I was pretty nervous to have anyone read my Intro to Theology Credo paper. It’s 15 pages of every thing I believe about Christianity and faith. It’s a rollercoaster to wade through countless concepts and viewpoints and prayerfully discern what I believe. How do I determine that? How can I KNOW? By saying what I stand for, I’m saying someone else is wrong. That’s really hard for me. I’ll share some of the paper here…
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I believe in the Ohio State Buckeyes. I believe we will see the sun in Ohio again. I believe in my husband and my family. At first glance, our beliefs about life seem to be rooted in the tenuous soil of opinion, feeling and whim. When one has an opportunity to communicate their belief about the very essence of God, that tenuous soil is pushed aside and a strong, immeasurable foundation is unearthed. A creed is a profession of faith that defines faith. I can only declare what is true for me. This is my creed.
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Much of God’s nature is revealed in Jesus Christ. In this lifetime, we will never know the complete nature of God. God cannot be manipulated, defined or measured. Yet God is present in all crevasses of creation. God is the ultimate paradox. God is transcendent and immanent. God is absolute and related, impersonal and personal, eternal and temporal, changeless and changing, self-sufficient and dependent.
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When I say I believe God is the maker of heaven and earth, I am confessing complete dependence on God. My belief in creation is not dependent on a theory, it is based on faith. I believe the universe was created fifteen billion years ago as scientific theory suggests. That fact only enriches my faith in God as creator. The biblical creation story does not cause tension because I view it as a metaphor for how God created humanity. It still holds valid power and truth in my life and ministry.
I believe God creates through the evolutionary process. God created the world and works with and through the evolutionary process. God creates the world over a long period of time through the processes of change and development. God creates in cooperation with the creatures through the freedom, randomness and laws of the natural world. Creation is designed for evolution.
Theology and evolution should be in conversation together. There can be disagreement but also acknowledgement that differences are over worldviews, not scientific methods and conclusions.
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Is Jesus the only way to God? I agree with confessional pluralism that makes a significant move in answer to this question. We must admit we can never see reality from God’s point of view. What we say comes from our Christian viewpoint. My language, social structure and knowledge create my context. I can make universal claims about the importance of Christ, just as other world religions can make strong claims about their religion. I can claim other religions are true from a Christian point of view. I believe the Trinity works through many means including other religions in the world. I cannot personally answer the question of who will be saved. So I am determined to live my life with boundless grace and love for all I meet.
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This is my creed. God is a God of change, growth and the journey towards wholeness. Parts of my creed will change. I will continue to struggle with difficult concepts. But God can handle my questions and doubts. I believe in a God who will do anything to reach a heart. Therefore, I will give my life to serving the hearts of God’s children.
UPDATE: I got an A!!!
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