arrogance and knowing
Another email ... another question that I wonder if I am able to engage well ... I was asked, "How can I look at Jesus as the only truth without being arrogant?" So here was how I answered this one:
I think that in our embracing Jesus, we do so from a position of humility. It is interesting to me that people become arrogant in their knowledge of who God is, being that Jesus is the antithesis of arrogance, and the apex of humility. It would be like someone who needs immediate medical attention for a rare disease, becoming arrogant because they know about thoracic treatments and surgeries in a better way.
That person would more than likely be grateful to the doctors and nurses whose knowledge helped her to heal. She would be thankful that she had one more day to live. As she reflected on what it was like to receive the news of her disease I imagine it would be through tears … she would remember the dark nights of worry when she could not sleep waiting for the results of the tests that were performed. She may reflect on sitting with the doctor as he gently spoke about what was wrong. Her mood would subtly change as she transitioned into the story of healing. She may smile, and say something like, “I will always have this scar to remind me, and I will be on medication the rest of my life, but I will get to see my daughter grow.” At this point the tears would no doubt return.
I have not met someone who has gone through a sickness or disease like this who sits with me and says, “Well I am sure you are not aware of the complexities of the diverticulum as it relates to the sensitivity of the abdominal cavity. However, when edema of an abnormal pouch in the intestinal wall occurs, the threat to the auto-immune system is dire.” (Having cut and pasted the last sentence from Wed MD I need a doctor to translate, thank you). Would it make sense for a person to speak like this? Of course not!!!
So why when we speak of spiritual life do we become arrogant wanting people to hear all about what we know about God and Jesus? Is it because we believe deep inside that someone who believes differently could not possibly have a clue about truth? We must be approaching all people with humility, love and respect.
I believe that if we could have sat with Jesus when he ate with the “sinners” we would have been amazed at how much he listened. Here is the Son of God listening to mere mortals … and why? So that he can speak love, care and wisdom into their lives.
What?!?!? Only love, care and wisdom?!?!?! I want the truth!!!!!! (I could put a famous movie line here about “Not being able to handle the truth” but I will resist quoting it). I would contend that when we speak in the love of Jesus, in his caring heart, and with the wisdom of the spirit, that we are indeed speaking the Truth. When done in this way, it is not only humble … I believe it is attractive to others.
So then, how do we arrive at knowing the truth perfectly? Can we really articulate all the finer points of theology authoritatively and hold that we have God figured out? The short answer is no, we cannot. He is infinite, and we are finite (I stole that one from John Calvin). We can however, know about what he wants to know by being students of the Text. It is through study that we begin to realize that the God we worship is eternal and mysterious, and it is His very essence that will occupy our minds for eternity. It is this very thought that keep us humble … that this mysterious, massive, eternal God is the one we worship ... and the one who has come to us.