About

Brittany Dowdy is a 24-year-old writer pursuing an MA in Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.  Her passion is in opposing radical feminist theology while upholding the beauty and truth of Christianity.  Or, more generally, opposing stupid, narrow, unorthodox, or otherwise non-Christian theology, from a Biblically grounded position, while celebrating the beauty and truth of Christianity. 

Because God is way more awesome than some people give him credit for, and I want to point that out.

For a glimpse of my theology, please see the confession below:

A PERSONAL CONFESSION OF FAITH, IN RESPONSE TO THE 218TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
by Brittany Dowdy

In light of the actions taken by the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), I felt it right and necessary to lay forth now my personal confession of faith.  It is my hope that this confession will serve two purposes: first and most importantly, to glorify and honor God; second, to provide encouragement for my brothers and sisters who fight alongside me in order to restore our church to God.  I write in the confessional tradition of the church, recognizing and honoring the confessions which came before mine and affirming that I, too, write in response to a threat to the true faith.

I confess that there is one God, who reveals Himself to us in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  I confess that this God is holy, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, just, merciful and good.  I confess that the Father, out of His great love for us, sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to offer Himself up in atonement for our sins.  It is historically beyond question that a man named Jesus and called the Christ lived over 2000 years ago in what is now known as the Middle East; I confess that this Jesus is the Messiah of whom it is prophesied in the Old Testament.  He is fully human and fully divine. He lived a perfect life, without sin.  After three years of ministry and miracles, He was crucified, died, and was buried, and He rose again on the third day.  I confess that His sacrifice was sufficient to cover the sins of all of humanity, and no act of man can add to or subtract from its work. I confess that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that there is no path to salvation and a right relationship with God except through Him.1

I confess that there is Truth in religion and that religious pluralism is illogical and escapist, and wholly incompatible with Christianity.  I confess that this Truth is expressed in the person of Jesus Christ and through the Holy Bible, God’s word to us.  Furthermore, this Truth is vibrant, living, and holy, and while it most emphatically is not “tolerant” in the way the world currently defines that much-abused word, it is the most loving Truth that exists.  It is our responsibility and our privilege as disciples of Christ to proclaim this Truth to the world without compromising or diluting it to make it more acceptable to our audience.  I confess that it is only through the action of the Holy Spirit that a person accepts this Truth, and that proclaiming it will not always be easy or popular; however, that in no way diminishes our call to continue.  I confess that God’s love is proclaimed in this Truth and that it is not an act of love to alter or dilute it as we spread it throughout this broken and confused world.

I confess that humans love because God first loves us.  His love is not the mindless and weak devotion that is put forward by many, but a strong, challenging, tough love which is never satisfied to accept sin but works tirelessly to bring its object to a more perfect state.  I confess that, because of God’s love for us, He works in and through our lives to eliminate, not affirm, sin, and to prune us to make us fruitful.  I confess that this process is often difficult and hurtful, but it is necessary for our good.

I confess that God, in His sovereign will, guided the hands of many men in the recording of His Word to His people, which record we have today in the Holy Bible.  The Bible is the primary source of God’s revelation to us and through it we are to test and interpret all other revelation we may receive.  I confess that God is powerful enough to maintain the Spirit-breathed nature of His Word even throughout the ravages of time and translation.  I confess that some translations are more faithful to the original meaning of the author than others, and that these more faithful texts are more useful; however, His Word, faithfully translated or in the original language, is always useful for teaching, reproof, evidence, correction, and training in righteousness.2

I confess that sin remains unacceptable and that, were it not for Christ’s work on the cross, the sin of each and every human being is sufficient to separate him permanently from the presence of God.  I confess that the Bible is clear on the sinful nature of many of the popular trends of the world today.  This is true especially of homosexual behavior, on which the Biblical witness is clear and consistent: it is sinful.  I confess that it is not love to affirm those of our fellow Christians who sin by practicing homosexual behavior.  Rather, the loving thing to do is to gently correct the misunderstandings regarding the issue of homosexuality and help those who struggle with it to repent and be healed.  I confess that the Biblical witness is also clear and consistent in its definition of marriage: that it is a permanent covenantal relationship between one man and one woman, and this relationship is meant to reflect the relationship between God and His church.  This means that a man is meant to love his wife and give everything for her as Christ did for the church, and that a woman is meant to love her husband and submit to his will as the church does for Christ.3 I realize that this is a difficult teaching for women today, but that does not make it less true.

Finally, I confess that God is eternal, unchanging, and absolutely sovereign.  His power is over all the world and nothing happens that He does not or cannot turn to good for those who love him.4

These confessions are not (and are not intended to be) exhaustive or final.  I do hope that my understanding of God will continue to develop and grow as I continue in my journey with Him.  I write to His glory and honor always, and to the encouragement of my fellow faithful disciples.  To God be the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever and ever. 
AMEN

1 John 14:6
2 2 Timothy 3:16; the Greek word “elegchos” is used both here (translated as “reproof”) and in Heb. 1:11 (translated as “evidence” or “conviction”) - therefore, I have elected to use both words in my confession as I believe that the Bible is also useful as evidence.
3 Ephesians 5:25-33
4 Romans 8:28