Can I Think My Way to Heaven?


Can I think my way to heaven?  Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?  Yet this question sums up a popular approach to salvation. 

This question represents a knowledge-based salvation.  The path of salvation is through the mind, and reason becomes the highest form of spiritual attainment.  Apologetics is king in this world.  Logical, reasoned arguments for God’s existence trump all else. 

The fervent believer confronts science and philosophy and worldly wisdom with a point by point logical, scientific rational defense of God, the Resurrection, Creation, the Virgin Birth, the problem of evil, etc.  Ideas are consumed with consent and commitment, but nothing substantial happens to the believer, yet facts are provided providing a system to make good decisions and give an appearance of holiness. 

Understanding’s competitor is Union. 

This is salvation by communion, connection, dipping into the currents of grace so the residue of death is sheared away replaced by a renewed man.  Union is a relationship threatening yourself & existence, compelling you to lie upon an altar expecting death, but trusting for resurrection. 

Stand these two paths side by side, and the differences become clear. 

Understanding:     Facts are Important
Union:                  Action is important

Understanding:    The Bible is a sourcebook for information
Union:                  The Bible is a touchstone uniting man with Christ

Understanding:     Theology is an analytical knowledge of God and the way 
                             He works in the world.
Union:                  Theology is uniting with God in prayer.

Understanding:     Church is a gathering of like minded believers for 
                              encouragement to learn, teach, and understand
Union:                  Church is a vehicle drawing you into a deeper communion 
                             with God

Understanding:     The Lord’s Supper is designed to remember the facts and 
                              consequences of Christ’s sacrifice.
Union:                  The Lord’s Supper is partaking of the life of God and the 
                             action of the Cross into your being. 

Understanding:     Baptism is an announcement of a person’s commitment 
                             to certain beliefs about Christ.
Union:                  Baptism is becoming submerged into the life of Christ. 

Understanding:     Evangelism is the persuasion of others to believe a set of facts.
Union:                  Evangelism is the persuasion of others to join with the God 
                            of the universe to be transformed.

We live in a knowledge based world crying, "Knowledge is power", but communion is where real transformation lies.  

Theron Mathis

Comments

Daniel Wesley said…
I don't think "Understanding" and "Union" are mutually exclusive. 
11:38 AM
Theron Mathis said…
not necessarily, but understanding is a dominant approach that undermines the true nature of transformation that is needed and takes place. Doctrine is critical in that it it provides the guardrails for union.  
9:13 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jephthah's Daughter

Image
In Judges, there is a disturbing story in the midst of a heroic and praiseworthy leader.  This man, Jephthah, was an illegitimate child, was rejected by his brothers, excommunicated from the presence of his clan, and forced to live in a land of foreigners.   In contrast to the judges surrounding his story, he did not have multiple wives and prolific numbers of children, as if to create a ruling dynasty memorializing his own heroism.  Jephthah did not even have a son who would carry on his name, only a daughter, a daughter who appears precious to his very soul. Out of fear from invading armies, his brothers called him back from the exile they imposed upon him to lead them into victory over their enemies.  Jephthah's only condition was future acceptance and continued leadership of his clan.  They agreed.   Jephthah cries to God for victory and out of zeal or desperation makes a vow to God, unthinkable to modern ears.  If victorious, he will ...
Read more

Is Theistic Evolution Orthodox?

Image
Everyday Theology or Speculative Theology? Eagle River Institute, I’m disappointed.  Your institute has produced consistent edifying lectures for the Orthodox Christian. Yet, you allow someone to present on Evolution as if this is the only sensible position for an Orthodox Christian.  It is not! The presentation is upsetting. Maybe you found the arguments edifying for the average Orthodox Christian, but please qualify it. This is a historical aberration and deserves to be contrasted in the light of the historic Christian position. This article stands as a counterpoint to the theistic evolutionary position held by Dr. Gayle Woloschak in her presentation at the Eagle River Institute in August. There are more episodes to come, and depending on their content, I may put together another response. First of all, I am not judging this person’s Christian faith and commitment to Christ and Orthodoxy.  I am not judging her piety or personal holiness. I am judging her ...
Read more

The Problem of Orthodox Culture

Over the past months several Orthodox writers have taken up the topic of Orthodox culture and whether we can create one in this country.  Much of the writing flows out the pens of artists, so I am sure that this is a desire longing for an ethos where there is a richness of art seen in places like old Russia with majestic architecture, beautiful music and haunting works of literature.  I long for this too. What is the critical mass of people for such a culture to emerge?  Evangelicals have had this mass in America for some time, but only recently is there a serious arts movement bubbling up.  Rather than a culture of high art, I propose we are looking for community, and this is the base where we must start. The magnet that draws Americans into the Evangelical world, robust Catholic life, and even stranger American movements such as Mormonism is not theology, but community.  This is a place where you can enter and every part of your life is infected ...
Read more