It's an interesting discussion. I think Lewis had a point, but it's a tricky one. We walk a fine line between forest and trees.
I was talking to my mentor today about ideologies, and why they are dangerous and why they are useful. At their best, an ideology gives you a bundle of values and ideas that help you interpret and articulate your view of the world. At the worst they calcify your understanding and lock you into your current ignorance.
Faith is obviously a personal thing... and while I am suspicious of super-liberal theologies, not because they have no truth but more because of Lewis' argument about the actual power of such faith in our lives, I'm far more suspicious of 'conservative theologies' that lock their ideologies down with a certainty that I do not believe for a moment is synonymous with what we call 'faith.' I would have faith in the salvific nature of God, of a God that accepts and loves, everything else is window dressing. When we let the curtains begin to hide the God of love and acceptance, we are making a grave error.
So doctrine and dogma provide good signs for us, they point the way, they tell us in which direction to look and help us make sense of something essentially unknowable - but they remain signs, vain attempts to capture that which is infinite in the finite. When we make our doctrines sacrosanct, we are committing idolatry.
Chadholtz
· 1 year ago
Gideon - I like the imagery you use of doctrine and dogma as signs that point the way. This, for me, is what Scripture ultimately is. A great billboard. Karl Barth had a painting in his office of John the Baptist pointing a crooked finger up the hill to Golgotha where Jesus was hanging in the background. Barth said that is a word-picture for what scripture is - always pointing the way to THE Word, not the word itself. I think conservatism has gone so far as to make a god of the Bible, as evidenced by John MacArthur's newest book where he says in the opening lines that Jesus Christ and Scripture are synonomous. Yikes.
William Willimon has a wonderful new book out called "Who Will Be Saved?" In addressing Jesus' statement that he is the "way, the truth and the life" he makes some interesting observations. He wonders what it must have been like to be the minority in Jesus' day as his followers. They left all behind to follow this would-be Messiah and wondered every step of the way if this guy was really legit. They would all eventually die for their unshakable belief that he indeed was. But before they got to that point they went through a lot. The Pharisees were constantly riding them, taunting them for following "this guy" who is probably a son of the Devil rather than God. Can any of us imagine what that must be like? To be going against the grind of your long-held traditions and doctrines? To go against the grain of the established order? They must have been in constant need of assurance. And into this chasm of doubt Jesus speaks these words of life and hope: Don't worry guys, I AM the way, the truth and the life. You are gonna make it by following this route of self-sacrifice. You will have life. Just trust me. Have faith.
peace
River
· 1 year ago
Scripture as a finger pointing at the moon, as it were, is something that I have to keep reminding myself of. If I don't I find myself falling into a mindset that actually drives me away from God and Christ.
All Comments
I was talking to my mentor today about ideologies, and why they are dangerous and why they are useful. At their best, an ideology gives you a bundle of values and ideas that help you interpret and articulate your view of the world. At the worst they calcify your understanding and lock you into your current ignorance.
Faith is obviously a personal thing... and while I am suspicious of super-liberal theologies, not because they have no truth but more because of Lewis' argument about the actual power of such faith in our lives, I'm far more suspicious of 'conservative theologies' that lock their ideologies down with a certainty that I do not believe for a moment is synonymous with what we call 'faith.' I would have faith in the salvific nature of God, of a God that accepts and loves, everything else is window dressing. When we let the curtains begin to hide the God of love and acceptance, we are making a grave error.
So doctrine and dogma provide good signs for us, they point the way, they tell us in which direction to look and help us make sense of something essentially unknowable - but they remain signs, vain attempts to capture that which is infinite in the finite. When we make our doctrines sacrosanct, we are committing idolatry.
William Willimon has a wonderful new book out called "Who Will Be Saved?" In addressing Jesus' statement that he is the "way, the truth and the life" he makes some interesting observations. He wonders what it must have been like to be the minority in Jesus' day as his followers. They left all behind to follow this would-be Messiah and wondered every step of the way if this guy was really legit. They would all eventually die for their unshakable belief that he indeed was. But before they got to that point they went through a lot. The Pharisees were constantly riding them, taunting them for following "this guy" who is probably a son of the Devil rather than God. Can any of us imagine what that must be like? To be going against the grind of your long-held traditions and doctrines? To go against the grain of the established order? They must have been in constant need of assurance. And into this chasm of doubt Jesus speaks these words of life and hope: Don't worry guys, I AM the way, the truth and the life. You are gonna make it by following this route of self-sacrifice. You will have life. Just trust me. Have faith.
peace
Great comments, both of you!