And they’ll know we are Christians by our piles of theological knowledge
This week, I visited my academic advisors in the schools of theology and psychology in preparation for registration. As of next week, I will have registered for the last classes I will take in graduate school, or any school for that matter. Appropriately, the classses include the integration of psychology and theology (the class for which I will finish my paper on D.L.Sayers and story), Christ and Culture, and the history of spirituality: A nice finish for a psychology student, I think. I have read a lot of theology over the past nine years of my higher education. I reflect that all this study has not done me nearly as much good as it ought to have. Reading theology, even good theology, does not a good Christian make–or a spiritual Christian, or a compassionate one….
So I am finishing up with a few courses focusing on spiritual disciplines and engaging the culture. I’ve also bought Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton (because theology ought to be entertaining if it possibly can), and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis (because an elder at our church recommended it, and because I think it was also one of Doug’s favorites). Here is a quote from the latter, which a Kempis completed around 1427:
What good does it do to speak learnedly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than know how to define it. For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers, if we live without grace and the love of God? Vanity of vanities and all is vanity, except to love God and serve him alone. (a Kempis, 2004, p. 3)
Learning does very little good, if it is only for the sake of increasing knowledge. So how do we teach one another things that will change us? How do we interact in ways that bring relationship and right living? The true challenge of Christianity is not developing great preaching style or textual-critical skills, but rather the ability to live rightly, and so to administer relationship and healing wherever we go. I’ve got my own ideas on how this is done. Heck, we’re even doing some of them on Thursday nights. Any thoughts?
February 18th, 2006 at 9:53 am
good morning to my one and only favorite bonus daughter. you write good stuff. i sat in a bizzare meeting this week in which people who had met Estelle only days before had decided she needed morphine and sleeping pills without explaining to her what she was being given (or allowing her health care advocate or power of attorney to know about it). in this same meeting, they then proceeded to inform her life long friend, business advisor and power of attorney, that estelle was no longer able to make her own decisions (you try making any decisions after being drugged up for 3 days without your consent!) and they planned to have her declared incompetent. but the real clincher is that they closed this meeting by having everyone join hands and leading them in a prayer!!!!! just as reading theology does not a good or spiritual or compassionate christian make, neither does mouthing the words to a prayer. if i sound a bit frustrated, it is because i am.
February 19th, 2006 at 9:36 pm
on a more positive note…..
Miss Amy Smith was the first to step forward and offer her services to be an extra set of eyes, ears and hands for Estelle. Today she had the fun of being present when the weekend hospice nurse showed up to asses Estelle’s mental status. Estelle shot her (the nurse) out of the water, so to speak. Yep, they will know you are Christians by your love. The real stuff is unmistakable, undeniable, and irresistable. Thank God.
February 20th, 2006 at 10:53 am
Judy, that is very frustrating to read!
February 21st, 2006 at 7:51 pm
More positive stuff:
Sarah Shead is now part of the team and also Cynthia Choate. And Norma Coss is also spending time with Estelle when she can. The Body of Christ in action. Servant hearts doing what they do best. I LOVE the real stuff. Estelle is doing really well, pretty much back to her old self, walking with her walker and everything. She’s bound and determined to keep her dental appointment next Tuesday and I think she will, at that. Hey, the hospice nurse even called me this afternoon to let me know that some of the things I asked about at my meeting yesterday (the meeting where Paul sat by my side, for moral support) had been taken care of. She was very nice. Things are definitely looking up. Glory to God. And a big thanks to all who care and help.