June Focus - Thick Faith

How thick is your faith?

Miroslav Volf is a Croatian theologian now teaching at Yale University. In an interview at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. he described the difference between what he called "thick and thin religion."

Thin religion is faith reduced to a formula. Thin religion takes rich, complex symbols and stories of faith and makes them simplistic. Thin religion becomes a justification for one's personal agenda. The concept of God becomes an empty vessel to be filled by one's own value system and priorities.

During the Bosnian War, for example, the Serbians used the Eastern Orthodox tradition as a justification for the ethnic cleansing of the Islamic neighbors. Likewise, some terrorist use a distorted version of Islam to justify violence. Finally, in Northern Ireland Catholics and Protestants have emptied Christianity of its authentic power in order to justify the cycle of against one another.

Thin religion, or thin faith, is dangerous. It can be used to justify violence. But that is not where the danger stops. A thin faith also prevents individuals from experiencing the grace and love of God.

Thin faith substitutes an imitation god for the genuine God who the Hebrew poets described as "dwelling in deep darkness." This "deep darkness" in which God "dwells" is not a reference to evil, but rather the inaccessibility of God to human understanding. God simply cannot be known and remains forever the most profound mystery of the cosmos.

Thin faith pretends to know God and God's intention in such detail and clarity that it removes the uncertainty common to the human condition. This pretension to access to the divine mind often justifies man's inhumanity to man.

A thick faith (or thick religion) never forgets the profound mystery God is. God reveals the divine essence is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus reveals God's character to be grounded in grace. Jesus reveals God's intention to be one of blessing. Jesus reveals God's action to be sacrificial and self-giving.

Much of the details of the human experience remain hidden.

The disciples once asked Jesus a question rooted in their desire for power and need to control their futures. Having the anxiety common to every person, they attempt to manage their risk by asking Jesus to reveal to them certain details about the future.

Jesus replied, "Of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch, for you do not know when the time will come."

Jesus does not reveal all things to his disciples. He only reveals those they need to live faithful lives. Thick faith trusts the grace and promise of God. Thick faith enables us to love one another in the midst of the greatest uncertainty, even in the midst of high anxiety.

How does thin faith become thick faith? Join us as we explore this question in the month to come.

Monthly Focus Archive

2006:

Easter Focus: New Covenant
Lenten Focus: A Covenantal Response to Poverty
February Focus: Moving Forward

2005:

December Focus: Longing
November Focus: The Gift of Years
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Foundations
Summer Focus: The Book of Acts
Easter Focus: Tapestry
Lenten Focus: Rule of Life
January Focus: The Next Wave

2004:

December Focus: Surprising Grace
November Focus: Free Indeed
October Focus: Money Madness
September Focus: The Outrageous Promise
Summer Focus: Into the Fullness
June Focus: Thick Faith
Easter Focus: All Things New
Lent Focus: A Hungry World
February Focus: Commitment
January Focus: Unity

2003:

December Focus: Hope
November Focus: Worship
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Seasons of Faith
Summer Focus: The Gospel of John
May Focus: Faith
April Focus: Resurrection
March Focus: Truth
February Focus: Covenant Groups
January Focus: Sabbath

2002:

December Focus: Shut Up and Sing
November Focus: Spiritual Gifts
October Focus: Stewardship
September Focus: Intentional Faith