The Mind/Heart Connection

We have talked this week about matters of the heart; the spiritual renewal that happens when we trust in God no matter what is going on in our lives. It's living heart smart, taking care of our heart by focusing on things that renew it daily (it's almost as easy as eating Cheerios), mainly by deciding to trust in the presence of Christ daily, by praying, reading spiritual things (including the Bible), sharing with others (in a group, we'll get to witnessing some other time.) and others.

But matters of the heart are eternally linked to how we think and reason as well, and I want us to think on these things today. When Jesus asked the question of the Disciples at Caesarea Philippi, "Who do you say that I am?" he was not only challenging their heart/faith, but also their mind. He was asking them not to choose between a new doctrine that includes him as Messiah and the various pagan doctrines represented in Caesarea, but more of shifting their Judaism (their Jewish Faith) to see him as the one for which they had been waiting. How we think (our mind and our theology: words about God) is related to how we trust and believe (the spirit/heart). In other words, theology matters.

Do you still have family meals at the dining room table? Or pillow talk with your spouse? At both of these occasions for communication it is normal to talk about the day, what everyone had experienced at school, at work, at home and it was common for me to share my insights and experiences. The problem was, as I was excited about learning even some things that challenged my faith, it was not uncommon for Peggy and I to get into heated discussions on theology. It was not long before Peggy decided she hated seminary and what it was doing to me. (or more realistically what it was bringing in to our household.) She believed that I was being taught things that were contrary to the scriptures and that I was trying to harming both of our faith foundations. When in truth it was making both of us think very carefully not only about what we believe, but also why.

We can have deep faith and understand it little. We can trust in God for salvation, but stay very naive about matters of the mind and theology. Some would even wonder if the study of scripture might lead to doubt and questions that would lead to a weakening of our faith. Well, there is some of this that can happen. Even in United Methodism there is a diverse theology that has lead some to question their faith, but I have discovered that the more I doubt and question things, the deeper my faith grows. As I more formally define what and why I believe, by belief grows stronger. I do not believe anymore that "ignorance is bliss" rather growing in faith is directly tied to how we think about that faith. Bliss comes as we grow in our understanding.

A few years ago a friend of mine decided to take one of my classes (Disciple I) because they had questions expected to be answered by me. Many difficult questions came over that 9 month period and so did many answers including one I like to use, "I don't know." And while it is true that this person was skeptical entering class and thought it important to have all questions answered, it was discovered that getting an answer to one question might lead to a dozen more related questions. Somewhere during that year my friend discovered that while it was important to ask questions and find answers and know the things we believe, the answers were less important than the quest for them. In our time we discovered the mind/heart connection. Okay, so the class ended with more questions than when we began, but it also ended with greater faith. And that's the goal.

What we think about our faith is important. It is necessary for us to know what and why we believe. So we don't have to be afraid of theology, because it is here that our faith is put into thoughts and words and understanding. And we are renewed all over again.

Peace ><>
PC