The Evolution of Faith

AM Psalm 95* & 31 • PM Psalm 35
Deut. 7:12-16 • Titus 2:1-15 • John 1:35-42

* for the Invitatory

For me, today’s readings, from the book of Deuteronomy, to the Psalms, to Paul’s letter, to the book of John, demonstrate the evolution of our faith and suggests that it will continue to evolve. This movement is both exciting and hopeful. Our faith is a living, evolving thing, and I can hope that it is gradually revealing the full majesty of our Creator, slowly removing the opaqueness that Paul mentions. It can certainly give us joy here in the 21st century just as it gave joy to the early church of the 1st century and just as it will give joy to our distant offspring in the centuries beyond. But it can only accomplish that because it evolves just as all creatures, (and viruses!) evolve.

God meets us where we are, as the saying goes. The Old Testament is often contractual, legalistic, covenantal in a strict sense. God, if we obey him, delivers us from our enemies and is often asked to shame them, even destroy them. There are clear winners and losers. I would think that good Christians of the reformed tradition often wince when reading the Old Testament. And Paul, the earliest author in the New Testament, although (thankfully) enigmatic, often echoes this legalism, as in today’s reading from his letter to Titus. And then we move to the divine Grantor of a “new covenant,” where the law is not as prominent, for it is not as necessary. Grace abounds. This author of the new covenant heals the sick and gathers grain on the Sabbath, tells us that the law is to serve man, and, surrounded by Pharisees, silently kneels and scribbles in the dirt and then tells the adulterous woman that he does not condemn her and to go and sin no more.

And here we are today, witnessing the revival of the contemplative tradition of the early church and realizing that silence is the first language of God, and being exhorted by Richard Rohr to see with a “third eye.” What wonders of faith will the future reveal?

Written by Grimsley Graham

Grimsley Graham is a retired public school teacher. He taught English and composition as well as social studies at Rogers High School for 30 years.