A Fresh Perspective - 07/11/08
A common children's prayer begins: "God is great; God is good . . ." How great is God? In 1 Corinthians Paul references the book of Isaiah, pointing out that no human mind can yet conceive of the things God has prepared for those who love God (2:9). If that is true regarding what is in store for God's children, how much more true is it of God? Our human minds cannot begin to conceive of the greatness of God.
God is greater than our thoughts, images, ideas, and beliefs about God; herein is the problem with creeds, confessions, and doctrinal statements. Historical statements of faith could be useful if we regarded them as what a segment of the church believed about God at a particular time. Modern faith statements can be useful if we allow them to represent what we believe about God at this particular stage in our faith journeys. This of course, could and should change as we grow in faith and understanding.
Unfortunately, statements of faith are often employed to both define God and confine God to our way of thinking and believing. They are often used to determine those who are "in" and those who are "out"—those who are saved and unsaved. When applied in these ways our belief statements stifle the imagination, curtail creative thought, evoke prejudice and condemnation, and impugn the very greatness of God.
Some folks are afraid that once they start questioning their faith they will start down the slippery slope that leads one to completely abandon God. There is that risk. But no positive transformation happens without risk. On the contrary, to question faith is to liberate oneself from fear and guilt in order to pursue the truth about God. The answer to militant Christianity that is exclusive, judgmental, and intolerant is not saying "no" to Christianity, but rather, saying "yes" to a Christianity that is inclusive, compassionate, and sensitive to others.
God is greater than our beliefs, but our beliefs are important because our beliefs determine what we do. Dr. Fred Craddock tells about attending his denomination's summer church conference for youth when he was in high school. By the end of the week they had collected $140 for their Christian World Friendship Fund—a considerable amount in those days. The final night they were to have a special consecration service and determine what to do with the money.
There had been a great natural disaster somewhere in the world and it was suggested they give their offering to that cause. The motion was about ready to pass when someone asked, "Isn't that country communist?" Another responded, "Well, I think so, but the children don't know they are communist; they just know they are hungry." Someone else said, "We feed them today, we will fight them tomorrow." After an hour of arguing they voted to use the money to improve the recreational facilities at their campground.
What we believe (how we see God, the world, and our relationship to both) determines what we do. We need elastic faith statements that can expand (or even shrink) as we grow in faith and love.