We can't help but see the world through the lens of our own experience, understanding, and existing beliefs. Faith is no different -- unless God decides to intervene and reveal himself. Fortunately he does this, but his interventions are also in this same category. We can understand truth only in the context of what we already believe to be true. What are those assumptions? How do we discern when "revelations" are from God, and not our own ideas ... or perhaps from a darker source?
"In essentials, unity ..." -- Amen! But who decides what issues are essential? As modern (or post-modern) Americans, we all take up that responsibility individually. At least we like to think that. This seems a bit contradictory. If we ultimately see ourselves as responsible for discerning the voice of the Spirit in matters of truth, there really is no purely external rule we apply to our beliefs, since every apparent external rule (scripture, history, etc.) is subject to our own understanding and interpretation -- or more precisely: the understanding of those who taught us. Are we (they) correct? How do we know?
I have a friend who is going through a painful separation from his wife. It appears to me that this is his decision, and he is experiencing the consequenses. His primary reason for doing this is that he feels compelled to understand and re-think why he believes what he does. Much of his beliefs have previously seemed to him to be built on foundational assumptions that he does not see the basis for.
His story is dramatic, and if I am honest with him, his response to his own questioning is quite selfish, but in an important way, his questions are quite valid.
3 comments:
Interesting thoughts. Subjectivity is unavoidable. Traditionally the sources and norms of Christian thought for the last 2000 years have been scripture, tradition, reason and experience. All very much influenced by community and personal subjectivity.
I also agree that questioning CAN be selfish. It depends on the motive I guess. I think not questioning can be selfish as well. Not questioning tends to assume that we got it right the first time. And most of the time that is not true. Although questioning tends to assume that everyone else got it wrong but in my own infinite wisdom, I will create a new and better way. It seems that there are ditches on both sides of a road of balance.
oh yeah, welcome to the cult!
Regaring the selfishness of questioning one's assumptions, I meant his response to his questioning was selfish: separating from his wife over it. I actually am continuing to encourage him to question. My apologies for being unclear.
Rev. Gary Davis, the great blues guitarist, often said to his students, "Just play what you can play."
Who decides what is essential? You do. We believe what we want to believe because it apeals to our intellect or our conditioning. You can't do anything else. Just play what you can play.
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