Ministry and Doctrine

The fullness of God’s identity and activity will always exceed our comprehension. We can know truly without knowing fully. (But the majesty of God, the greatness of God will always elude our grasp. Even though God reveals much about himself, much remains hidden.)

Mystery is embraced by faith. Doctrine is that faith seeking understanding. Doctrine is the attempt to formulate in rational terms the great mysteries of Christian faith. Ex. Atonement; Jesus Christ has somehow been an instrument of reconciliation between God and sinful people. Yet there is considerable disagreement and lively debate about which theory of Atonement best describes the mystery proclaimed by faith.

The mystery of which we speak in Christian tradition is not irrational but transrational. It is not a puzzle to be solved but a profound reality to be embraced. This sort of mystery grasps us rather than our grasping it. And having been grasped by God’s truth, our lives are changed.