One of the classes that I took in seminary was called "systematic theology." This is the notion that our beliefs can be listed, organized and explained in a systematic way. Now if that sounds easy, then just consider how you explain in one book or one series of books: where angels come from, the nature of God, creation, the end of time, the fruit of the spirit, the organization of the church and Jonah and the whale.
Crazy right? That is a big bite to take on.
Our faith has some very complex ideas that really stretch the mind, and frankly cannot be known. Many Christians get lost in the details. They spend their lives straining gnats but swallowing camels. This is the phrase that Jesus used in Mt 23 when he was railing against the Pharisees. They made all of their rules and heaped loads on the backs of others, but forgot about the more important issues of justice, mercy and faithfulness.
If you ever start to get lost in what to believe and how to believe it, relax, you are not alone. In my old age I would tell you this: God doesn't care what you believe about those things. Most of what we believe is wrong anyway. There are 33,000 Protestant denominations with 33,000 different approaches to faith. Don't get lost in the things that we cannot know.
Instead, focus on the greater issues of love, mercy and justice. That is a system that is simple, easy to understand, easy to do, and brings great meaning and purpose to those who choose to live such lives.
Apply the rule of love to everything that you do.
It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.
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I am, along with Sherri Swanson and Aaron Brown, leading a trip to the Holy Land January 23-February 2, 2023.
For more information, click the link below. And if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jsbrink57@gmail.com
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