About
I am a credentialed mental health professional (LMHC) in the State of New York, Professor at Syracuse University, and hold graduate degrees in theology and psychology. In addition, I have served as a pastor. Among my 25 published books (all available through amazon.com) are "Christ as Counselor" and "Rethinking Religion, Whatever You Believe." The latter includes the following statement of faith:
What I Believe
I believe God exists. I believe this knowing God's existence cannot be proven scientifically, historically or philosophically. I believe in God as an exercise of faith. Further, I believe the eternal Creator outside of space and time entered human history 2,000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus of Nazareth, carpenter and itinerating rabbi, was God living out an authentic human life on earth – this I believe. Of course, there are those who could say to me, “Max, if you were born in India you would be a Hindu and believe in reincarnation and many gods.” Since I am well occupied living the life I have, I choose not to speculate on other lives I might have had. I believe God has placed me in space and time where I am. Where others have been placed is part of God's design for them.
I believe the crucifixion of Jesus Christ provides for reconciliation between God and humankind. I do not believe everyone who is not a practicing Christian is condemned. Those who are incapable of affirming faith in Jesus Christ (i.e. those who die in infancy or childhood, the profoundly mentally ill or mentally handicapped, and those circumstantially prevented from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ) are not condemned.
I believe God's love is unfathomable. As much as I love my daughter, God's love for me is immeasurably greater than any parental love. I believe I offend God many times every day – in thought or deed or both and my sins injure others and me as well as disappoint God. I believe the repetitive forgiveness of God establishes my obligation to forgive others.
I agree with Rabbi Jonathan Sacks' estimation that, “Belief in God has historically been the only way to establish the moral limits of power." In response to a dichotomy presented by John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address, I believe “the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state but from the hand of God”
I believe religion to be excellently defined by Randolph Lumpp (“intensive and comprehensive belief”) and William James (“the human attempt to live in harmony with an unseen order of things”). I maintain that belief in God, although fragmentary, is rational as Mortimer Adler posited. And I still consider the strongest argument against God's existence and faith's greatest challenge the realities of evil and suffering.
I believe all of the above in faith, because it makes sense to me and resonates with my life experience and education.
The invocation at the 1992 commencement at Boston University was given by Fred Rogers of “Mister Rogers' Neighborhood” (05/22/1992). After leading 20,000 people in singing “It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” he offered this advice: “Graduates, always behave in such a way that you'll never be ashamed of the truth about yourself.” When I live up to what I believe as a Christ-follower I am never ashamed. What could be more practical?
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