j.p. serrano

It has been a while, here is what is on my mind.

Henry Nouwen wrote,

“Seminaries and divinity schools must lead theology students into an ever-growing communion with God, with each other, and with their fellow human beings. Theological education is meant to from a whole person toward an increasing conformity with the mind of Christ so that our way of praying and our way of being will be one.” (147 The Way of the Heart)

I am afraid that christianity has lost our way with theological education. From what I have been hearing lately, union with Christ is no longer its priority. Rather, it has become reason, apologetics, and logic. When we remove the primary goal of our studies, union with Christ, we shift to a core that is no longer stable and it will lead us astray. I have been hearing lately that knowledge rather than communion is the primary goal–I disagree.

According to Nouwen Theology originally meant “union with God in prayer.”

Today it has become about academic rigor. No wonder we produce Christians who make it their goal to beat up others with the Word, and try to reason or shame them to repentance. This is a fools effort. Only the Spirit can convict causing shame and guilt…it is not our place. Our place is to love.

peace.

I am a British Christian.  My family were Christians when Ireland was still in pagan darkness. I belong  to the ancient church of this land.  I didn’t like the thought of this Irish missionary upstart.  I thought he was a puppet of the  English king, whom I hate.

When I saw him coming down the lane I would have passed by in silence.  But something about him, something in the way he looked at me, made me stop. ‘Are you a Christian?’ he asked, gently.

‘Of course.’ I said, huffily.

‘That is good to hear,’ he said.  ’Now will you try to be a better one?’

I don’t know why I didn’t explode with anger, but I didn’t.  Suddenly I actually wanted to be a better Christian.  And suddenly I wanted to know Aidan better and hear what he had to say.

I found this story in yesterdays devotion from Celtic Daily Prayer.  It is the prayer book of the Northumbria Community.  

It had been much to long since I have held the fixed hour prayers, but that is changing.  What an appropriate devotion to start of the day with a penetrating question.  ”Will you try to be a better one?”  That we would all ask ourselves this daily.

-jps