To what extent has disenchantment (secularism) distorted my understanding of scripture? Does believing something to be true make it real? Is it possible my belief is a mirage, true but unreal? I posed these questions in my previous post. This post is an attempt to addresses those questions.
Transcendence (existence or experience beyond the normal or physical level) is the core of Christianity. Without transcendence, Christianity becomes a religious commodity, void of meaning and purpose.
Evidence of transcendence as the core of Christianity necessarily begins with the source of what is true and real for Christians…holy scriptures… the Bible… the Word of God. Even a cursory reading of the Bible reveals the authors’ assumption of metaphysical reality alien to the modern mind. Richard Beck observes: Modern people make a hard metaphysical distinction between having a “mind” versus having a “soul.” …a distinction foreign to the New Testament , by alternatively translating a word like psyche as either “mind” or “soul” modern translations allow readers to superimpose their metaphysical assumptions onto the New Testament, obscuring just how differently the New Testament conceived reality. The Bible becomes metaphysically comfortable to us, conforming to our assumptions, rather than strange and startling.
[Disenchanted life]
We are captivated by the “surface” of things, failing to see what lies beneath. It causes us to be anxious and driven by things of insignificance. If there is a constant temptation for us in our present time, it is to lose confidence that there is anything unseen or eternal, at least in the sense that such things impinge on our daily existence. Our disenchanted, secular world is a siren song that promises the power of control while robbing us of the reality of communion. We “manage” the world when we should be in love with it.
Fr Stephen Freeman
Making a distinction between “mind” and “soul” is characteristic of disenchantment. My religious upbringing made the Bible metaphysically comfortable. Scripture viewed through rationalistic lens morphed mysterious and inexplicable realities into logical understandings, or failing on that count, relegated them to fairly tale status (flannel board). Historical accuracy of scripture was a handy diversion that satisfied the need for “factual” truth. Consequently, I have concluded my belief to have been a mirage for much of my spiritual journey.
Using the mirage metaphor is risky. As with all metaphors, it will break down at some point, but I find it helpful. The Chicago skyline as seen in the mirage is real, but the image is an illusion. Mirage, an illusion of something that is real, describes my belief… true but unreal. In posts to follow I will examine the idea of belief being true but unreal.
Hopefully, this conversation has left you with a lot of questions, if so, we’re in the same boat. Be patient and stay with me. I am not in despair but stimulated by the possibility of deeper relationship with God.
Still on the journey