Monday's thoughts

"When Religion is Unreasonable" Sunday January 24th
In the series on the four resources of faith for United Methodists (the quadrilateral) we look at reason as an important part of our faith.

If we forget reason we allow religion to take a dangerous and arbitrary turn. If reason is not permitted to balance our faith we are apt to fall for a faith that become irrational. Of course, there is a part of faith that goes beyond reason but that does not mean reason is not an important check or balance.

Aquinas once said, "faith transcends reason." He also said, "But that does not mean faith is unreasonable."

Jesus advised his listeners to worship God with all our hearts and all our souls and all our minds.

When I think of the formative people in my faith I think of theologians who have encouraged me to ask questions. Sally McFague, and Teilhard de Chardin, and Abraham Heschel, and Paul Tillich, and Sue Monk Kidd all raise important questions of faith for me and push me into a deeper level of belief.

I hope the children of our church will come away from the religious education they receive here with a healthy appreciation for reason. I hope they will never be afraid to ask questions and dig deep in their pursuit of conviction and faith.

What is your experience and value of reason in your journey of faith? How does reason help and how does it hurt?

Do you think it's a good thing to say, "When you come to First United Methodist you are not required to check your brain at the door?"

If you have a response to this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster