Theological, philosophical, and scientific configurations are so often supposed to represent absolute precision. They’re tenaciously held on to come hell or high water and effectively immersed in a sterilized vat of facts, where mystery and imagination are forced to undergo the steady drip of a powerful anesthetic that aims to control and point to the true path. But what happens? God breaks through. Curiosity and questioning begin to surface and unqualified exactitude is shattered. All of a sudden there may be seemingly nothing to hold on to in a violent sea of uncertainty. Such an experience, though disconcerting and complicated, is unavoidable, and should be considered a necessary development that will hopefully lead towards embracing and standing for truer views of philosophy, science, and theology, where mystery and imagination are part of life with God, the self, the other, and the world.
Monday, August 31, 2020
Saturday, August 22, 2020
Thursday, August 20, 2020
Thursday Thoughts - August 20
In an excellent book I’m reviewing, Love Divine & Human, Thomas Jay Oord responds in a fitting manner to a chapter in the volume by Kevin Vanhoozer on Oord’s work in dialogue with John Webster. Among Oord’s many insightful and interesting thoughts, one thing in particular caught my eye and raised an exegetical question mark. Oord comments on p. 33 to: “Who is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?” Mark 4:41. He writes: “Interestingly, the straightforward reading of this exclamation in Mark leads one to regard the wind and sea anthropomorphically. The language of the text suggests that wind and sea act like personal entities capable of choosing to obey Jesus (or perhaps not). If the wind and sea are capable of obedient responses, my view that miracles require creation to cooperate with God fits this story well.” Thus, according to Oord, miracles require the cooperation of creation with God. I’m not entirely convinced of his interpretation of this story for the following reasons. First, this text poses a question, and is not merely an exclamation. Second, it seems unlikely that the narrator aims to point out that wind and sea, and their choice to obey or not, is the main issue at hand. Third, it is doubtful that the author/narrator is suggesting Oord’s thesis here, though it may be pertinent elsewhere in regard to other biblical texts. Fourth, in what appears to be a better reading of this story it is more likely that Jesus performs some kind of act of mastery and hence the question that arises, as often in this gospel, relates to his identity. Who is Jesus?
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Living Spiritual Rhythms - August 19
Rigorous self-examination in life is important, but it’s not the end of the story. To be right or wrong; a trusting or suspicious self, has significance in a multiplicity of ways, yet there is more to life than relying on ourselves. Our limits concerning who and what to trust and what and who to be suspicious of are drastically restricted, when we attempt to be self-determining agents. Try as we might, in strength or weakness, we discover that such efforts are unlivable. There is a genuine need for wisdom and discernment beyond the pale of merely self-decision. I’d wager that freedom from being alone in the world is shocking, since it always enlarges our horizons and comes with increasing responsibility for knowing more and living better.
Monday, August 17, 2020
Reflection for the Week - August 17
Thursday, August 13, 2020
Thursday Thoughts - August 13
Confusion and clarity in varied degrees unfold and work themselves out in our lives at the same time. I’d wager they are not mutually exclusive, but intertwined core components of who we are and what we believe.
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Living Spiritual Rhythms - August 12
We have the outstanding capacity to navigate through various physical states and material obstacles in life, while at the same moment being immersed in imagination, which takes us into another space, tethered to what’s in front of and around us, but also allowing a ‘being’ beyond it. Fantastic !
Monday, August 10, 2020
Reflection for the Week - August 10
Thursday, August 6, 2020
Thursday Thoughts - August 6
Monday, August 3, 2020
Reflection for the Week - August 3
