We must never underestimate our power to be wrong when talking about God, when thinking about God, when imagining God, whether in prose or in poetry. A generous orthodoxy, in contrast to the tense, narrow, or controlling orthodoxies of so much of Christian history, doesn't take itself too seriously. It is humble. It doesn't claim too much. It admits it walks with a limp.
Interpretation
The quote highlights the importance of humility in our understanding of God and suggests that a generous approach to faith allows for human fallibility.
Brian D. McLaren emphasizes that when discussing or thinking about God, we should remain aware of our limitations and the potential for error in our beliefs. Unlike rigid orthodoxies that claim absolute truth, a 'generous orthodoxy' embraces humility and acknowledges that we do not have all the answers. This perspective encourages open-mindedness and compassion within faith discussions, recognizing our shared imperfections as we seek understanding.
In practice
In a discussion about theology at a community gathering.
Jesus doesn’t dominate the other, avoid the other, colonize the other, intimidate the other, demonize the other, or marginalize the other. He incarnates into the other, joins the other in solidarity, protects the other, listens to the other, serves the other, even lays down his life for the other.
At their best, religious and spiritual communities help us discover this pure and naked spiritual encounter. At their worst, they simply make us more ashamed, pressuring us to cover up more, pushing us to further enhance our image with the best designer labels and latest spiritual fads, weighing us down with layer upon layer of heavy, uncomfortable, pretentious, well-starched religiosity.
To be a Christian in a generously orthodox way is not to claim to have the truth captured, stuffed, and mounted on the wall
We’re seeking — imperfectly at every turn, no doubt — an incarnational theology, a theology that brings radical good news of great joy for all the people, good news that God loves the world and didn’t send Jesus to condemn it but to save it, good news that God’s wrath is not merely punitive but restorative, good news that the fire of God’s holiness is not bent on eternal torment but always works to purify and refine, good news that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.
It is as hard for the good to suspect evil, as it is for the bad to suspect good.
You may have killed God beneath the weight of all that you have said; but don't imagine that, with all that you are saying, you will make a man that will live longer than he.
Surely, life is not merely a job, an occupation; life is something extraordinarily wide and profound, it is a great mystery, a vast realm in which we function as human beings.
Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness.
Beloved," said the Glorious One, "unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they truly seek.
If what I say resonates with you, it's merely because we're branches of the same tree.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.