The Paradox

The Paradox

A diverse group of artist is walking in a museum when they come up an abstract painting; its features were as striking as the Mona Lisa, a true master piece. The group was memorized by this painting, meaning something to each person. Some saw beauty, some saw sadness, and others saw mystery. Never less they were unified in their appreciation of the painting. As they went home, they spoke very highly of that painting, soon their all family was telling others about the painting.

Throughout time people met others who also heard of the painting, their interpretations differed just as the original viewers of the painting. Some said it was a mystery and we just can’t know what it means; others said it was a beauty of life, others still said it was sacrifice which brought them sadness. Debates came as logic was used to determine whose interpretations was correct based on the most evidence, yet none of these people saw the painting themselves, they were just going by who told them first. People who had a common agreement on what the painting meant would gather together and critique others who had differing views.

Those who saw the painting first hand were no longer around so passed down knowledge of what the painting meant became the reason for division instead of the love of the painting uniting them as the original group did.

The Meaning

The painting was of human redemption, it was Christ on the cross.

It has individual meaning to us, for example as someone who sees their lives as ugly rags may see beauty; the meaning is different due to each unique life experiences. But it doesn’t make it the only answer or belief that would be correct.

We have over 2,000 years of passed down interpretations and traditions passed down and we have allowed our interpretations divide what used to be the love of Christ that united us. Originally it was the love of Christ and the way you lived your life showed you were a follower of the way (Christian) now it’s the doctrine you believe in and the way you think that makes you a Christian (right wing Republican)

The paradox is without conversation with God we can’t understand the painting, and when we do understand, we understand it’s not about us, it’s about him. The modern church has forgotten its first love and settles for mental games and emotional distance instead of healthy theology that brings healing to others and themselves ultimately leading to a life of doxology. (a life of praise and worship)