The Wilderness Way #18

We have a problem with our theology. Stay with me; it is not the typical problem most people think of. It is not because we are too far left or too far right. Our issue is far more basic than the trivial choosing of theological camps to pitch our tent in.

It is deeper than the tired old battle of whether one understands the Bible in literal or demythologizing terms. (That old debate has been going on since at least the beginnings of the second century. Don’t take my word for it, go read Origen for yourself. Dive into the invigorating arguments and discussions between the Alexandrian and Antioch schools of theology. But I digress.)

Our problem is not that we are too Wesleyan (in fact, we aren’t Wesleyan enough!). The theological problem we wrestle with as a church is deeper and more basic. We have lost our sense of Christ as Lord and Savior.

Allow me to share a few stories. A young friend went to visit a Unitarian church. When I asked her about it she commented, “I missed Jesus.” Another young friend somewhat heartedly asked me, “What is it with you preachers? Do you forget about Christ when you learn the secret handshake from the bishop at your ordination?”

I replied that (a) I didn’t know the secret handshake, and that (b) I certainly hope not. For a number of years now, my son has insisted that the typical Methodist sermon consists of three points: “(1) God loves you; (2) love each other; (3) Come on, you all try hard to love each other!”

I could go on with additional stories, but hopefully you are making the connection as you read this. Somehow we have gone thin on the vital connection of Christ as the center of the Christian faith. Our Christology is often poorly thought through and poorly articulated.

A pastor in the Central Texas Conference reported to me a recent experience interviewing a possible staff addition in education and/or youth ministry. “I asked each of them the following question to get a sense of their Christology,” the pastor said.

“If a youth came to you and said, ‘I believe in God, but who is this Jesus Christ and why is he so important?’ What would be your response?”

“The newly commissioned Perkins graduate gave a very nebulous response that emphasized something about ‘community.’ A Lutheran lay person’s response was equally weak and basically went in circles. The applicant we ended up hiring (a United Methodist lay person) gave the best response, but still needs coaching in how to be simple and clear.”

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:23-24) Albert Cook Outler, the great Wesleyan scholar, noted that this was one of the most widely preached passages (along with Ephesians 2:1-10) by John Wesley. We need to reclaim a robust Christology at the center of our Christian witness and faith sharing — both for ourselves and others.

By: Bishop Mike Lowry On 8/7/2009

Topics: Bishop Columns