Thursday, January 19, 2006

Being theology

In truth, the idea that any element of God's creation - be it music or a tree - has to do something in order to justify its existence is an idea more connected to capitalism, consumerism, and marketing
than the doctrine of creation. (Charlie Peacock in At the Crossroads, pg. 102)


Why is it that Christian believers are so intent on making everything accomplish something. I haven't read statistics, but I would be willing to bet that there are many fewer Christians who regularly attend the symphony, or Broadway presentations, or art museums, or book readings. It's as if somewhere we attached ourselves to the idea that Peacock refers to, namely that everything needs to blatantly profess Christian doctrine or the name of God in order to be acceptable to Christians.

That's preposterous. Existence, in and of itself, is glory to God, since we are here by His breath. The psalmist sang, "Creation declares your glory, and the universe your majesty." G-O-D is not legibly written on creation or on the universe, but God is certainly manifest in them. Isn't that enough?

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