Recently I had occasion to state that I believe the ability to reason and create are the two things that separate us from the animals and thus reflect the imago dei. We should regularly engage in both. It's something I've thought for a long time. And I've been processing this idea since declaring it to this person.
A related thought, but not in a necessarily obvious way, I also often think about the wide range of Christians/denominations and, therefore, Christian beliefs that presently coexist. I'm particularly interested in just how many ways we understand the same truth and how we find so very many ways to disagree with one another. I choose to believe that most of it is simply a reflection of how great, complex, and deep the Father's heart really is. I think we; in our temporal, limited abilities to comprehend His awesome and completeness, must focus on what we are able to see. Like standing an inch away from anything that could be considered overwhelming. A man at the base of the Niagara Falls may describe it as white. A woman tipping over the peak may call it high. I would argue, they are both right. I think most theological debates could be answered with the simple answer - yes. Both/And.
We Christians debate the significance of grace and justice like it's either/or. And, even when it isn't being debated... you hear it in the way people talk about God and how they behave toward one another and how they think about themselves. We become preoccupied with that which is in front of us. I believe we naturally gravitate toward one or the other, and that some people are haunted by both. I freely admit I may believe this because I am one of these people who can't ignore either.
Driving home today, listening to a story about the potential stay of execution for Warren Hill, I associated these two meta questions in a way that will never disassociate again in my heart.
In my own life I see a pattern and a relationship between them. As a younger woman I lived in an academic world that prioritized reason and thinking and logic. I excelled in these areas, and remember thinking in a very black and white terms of justice. I remember being so grateful that Jesus took my place on the cross. My sin deserved punishment, and I understood that. Inwardly I needed to organize my thoughts on guilt and consequence around the basic tenants of justice. Outwardly, I was judgmental and legalistic. As an adult, I look back on those days and I am thankful for the protective cushion my legalism created in my own life. I avoided countless mistakes because of my strict understanding of right and wrong.
As I grew older, I realized that I both have a natural inclination and deep interest in the creative process and creating things myself. And not surprisingly, my understanding of grace and disdain for the pride that lingered around my sense of justice have grown as I have given myself room and permission to explore my creative side.
Are these related? I think so.
Do creative people understand grace in a way that logicians never will? Are the free spirited cursed to never recognize absolute truth?
Regardless, all of this brings once again to the forefront the mysterious nature of the One I adore. And for that, I am blessed. The joy of worshiping a God so big, so good; so interesting can overwhelm in the best way possible.
I leave with the words of Karl Barth - We are forbidden to take sin more seriously than grace, or even as seriously as grace.
If this great thinker can find satisfaction in the tension between grace and justice, may you too find a way to value both equally.
Soundtrack - Amazing Grace (um, duh); We Will all be Changed, Seryn
