The Mysteries of God

To be honest, I had no idea that my message this past Sunday would precipitate the incredible response that it did, which is probably a good thing; otherwise, I would have the "big head" (not that I already don't), thinking I had eliminated some of the mystery of preaching and come up with something worth saying.

Anyway, Paul did encourage us to be stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1b) but somehow, we, apparently, failed to get the correct message and, instead, have purposed to clarify the mysteries of God to such a degree that there is no mystery left. In doing so, we have, to say the least, failed miserably as stewards (good managers) of those sacred mysteries.

You see, we have come to believe that the mark of a good pastor/teacher is his/her ability to so clearly define the subject matter that there is no mystery left. For example, a good pastor/teacher should be able to so clearly explain Christian marriage that any believer, who follows the instructions, would be able to experience it to the fullest. Certainly, a good pastor/teacher should be able to so clearly explain the Eucharist, that any believer could completely and fully understand it. Furthermore, a good pastor/teacher should be able to teach the gospel so clearly that all the mystery is gone and anyone could understand it and accept it. In the same way, any pastor/teacher, who is worth his/her salt, should, certainly, be able to teach the theology of water baptism so clearly that even a child could comprehend it.

In my opinion, it is just this mindset that has caused so much of the division and unrest and mistrust that is so prevalent within the Body of Christ today. Just think about it for a moment and you will see (I think): the Presbyterians have so clearly defined predestination that anyone who cannot embrace and understand it, is probably not a Christian, after all (or so they think); the Lutherans have so clearly explained the Euchrist that anyone but the most unspiritual can understand it (or so they think); the Baptist have so clearly explained and defined water baptism, that those who do not agree cannot belong to one of their churches (or so they KNOW);and of course the Methodists have so clearly defined Christian marriage that only the spiritually illiterate would ever divorce, which means there must be many spiritually illiterate.

Let's take the matter of water baptism: on the one hand, for the typical Southern Baptist, water baptism is accomplished by immersion and only by immersion AND if you choose to join a SB church, it is required, regardless of what other mode you might have experienced. On the other hand, the Methodists are much more liberal, meaning that they allow for sprinkling, pouring, and immersion, thereby, declaring that the method doesn't really matter. The Church of Christ, however, takes the whole matter a step further--a gigantic step further--and declares that one's salvation lies within his water baptism! You see, each group has so clearly defined water baptism that there is no mystery left! However, in doing so we have precipitated much division, confusion, and unrest and, thereby, proven to be anything but good managers (stewards) of the mysteries of God. (Yes, I know that Jesus came to bring division! But not THAT kind!)

Christian marriage (as if there is another kind) serves as another good illustration. As you know, we (the church) have so clearly defined Christian marriage and the parameters for its existence, that a man or woman would be a fool to even think about divorce, much less, go through with it! We KNOW what the Scriptures teach and that is that--God hates divorce!! End of discussion! But wait a minute, there just might be more; after all, God never said that He hates the people who divorce! Mike Mason wrote a book that he entitled, "The Mystery of Marriage," a book I highly recommend, and he did so for the obvious reason--there is more mystery about marriage than clarity! One only has to be married for a brief time to figure that out; however, we continue to proclaim that there is but one way and that way is "my" way because I, finally, have clarity!

Now, you take your pick: water baptism; the Eucharist; marriage; the gospel; creation and any of the rest of the areas of theology. Which did you choose? Water baptism? OK. Good! Now, tell me, who is correct--the Baptist, the Methodist, Church of Christ, or the, well, you name it? You see, if we so clearly define water baptism, so as to remove its inherent and God-given mystery, we find ourselves separating from other sincere believers and, thereby, being very poor managers of this "mystery of God." When we tell someone that the method is more important than the mystery, we do them a disservice, a grave disservice!

In much the same way, when we tell a believer that divorce is always unacceptable, we are telling him that we have such clarity on the subject that "my way is the only way," which of course is foolish! Even so, we proclaim just that message, and in doing so, we imprison people to our own ideas of righteousness, rather than freeing them to walk in the freedom that Jesus died to provide for them.

Having said all of that, I will be the first to tell you that I not only believe in absolute truth, I also have an insatiable desire to know more truth and to understand more clearly the things of the Spirit. However, I have come to learn that Christianity is more about mystery (far more) than clarity. Have we forgotten that His ways are NOT our ways, that His ways are higher (much higher) than our ways? Have we ever known (really known) that He designed the entire Christian life somewhat (actually, gargantuanly) skewed in the direction of mystery, rather than clarity? He did so with purpose you know because He wants us not to understand Him but to trust Him, and He, apparently, knows quite well that clarity eliminates the need for trust!

I love the way He responded to the disciples following His "parable of the sower," when they asked Him why He spoke to them (the others in the crowd) in parables! These are His words: To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted (Matthew 13:11b). In other words, well, can you see it, or is it more mystery than clarity?

Maybe it is time for us to become what we really are, anyway--His children, who childishly jump into His arms and hang around in complete trust, enjoying His love! Who cares about all this "understanding stuff" anyway?