“I Don’t Know”…”I Might Be Wrong…” : Duane W.H. Arnold, PhD
“I Might Be Wrong…”
These are two phrases that you don’t hear very often, especially in the church… especially from church leaders.
Throughout most of my adult life, I have been involved with two disciplines, theology and history. Of the two, I tend to prefer history. History, at its best, is based upon facts. We may interpret the subsequent meaning of the facts, but we begin with the evidence which establish the facts themselves. For instance, we may debate motivations and effects of the New Deal in America in the 1930s, but we can agree that they were formulated by FDR, a person who was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Through documents, contemporary accounts, news articles and the like we can trace his life and career. Now, we may disagree as to the interpretation of that career, but we begin with the facts. Moreover, we continually search for new facts and new evidence to assist us in our understanding of the man and of the era. As a result, there are numerous points of reference allowing us to say, “I know…”
Theology is a different discipline.
Augustine defined theology as “reasoning or discussion concerning the Deity”. The medieval scholastics defined the term as “what is taught by God, teaches of God and leads to God”. Some delineate theology into specific areas, such as “biblical theology” (those theological constructs derived from Scripture) or “historical theology” (the development of theology throughout history or in particular historical eras) or even “natural theology” (what we learn of God or deduce about God from the natural world). Now, in all these disciplines, there are some facts, some documents and, occasionally, some evidence, but much is drawn from philosophical constructs, human reason, and interpretation. Hence, in the Christian world today, there are numerous “systematic theologies” all with varying strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, there is much we do not know. For instance, those who engage in biblical theology begin with a collection of documents written in a variety of ancient languages. These documents include historical accounts, poetry, memoirs, letters, visionary narratives and much more. The dating of many of these documents is disputed, and they have come down to us in a variety of collections. Now, although I have a high view of scripture and believe that they “contain all things necessary to salvation”, there is clearly much we do not know.
Why is it then that we are so hesitant to say, “I don’t know”?
Somehow, I think we equate “faith” with “certainty”. To say, “I don’t know…” or “I might be wrong…” appears to many people not to be a simple statement of reality, but somehow an admission of doubt or a lack of faith. Yet, there are some instances and circumstances in life (and, indeed, in scholarship) that should compel us to say that we don’t have the answers. More than once, I have met with a bereaved family who instinctively ask the question, “Why?”. Now, when I was very young in ministry, I thought that I needed to formulate a reasonable response. After all, I was a member of the clergy. My job was to provide answers. Yet, I realize now that I was wrong. Often there are no easily understood reasons or answers. Often it is simply a tragedy to which we can only respond, “I don’t know…” and then offer the comfort and solace of which we are capable.
This seems like heresy to some. Yet, when I read the chapter on faith in the Letter to the Hebrews, I note that faith is not about knowing why this or that happens in our lives, but rather it is the assurance that despite evidence to the contrary, God is somehow, in ways that we cannot see, providing something better for us. Yet, we have no assurance that we will understand it at the time, or even in this life. Much is left as a mystery, without explanation, without the certainty that we seem to crave.
My approach to scripture and, indeed, historical theology, is similar. There are things we know and, quite frankly, there are things we do not know. I think that we would be wise to admit our limitations. I remember once having the opportunity to talk with C.F.D. Moule, one of the great New Testament scholars of the twentieth century. In my research, I had come across an idiomatic phrase in the Gospel of John that was perplexing me. It was important as this phrase was used by Athanasius in his defense of the divinity of Christ. I asked Prof. Moule what he thought of the phrase. After all, Moule had authored ‘An Idiom Book of New Testament Greek’ which was the authoritative guide to the subject. He patiently listened to my question, and then replied, giving me several opinions as to what other scholars had said about the passage. We he finished listing these various views he said, “As for myself, I don’t know, it’s something I’m still contemplating…” It wasn’t the answer I was looking for. I wanted certainty. I wanted an authority to answer my question. Instead, I was left with numerous opinions, all of which could not be right, and a mystery.
“I don’t know…” “I could be wrong…”
When I was younger these phrases were seldom uttered, especially from the pulpit, especially as a pastor or as a newly ordained priest. There is a culture in the church at large that wishes to turn church leaders into “The Answer Man” or “The Answer Woman”. Now, certainly church leaders should be grounded in Scripture, Church History, pastoral care and the other basics of their profession and calling. We do not, however, know it all. For all of us, laity and ordained alike, there is much that is a mystery. There is much we do not know. We would be wise to admit it.
Duane,
A public thank you for this.
The best church service of my life as a pastor was when I admitted that I didn’t know it all and in fact, could not know it all.
The mystery creates a blessed tension where we are always seeking Christ instead of “answers”…
Michael
Agreed. I think too many church leaders set themselves up as quasi authorities having all the answers. Then something happens for which there is no answer. It’s at that moment that I think we encounter the true meaning of faith…
I will confess right here that I desperately wanted to be an “authority”…that is what pastors were in my opinion.
In reality, what we are supposed to be are “guides’…
Michael
You are not alone. There is a reason that so many classes/seminars/courses are held on “leadership” issues. All too often, they are actually primers on different way in which to exercise authority. Leadership and authority are two different concepts… that is not always understood…
The trick, it seems to me, is to know which things require an adamant stance and which things are those mysterious ponders….
Rabbit trail follows…. As i watch the way the world is focusing now it seems that it is being groomed for a world governance of a sort and for my part that says the antichrist’s move to rule just may be imminent…. But that is a … Ponnder ?
Em
Things are bad… but we’ve seen worse…
Duane,. Thanks for this. I like the differentiation you make between leadership and authority. I think you are right. I also think our culture and parts of the church has somewhat made an idol out of leadership. Maybe it’s because we’ve all become narcissistic. You don’t see too many courses on how to be a good follower in most seminaries and that’s a bit troubling to me but I think I may know where it’s coming from.
Steve
“You don’t see too many courses on how to be a good follower in most seminaries…”
The “leadership” fascination, in my opinion, is very much off-center and, at the end of the day, dangerous for clergy and laity alike…
Dr. Duane, what has me pondering the time we are living in is not how bad things are… mid 20th century was pretty bad…
What caught my attention is the number of academic types who think we are being visited by aliens from other worlds…
There is no god, but there are more advanced beings “out there”… can’t argue against that, but… More advanced may not equal good guys coming to save us…
Just watching times and tides and wondering.
P.S. Apologies for the rabbit trail tose ponderable mysteries…
Duane,
I agree that no one knows it all, and that there are some mysteries that are not known to any of us. For me, when a preacher steps up to the pulpit to speak the Word of truth to his congregation, we should only speak about what he knows, not what he doesn’t know or isn’t sure about. However, that doesn’t mean he cannot point out that there are mysteries that are not revealed to man.
In other words, I would hate to hear two things from the pulpit: (1) “I am going to give you 2-4 views on the meaning of our text;” and (2) “I don’t know that this text means,” or “I’m 70% confident that what I’m proclaiming to you this morning is accurate.” I don’t think either of these options meet meet the objective of a Christian sermon.
I would suggest that if a preacher was considering a text that he didn’t know the meaning of, he should pass on that text and preach what he does know the meaning of, while continuing to study the text he doesn’t yet understand.
Jean,. In my church we have various views on baptism. My current pastor does not believe infants should be baptized and we don’t force him to comply. However, my daughter was baptized in this same church as an infant. I appreciate when leadership says they not 100% sure who is right and can coexist. If either side was completely convinced I doubt we could worship together but as it stands Presbyterian and Baptists can worship under one roof. It may not work for you but it’s a blessing for us.
Steve, just so I understand you, you said:
“My current pastor does not believe infants should be baptized and we don’t force him to comply.”
and
“I appreciate when leadership says they not 100% sure who is right and can coexist.”
It sounds like your pastor has a position on the issue. Is he part of the leadership that is not 100% sure? I guess I’m trying to nail down whether your pastor is sure of his belief or not.
By the way, I’m very happy to hear that your daughter is baptized.
Jean
There are some texts, and the background to some texts, that will probably remain disputed until the parousia…
Duane, agree.
Jean,. He is part of the elder board who collectively choose not to divide on the baptism issue. He is probably more convinced that baptism should only be reserved for adults but he has great respect for those who disagree and although he wouldn’t personally baptise an infant, he wouldn’t be so offended when another pastor did perform the baptism. I heard a previous pastor put it in degrees of confidence. Some maybe 75% sure or only 25% sure of this particular doctrine. On other doctrines you better be 100% sure if you want to keep your job though.
“In other words, I would hate to hear two things from the pulpit: (1) “I am going to give you 2-4 views on the meaning of our text;” and (2) “I don’t know that this text means,” or “I’m 70% confident that what I’m proclaiming to you this morning is accurate.” I don’t think either of these options meet meet the objective of a Christian sermon.”
You would hate my teaching…I do teach the other main views and I do admit when I’m just not sure…so far, we’ve survived.
The alternative to saying ‘I don’t know’ is a false confidence, an inaccurate statement (made to sound like fact), or a downright lie. I believe that it takes a truly confident academic or pastoral leader to admit his or her intellectual limitations. And in an ironic sort of way, I think admitting ‘I don’t know’ goes farther in building trust between leader and student.
Thomas
I agree. Honesty and authenticity goes a long way toward establishing trust…