. . . Ultimately, truth in Christianity is not a doctrine, not a dogma, not a creed, not a papal bull, not what's said in a sermon, not even the words in the Bible. Rather, truth in Christianity is a person, Christ Jesus.
Jesus said so himself: "I am the way, the truth and the light."
This is a complex, difficult concept that, in the end, cannot be exhaustively explained.
But it does require us to acknowledge that all words are metaphors, pointing to meaning beyond themselves. If we give ultimate allegiance to the words as they are used in official doctrines and creeds, we box ourselves in. The effect is to miss God's glorious freedom.
Please don't think I'm devaluing doctrine, dismissing centuries of attempts at expressing in words what "John" called our "central truths." I have made my living relying on the power and expressiveness of words. I value words deeply.
But I value the Word even more, which is to say the living, resurrected Christ, whose spirit cannot be contained in our words. . . .
– Bill Tammeus
"We Must Remember Christianity is Jesus, Not a Doctrine"
National Catholic Reporter
June 13, 2012
"We Must Remember Christianity is Jesus, Not a Doctrine"
National Catholic Reporter
June 13, 2012
I don't think Jesus used a lot of words--and when he did it was to teach, to love, and to help!
ReplyDeleteOne cannot oppose Doctrine and the Person of Jesus Christ. It is just as false as opposing Christ and His Church.
ReplyDeleteAnd I would remind readers that not all the words of Jesus in the Gospels are of the "warm and fuzzy" kind. One must accept ALL Christ's teachings (and ALL the teachings of His Church) -- at least if one wishes to be considered Catholic.
To deny even one article of the Faith is to deny Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.