THINKING BEYOND THE BIBLE

Over the past several centuries, since the time of Copernicus (1473-1543) and Galileo (1564-1642), we have been learning of the true nature of the universe we live in as consisting of space, time and energy. Thus it has become impossible to think in the biblical concepts of God, Jesus and ourselves living in a three-tiered universe of heaven above, hell below and our planet in between. Yet our theology, our thinking, and our words in worship, preaching and everyday conversation still reflect this biblical view, commonly called “theism.” How can we develop a different way of saying what we believe that reflects the true nature of our existence?

That is a question which has been on my mind for most of the past year. Theologians and preachers try – often in vain – to create a synthesis of the most up to date scientific knowledge and the traditions of a sound religious faith. Our pastor refers to one common synthesis of scientific knowledge and Christian theology as “Evolutionary Christianity.” Many of the congregation he serves is either very puzzled or disbelieving of his attempts to expand their thinking beyond a comfortable biblical literalism or a modest liberalism.

“Reject theism; but think differently and accept uncertainty” is how retired Bishop John Shelby Spong wrestles with such issues. He does not believe in the traditional view described by theism. He rejects it as a deus ex machine system. In other words, God is Creator of the universe, but external to it and occasionally intervening in it natural processes to change life, and human life especially, according to his immutable purposes. On the other hand, despite feeling that he has a lot of company as a “Christian in exile,” Spong has written that he still appreciates worshiping in traditional Christian churches using traditional liturgies based on trinitarian creeds.

Is Spong’s viewpoint indicate a more satisfactory way to move forward in faith following the way of Jesus? Bruce Chilton, like Spong also an associate of the Jesus Seminar, has written that the way forward is to follow the path of Jesus’ prayer commonly called “the Lord’s Prayer” or the Paternoster. In his latest imprint, The Way of Jesus to Repair and Renew the World, (Abingdon Press, 2010), Chilton presents the original Aramaic words of that prayer as a pattern for a moral and a liturgical life that people may pursue. It may lead us to a common goal of living respectfully of others’ religious traditions in our violent age.

Does research in the intersection of science and religion like that covered on the website of the Metanexus Institute offer another possible way of thinking? The latest Metanexus blog posted by Joel Primack and Nancy Abrams posit the expectation that a shared cosmology could become the basis for a unified view of what may actually be true. (http://www.metanexus.net/blog/shared-reality-based-science ) “Cosmology may seem to be a subject that is completely irrelevant to any normal human endeavour, but it could turn out to be not only practical, but our salvation…. This may be humanity’s best chance for a very long and successful future, and our best chance for infusing today with the excitement and optimism necessary to get.”

After all, the Bible begins with a cosmology – two different cosmologies, in fact. Since we now believe that evolution has been proven and science has taken us almost as far back to the beginning as the Big Bang, this approach is certainly something to pursue. It is a hopeful as well as a religious point of view.

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