BLOGGING TOWARD SUNDAY…

Point Six:  By calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who find more grace in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty, in the questions than in the answers.

There can be no question that there is something about us human beings that makes us crave answers and certainty.  At the same time, we know that there are few certainties in life other than the proverbial “death and taxes.” 

Point six reminds us that the word “faith” assumes an unknown, a mystery, something beyond the pale of knowing in an absolute sense.  In the Christian tradition, all too often the word “faith” has been used to explain away something that no longer makes sense.  For example, “If the earth is only 6 thousand years old, how could there have been dinosaurs?”  Answer:  “We just have to have faith.”  I’m sure that’s not what Jesus had in mind.

Read the gospels.  Jesus rarely gave a straight answer to a straight question.  In fact, he usually responded with another question or told a story which required some thinking and interpretation.    Even though he may have disappointed his listeners, he challenged them to think for themselves, to wrestle with the questions/issues, frequently leading them to deeper levels of ambiguity.

Jesus would not provide absolute answers because answers, by providing false confidence and security, become barriers to a real awareness of God.  They become, in fact, substitutes for God.  The task Jesus gave to the church was to provide a context in which those who would follow him can find the courage to pursue their questions.  (The Center for Progressive Christianity, Study Guide)

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