I believe that this tendency to categorize things ramps up when that thing is either scary or unfamiliar as well. I have heard it said that "if you can name it, you can conquer it." There is probably some truth to that. Once we can safely explain something, then we know what to expect. And once we know what to expect - we can put that thing (whatever it is) into the proverbial box.
But are we able to do this with everything? What about when it comes to spiritual matters? Many who have come before us have tried - no doubt very diligently - to place Christianity in a box. To classify it as just another belief system, and file it away on a shelf somewhere next to Islam and Buddhism maybe.
The question then as I understand it, becomes 'is the Christian tradition just another theory, or is it something different?' Or if you like, we may phrase the question like this: can we put God in a box and make Him predictable?
Well the God of the Bible often surprises us I think. In fact, if we look at one of my favorite stories from the Old Testament, we see just how effective He is at turning the tables on unsuspecting people. The Biblical story in 1 Samuel, chapter 16 talks about how God used Samuel to anoint a new king over Israel. As the story goes, Samuel visited Jesse and asked him to bring out all of his sons, such that the Lord might choose a new successor to the throne. God proceeds to reject each of the young men that Jesse brings out. Once this process was finished, Samuel asks him if there are any more children. Jesse then sheepishly volunteers his youngest son. He was embarrassed of him, but he did as Samuel commanded anyway and paraded him out in front of everyone.
Here is what 1 Samuel 16:11-12 says, "So he asked Jesse, 'Are these all the sons you have?' 'There is still the youngest,' Jesse answered. 'He is tending the sheep.' Samuel said, 'Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.' So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.'"
You see, God wasn't interested in those for whom the rest of the world looks upon as fit for duty. He wanted young David, a simple servant boy tending sheep. We know how history unfolds from there. David goes on to defeat Goliath, outsmart Saul, and become king of Israel. Were some surprised by this outcome I wonder? You bet they were, and probably so was David himself.
Author and scholar N.T. Wright says in his best selling book 'Surprised by Hope' that "Our God is a God of surprises." And I believe he means exactly what he writes - that God will often surpass our limited expectations of Him in favor of performing that one last miracle, granting a prayer, or in the case of Jesus ... healing marginal people that no one else seems to care about (Mark 1:40-45).
All of these things are examples of His mercy and grace when it comes to humanity.
God fits neatly into a box about as well as a square peg in a round hole. He is sovereign, makes up His own mind, and acts in accordance with prophetic Scripture to surprise and astonish us again and again. If you asked the average Jewish person back in first century Palestine what he thought about the Messiah, he would tell you that God was going to send a powerful king with a large army to vindicate and restore the Jewish nation. He would not (at least prior to the arrival of Jesus), tell you that the coming savior would be born in a manger somewhere in Bethlehem, to a poor carpenter, with no power or worldly status to speak of.
And yet we have the Christmas story as it were, recorded for generations to look at and recount down through the ages. Yet another surprise from the Father.
I will always remember the time that God woke me up out of my own spiritual slumber. I was a young man not unlike many others, for whom God was just an idea. A being that was up there somewhere, who held no real sway or dominion over my life. I did what I wanted to in those days, with very little thought when it came to religious matters.
I remember my father once invited me to hear a talk at church given by a man named Wayne Weible. Mr. Weible traveled the country speaking in churches about God's grace and mercy, Jesus' mother Mary, and some of the healings and amazing things that he had witnessed over the last couple decades. It was an interesting talk to say the least. After it was over, there was a chance to come up and purchase one of his books.
A short line quickly formed at the back of the room adjacent to the sanctuary where he had given his presentation only moments earlier. I went up and bought a copy of the book and got in line - uncertain why I just happened to have the exact amount of money necessary in my wallet that evening. When it was finally my turn, I shook his hand and he signed my book. What happened next was something that will stay etched in my mind for years to come.
As he looked at me, he made a gesture and all of a sudden a very startled look came over him. He then informed me that he felt a "nudge" from the Holy Spirit to make certain that I received a small silver emblem with the likeness of Mary holding Jesus on it. As he placed this trinket in my hand, he also told me that many of the people he gives a medal to end up being pastors or priests. I looked at him stunned, and laughed to myself inwardly as I placed the small medal in my pocket.
"A pastor? Me?", I thought as I left the church. How silly.
As I write this, I am currently beginning my fifth month as associate pastor for a local church several miles outside of town. This strange event at the church that night happened to me years ago, before I had even the slightest notion that God may want to use someone like me. But I think about it often.
God surprised me that day, and I have a feeling it won't be the last time. What would my favorite author and Christian scholar C.S. Lewis think of this, I sometimes think to myself. If only he were alive today, I might just ask him.
There is a piece of dialogue from Lewis' book 'The Chronicles of Narnia' where the fictional character Aslan the lion talks with some of the children who have stayed by his side for the duration of the novel. In the book you see, Aslan is a representation of Jesus; a lion both strong and wise. Once finished with his conversation, he leaves the children wondering what his next move will be. They are then counseled by one of the other characters who tells them to remember that Aslan is good, but he is not a tame lion.
I cannot think of a better way to discuss the God of the Bible. He is good and He is just, but he is not "safe." To categorize Him as such would be to cheapen what He really is. He is loving and righteous, but He is not a tame lion. Our God it would seem, is full of surprises.
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