I want to call everyone’s attention to a fascinating and helpful Parable, of sorts, Art Boulet posted on his blog the other day: dark caves and differing perspectives.
Sadly I think his parable all-too-well illustrates what has happened in our current theological debates: no real debate or conversation. I hope we can move beyond this impasse. I hope we can move to the table together as brothers and sisters who, though we disagree, all recognize each others’ desires and drives to be faithful to Christ, following him wherever he may lead us.
I hope we can cease viewing other brothers and sisters in Christ who differ from us as basically non-Christian in their approach to the Bible, or essentially trying to sneak heterodoxy in the back door, or just rank traditionalists, or at base operating out of a “low view” of Scripture, etc. I hope we can all have the sympathy and charity for which Art pleads on his post and charitably and humbly interact with each other as Christians.
August 29, 2008 at 11:04 am
Actually, didn’t the young man tie a rope to the anchoring rope and continue to explore? That’s the way I heard his personal account and the account of the community which supported him.
August 29, 2008 at 12:51 am
Anchors Away
Once upon a time there was a young man who saw a cave. This particular cave (which was quite old and east of the other caves) had not been successfully explored before but it had gained quite a bad reputation in recent times. Other caves (named Gnosticism, Liberalism, Anti-Supernaturalism, and Historical Jesus) were like it, perhaps even connected to it, had proved deadly. Even worse, the lives spent on exploring the other surrounding caves have produced none of the riches that were hoped and promised.
The young man who saw the cave grew up knowing the stories and history of the area but he supposed this cave was different. He had been educated and warned about the dangers and darkness of the caves. Yet, he supposed that this cave would be different from the other unfruitful caves that surrounded it. In fact, there are others who were also interested in exploring this particular cave. Sure, some had been injured in the exploration of this cave but the young man reasoned that he wouldn’t be hurt. He comforted himself with the advances in technology: the super long lasting 1000 lumens LED head lamp, the maps and journals of those who explored the other caves, and the significance of the possibilities of what may lay in this particular cave.
One day, this young man began exploring this cave. He received criticism and warning by some and encouragement from others. The more he explored the more excited he became. For certain there were some wrong turns and a few drop-offs but there were also more and more unexplored avenues. There were hints of wealth and riches just around the corner. After each excursion in to the cave he would come out and call others to join him and recall his adventures and exploration. He would show them what he had found and the radical implications that his discoveries held for his community. Not all the community supported his journey, especially the traditional folk who had seen others lost in the other caves. Nor did they support the implications of his discoveries that he was so excited about. But the criticism simply hardened him and he became more and more determined that whatever happens would bring about a better and more fruitful future for his community.
One day the young man entered the cave as usual. He had his lamp and documents and was sure that this trip would be the one that brings it all together. There was only one problem. The rope he tied into which he had used during all the previous expeditions into the cave was preventing him from getting to the place where he knew the fruit of his labors lay. He faced a major dilemma. Abandon his project and all his hopes of discovering what he’s worked so hard to find or risk loosing his way by not tying into the rope. After spending a bit of time thinking and praying, he untied the rope from his harness and courageously moved forward into the darkness. He never felt the darkness that surrounded him as he journeyed in the cave because his super long lasting 1000 lumens LED head lamp was so bright. Yet after going farther than he had ever gone before and becoming weary, he reached down to draw the rope in to lead him out as at so many other times.
The young man bewildered and hopelessly lost suddenly yearned for the rope which anchored him to the outside.
August 29, 2008 at 12:18 am
A telling silence. I guess I will let you guys continue to beat up on me over on Art’s blog.
August 27, 2008 at 8:08 pm
I echo FTH’s sentiments its easy to be “bold” when its not your neck on the block.
Pax Christi…Nick
August 27, 2008 at 8:03 pm
Jerry,
Thanks for your encouragement. It is a good thing we agree on (are rescued by!) what (who) is most important—and many other things I imagine.
August 27, 2008 at 6:50 pm
FTH
I don’t always agree with you but you have been more than above board with your name.
God bless you brother
Jerry
August 27, 2008 at 4:05 pm
By way of example, Steve Wilkins, et al were willing to go to the mat over the FV. They were that convinced of the truth of their positions. Again, just curious.
August 27, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Foolish, doesn’t that seem a bit hypocritical though? If you feel that strongly about your position, should you not be willing to make sacrifices to support it? Just curious.
August 27, 2008 at 2:11 pm
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