Jenga Theology?

A friend of mine recently had a profound comment on a common Christian approach to personal theology... he called it "Jenga Theology."

Basically, he said that way too many people construct their faith based on a few "churchy truths." These truths aren't bad, or even necessarily wrong. However, the problem occurs when people rest their entire faith on top of this "Jenga" tower of "truths."

Then, one day, someone comes along and pulls one of those truths out of the stack. This "truth" is either refuted or questioned, and suddenly the "Jenga Christian" finds their entire faith crumbling and imploding. This Christian finds themselves turning away from God and questioning everything about their faith, rather than just questioning that single block.

It's important that Christians focus on their relationship with God--not on building up a math equation of "truths" that add up to faith. We can't reduce our faith in God to an equation. We need to make sure we keep God more important than everything else in our life. Our relationship and faith in God should supersede theological arguments, bible verses, catechism, and sermons. Everything else can and will be questioned and poked at. No one can refute an authentic, genuine relationship with God.

In this way, when someone argues with you over "young earth" vs "old earth", believers' baptism vs. infant baptism, Armageddon, etc... you can carefully analyze your beliefs on that truth alone without questioning your entire faith. Theology can be adjusted without disintegrating. Your faith in God should be steadfast and unwavering.

For example, just because you find out your mom's natural hair colour isn't blonde---that she's been dying it for decades---doesn't mean that you should question your relationship with her. Something you misinterpreted as "truth" (i.e. her natural hair colour) needs to be adjusted, however your relationship with your mother remains steadfast. In the same way, theology can shift without losing faith.

Don't let life changes, University studies, cynical friends, or difficult circumstances demolish your faith. Your relationship with God is the stone foundation underneath it all... it's not the fragile artifact sitting atop the Jenga tower.

Proof and Faith

I attend a "Young Marrieds" group through my church, and for the past few weeks we've been studying apologetics. While it can be quite intellectually heavy at times, a very profound thought was recently brought up:

Nothing truly important is provable. 

You can gather evidence and make arguments, but nothing truly worthwhile can be proven with 100% accuracy. Yes, we can prove that 1 +1=2. Yes, we can prove that a day is 24 hours. But can you prove that someone loves you? Can you prove that you're right in a moral debate? 

At some point, all of life's most important questions take a leap of faith. We can have sound arguments and a plethora of evidence to support our point of view, however, when it comes down to taking that last essential step, you just have to believe.

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." --Hebrews 11:6

Chronically Distracted

I was reading through my old blog posts today, trying to find inspiration for a communion message that I will be leading in church tomorrow, and I found that inspiration in my very first post to this blog (found here).  After reading the post that inspired this blog in the first place, I'm beginning to think I have a chronic case of Distraction. I went from passionately posting on a daily basis... to dwindling down to a few times a week... to perhaps monthly...

I had 84 posts in 2010. And 9 in 2011.

Most people would say, "who cares?" It's just a blog, after all. It's not like it's my job. I'm not getting paid to do it. It's a hobby. Hobbies come and go, right?

Well, the embarrassing confession I have to make is that this blog served as my reflective devotional. That steep decline in posts also shows a steep decline in my focus on my personal relationship with God. Sure, I go to church every week. Sure, I pray nearly every day. But my prayers have become short and selfish ("God, help me find my iPhone...") and church becomes a brief (and guilty) reminder of my starving soul.

It's time to resuscitate this flat-lining blog... and, by extension, my flat-lining spiritual life. I will open my Bible and I will nourish my anorexic spirit. I will talk to God instead of at Him. I will use this blog as a reflective tool to keep me on track.

"Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made...'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed--or indeed only one.'"  -Luke 10:40-41 NIV

Just call me Martha.