Christmas: what is the nature of truth and where does it reside? In 2003 I was attacked in the Irish press for my evolutionary views on theology. Here was my response.
If, as most theologians agree, Jesus could not have been born 2003 years ago, and
that it is highly unlikely that it was on 25 December in Bethlehem, why does the Church continue to support the
season of Christmas? Indeed are we thereby supporting a wrong concept about Jesus? The opportunity to address
the issue in public arose when 'Progressive Christians' came under attack in the Church of Ireland Gazette. My
letter, unfortunately, was shortened for publication, but here I give the full version.
Dear
Sir,
Canon Kennedy's letter raises a number of misconceptions about 'Progressive Christianity' .
As a member of the Progressive Christians my main concern is not, like previous 'modernists', with
intellectual study, but with the practical development of the spiritual dimension of the individual in
accordance with Jesus' command first to love God and then to love the whole of humanity.
The
development of the spiritual journey fulfils the Creator's overriding principle which governs the Universe,
that of evolution and remains the most important issue, and not, for me, the blind acceptance of static
fourth century intellectual dogma with which Christianity sought to confine the message of Jesus.
As a
Cathedral Organist & Choirmaster with a degree in Theology I have a great sense of Christian history and
liturgy which I will always revere but seek to build upon for the future. I designed an Advent Carol Service
based on the medieval right of Sarum which, with people now standing all over the cathedral, could be
regarded a success.
Equally I wish to present an alternative historical perspective which I find more
coherently in tune with modern Biblical Scholarship, with scientific investigation (e.g. physics,
astrophysics and studies of the mind and consciousness), and with regard to the undoubted spiritual
dimensions inherent in many of the World's great belief systems. Here modern scholarship raises many
interesting ideas which lie far beyond the understanding of those who produced the creeds or indeed previous
reformers.
In that sense we are not iconoclasts but presenters of an alternative Christian message for
those who have rejected the dogma of the Church but who have spiritual yearnings which we seek to address.
God's earth is diverse and inclusive in its expression. Why should not religion be the same?
PRACTICAL SPIRITUALITY OR ORGANISED RELIGION
For me there are two main issues. The first is to divorce practical
spirituality from organised religion. The second is to establish the nature of truth in its two divisions,
historical reality and the influence of society on its perception of truth. Here I am defining truth as 'What
are the key elements of the Christian message?'.
The first issue is quite straightforward. There are
many practical and effective spiritual practices which lie beyond organised Christianity. One need only look at
the proven benefits of Eastern forms of meditation as evidence. Within Christianity one need only consider the
benefit of good liturgy which transcends the message contained within it. At this time of the year Candlelit
Advent Carol Services remain good examples. Few people these days accept the story of Adam, or a second coming
of Jesus, yet the resonances behind this theology of human error coupled with the need to reach a spiritual
plain beyond materialistic existence speak directly to the human subconscious in a way that theology or the
constructs of organised religion never can.
THE
INFLUENCE OF THE CHURCH, PAUL AND CONSTANTINE ON TRUTH
Which leads me
to the perceived nature of truth. To take the second element first - the influence of society. The perception of
truth is a construct of the dominant society. It is a thing to be played with according to the needs of the
hierarchy of that society in any given age to ensure its own survival. In Western Society it is earthly power
and materialism. Christianity, for example, allowed this to happen when the perception of truth moved
significantly from the time of Jesus to the time of Paul and Constantine. For Jesus the perception of truth lay
in a spiritual direction to the individual, to love God and to love one's fellow human being. The whole of life,
physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual, was subordinated to develop the effect of these principles in
humanity. For Paul, and especially for Constantine, such truth was transferred from the spiritual to the human
plain, from the individual to the global, eventually to be separated out into the earthly physical (controlled
by the Emperor) and the heavenly spiritual (controlled by the bishops). In consequence obedience to truth lay in
obedience to the hierarchical organisation and the doctrines which it pronounced. Such truths were, like those
of any society built on control, of short lived duration.
Thus, with Paul and Constantine, the
perception of truth moved from one of personal spiritual responsibility to orthodox human obedience to
authority. This was the construct of truth which mainstream Christianity has taken up and which has survived for
some 1600 years. It is easy to see why. As long as society is based on the power of and conformity to authority
then it remains relevant because of the control which Authority can exercise. The organisation remains the power
of truth. In terms of Christianity this is seen in its control of its adherents through the hierarchy of bishop,
priest and deacon and the administration of spirituality through the trickle down of God's grace through the
controlling sacraments of baptism, confession, confirmation, the eucharist, marriage etc.
PROBLEMS OF TRUTH BASED SOLELY ON WORDS
Yet any nature of truth which is based on words (such as the creeds) or
acceptance of the authority of others is ultimately meaningless and of short-lived duration (what, for example
is the timespan of 1,600 years in contrast to the 14,000,000,000 years of the life of the universe, or even the
100,000 years of modern human existence?). Words are finite, time orientated, and require constant intellectual
redefinition. Further, such truth can remain relevant only if that authority retains its original spiritual
dimension backed by historical integrity. Once that has gone, deep fissures appear in its ranks.
That
is the state of Christianity today. The rifts are there. Christianity is already fractured into a multiplicity
of sects which do not accept each other's ministries, do not practise inter-communion, are divided about the
historical data base of their founder, have reduced spirituality to ever changing word-based liturgical
formulae, often with modern musical excreta, all in a vain attempt to retain control of the spiritual nature of
humanity, and to be relevant. To what? True, certain activities of Christianity attract increasing numbers.
Cathedrals, in particular, attract increased congregations because of the spiritual ambience of the building and
the quality of the liturgy, not through any demand of obedience to the sacraments. Remove the drama, the candles
and the music from the liturgy of Advent and Christmas. Would they be so popular?
THE LESSON OF JESUS
Failure beckons unless Christianity can learn the lesson of Jesus. Not for Jesus the priesthood or birth in a
royal family. Not for him a religion dominated by the will of others or acceptance of some wordy formula.
Remember his consistent denigration of those engaged in this form of religion, the priests and pharisees.
Personal empowerment through the developing spiritual perception of one's relationship with God and with all
humanity lies at the heart of his ministry. It is a timeless and inclusive message, embracing the people of all
religions and no religion who seek to develop the spiritual dimension of their lives. Christianity ignores this
fundamental concept at its peril.
Where does that leave us with Christmas? Love God and your fellow
human being certainly. Be aware of human frailty and the need for guidance to overcome it, certainly. Yet there
have been many spiritual guides in the history of humanity whose births should be celebrated at this time.
Equally we must not forget the value of personal development (for a start why not take up meditation - the fount
of spirituality?), or of attending good liturgy and listening to music, or going for walks in God's creation, or
reading a book with a spiritual dimension, all of which transcend the materialism of the present age. We must
give ourselves time and space to think, to be and so to evolve. Words, or reliance on historical dogma are no
longer sufficient to persuade an evolved society.
Religion, too, must evolve to meet the problems of
apostasy and materialism. It can do so only by empowering the spiritual lives of humanity rather than by seeking
to control them by authority and words. After all, isn't that what Jesus did?
© STUART E GRAY
December, 2003