Awhile ago I was taught that one of the grave dangers of modernity was its tendency to dichotomize the human person. Following Plato’s idealism, layering it with Kant and America’s rugged individualism creates an anthropology that produces humanity as essentially “thinking things.” When we throw Protestant (particularly) theology into that already potent mix, we develop notions of salvation and doctrine that make almost know sense of the entire person. We find ourselves saying things like this:
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” AW Tozer
When we are radically consistent, we eventually produce a gospel message that sounds like the one I recently heard at a Tenth Avenue North concert, in which the lead singer (inspired by John Piper) talks about this clip from Batman Begins:
After doing a spot on impression of the movie the singer reminds the crowd that the problem with Batman is that he can’t be saved, and here’s the kicker- “He can’t be saved because he things that what he does matters. But its not what he does that’s important about him, its who he is.” Wow. The complete separation of deeds and self. If we take away our actions, how would we even know who we are? Are we only our actions, like Batman seems to imply? No, of course not, but we are way more than just our minds. Compare the earlier Tozer quote with this one,
“We have no idea how to live until we first know who God is. So when we say that God's name is holy, that tells us how we ought to live. Knowing the creator tells us where the creation is meant to move.” Hauerwas and Willimon, Lord, Teach Us. 46-47.
The differences are subtle, but enormous and crucial. For more on some of these connections, check out Jams KA Smith’s latest book Desiring the Kingdom.
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2 comments:
Well Greg, isn't doing a byproduct of being. I guess I am a little befuddled by your post. Are you saying that John Piper and the Tenth Avenue North singer are wrong in their thinking, theology or application?
Funny thing but I just wrote a post last night about this same idea, but I approached it slightly differently..it will be published tomorrow, so check it out www.teamhuerta.com....
Jose,
Its so crazy that we can keep in touch this way. The short answer to your question is that yes, I think those guys are wrong, on pretty much all three. I enjoyed your post, though there are some things I want to kick around with you a bit- if it works for you. I am thinking, maybe we can do a series back and forth exploring some of these things. Let me know.
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