Kate Bradford
Several years ago our house underwent and extension. One day, during the work, I looked down on the new foundations from a deck above. The foundations were set down into the ground, with heavy duty plastic providing a damp course, long steel reinforcing bars wired together to form piers that in turn supported long hollow reinforced beams resting across the space. Over the reinforced bars were laid large sheets of welding mesh. It seemed obvious though, that no matter, however important foundation might be, no-one can inhabit foundations. Foundations simply provide the base on which the dwelling is built.
The building work came to a halt as we waited for the council engineer to arrive and certify the integrity of the foundations; this was a necessary process before the entire sub-structure was entombed in concrete.
As boring as foundations might seem certification of them is vital, all the more so, because once the concrete is poured and the dwelling built, it becomes very difficult to check the integrity of the sub-floor.
Likewise any view of Christianity, that comprises only foundations, and returns again and again to re-lay foundations (HEB 5:12, 13), is a difficult faith to inhabit, it can be uncomfortable, rigid, conforming to rules, cold and draft-filled, and exposed to and unable to withstand the elements. A faith such as this misses the point that foundations exist to be built upon. The ministry of Chaplaincy like many ministries happens within the dwelling, that space built upon the foundations.
Christianity in essence is a hospitable faith, a dwelling into which we can run; a safe refuge. A place into which we invite others; a shelter from the storm. At its core chaplaincy is the exercise of hospitality, an invitation into this space. Hospitality forms the basis of the day to day work of chaplaincy; a broad description of the theology employed at this level is practical theology.
When Jesus spoke of a building a house he did not question the need for a house, but rather he asked what was under the house, sand or rock. (MATT 7:24,25; LUKE 6: 46,49) Once the house is built and the sub-floor concealed from view, it can be difficult to know the quality of the foundations until the integrity on the base is tested in some way. In Jesus’ parable this testing came by way of rain, floods and wind.
As chaplains it is reasonable to question the foundations of our practical theology and ask on what does it rest: sand, waiting to be washed or blown away or deep bedrock gripping tightly to the base? The foundations Jesus referred to in his parable were hearing his words and doing his will. Evangelical chaplaincy ministry takes Jesus’ foundation seriously when constructing a practical theology, as these practices should be founded the Word of Scripture (1 COR 3:11). This Word has been studied and imbibed, and while we do not inhabit our creedal statements, our systematic theology, Biblical theology or narrative theology, they together form and articulate our faith, and provide boundaries with-in which we faithfully practice our Chaplaincy.
“Christ is made the sure foundation.“ The foundation of our faith is the person of Jesus Christ and his work. Biblical theology outlines what is revealed in Christ and his plan, how we can relate with him at all, and how we grow in him.
ReplyDeleteStrictly speaking, it is not correct to say that the foundations that Jesus referred to were hearing his word and doing his will. The foundation is Jesus himself! The way in which we build on that foundation is by hearing his words and doing his will.
Even though Ephesians 2: 19-22 refers to the universal church as build on the foundation of the apostles and prophets themselves, Jesus Christ is himself the keystone, with the pre-eminence “who is bringing all things to fulfilment in every way” (Ephesians 1: 22-23) - to whom the apostles and prophets testify.
The Word of God is studied and imbibed precisely because we are incorporated into a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ; and so that we can live out that relationship.
We cannot rebuild foundations, because Christ is the foundation. However, to avoid rigid and “draft-filled” legalism, the manner of the performance of hospitable chaplaincy requires that continually we revisit the Foundation. We cannot build upon Christ as foundation without again and again revisiting the cross and resurrection, being thus “clothed in Christ” and continually relying upon the empowerment of the Holy Spirit – in order to hear his words and to do his will.
Our basis is not the Gospel of the Christ but rather the Christ of the Gospel. This is why the Gospel is dynamic and why it saves eternally.
Thank you for responding to this post.
DeleteFoundation is certainly used of Christ himself as you suggest, but it is also used to refer to teaching and responses to the Gospel of Christ. Hebrews 6:1-3 encourages readers to move forwards from the elementary teaching about Christ and not lay again the foundations of repentance etc. The sense seems to be as Christian mature, their faith encompasses more than the elementary catechisms that they first learned.
Secondly, there are difficulties in drawing a distinction between the Gospel of Christ and the Christ of the Gospel, because Christ is the Word and the Good News is the Word of Christ.
‘Strictly speaking, it is not correct to say that the foundations that Jesus referred to were hearing his word and doing his will. The foundation is Jesus himself! The way in which we build on that foundation is by hearing his words and doing his will.’
Lastly, at one level the like the Sunday School student that answer to everything is Jesus, but at another lesson Jesus being the answer results in hearing and doing through thoughts, words and deeds. This surely is James’ point in (2:25) faith without deeds is dead; as are deeds without faith.
Kate, with regard to your response, I should make a few clarifications.
ReplyDeleteThe aim of my comments was not to denigrate deeds as flowing from faith, nor to discourage us from moving forward from the elementary teachings of Christ towards maturity.In fact I am highly motivated to encourage growth.
Certainly our relationship with Jesus takes precedence over the deeds which are the outworking of that relationship.
That relationship comes out of response to the written word, apart from which we could not know Christ as the Word.
The jargon word "Christianity", used in your article, can cause problems, as it sounds like a philosophy, an "ism" or a theological formula. The word "Christianity" is not found in the Bible, the Creeds nor I think in Anglican formularies, and I choose never to use it.
Christ never commissioned people to "convert" people to Christianity, but rather to make disciples of Christ, who would also be taught to do all that he had commanded the apostles. Our burden is, by the Word and the Holy Spirit, to bring people into an intimate relationship with the Lord.
As a chaplain I would want then to work on how I can facilitate these primary goals, and without compromising them.
I take your point that Christianity can seem to have had the Christ extracted, However it is important to be able to discuss our faith objectively to allow it to be examined by interested passers-by. The term Christianity has wide currency within the broader community and as such allows access.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have used the word convert as I prefer the terminology around sharing the love or aroma of Christ, trusting the Holy Spirit for his quickening.