I feel that much of our theology, especially ideas like penal substitution atonement, are like Red Delicious apples. There was a time not that long ago, when there were only 2 or 3 varieties available in most grocery stores. Even though there were growers experimenting with better apples, the grocers weren't interested. "We have a red a green and a yellow, we don't need another apple, and besides, people don't buy what they're not already familiar with."
Some how it didn't matter that Red Delicious were tough skinned, flavorless, and mealy. They were bright and shiny. It was the default definition of appleness. It made sense in a world with no other options. But fortunately the makers of the Honey Crisp persisted and more and more people loved the crack of a truly crispy apple which was also sweet and juicy with a slight tang.
Just because it was different and better didn't mean that it wasn't an apple. Likewise, theology is getting better (more varied, explored from more points of view) and sweeter (more creative and playful). It's different, but it's still theology. And I hope that we keep getting better at understanding the mystery of the great I Am. I dream of a theology even more informed by poetry and science, one that would inspire awe and wonder and humility and compassion, just like poetry and science do at their best. We might call it Transformational Theology!
p.s. There are other parallel revelations in the move from small, localized farming to corporate Agra business. Which coincided with mass marketing and a uniformity of desires and expectations. The natural, irregular, but sweet and crisp apple was engineered to look uniform and perfect for purposes of display. Meeting enculturated desires was more important than the quality of the apple, because the system would fail if expectations were disappointed and certain minimums were not purchased.
Some how it didn't matter that Red Delicious were tough skinned, flavorless, and mealy. They were bright and shiny. It was the default definition of appleness. It made sense in a world with no other options. But fortunately the makers of the Honey Crisp persisted and more and more people loved the crack of a truly crispy apple which was also sweet and juicy with a slight tang.
Just because it was different and better didn't mean that it wasn't an apple. Likewise, theology is getting better (more varied, explored from more points of view) and sweeter (more creative and playful). It's different, but it's still theology. And I hope that we keep getting better at understanding the mystery of the great I Am. I dream of a theology even more informed by poetry and science, one that would inspire awe and wonder and humility and compassion, just like poetry and science do at their best. We might call it Transformational Theology!
p.s. There are other parallel revelations in the move from small, localized farming to corporate Agra business. Which coincided with mass marketing and a uniformity of desires and expectations. The natural, irregular, but sweet and crisp apple was engineered to look uniform and perfect for purposes of display. Meeting enculturated desires was more important than the quality of the apple, because the system would fail if expectations were disappointed and certain minimums were not purchased.