I believe this is why I believe what I believe…
Molecule Man 1+1+1 - a sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky in Berlin, Germany, of three aluminium figures, which unite to form a whole, meant by the artist to remind the viewer ‘that finding wholeness and unity within this world remains the aim of any creative and spiritual tradition’. PHOTO: Jensen, Wikimedia Commons.
IT'S THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY. We recall how Jesus prayed for all who believe in him: 'May they all be one' [John 17:21]. We thank God he didn't say 'one and the same'!
We're called to unity not uniformity, so we celebrate our diversity. OTN Trustee Neil Rees reflects on why he believes what he believes.
Christianity is often characterised by statements of faith or creeds that immortalize doctrinal positions or convictions. While it is true that we need agreement on the core of our faith, these can get ever wider and more specific, ‘locking’ opinions into fixed views that are effectively imposed on those who sign up to that particular branch of the church.
After 27 years serving in international mission, Neil was the minister of CLM Church in Ormskirk near Liverpool until November 2021. He maintains a strong interest in the global Christian community and international development and serves today in Bible teaching, training and leadership development. He has an MA in international development and one published book, Not Everything in Our Bibles Is Inspired. He is actively working to see the Christian community become more inclusive to all, which led to him becoming an LGBTQIA+ ally, and a trustee of the Open Table Network.
But that is not how people in general tend to work. Alongside certain unshakeable convictions about ourselves, others, and the world around us, much of what we think is in a constant state of flux. We grow, change, acquire and reject convictions and opinions, develop more nuanced ways of looking at the beliefs we hold - and at those of others that we do not share. ‘What I believe’ is in fact a mere snapshot of the state of my thinking at any given time. Those of us who teach and have material in print or online know all too well the feeling when revisiting something we said ten years ago that we now disagree with! While disconcerting, this is normal, healthy, and part and parcel of what it means to be human.
So, why do we believe what we believe?
When we come to faith, most of us take on board a whole set of beliefs and assumptions. Some of these are fundamental truths of our faith - the incarnation of Jesus, the existence of only one God revealed to us in Christ, for example. Others are more ‘part of the package’, things that ‘just are’, which may include convictions, attitudes, and behaviours. As new believers, or those who grew up in a faith community, it is simply impossible to examine the whole corpus of ideas and elements that make up this religious experience. So, we tend to take the lot on board on trust. As former Dallas Theological Seminary professor Jack Deere says in his book Surprised by the Power of the Spirit:
‘Over the years I have observed that the majority of what Christians believe does not come from their own patient and careful study of the Scriptures. The majority of Christians believe what they believe because respected and godly teachers told them that it was correct.’
With time, though, we may begin gradually to evaluate, refine and confirm these beliefs as we grow in understanding, knowledge and experience. For some core beliefs, we come to see more clearly why these are held and what they are based on. But with other convictions, we may come to see how little foundation there is in Scripture for these or discover opposite convictions that stand up equally well - or better - to examination. And we may find ourselves coming into conflict with certain practices or ways of thinking in our church tradition that we do not see as appropriate or adequate for the expression of our faith.
Healthy growth happens when we embrace this process, acknowledging the limitations of our own knowledge and the value of other people’s thinking. Conversely, conflict and inner tension can occur when we hold tightly to opinions, equating our own thinking with divine truth itself and perhaps demonizing those who think differently.
In the area of sexuality, many Christians have inherited opinions that reflect centuries of interpretation of Scripture and deeply rooted opinions within Western society and culture. As one member of my church said when we started to explore the topic,
‘Give me time, this was illegal when I was growing up’!
It is easy to hold tightly to these views, elevating them to the position of dogma or fundamental truth. Then, it becomes impossible to give serious consideration to other ways of thinking. Rather, any ‘dialogue’ becomes an attempt to defend our position from ‘heresy’ or the ‘erosion of Christian values’.
There are exceptions - but it is surprising how little thought most people have given to why they hold these views and what they are actually based on. Even though excellent resources are available, most teaching on the subject involves repetition and reinforcement of views and moral declarations more than serious reflection. When beginning a discussion with one church leader who held unswervingly to the ‘traditional’ position on same-sex relationships, he was unable to say why he thought as he did or respond to simple questions on the interpretation of Scripture. He defended his ignorance claiming not to have spent the time that I have in study of the subject. And yet, despite never having personally given the time to examine the subject, he taught and defended across a network of churches an interpretation that has huge implications for countless people, both inside and outside those churches.
Sadly, much of the discussion around faith and sexuality resembles trench warfare where each side lobs its arguments over the parapet to try to damage the other’s position whilst digging firmly in on their own side. By contrast, growth happens where we are prepared to ‘hold truth with an open hand’, as a friend of mine says, and engage in meaningful dialogue in which we genuinely listen to people who think differently from us on particular issues. Are there other ways of reading Scripture? What is it that leads people to different conclusions to ours? Can I accept their position as an honest and sincere attempt to understand the issues about which we differ, even if not sufficiently convinced to adopt it myself? And am I willing to see my own thinking evolve over a period of time as I continue in dialogue? We may find ourselves surprised at the fruit this brings - both in ourselves as we mature in our thinking, as well as in the quality of Christian communion and friendship we develop with others who, despite the dialogue, still think differently from us!
One final thought. Some convictions are held lightly and have little significant impact on the way we live. These change more easily. Others are deeply embedded in who we are as people, and in the faith communities of which we are part. Change in these areas tends to be much slower, much costlier and much more significant. Thinking around sexuality is definitely in the latter category. Even to entertain the possibility of other views not being wrong can initially feel like theological betrayal! It takes courage to open our minds to listen to others whose views are so diametrically opposed to our own.
