(e)mergent Voyageurs

Recently, during one of our evening DTS times, all the guys from the school were sitting around and began to casually discuss theology. Before long, as is all too common, we were in the midst of a very intense, heated discussion. I won’t get into the topic, but an interesting pattern emerged. When I would challenge conventional interpretations of Scripture, I was met with the expected and heated defense of traditions views, followed by the assertion that the Bible is abundantly clear.

Baiting them (yes, I confess), I then began to ask very difficult questions challenging them to reconcile seemingly impossible beliefs about God’s characters with His actions in Scripture. Without fail, the response was a quick reply that God’s ways are not our ways; we are limited, finite beings; there are some things that we can’t possibly hope to fully understand.

The emerging church often gets slammed with the critique that we are relativists who deny absolute truth. We are said to recklessly embrace uncertainty when God and His (written) Word offers us clear, propositional truths. Besides the fact that very few emerging Christians or communities are such hard postmodernists (I have not connected with any personally), and besides the fact that a great majority of emerging Christians/communities (again, as far as I’ve explored) not only believe in absolute truth and even the use of propositional ideas of truth (albeit with a distinct and often over-stated “chastened certainty”, to borrow a term I learned from Scot McKnight)- besides these things, I am not convinced that the established Evangelical church does not share this value when confronted with paradox or (apparent) contradiction.

In fairness, there are many who have invested their time and energy in order to find a systematic, doctrinal defence of all such scenarios. However, for many Christians, there seems to be a double standard in their response and confidence in their beliefs while allowing for uncertainty (in the guise of human limitation and the infinite nature of God), especially concerning those areas that contradict and/or threaten those areas which are embraced with absolute confidence.

With the issues we were discussing the other evening, while I have an idea of where I stand, I recognize that I could very likely be way off. My greatest concern for the students who were defending their position was, not that they were necessarily believing the wrong thing, but that they were believing in a wrong way (Peter Rollins excellent book develops this better than I can, so go buy “How (Not) To Speak Of God”). Believing the right thing for the wrong reason or in the wrong way can seriously impact negatively the way we relate to God, each other, ourselves, Creation and the world.

For example, if we allow the fallen nature of sinful humanity to be the primary reference point for reflecting on our relationship to God, we frame faith in fear, condemnation and despair. Is the belief wrong? I don’t think so, but the extreme over-emphasis or making it be the first and foundational place to define God and faith, leads us away from God’s intention. We are created in the image of God, but that image has been broken, marred or scarred by sin. However, we are defined by that scar. In fact, the scar only has meaning as a negative because of the image it has impacted.

This conversation inspired me to examine my own beliefs and assumptions, and those held by the community which I am a part of, to consider if I am believing the right things for the wrong reasons. Perhaps I am believing the wrong things for the right reasons or the simply the wrong things altogether. In the end, it is most important that we have the humility to always be questioning ourselves and our ideas about God.

In an attempt to be faithful, we can end up making idols out of our beliefs. When we discover that God is not measuring our beliefs against His perfection, searching for errors, but rather looks to our hearts, correcting with grace and conviction, not fear and condemnation. How can we treat each other (or ourselves) any differently?

Emerging Church, Missional

Many generations after the light of Revelation had spread through the land through the torches of Faith, the people began to realize how vast their great land really was.  While they had learned much in their many explorations, these random explorations could not provide them with a coherent idea of all that they had discovered.  The Elders convened a council to consider the matter.

After much deliberation, they selected several women and men from the people known for their ability to explore the land, commissioning them to purposefully explore the land of Mystery in order to collect information and draft maps.  They would face the unknown risks, make contact with any they encountered and chart a path for those who would come after them.  They were called the Voyageurs.

For several years, these brave Voyageurs explored the land of Mystery.  The exploration was dangerous, fraught with dangers that led to the explorers becoming lost, injured and, sadly for a few, death.  However, they persevered against all odds.  Every few months, they would emerge from the wilderness to bring what knowledge they had gleaned.  The Elders examined all that they shared with them, drafting maps and writing volumes of information.

One day, as the Voyageurs begin to prepare for yet another journey of exploration, the Elders called a community meeting to which they were all required to paricipate.  Curious, they joined the growing crowd to hear what their Elders had to share with them.  The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the Elders approached, smiles of excitement lighting all their faces.  They raised their arms and everyone went silent.

“Brothers and sisters,” one of the Elders began, “We called you here today to share with a wonderful gift.  After years of exploration, examination and compilation, we want to unveil to you the fruit of this labour- The Comprehensive Encyclopedia Of Mystery: A Systematic Study!  In this collection you will find maps, guides and facts about this wonderous land.”  The crowds cheer tore through the air, silencing only after the Elder raised his hand in order to continue.

“We would like to honour and thank our Voyageurs for all their years of blood, sweat and tears.  This day not only celebrates the completion of this great work, but the promise that our Voyageurs no longer need to risk their lives in exploration”.  The crowd stood in stunned silence, the Voyageurs not the least of those who were shocked.  Suddenly, a grumble of confusion swept through the people.

“But surely,” someone cried out, “They have not explored the whole of Mystery, have they?  Surely there is so much more to learn!”  Other shouted their agreement and concern.  The Elders gently silenced the crowd once again with raised hands.

“Of course, the land of Mystery is infinitely wide.  And, of course, we cannot every fully exhaust all that we can learn from this land.  However, after examination and conference, we have come to believe that the core knowledge- the foundational understanding of Mystery has been firmly established.”

“But even what has been recorded, is there no chance of error?  Are the maps flawless in detail?”  All eyes turned to the Voyageurs for answer.  One explorer, the oldest among them stepped forward nervously.  He cleared his throat, kicked at the dirt, considering his words.

“The- uh, the Elders speak truly that we have established many foundational understandings of this great land.  I have every confidence that what we have gathered and they have, umm, organized is trustworthy.”  The Elders nodded in agreement, but the Voyageur cautiously continued, “That being said… every detail cannot be known for an absolute certainty.”  Many shouted in agreement.  Red in the face, the Elders could attempted to due damage control after such a reckless statement.

“Be that as it m- BE THAT AS IT MAY!” shouted the learned leader, “There is enough written and recorded in these volumes that the citizens of Mystery will take more than two lifetimes to study and understand, and generations more to find application for it all.  We have no need to risk more lives exploring Mystery!”  Now, it was the Voyageurs who were confused.  The older explorer spoke up once again.

“With due respect, honoured Elder, but surely we spent so much of our lives, spilt our blood, lost our sisters and brother, so that others might go into the land and see it, explore it, engage it for themselves, did we not?”

“Of course not!  Why should anyone want to reinvent the wheel, risking so much for what is readily available here.  Besides, we have spent years studying your findings.  These people would not know what to do with all they encountered.”

“Of course, revered Elder.  However… would you not join us in the journey?  Then you could experience Mystery for yourself, sharing your wisdom with us all alng the way.” Despite his wise words, the crowd exploded into arguments.  Soon, factions began to develop.  Many of the people refused to told what to do, immediately running into the darkness to explore Mystery for themselves.  Some of the Voyageurs led others on expeditions.  Many stood with the Elders, trusting their leaders and the knowledge they had recorded.  Not since the Great Torch Revolution had the people been so divided.

And yet, in a glimmer of hope, few of the Voyegeurs and a few of the Elders drew yet others around them and decided to go together, carefully, to explore the great land together.  As they went, they saught to reconcile the others they encountered along the way.  They shared the explorers passion to engage Mystery firsthand.  They honoured the wisdom and understanding of their Elders and those who remained with the Encyclopedia.  They could only hope that, with time, patience and grace, others would learn this generous embrace.  Until then, they would continue their journey of exploration and reconciliation.