That's how G.K. Chesterton puts it in his book Orthodoxy --------------------------------->
"Chess Players Go Crazy, Not Poets." It speaks to the difference of having to figure everything out, have the answers, have the moves, and all the correct conclusions to the simplicity and enjoyment of observing things and experiencing them as they are. Both have pros and cons, but it seems that's enough to drive a person mad in the secular realms, let alone the spiritual. But we blogger types are never ones to shy away from madness so....
What are some of those things in Christianity that have the potential to drive someone mad if we tried to explain it all out and figure it down to the smallest detail? Should we try any way? Where is the line between sanity and madness, curiosity and craziness? Truth and titilations?
I know there is both sides of the spectrum out there, both chess players and poets. I would tend toward the poet side and say that God knows and that is often times enough, but i do enjoy a challenge, new thoughts, and good conversation so maybe a couple topics for discussion...
Faith.... If "faith without works is dead" how do we live in our faith (or live our faith out)?
Salvation... Do we have a role in the process, really, actually? Or is it all God doin the work in us
Heaven... I'll keep it way open here, what do you think it will be like?
Give me more topics, spead the discussion, chessies and poets welcome.
6 comments:
I can understand where Chesterton is coming from. Some people are driven to the brink of insanity because they "think" too much. In the spiritual realm there are so many "unknowns" that if a Christian were to really sit down and think about it they would probably go nuts. The topics that you brought up are just a few of those "unknowns".
Great lead in to some great topics. Getting to the topics ...
Faith, tough one. I feel that living in our faith is living by example. If we truly live like we are Christians, then people will wonder what's up, and begin to ask questions.
Salvation, interresting one. We are God's hands and feet, so we are used by God to bring others to Him. If we were to think that we bring others to Christ on our own, we are fooling ourselves. It is only by the power of God that we are able to introduce Jesus to unbelievers.
Heaven, cool one. I can't wait for the new world. I can't wait to see loved ones that have passed. I can't wait to golf on the most beautiful golf courses ever made. I can't wait to throw a disc over the most awesome disc golf course ever imagined. Heaven is going to be everything we have ever hoped and prayed for ... and more.
this is an excellent entry...full of opportunities for discussion...
in light of recent discussions from our study of the book of Romans (Sr. High S.S. class), i would have to say that at first most of us (especially young Christians) tend to run towards the chessboard in hopes of answering these questions on their own! (Some of the very thought-provoking, denominational-separating issues that people have been mauling over for thousands of years! it's almost humorous how much "what we've been taught" can sometimes directly contradict what is found in the Word!).
but, i would have to say that many of the mysteries found in the Christian faith must to be met with the poetic reply of Tozer, "Lord, Thou knoweth."
it's not about ignoring the mystery and living in naivety, but rather embracing the mystery as an opprotunity to be stretched and grow in faith! this is the essence of following Christ(Hebrews 11:1-3). so why does this "hands up" approach to such issues seem so against our nature?
You can write a poem about chess, but you can't win at poetry. Blogging is like two old men playing chess in the park. They're retired.
wow. now that's deep.
The chess players and poet distinction is really intriguing. I really like to think about the differences each group brings to the Kingdom. You need both, when it comes down to it. Especially as a college student, the pressure is to find the answer, to know what comes next, to explain the details, to interpret "correctly" every word. Yet that just gets in the way so many times.
As far as living out faith... can you define what that looks like for each person? (again with the poets thing). It seems to come down to living in a state of communion with God, and being in such a relationship with Him that you simply WANT to share His love with those around you. And that manifests itself through each person's spiritual gifts, interests, and passions.
I like the idea of sports in Heaven, that Szabo wrote about :) But what excites me most is the picture of every tongue, tribe and nation worshipping one God. To live in perfect harmony, peace, and to simply love our Saviour and worship our Father. It's so neat to think that every blessing we receive on this Earth is simply a taste, an appetizer of the banquet to come. yay God :)
Analyzing and defining theology is like dissecting a frog, you may know all there is to know but in the end it's dead. How do you strategize a relationship? You can try, but I think I'll stick with the romance and the mystery. But then again, I'm sure it's all the poets commenting on this post anyway...
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