“Eventually the dying man takes his final breath, but first checks his news feed to see what he’s bout to miss. And it occurs to him a little late in the game, we leave as clueless as we came from rented heavens to the shadows in the cave, we’ll all be wrong someday” – Father John Misty “Ballad of the Dying Man”
We are all theologians. Regardless of our beliefs, we have personally held beliefs that are betrayed by our actions and thoughts. However, even the most dogmatic of people are more wrong than they are correct. It is human nature to err in our beliefs, yet to hold so strongly to what we think we know. The problem is often that we hold to the things that matter least. It are those smaller issues we cling to when they are to be held with open hands.
Major in the major, minor in the minor
What are the three most unshakable truths you hold? What are you currently holding on to that you could let go?
Any time you speak of God, His character, or ways, two things happen. First, those you speak to filter all you say through their own lens of who (what) God is. Any time something is found in conflict, spines straighten and blood boils. I would say this is not Biblical, even on matters we are correct on. Take the life of Jesus for example. He spent a good amount of time around those who were on the fringes. They weren’t studious, they didn’t have proper theology or manners. Have you ever been in a bar around 1am? You’ll hear so many speak about God you might mistake it for a church service. They make grand statements of His love and perspective and while many are misguided, these were the people Jesus dined and laughed with. We don’t see in Scripture any instance where He rebuked their bad theology. He simply pointed to Himself so they could learn more. In this, I like to believe He learned what it meant to be truly human – flawed, stubborn, and weak.
The second thing that happens is that we convince ourselves in our correctness. Perhaps the greatest motivation in man is that to convince people we are smarter, more attractive, and put together than we really are. When we are exposed, many of us dig deeper instead of accepting the jig is up. This is dangerous in public places like churches that play off of weaponized beliefs. If mismanaged, the public space can become a violent one (Westboro Baptist, abortion clinic protesters, much of the current POTUS’ base, etc.). Any time you take a grand idea like God and try to put limits to it, from a limited mind, you are undoubtedly going to have blind spots. May we have the courage to admit these and the curiosity to keep on digging.
In 2018, can we simply admit we don’t have it together?
Lord, you are so beyond our reason and understanding. You are also relational and intimate with your people. Help us to know what we can and may that knowledge shine light on that which we do not. Humble us in our beliefs and opinions.
Matt simon blog 