Last night, I slammed my left middle finger in a door at home, proving I’m a dork. It bled for at least an hour and I’ll probably lose my fingernail..[sigh]. Funny how there’s nothing like a little pain to send you into a temporary backslide, proving how frail we really are. Flesh and bone are strong and faithful as long as there’s no struggle involved. So, as I’m pecking this out painfully slowly this morning, I’m having a conversation with a friend who desperately loves theology. He loves to ‘prove’ that his particular flavor of theological bents is correct, and everything else is completely off base. In fact, he loves it so much I’m beginning to think he’s one of those guys that loves to argue theology for theology’s sake. He’s not a bad guy–I’m convinced he sincerely loves Jesus and wants to desperately understand and know and follow him as a disciple and follower and student. But I’m not one for arguing theology and am reminded of the words of Karl Barth, reformed /neo-orthodox theologian:

The best theology would need no advocates. It would prove itself.

 

We could argue theology all day long, and someone may ‘win’, but it would be like one of us being the ‘tallest midget’. And I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count. The best theology I know still brings tears to my eyes this morning. It was something I was taught long ago. "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong. We are weak but He is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so."