© Bildungszentrum Bienenberg, Liestal, Switzerland, Author and published by Lukas Amstutz, 2023,
www.bienenberg.ch, English by Joe Springer, Goshen
How We Believe
Setting Forth an Authentic Spirituality
Thirteen Theses from the Bienenberg
WE BELIEVE HOPEFULLY
God does not give up
The Bible nourishes our hope that God is transforming the world into a safe place
of peace where all tears are dried and all hatred is overcome.
WE BELIEVE JESUS
Jesus teaches us to believe
We trust Jesus and his message of God’s kingdom. In him, we recognize the way that releases us from damaging entanglements and renews relationships. We are freed from having to seek justification for our life on our own.
Jesus believes in us
We sometimes do not trust Jesus and do not practice the things his life models for us. We trust that Jesus will not let us fall and will continue to place his trust in us. This unwarranted offering of relationship moves and changes us.
Jesus helps us interpret the Bible
We draw our cues from Jesus when we read the Bible.
He shows us most clearly who God is and how God is.
The story of Jesus helps us to interpret and weigh the
different voices in the Bible.
Jesus loves our enemies
We learn from Jesus that use of force is never an answer. We resist injustice with non-violent means.
Because Jesus was resurrected, we have confidence that love can overcome evil.
WE BELIEVE TOGETHER
We challenge ourselves
For us, church is a place where community is possible
despite differences and contrasting views. Nobody has everything, but we all have something. Nobody is always right, but we all have a right. Christ is our peace.
We admit doubt
In our faith we do not find unassailable certainty, but
assuredness born of trust. We dare to believe because
God does not despair in our doubt and we can also carry faith for each other.
We learn along the way
Our spirituality needs practice. We believe in the power of regular rituals through which our lives are shaped and strengthened. We try to practice what we believe and to therein recognize Christ. We remain people who are in the process of becoming.
We trust in God’s possibilities
Not everything depends on us. We acknowledge our
personal and communal limitations. In our impossibilities, the spiritual power of God spirit creates wonders beyond our imaginations and efforts.
WE BELIEVE ACTIVELY
We marvel at beauty
In the midst of life, wonderful things happen. We recognize God’s enduring creative and gracious activity in them. We are grateful for all the people who use their abilities to do a lot of good. Life is a precious gift.
We do not give up
In the midst of life, terrible things happen. We are distressed that we are not always able to help, and we feel ashamed when we do not want to help. Nevertheless, we refuse to give up, to become complacent or hard-hearted.
We share our gifts
What we have does not belong to us. We pray and work for the well-being of all creation. We bear witness to our faith through respect for all people and stand in solidarity with all those who may need our help.
We experience our hope
Time and again, people dare to make fresh starts—with God and with each other. Wherever this happens, heaven and earth touch. With gratitude, we see this as a sign of God’s future world of peace, which is spreading forth without overwhelming.
