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The
Bishop's Journal
February 2002
Can the Church Think Again?
At a recent meeting of the American Academy of Religion, theologian John Cobb presented a lecture entitled "Can the church think again?" I wasn't present to hear the lecture, nor have I yet had an opportunity to review a text; but the title certainly caught my attention!
In recent years, a chorus of articulate voices have challenged the church to renew it's commitment to supporting and engaging in processes of ongoing theological exploration. Right or wrong, many Christian churches are perceived as being "check your brain at the door" operations where there are precious few opportunities to engage significant theological questioning. Some questions, it seems, ought not to be asked; and when they are, can only be answered according to pre-determined responses and formulas.
The situation is reminiscent of the scene from Alice in Wonderland where Alice is being brought to trial. The somewhat sympathetic king proclaims, "First the evidence and then the sentence." But then, with a shout, the queen interjects, "No! First the sentence and then the evidence!"
As a parish pastor, I often engaged adult study groups in conversations concerning the life of the church. One Sunday morning I asked the participants to identify what they perceived as being our greatest liabilities in fulfilling the church's mission. Most of the responses were somewhat predictable, citing such things as limited resources, weak commitment, and the like. But one response caught me unaware. A member of the group turned to me and said, "Pastor, the biggest problem I see is the fact that you clergy haven't told us what you've been learning in seminary for the past 100 years!"
It was, in many ways, a valid observation. As Lutheran Christians, we are the stewards and custodians of a rich tradition whose confessional statements provide generous and broad parameters for ongoing theological reflection and discourse. At the same time - and for a variety of reasons - clergy are often reluctant to share the full repertoire of tools that they have been trained to use when working theologically. They feel compelled to communicate with only the broadest of brushstrokes and have received little encouragement to invite their listeners into a more detailed and nuanced conversation with the Christian tradition. But I think that is changing.
"Can the church think again?" It's a question that carries powerful implications for the life of our church. Those who are seeking a new experience of the Christian life will not be easily drawn to churches that comfortably assume the fact of their own relevance or give too-easy answers. Similarly, members seeking a deeper experience of theological inquiry will struggle to maintain connections with faith communities that are intolerant of their questioning.
We need to follow Jesus' example and open ourselves to the honest questioning of those who come seeking a new truth. We need to equip our members with the tools needed to engage in responsible and mature theological reflection, confident in the knowledge that our faith tradition is robust and strong enough to bear the weight of our critical self-reflection. Indeed, if that faith tradition is to carry any real authority, beyond mere lip-service, such reflection is of absolute necessity.
The Rev. Michael J. Pryse,
Bishop
