centrality of healing in the Christian faith.
I don't
mind at all that people oppose the health plan.
It is expensive and bears careful scrutiny.
But I do mind the hatefulness and the stinginess of
spirit that is somehow equated with Christianity.
As
for your own personal response, I would urge you to
be everything they are not--loving, listening,
thoughtful, and compassionate. But I would
also urge you to be bold, to arm yourself with the
facts, to carefully study the health plans in other
nations such as Germany and France, who manage to
provide health care for all much more affordably
that we in America do.
Be
kind, be informed, be bold. That's my plan and
my recommendation to you. Thank you for your
question, Becky. I'm glad you're enjoying the
website and the books. It was kind of you to
write and tell me so.
~ Phil
Gulley
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