Fearless Faith

Some decisions are easier than others as evidenced by the driver’s side door latch on our secondary vehicle. It got fussy the last few months and finally refused to work at all… except from the outside. Once in the driver’s seat it was easy to forget to lower the window before shutting the engine off. The alternative was to shimmy across the front seat and exit through the passenger side door. Walmart likely has a parking lot video or two in that regard. “It’s okay officer, I’m a pastor!” I’m not sure these days if that would be a helpful comment or one that earns a trip in a cruiser.

The latch failure was not catastrophic by any means. It did not suddenly break off mid-use or drop vital parts into the door cavity where they could be seen but not retrieved. This was a failure of degrees that finally reached its limit. We’d known it was coming for some time yet we staved off action until it was inescapable. And no, it did not miraculously heal itself, though I did consider consulting a higher authority.

Such is the pattern when dealing with the concerns of modern day churches, many with annoying bugs and few helpful fixes. We recognize concerns when they are looming over us, but it can be easy to ignore them until something absolutely has to be done, like crawling over seats to exit a vehicle.

That isn’t necessarily bad if the problem calls for time to think a process through. It is human nature, however, to distance ourselves from challenges that take some resource and effort to resolve. In the case of the door latch, research coupled with some common sense examples from the internet and a little time was all it took. The next latch replacement should be a piece of cake, provided I remember how to do it by then.

Tackling concerns related to faith demands a slightly higher analysis of the problem as well as timely follow through. It should come as no surprise that as we age religious experiences take on new meanings, obligations, and urgencies. The invincibility of youth gives way to more pragmatic approaches and we begin to view life, faith, and death in a myriad of ways. For those willing to engage at a deeper level, the rewards can be vast, our anxieties less daunting.

Seeking the root cause of religious angst can lead in many different directions. Online research leans toward the subjective and lack often lacks quantifiable support. Self-professed theologians are prone to be long on theory and short on facts. That doesn’t bode well for those who desire clear, concise, paint-by-number directives. We all know there are many artistic works that make similar statements. The same is true of religion. While each of us contributes to a broader understanding, we do so from different perspectives. Are all of them correct? Are they in some ways misguided? How will time treat our conclusions for the future?

Robust concerns face Protestantism these days. How shall we respond? Hopefully by careful study, committed scholarship, and an eagerness to once again move the church forward. The conversation will be lively and, if we listen, Spirit led. It’s more than fixing a simple latch but nonetheless satisfying.