Embracing Mystery

Western thinking is so deeply ingrained in us that, most of the time, we can't even identify the lens through which we see the world. We can't take this lens off our faces, examine it, and determine its validity - because to us, it simply is.

One such "norm" of Western thinking is a certain degree of rationalism. And from that rationalism, we feel an inborn need to make sure that whatever we do, whatever we say, and most importantly whatever we believe all stem from logical conclusions based on reasonable facts.

The way this translates into Christianity? The bridge diagram. Careful blueprints of various passages of scripture, picking apart each word to carefully define concepts like predestination, salvation, redemption - typically mapped out linearly on the page so that you can easily comprehend with your intellect every detail of the process. So that it provides a tight explanation. So that it makes SENSE.

Other things impacted by rationalism are simply the way we perceive the text. The way we understand basic concepts like indebtedness and forgiveness and repentance. These are all colored by our rationalist cultural indoctrination. It's not bad that we see life through this lens, but it'd be a mistake to ignore its influence. As we seek to understand the gospel, the only lens we have to look through is incredibly colored by our own imperceptible worldview.

Unless - we take the time to look through somebody else's lens.

Orthodoxy is very rational in that it does make sense - it's not all over the place like a crazy person made it up. But it's not rationalistic. That is, instead of placing a high premium on intellectual knowledge of any kind, Orthodoxy celebrates mystery.

In Orthodoxy and Heterodoxy, Father Damick writes, "Orthodox dogma never claims to expound the whole truth about anything, but only delineates the borders of the mystery."

God does not owe us any explanations, nor is he compelled to fit into our systems of understanding.

But that doesn't sit well with us, because of our conditioning to be rationalists. We want a system that explains, as fully as humanly possible, the gospel message. We want to know, most importantly, who is "in" and who is "out." We want to go to bed at night knowing that our system of theology has a long arm and a ready defense.

So, many of us stick with Calvinism. :)

Clark Carlton, former Baptist seminarian turned Orthodox, says that "you won't find a more beautiful system of theology than Calvinism." If you want a logical, thorough, clear-cut theological framework, Calvin's your guy. But, Carlton says, a system like Calvinism "puts a lid on God." It creates a careful framework which helps us feel more comfortable as we fluff our pillows at night, but it boxes God in. It adds a roof where there should be none, and perhaps more importantly, it creates a method of self-soothing for us as His creation -  who should instead remain filled with awe and a healthy fear of God.

I think it might do us some good to step back and remember that God isn't caged by our perception of His reality. He can do literally anything he wants. But when I mention this concept to friends, I sometimes get the response, "Sure, God can do whatever he wants, naturally - but it's God who wrote the rules, so I don't think He'll go and change them." But if we look closely, we'll find that we're assuming our system is an accurate perception of "God's rules." What if it's lopsided? Or even worse, what if it's just plain wrong?

Orthodox faith "delineates the borders of the mystery." So, we know some things with certainty. We know that Jesus is the son of God. We know that other "gods" are NOT the same as the true God. And of course there are a host of other things we can know fully and for sure, and the Orthodox church will not waiver (and I mean they WILL NOT WAIVER) on any of these. But one cornerstone of the Orthodox understanding of God is an awe and reverence for the incomprehensible mystery that is the fullness of Him.

While Orthodox are committed beyond question to the truths that God has revealed, they at the same time refuse to define that which is beyond definition. 

So - Who is in? Who is out? Only God knows with certainty. Lord, have mercy upon us. 

In my soul, it makes sense to me that THIS is the God whom we serve. A God far too big, too mysterious, too dangerous, too consuming to ever comprehend or define or diagram. (All of a sudden, the practice of regular bowing seems to make a lot more sense, too - who wouldn't willingly bow to the ground under so weighty a presence?)