We Don't Have To Agree

We Don’t Have To Agree

Last evening was so lovely I had my first hour of relaxation on my front porch, first evening of late winter that hints of early spring. Warm. Pink sunset, calm bay, no breeze. Hour or so outside until evening chill set in.  

This morning Linda woke up to a loud “CHUNK” and walked all over the house looking. Not inside though, outside. Black & White lights flashing at the end of our block, more in the street at Landmark, couple fire trucks, all flashing lights, making for a bright 3:30 a.m. I put on a bathrobe, walked down and talked to the policeman at the end of our street, seems a car hit a couple parked cars. 

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Folks who have been in EfM or Sunday School with me know that it is okay to doubt and argue and wonder and challenge and disagree. Whether it’s about the Bible or faith or belief, heaven or hell, afterlife, no topic is untouchable. Remembering that “just because I believe it, that don’t make it so,” we can disagree and get along. That’s the way of being an Anglican, Episcopalian Christian. Argue challenge doubt disagree enjoy.

I read once of a pastor candidate in a Nameless Denomination who when he visited the board of deacons of the church he was candidating, found that the one central primary test and opening question was whether he believed the first two chapters of Genesis are literally historically true. Transcendent God of the seven day creation story of Genesis One, and Immanent Lord God of the one day creation story with the earthling in the Garden of Eden, Genesis Two. No room for discussion or question, least of all doubt.

Even St. Thomas doubted. Faith that can’t stand doubt and challenge is too shaky for intelligent beings.

What might we disagree on? Well, the Bible, of course, with endless exploration and questions. Sexuality issues in the society, marriage issues, right to life issues. And the Nicene Creed, hammered out in a warring history of political intrigue, theological cavilling, and violent struggle among Christians of the early centuries. On Sunday mornings, some folks may say the Creed fervently. Most plow ahead paying no attention to what it says! Some remain silent. Some say some parts and remain silent for other parts. Myself, I turn toward the Altar and happily say the entirety. All well and good for orthodox doctrine, but truth be told I’m of a mind with -- Friedrich Schleiermacher I think it was -- who said the Nicene Creed makes assertions about God that are beyond human knowing. And after all, if we can’t disagree about the Creed we are no different from the Nameless Denomination above where one can’t disagree about the Bible.

Sunday school Bible stories are ripe for disagreement and exploration. Joshua 10:12-13. God made the sun and moon stand still to give Joshua time to carry out a total mop up victory over his enemies. The sun stood still? Really?! I’m with my Native American, Indian friend in Apalachicola who used to tell me stories of Native American folklore. When she was done and I asked, “Do you believe that?” Margo would say, “That really happened. We don’t know whether it happened in just that way, but it happened. That’s our wonderful story.” That’s where I am with wonderful Bible stories. Whether it happened in just that way or not, this is the way they used to tell it around the campfire, and Joshua said it sure seemed like it to him, and the Bible editor who wrote it down thought it did, and it was certainly a long, long day of battle, and it proclaims that God was on Joshua’s side, because Joshua had the victory: that’s the way we remember it! It’s not a story for astronomers and historians, it’s heilsgeschichte, Holy History. The story is the thing, you see! Enjoy!

The Church Ad Project used to sell an edgy newspaper ad that said something like 

THERE’S A DIFFERENCE 

BETWEEN BEING BAPTIZED AND BEING BRAINWASHED.

IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

YOU DON’T HAVE TO CHECK YOUR BRAIN AT THE DOOR.

Weather granting, I shall spend more time on my front porch today. For the sunrise it it’s not too cool outside. And if the flashing lights are gone.

Shabbat Shalom.

Tom+

p.s. Thank you for the sunrise photo, RevRay!