Come on! Admit it. This will have to happen.
Don’t get me wrong. I love theology. I have thousands of books of theology. I have a B.A. and 2 masters degrees in theology, biblical languages, religion and ministry. I’ve been ordained in the Presbyterian Church in Canada and served Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Vineyard and Independent churches for over 30 years. Even after leaving the professional ministry I am like a pitbull who can’t let go of the church! I don’t poopoo all that. But, I consider it all poopoo compared to what they all point to.
I willingly throw it all in the trash in exchange for one glimpse of what they stand for. Even if it kills me.
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My name is David Hayward, and I am the nakedpastor. I am a graffiti artist on the walls of religion.
“They”? The theologies? What the theologies stand for? Represent? Point to? Not sure I am understanding your dilemma, except that you see “theologies” as much (maybe) a liablity and a block as asset and facilitation? Which is the case with all our maps and representations and myths and disciplines. Necessary (maybe) by insufficient. Are you saying something like that? The degree to which we nail down and hold our theologies and beliefs is the degree to which we are limited by them? Words are so inadequate, my students tell me. Of course, but still necessary. Same with theologies etc. Is this what you are saying? I’m asking.
St. Thomas Aquinas caught a glimpse of the Divine which forced him to say that all he had written was rubbish. And yet we still read it. Strange, the relationship between ideas of divinity and Divinity itself. Knowing one is not knowing the other.
According to St. Paul, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” I guess that is the day we no longer need to talk about “how God is” – unless there are really different heavens for Catholics, Charismatics, Reformed, Lutheran etc.
I can only imagine…
I stand on my theology as a confessional Lutheran because it is Christ-centered and gives God all glory, zero human effort/accomplishment, all gift, pure joy.
Heaven will be like that: Christ-centered, glory to God, and pure joy.
I think I would look forward to that. Remember the last day of school? I used to take my big heavy backpack and with a florish, dump all the papers, pens, broken crayons and books in the trash. Gone! Finished! Didn’t need them anymore! They were fine for awhile, but now I was on to better adventures. Maybe it’s kind of like that.
I looked up “theology” to see what the definition is…
1. The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.
2. A system or school of opinions concerning God and religious questions: Protestant theology; Jewish theology.
3. A course of specialized religious study usually at a college or seminary.
I don’t want to give up theology if it’s the study of the nature of God, as I see that as part of my journey. As for #2, the system or school of opinions, that I can give up, since I don’t know if my opinions are correct, only God knows for sure… Is that what you mean by trashing theology?
I could not agree more. Studying theology “the science and nature of God” is very different from having an authentic experience of the Divine.
Our bodies eventually tell us when we’ve got the ‘wrong’ theology; heading into the Mystery will bring a harmony to spirit,psyche and body.
I guess then ‘correct’ theology is felt rather than conceptually checklisted by our analytical mind.
Dear David,
Thank you. I needed this, and it came on at a most opportune time. Thank you.
AJK
Very True, David! I think studying the nature of God is important now, but we’d better not get to cozy. The Real Thing is going to allow no room for personal interpretation!
Would you elaborate on The Real Thing and Personal Interpretation–the relationship between the two?
No room for play? Margin for error? Are you married? Or in a Significant Other relationship.
This one doesn’t even need explanation! It’s perfect! Thanks David.
Choir on the one hand / Critics on the other hand, And no one loves the sound of one hand clapping.
I am always amazed by your humbleness. It’s truly refreshing.
Thoreau said he wouldn’t walk across the street to save the world. Was he being arrogant or humble?
I know I’m being “arrogant” here, and not “humble”: but the notion “humble” is intriguing and I would argue (an arrogant sounding word, damnit) that true humility might be seen as arrogance, and deep-seated arrogance can come off easily as humility.
(Again: I’ll accept arrogance here because surely that’s what it looks like; though I tell myself “you’re really being humble & humiliating here, Sam,” there’s no defense against an arrogance charge.
Don’t try to be humble, Sam. Just be yourself. Our true condition is truly humble enough.
The thing that we all want just a glimse of is right in front of our faces. Don’t you think?
I think what we all want is to be (felt that we are) seen, heard, touched, fed and at least liked if not loved. That’s maybe a humble if not humiliating statement. Now: here’s the arrogance: it’s the cover-up and denial of this ongoing lack, want, need, desire that generates our toxic psychic waste and thickens our bozone level, layer. “We’re all crazy egos, hungry for love,” says Sherwood. Look around–the mass of myn.
Dylan Morrison Author
August 3, 2011 | 11:44 am
Our bodies eventually tell us when we’ve got the ‘wrong’ theology;
——-WHAT? Experience shows that not to be true.
Not if we view our bodies as trash: who’d listen?
The trouble with many (most?) theologies is that they become certainties in the mind of those who hold them. If this is what you mean by theologies, I wholeheartedly agree. If, however, you mean theology as a searching or questing, I’m quite confident the search/quest continues eternally.
I agree with Brigitte, “Just be yourself.” If you can’t be authentic what’s the point? and if you can’t be authentic “here”, then where?
Sam says: I think what we all want is to be (felt that we are) seen, heard, touched, fed and at least liked if not loved. That’s maybe a humble if not humiliating statement. Now: here’s the arrogance: it’s the cover-up and denial of this ongoing lack, want, need, desire that generates our toxic psychic waste and thickens our bozone level, layer. “We’re all crazy egos, hungry for love,” says Sherwood. Look around–the mass of myn.
I like you, Sam, a lot. Maybe you like me. God likes you for sure.
It is all another way of saying: justification. Which is what theology is about. We are justified in Christ not because we have things to show for ourselves. (Yes!)
THIS —> “I willingly throw it all in the trash in exchange for one glimpse of what they stand for. Even if it kills me…”
Yes! Theology is just language about God… Often very inadequate language that binds the Divine and humankind. Give me God any day please… Pure, unfiltered God.
Awesome message, David.
I like the message… just trying to sort it out… isn’t this conversation kinda like… theology? my little imperfect humble brain hurts…
hey talking ruler: like the cartoon implies, there’s nothing wrong with theology. i love it. we just need to admit it insufficiently falls short.
Thanks, nakedpastor… I love theology too, what I love most about it is that amateurs like me can discuss theology, anyone can, and that’s why I like to read your cartoons, to read what other people have to say…
I insufficiently fall short myself… thank God for grace like rain falling down…
I thought the pearly gates were made of pearls. Trash that idea too.
Love the sinners, hate the sin. That distinction gets conflated and confused with me, I admit it. I find sinners more lovable than “saints,” know what I mean? Goodies galore–abound and all around: so wanna-be-good we can’t afford or stand the bad-it-takes to get there. I identify with “bad-guys” in David’s cartoons–the bullies, the exclamation marks, the preachers-in-a-box, dogmatic, pathetic-sure-of-themselves: putting on the holies. I love these threads (both Facebook and Blog) because IT puts us in play, somewhat at war: it exposes us, don’t you agree–in our lack, want, need desire, whether we capitalize on it or like OZ (and me) cover it up in smoke and mirrors. Love it: Goodies versus Weasels and rah rah for both teams. No winners? No losers?
When it comes to the next chapter, I’m with Gene Roddenberry….
“The Human Adventure is just beginning”
(end of Star Trek III).