What would it be like if we could start all over? No, I’m talking about actually beginning in the womb and doing life all over again. My reference, rather, is to the way that we do spirituality, theology, philosophy, and similar matters.
As Christians we can’t help but grow accustomed to doing things a certain way. We assume, every day, that a certain belief or behavior is wrong and another belief or behavior is correct. In other words we have presuppositions, which are based on our previous thoughts and experiences. Thus, we have expectations that are not normally challenged but are simply assumed to be correct. From what God is like and what salvation entails to our tastes in churches and our standards of morality–there are countless things that we take for granted.
Now, please don’t think that I believe that all of this is inappropriate. Indeed, the fact that we live by presuppositions is part of what it means to be human. We simply cannot avoid the idea of preconceived notions. Of course whether or not our presuppositions are true and valid is another issue, but that is the subject of a different discussion. It is enough to say, for now, that we simply cannot perpetually challenge every assumption. We are built to believe.
That being said, I still wonder what our beliefs and practices would look like if we could erase some of our most ingrained assumptions. Christians often assume that they know what a Christian is to look and act like. Okay, I’ll buy that to some degree. But why is it, then, that we often become either rigid legalistic types or loose amoral types? Somewhere along the line, we have–for many reasons, I am sure–absorbed ideas and expectations that are invalid. But, since we have for so long assumed these ideas and expectations, we automatically think our way of doing things is correct. Thus, we “know” what political stance is proper. We “know” how a Christian is supposed to dress. We “know” what kinds of people to hang out with. We “know” what a church service ought to look like. We “know” what evangelism entails. We “know” how real Christians are to behave. We “know” which beliefs are accurate and which ones are dangerous or even heretical. We “know” a lot of things.
Again, please don’t think that I am questioning every Christian belief or tradition. Certainly, there are many things that we believe and do that are unquestionably good, healthy, and accurate. This simply has to be the case, given that one of our chief presuppositions is that God has promised to accompany us through life. So, don’t lose any sleep over my “start over” suggestion.
What I am concerned about, however, is that we learn to challenge the things that we assume. If they are indeed true, they will survive our inquiries and our hard questions. This, I would suggest, is what true orthodoxy does; it hits ground in the real world of today and not only survives but actually shows us the way ahead. Indeed, it is the “once for all” nature of the faith that must be given expression in each generation. Somehow, truth survives! But, I wonder, how many of our assumptions need to be tweaked or supplemented? Indeed, how many of them should be jettisoned completely?
What would happen if we were to start all over, if we could wipe away many of things that we have assumed for years? If we started over, what would shape would doctrinal statements take? How would we “do” church? What form of evangelism and apologetics would we implement? In what ways would we conduct our lives? What kind of political agenda would we apply? How would we relate to others?
Perhaps, it should be an ongoing practice (another assumption? :-) ) of believers to wonder what it would all look like if we were to start over again. Hopefully, as we do our wondering and ask our questions, the truth that never changes–the truth that is God and comes from God–will hold increasing sway in our lives.
As Christians we can’t help but grow accustomed to doing things a certain way. We assume, every day, that a certain belief or behavior is wrong and another belief or behavior is correct. In other words we have presuppositions, which are based on our previous thoughts and experiences. Thus, we have expectations that are not normally challenged but are simply assumed to be correct. From what God is like and what salvation entails to our tastes in churches and our standards of morality–there are countless things that we take for granted.
Now, please don’t think that I believe that all of this is inappropriate. Indeed, the fact that we live by presuppositions is part of what it means to be human. We simply cannot avoid the idea of preconceived notions. Of course whether or not our presuppositions are true and valid is another issue, but that is the subject of a different discussion. It is enough to say, for now, that we simply cannot perpetually challenge every assumption. We are built to believe.
That being said, I still wonder what our beliefs and practices would look like if we could erase some of our most ingrained assumptions. Christians often assume that they know what a Christian is to look and act like. Okay, I’ll buy that to some degree. But why is it, then, that we often become either rigid legalistic types or loose amoral types? Somewhere along the line, we have–for many reasons, I am sure–absorbed ideas and expectations that are invalid. But, since we have for so long assumed these ideas and expectations, we automatically think our way of doing things is correct. Thus, we “know” what political stance is proper. We “know” how a Christian is supposed to dress. We “know” what kinds of people to hang out with. We “know” what a church service ought to look like. We “know” what evangelism entails. We “know” how real Christians are to behave. We “know” which beliefs are accurate and which ones are dangerous or even heretical. We “know” a lot of things.
Again, please don’t think that I am questioning every Christian belief or tradition. Certainly, there are many things that we believe and do that are unquestionably good, healthy, and accurate. This simply has to be the case, given that one of our chief presuppositions is that God has promised to accompany us through life. So, don’t lose any sleep over my “start over” suggestion.
What I am concerned about, however, is that we learn to challenge the things that we assume. If they are indeed true, they will survive our inquiries and our hard questions. This, I would suggest, is what true orthodoxy does; it hits ground in the real world of today and not only survives but actually shows us the way ahead. Indeed, it is the “once for all” nature of the faith that must be given expression in each generation. Somehow, truth survives! But, I wonder, how many of our assumptions need to be tweaked or supplemented? Indeed, how many of them should be jettisoned completely?
What would happen if we were to start all over, if we could wipe away many of things that we have assumed for years? If we started over, what would shape would doctrinal statements take? How would we “do” church? What form of evangelism and apologetics would we implement? In what ways would we conduct our lives? What kind of political agenda would we apply? How would we relate to others?
Perhaps, it should be an ongoing practice (another assumption? :-) ) of believers to wonder what it would all look like if we were to start over again. Hopefully, as we do our wondering and ask our questions, the truth that never changes–the truth that is God and comes from God–will hold increasing sway in our lives.
1 comment:
I've asked myself a number of times what things would look like if we started over. I especially wonder this with the local church. Every time I do this it reminds me of how much what we experience shapes our thoughts of how things "should" be.
Post a Comment