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The pastor surprised his congregation one day. He had heard murmurings that his sermons were not theological enough. So, he said, to begin a Sunday morning sermon,“As soon as we look at the world through ideology, we are blind to truth. Reality does not fit ideology. Life is beyond such. That is why you are always searching for a meaning to life. If your theology had been able to give you meaning, then, you would not be complaining the way you do that my sermons are not theological enough. Meaning is only found beyond meaning. Life only makes sense when we know it as mystery and it makes no sense to our conceptualizing mind.” Most still had no idea of what he was trying to say to them, but those who were ready to understand understood and rejoiced in the mystery.
Theology is “godology.” Theology is ideology. Theology is not Reality. The main purpose of theology is to show us how inadequate it really is, so we can trust in that which is greater than all theology, all ideology. That is Mystery!
Questions: Do you feel threatened if someone questions your theology? Do you feel your theology must be right in all particulars? Have you experienced the Mystery that all your ideas never could give you?
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
The People of the
United Methodist Church
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