Chaplain's Corner
Ben Gowan, Student Chaplain
November 7, 2007
My eyesight is so bad that without my glasses I can not see the big 'E' at the top of the eye chart. I know it's up there, but I have to acknowledge that I am unable to see it. Thankfully, though, when I tell the physician what I cannot see, he gives me clarity.
I perceive the world poorly. If I lie and say I see well, I hinder the process that gives me clear vision. I will only gain sight by acknowledging the weakness of my eyes. In fact, the more accurately the physician defines the weakness of my eyes (my prescription: -5.75), the better he will be able to correct it.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Heb 11:1 NIV) Nestled in this familiar passage is a similar confession. We think of faith as a brazen assuredness which is utterly unyielding; "Of course I can see the big 'E', I'm certain that its there, can't you see it? It's perfectly clear." Biblical faith, though, acknowledges its weakness and admits that it can not see. Faith is intrinsically humble.
Faith is not holding uncompromisingly to an opinion. Many churches paste the term 'inerrancy of scripture' into the core beliefs section of their pamphlets or websites. I used to hold that as a foundational aspect of my faith. Now in all earnestness, I have to acknowledge its weaknesses. The Greek texts, with the possible exception of the Gospel of Luke, had misspellings. I see serious cultural influences in what Paul wrote. And yet, the process by which I have come to this tensioned 'faith + admission of error' has only made my faith truer and stronger. My faith in scripture is literally more real by acknowledging its actual mistakes. It is closer to the actual words that came from the actual lips of Jesus as he sat on an actual dusty hill and spoke to actual crowds.
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (I Cor 13:12) The beauty behind all this is that faith is simply a humiliating exercise on the way to grace. Right now my eyes are weak, but if I acknowledge that, I get to see with crystalline clarity. My faith has errors, but when I acknowledge that, I receive grace via a love that supersedes my imperfect faith.