the Church is for us… not for God?

i was having a conversation yesterday in Gent with an old friend from Black Forest Academy. We haven’t seen each other in over 6 years, and not surprisingly we have both changed somewhat. we talked about Faith and the Church… (in the shadows of 4 Massive cathedrals.)  

he told me that he would rather know the ‘Truth,’ even if it took away his happiness. i disagreed. i am convinced that the Church is for us, for humanity… not for God (at least not directly). The church has always been evolving despite having the same foundation it had almost 2,000 years ago. it adapts for it’s people. great. it should – because it is precisely for that purpose. as was discussed in a previous post, i believe structure is a necessary aid for human happiness. ‘do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.’ there is a resounding call for happiness throughout scripture (God’s Glory is man fully alive! – St. Ignatius, Happiness is possession of all things considered good/godly – Gregory of Nyssa). The word in the Bible often translated as ‘blessed’ could just as easily, if not more accurately be translated as ‘happy.’ “Happy is the man who…” “Happy are the poor in spirit…” “Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…” etc. 

So in the same line of thought; the church – it is a vessel for that purpose. it is a vessel for community, relationships, and ultimately love and happiness. the whole truth and nothing but the truth shouldn’t be THE goal of a church. the fields of Biblical Studies and Theology are ENORMOUS and also descriptive not explanatory (Dr. Tim Perry) -”Provisional articulations of truth… derived and therefore open to revision.” … getting back to the topic. 

The whole truth doesn’t exist, and nothing but the truth is the opposite of Faith. This reality, along with the Word of God acquired from scripture, should be understood as the foundation of the Church. Upon this, we progress, learn, and of course never stop loving. A pastor should have no problem ‘correcting’ a mistake or misunderstanding in a previous sermon. He or she is a shepherd doing his or her best to teach and lead a community of HOPEFULLY seekers (not in the post-modern christian sense). Not people who used to be seekers but people who will always be seekers (simply because we are called to have an everlasting neediness in regard to Truth). 

So, pastors in seminaries are often taught to preach in absolutes. Even if it (the topic of the sermon) isn’t really that absolute. Great Church Fathers and men of God have disagreed through the ages… and to this day. There won’t suddenly be answers, and yet many pastors are taught to preach in absolutes. why? I don’t have a problem with this. but many do. Structure is necessary and as long as people realize the fused foundation of the church (mentioned above) since the beginning of time then i don’t mind tentative truths that structure and create somewhat of a framework for happiness (for the majority of people, maybe not those reading this post). That is the purpose of the Church… to be a framework upon which people find happiness/love (sorry i don’t differentiate these two in this context). Truth (big T) isn’t necessary in this realm… but happiness is. (God’s glory is man fully alive). that is the purpose of the Church… for me.