This week our congregation tackled "What is humanity?"
Our first three weeks of Public Theology were a bit easier. The Bible and tradition specifically mention God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit often. Now, we're beginning to have to distill stories to get to their understanding of humanity (and upcoming grappling with sin, salvation, the future, etc). We did a great job taking the next step in our discovery. Here's what we distilled about humanity:
Bible
Adam and Eve
adam created from the earth
eve created from adam's flesh
created in God's image
needed God's breath to enliven
gave dominion over the animals
have a need for companionship, "helpmate"
we are fallen, disobedient
we have a temptation to be like God and a desire for God's knowledge
work is a punishment and part of being human
Satan worked on people when they were alone, never when they were together
we are mortal because of sin
we all will struggle because of sin
7 days of creation
we are created and called "good" (along with the rest of creation)
we are the last of the created things, the culmination
be fruitful and multiply
we blame others
we kill
we argue and wrestle with God (Abraham, Jacob)
we have a conscience
sometimes we'd rather not follow God (Jonah, etc)
we forget God often
we're in covenants with God (Moses, Abraham, Jesus, etc)
God tests us (Job, Abraham, etc)
we fail to understand God
God loves us in spite of all our failings
God loves a chosen people
God lifts up/blesses the lowly (beatitudes, magnificat)
Jesus is fully human, models the perfect human
we will be judged
we need the commandments
Tradition
"the flesh" is not to be trusted
there is a common human experience of calling to God for guidance and strength
the prayer of St. Francis describes humanity
we ask God's help to be better
"I am a worm and no man" (bcp)
Saints of God are just folk like me (hymn)
Our hearts are restless until they find rest in thee (Augustine)
we're worthwhile, no matter how bad (Amazing Grace)
Jesus loves me, this I know
we are forgiven through grace, not works
works righteousness
our relationship with God is both individual/private and collective/corporate
humanity is a shared experience
we're "amphibians" both fleshly and spiritual (Screwtape, CS Lewis)
we always have rules--need an "operating manual"
we never follow all the rules
we have free will
the theory of predestination
we want to be superior to others
we want to direct others
we're often certain we are right
not following God's rules will put us into hell
Reason/Experience
my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
humanity has discounted/abused/used animals (and all creation)
the human condition is part of ALL of us
we all struggle with the same questions, no matter who we are
our search for truth never finds a solution
we like instant gratification
we have a capacity to reflect on the suffering of others
we have a capacity to help and respond to others
we have the ability to be indifferent
we have the ability to inflict suffering
I struggle with the question of HOW we walk with God: by self-discipline or by grace?
we all grapple
how does God feel about us doing the right thing for the wrong reason?
how does God feel about us doing the wrong thing for the right reason?
it's hard to believe that grace can cover ALL sins (there are some really terrible folks out there)
we blame tragedy on God (is that true?)
we claim God saves us from tragedy (is that true?)
we have an ability to trust God
self-discipline is important in our growth
when wars are fought, every side believes God is on "our side"
so many people are good, loving, kind
humans see evil more easily than they see the good
humans respond to love better than to threats
we need to suspend our disbelief in order to have faith
we have had incredible success and incredible failures
we like to put things in place of God: my own judgement, money, etc
we don't want to give God control
we desire to experience God
we fear experiencing God
it is impossible for humans to understand God
many people give up trying to have a relationship with God
many are angry with God
question why God made me like this if it leads to abuse/pain/etc
we have a desire to be self-reliant
Several folks this week commented on how our first three topics were uplifting and helpful, but this week's discovery felt depressing. I encouraged them to continue attending--we first need to get an understanding of humanity before we can understand the questions of sin, salvation, and the future. Check in next week!
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