Hi! I’m Chris Shaddix. Thank you for checking out Bear Theology. I’m a follower of Jesus, husband, father of three young children, and a pastor for more than twenty years. I’m moved by the way my faith and theology work itself out through the nitty-gritty of everyday life. I created this blog as a place to process and share these experiences with others.

WHY “BEAR THEOLOGY”?

There are a couple of layers of meaning in this title for me. ‘Bear’ is a play on the words bear and bare, capturing my appreciation of bears and a desire to speak about theology in a vulnerable and honest, ‘lived and breathed’ sort of way. Here I hope to process my questions and doubts, tensions and conclusions as I journey with God, in hope that my experience connects with others along the way.

Bears are said to be intelligent, curious, nurturing, protective, faithful, and empathetic creatures. They are stout and strong but not aggressive, able to fend off threats as the situation calls for it but are otherwise peaceful and content to mind their own. I love this! God has used the imagery of bears to guide aspects of my spiritual journey in recent years, especially in terms of the work he has been doing in me.

FAITH LIVED IN POWER & VULNERABILITY

I see faith as a journey lived in power and vulnerability. Faith is the exercise of trust, and an acceptance that parts of us and the world we inhabit are not as they should be. Faith awakens us to the Holy Spirit who ever empowers us toward greater freedom and wholeness as we become more like Jesus.

Thank you for meeting me here! I look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions, whether we’re in similar or even very different places in life.