On Mystery And Certainty
The Christian faith is a much more theologically defined religion than are the other two monotheistic religions of Judaism and Islam. We have the definition of the Trinity, the definition of Jesus’ nature, (That he was both fully God and fully human), and other creedal beliefs. Add to that the various denominationally specific beliefs and you get quite a well defined, some would say over-defined, faith. We proclaim our certainty in a lot of matters. Some of these matters, such as the professed belief in the absolute scientific accuracy of the Bible by fundamentalists, are not proclaimed by Scripture itself, but are interpretations of the Scriptures and the history of the beliefs of a particular Christian group. Naturally, as an orthodox Protestant Christian, I believe that some definition is necessary. However, when it comes to lesser beliefs, when we insist that we are right, and anyone who believes what is contrary is not a Christian, we are over-defined and in need of more than a little mystery to counter balance our certainty.
We have just come through the observance of Advent and the celebration of Christmas. Here we see a great mystery. We see God incarnate in human flesh. Many people have profound disagreements with our belief in the Incarnation. They do not believe that God would limit himself to confinement to one human life. The Christian faith teaches that the very Word through which God created the universe is flesh in Jesus. His relationship to God is unique, unlike any before him or since. While God can dwell within us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that does not make us God. Jesus was God in the flesh. Can I explain this? No! I don’t want to explain it. In Jesus we have the unique plan of salvation for all. What about those who don’t believe? What about those who can’t believe? What about those whom Christians have hurt to the point that they feel they can no longer believe? Some will say that are condemned to hell. Some will say through Jesus all are saved, everyone, they are Universalists. I simply stand in awe of the incarnate One and the mercy he has shown. I believe God is extremely merciful and I hope in God’s mercy, but I won’t answer those questions for two reasons. First, Jesus said only God can make those judgments. The second is I am sure God is greater than I can believe or imagine. It is enough that I find my salvation in Christ, and I am called to share his light, for he is the Light of the World. Leave the status of others to God.
We have become so certain that we have lost a sense of the great Mystery. By definition, the human mind can only grasp a portion of that Mystery since God transcends all of Creation. At Christmas, in the incarnation of God, we find our connection to God. We cannot and should not seek to explain that point too much. We should stand in awe of the Word made flesh. That brings worship and a living relationship to God. That brings awe at the gift of life and salvation. Naturally, certain facts flow from that, but we don’t need the answer to every question. We first need to stand in awe of God and beliefs will arise out of that relationship to God, and through God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. Then we can live in the way that Jesus taught and that will keep us busy the rest of our days! If he is our Lord, let us do what he tells us. The Gospel is not just a belief in a few certainties and then we go to heaven. It is an experience of living relationship with the Word made flesh. Let us stand in awe of the Mystery of God this coming year.
In Christmas Peace,
Jim Stahr
The Christian faith is a much more theologically defined religion than are the other two monotheistic religions of Judaism and Islam. We have the definition of the Trinity, the definition of Jesus’ nature, (That he was both fully God and fully human), and other creedal beliefs. Add to that the various denominationally specific beliefs and you get quite a well defined, some would say over-defined, faith. We proclaim our certainty in a lot of matters. Some of these matters, such as the professed belief in the absolute scientific accuracy of the Bible by fundamentalists, are not proclaimed by Scripture itself, but are interpretations of the Scriptures and the history of the beliefs of a particular Christian group. Naturally, as an orthodox Protestant Christian, I believe that some definition is necessary. However, when it comes to lesser beliefs, when we insist that we are right, and anyone who believes what is contrary is not a Christian, we are over-defined and in need of more than a little mystery to counter balance our certainty.
We have just come through the observance of Advent and the celebration of Christmas. Here we see a great mystery. We see God incarnate in human flesh. Many people have profound disagreements with our belief in the Incarnation. They do not believe that God would limit himself to confinement to one human life. The Christian faith teaches that the very Word through which God created the universe is flesh in Jesus. His relationship to God is unique, unlike any before him or since. While God can dwell within us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that does not make us God. Jesus was God in the flesh. Can I explain this? No! I don’t want to explain it. In Jesus we have the unique plan of salvation for all. What about those who don’t believe? What about those who can’t believe? What about those whom Christians have hurt to the point that they feel they can no longer believe? Some will say that are condemned to hell. Some will say through Jesus all are saved, everyone, they are Universalists. I simply stand in awe of the incarnate One and the mercy he has shown. I believe God is extremely merciful and I hope in God’s mercy, but I won’t answer those questions for two reasons. First, Jesus said only God can make those judgments. The second is I am sure God is greater than I can believe or imagine. It is enough that I find my salvation in Christ, and I am called to share his light, for he is the Light of the World. Leave the status of others to God.
We have become so certain that we have lost a sense of the great Mystery. By definition, the human mind can only grasp a portion of that Mystery since God transcends all of Creation. At Christmas, in the incarnation of God, we find our connection to God. We cannot and should not seek to explain that point too much. We should stand in awe of the Word made flesh. That brings worship and a living relationship to God. That brings awe at the gift of life and salvation. Naturally, certain facts flow from that, but we don’t need the answer to every question. We first need to stand in awe of God and beliefs will arise out of that relationship to God, and through God’s self-revelation in Jesus Christ. Then we can live in the way that Jesus taught and that will keep us busy the rest of our days! If he is our Lord, let us do what he tells us. The Gospel is not just a belief in a few certainties and then we go to heaven. It is an experience of living relationship with the Word made flesh. Let us stand in awe of the Mystery of God this coming year.
In Christmas Peace,
Jim Stahr
posted by Theoblogger at
4:49 PM
