The Monolithic Conservatism of the American Heartland Is Not So Monolithic!

Question:

I am often disheartened by the mind set of some Christians—the mentality of which I used to be part—that they alone seem to possess the truth.  It becomes impossible then to discuss Christianity or have any sort of theological discussion “beyond theism.”  With all of the variations of Christianity telling them that believing these doctrines – the Virgin Birth, the resurrection, etc, is a prerequisite to being a disciple, how does one go about asking questions about God without offending or frightening the “truth bearers?”

Answer:

Dear Stephen,

Anyone who believes that he or she possesses in some creed, in the Bible or in the doctrinal and dogmatic teaching of a particular Church the ultimate truth of God reveals himself or herself to be little more than a frightened, insecure, uninformed person.  One cannot engage such a person in serious dialogue for there is nothing to be gained by the endeavor.  It is therefore a waste of time. One does not argue rationally against the irrational claims of biblical inerrancy or papal infallibility!!

The idea that any person, any church or any religious tradition could ever embody the ultimate mystery of God is little more that hysterical idolatry.  Those who hold that point of view have to defend it at all times and against all comers or else seek to validate it by imposing it on others.  Much of our conversion and missionary activity is little more than the product of an attitude that leads to bigotry, religious persecution, inquisitions and religious wars.  If the biblical axiom that one judges behavior by the fruit it produces is accurate, then this religious attitude can hardly be anything other than evil.  Because claims of absolute certainty are normally wrapped up in religious language does not make them virtues.  Religious imperialism is no more virtuous that political imperialism.

So you need to broaden your experience of religious people from those who possess the truth to those who seek the truth.  This means that you seek the company of those who know that the holy God cannot be reduced to a set of human words and those who understand that “graven images” can be created not only out of gold and silver, but also out of nothing less than human words.

~John Shelby Spong