We call them paradoxes or antinomies or just: mysteries. Our Christian faith is full of them. A paradox consists of two truths that we can’t reconcile in our understanding, two seemingly contradictory truths that are laid down side by side in Scripture. Probably the most famous one that comes to mind is the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man (free will). Both are taught in Scripture yet our minds cannot reconcile these two truths. Spurgeon’s neat dodge on this question was, “I never try to reconcile friends.”
Many Christians have attempted a reconciliation of these paradoxes by explaining one of the two truths away. Some will argue for example, “God is so sovereign, that we really don’t have free will” (although they would use much more esoteric language than I’m using. But that’s what it boils down to.) Others explain the other truth away by envisioning a God who “would never overrule my will, He just wouldn’t do that. My response to God is all up to me.”
Maybe we should stop trying to explain mysteries - especially when it involves explaining away one of the truths. Maybe we shouldn’t be so embarrassed by the presence of mystery in our faith. Maybe every mystery isn’t a “problem to be solved” as Dorothy Sayers was fond of chiding Twentieth Century Man.
I was helped in my thinking lately by a quote from a master craftsman in California named Sam Maloof. Mr. Maloof has spent over a half century in woodworking winning numerous awards and having exhibitions of his craft everywhere. Read: he’s really, really good at what he does!
Joinery is the area of woodworking that “joins” two separate pieces of wood together and holds them together against the forces of stress and the forces of nature. It is dominated by the most exacting handiwork. The first thing you examine when you look at another craftsman’s work are his joints. Exquisite, handcut dovetail joints are the strongest and most beautiful joints in woodworking.
Here is what Sam Maloof said about joinery that got me thinking about the mysteries of the Christian faith:
“I have always had the conviction that joinery is an aesthetic part of a piece of furniture; really of woodworking in general. If a joint is well made, why go to the trouble of covering it up? I have exposed all my joints since I started making furniture.”
Yes, we have “joints” in our faith! But we shouldn’t be doing a coverup job. Why not show them off? Why not boldy expose the mysteries of our faith? When we are teaching christian doctrine or when our expository preaching brings us to those passages in Scripture that exalt the glory of God and humble our finite little minds, why not “expose the joint”?! I think we should. I don’t think we should conceal it or be embarrassed by it or explain it away. I think we should set if forth plainly as one of the great - and beautiful! - mysteries of our faith.
Thanks Sam!
