The examination of the Bible is often not only an examination of this book. It is also a confrontation with Christian culture, where one stands, with views about God, about the world and about ourselves. The confrontation is multi-layered and corresponds to our humanity.

Not in every community, however, can “free” thinking take place. I myself felt something like this: First there were the disagreements with some doctrines. I realized that the doctrine did not quite fit the Bible texts that were quoted to justify it. For me, that was the starting point for the argument.

Gradually, however, I realized that an examination of the biblical text is only one part of my being a Christian. There are more things to talk about. Should – because often something is tacitly assumed or presupposed as the basis for the community. If one calls the expression of faith “evangelical,” many people can be found under this denominator. Not everyone stays there, however. There are also people who very consciously and often after painful experiences leave this worldview. They become ex-evangelical or even anti-evangelical.

Then there are also post-evangelicals who approach an examination of internalized beliefs. This often concerns teaching, but above all much more. It is about the way to see the world and how to stand in this world as a Christian today. It is an examination in search of an authentic reference to faith. One recognizes that some things in teaching and subculture were not coherent and seeks a better reference. The Bible is read anew, questions are asked anew, and one dares to look for new references for life and faith.

Martin Benz has published a very insightful episode on these developments in his podcast “Movecast”: