Theology
Valley & Mountain is rooted in the subversive and mystical Christian traditions. The mystical tradition promotes a theological posture of humility, realizing that God breaks all boundaries and categories. There is an ultimate truth, but we may only have a fragment of it. In that spirit we practice an attitude of hospitality for wisdom from all paths and experiences. The subversive tradition experiences God as a force of liberation in the world, and calls us to align ourselves with the oppressed.
Both traditions emphasize the call to personal and social transformation, more than the acceptance of a long list of particular doctrines. Because we are not dogmatic and we affirm that a vibrant spiritual life evolves over our lifetime, many people find this to be a safe place to ask honest questions, wrestle, disagree, take stances, and go through changes. At the same time, we take beliefs and theology seriously, and one of our core values is helping people to dive deeper and constantly cultivate a more mature spiritual life and practice.
One thing we all share at V&M is the desire for authentic community in which to develop mature spiritual lives that are rooted in transformative love—not sappy sentimental love—but rather an unconditional, liberating love that confronts injustice and alienation, and generates community, creativity, and wholeness. Many of us in the V&M community call this love grace, the source of it God, and see its embodiment in Jesus who confronted oppression at every turn. We affirm an Original Blessing (rather than original sin) from our source, the Author of Life. Whatever perspective you have, you are welcome at V&M.