Tough minded, tendered hearted
An article in last weekend’s Sydney Morning Herald grabbed my attention on the newsstand. It was entitled "Why God is not great". As you might imagine, I was intrigued by the title and bought the paper. The article was an extract from a soon to be published book. The author argued, among other things, that "free inquiry and open-mindedness are more likely to nurture body and soul than religious belief". He seemed to think that having a religious faith meant being "closed minded" and unwilling to think about issues.
Some people assume that to be a person of faith means being like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. His song was, "If I only had a brain". In fact, to develop a robust Christian faith requires a willingness to think deeply about issues of life and faith. The apostle Paul said to his friends, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12: 2) Jesus Christ, also told his followers to love God with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". (Matthew 22: 37) As a Christian community, we encourage a thoughtful and reflective examination of every aspect of the world that God has made. We believe that "all truth is God's truth". Therefore, we are not afraid to seek after truth and to encourage others to do so.
At the same time, we believe that genuine faith in God will stir our hearts as well as our minds. Jesus urged his followers to love God with their heart and soul as well as their mind. A passionate and enthusiastic faith energises a person to engage with God, other people and the needs of our world. A purely intellectual view of life may analyse the world's problems or the nature of God. But it lacks the power to make a difference to our lives or to our world. When Jesus walked the earth few people remained neutral to his message. Those who understood clearly either wanted to kill him or gave up everything to follow him. Some people thought he was mad. Others considered him dangerous. But apathy was rarely an option. Following Jesus is not simply about believing certain ideas about God. It is more about building a life changing friendship. Like any true friendship, this involves taking risks and being open and vulnerable to the other person. It is a response of the heart as well as the mind.
The newspaper article also said that, “There is no need for us to gather every seven days to grovel and wallow in our unworthiness". I couldn't agree more! Christians are encouraged to meet with other believers not to "grovel and wallow" but to celebrate the goodness of God. We meet together with others to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds … and to encourage one another". (Hebrews 10: 24 - 25) In this way we discover more of what it means to be "tough minded and tender hearted", as followers of Jesus Christ.
What kind of faith do you have? Is it thoughtful? Is it passionate?
Some people assume that to be a person of faith means being like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. His song was, "If I only had a brain". In fact, to develop a robust Christian faith requires a willingness to think deeply about issues of life and faith. The apostle Paul said to his friends, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12: 2) Jesus Christ, also told his followers to love God with "all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind". (Matthew 22: 37) As a Christian community, we encourage a thoughtful and reflective examination of every aspect of the world that God has made. We believe that "all truth is God's truth". Therefore, we are not afraid to seek after truth and to encourage others to do so.
At the same time, we believe that genuine faith in God will stir our hearts as well as our minds. Jesus urged his followers to love God with their heart and soul as well as their mind. A passionate and enthusiastic faith energises a person to engage with God, other people and the needs of our world. A purely intellectual view of life may analyse the world's problems or the nature of God. But it lacks the power to make a difference to our lives or to our world. When Jesus walked the earth few people remained neutral to his message. Those who understood clearly either wanted to kill him or gave up everything to follow him. Some people thought he was mad. Others considered him dangerous. But apathy was rarely an option. Following Jesus is not simply about believing certain ideas about God. It is more about building a life changing friendship. Like any true friendship, this involves taking risks and being open and vulnerable to the other person. It is a response of the heart as well as the mind.
The newspaper article also said that, “There is no need for us to gather every seven days to grovel and wallow in our unworthiness". I couldn't agree more! Christians are encouraged to meet with other believers not to "grovel and wallow" but to celebrate the goodness of God. We meet together with others to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds … and to encourage one another". (Hebrews 10: 24 - 25) In this way we discover more of what it means to be "tough minded and tender hearted", as followers of Jesus Christ.
What kind of faith do you have? Is it thoughtful? Is it passionate?
Labels: "Why God is not great?", open-mindedness
posted by Peter Wilson at 3:37 PM
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