Theology was, at the beginning, simple story telling. It was an explanation for why things were they way they were. It was handed down over centuries and it didn’t need to be very rigorous in its believability because the realm of what was known about the universe was very small at the time. It was their version of science, in a way.
But as time went on and people had more questions and were finding out more ‘truths’ theologians (as they were eventually titled) had to fill out the various stories to be more believable. But at the same time they had to stick with the story already told and somehow combine the new and the old.
The result was a pretty convoluted set of explanations for the how and why of the world that was separated from science as it was developing.
To test this idea clear your mind of any and all ideas of the universe and human origins and development. Now tell a brand new story that explains how we came to be and why we are here. Have it make sense in the here and now, consistent with what you now know about life. Would it be the same story you were taught as a child? Would you have the same organization of life, afterlife, material world, spirit realm? Would you have the same explanations for why things happen, good and bad? Maybe so, maybe not. But it is a good exercise to help us remember that we are listening to a story.
Drawing and commentary © Marty Coleman
“The intent of theology is not to tell the truth, but to satisfy the questioner.” – Elbert Hubbard, 1856-1915, American writer