I spent last week in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, working on an advanced degree, a week filled with seminars, case studies, and interactions with students and professors. I thoroughly enjoyed the people and the learning.
When I engage in conversations regarding living out theology, it’s easy for me to get lost in the weeds. Maybe we should pursue this, or maybe churches would grow if we did that? Where are we lacking, or failing, or succeeding? How do we build the church united?
Then I opened my Bible this morning to John chapter 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Jesus is the light of all mankind.
If my studies don’t end with Jesus and point the world around me to Jesus, then my learning is a charade. All other paths up the mountain lead to box canyons and false summits. Religion is only beautiful with Jesus at the core.
Such thoughts reset my world view. The point of study, the end of theology, the culmination of learning should point me and others to the light of all mankind.
Now back to the books.
Photo by Kenny Eliason
As the Methodist church struggles with those who struggle with sexual identity, your thoughts hit home.