ECCLESIASTICAL TITBITS V

Within any cultural group most people turn out to be very much alike. There are differences, usually of emphasis or choices and others of genetic origin. Nevertheless if we scratch a number of people we find that hopes, fears, temptations, expectations and such like are very much the same for all. Perceptions will differ, as will the ability to relate to others and understand issues. Underneath, though we are all created equal in the eye of God. We may well ask as do some, who is superior to whom? That is a human question and has validity only within the context in which it is asked and answered.



There are those, however, who suffer a need to be better than their peers and to be seen as such. They will find any number of reasons to show that this is so and expect others to acknowledge their superior nature, achievements or learning. Some of these things will be genuine and we would be churlish not to act accordingly. There are those who clutch at anything to prove their worthiness. Many of those have a psychological problem. Recently we received a letter in which the writer boasted of his large number of theological books and his knowledge of their contents. It was clear from the evidence of his pen that he had confused the written word with reality.



God and life do not reside in books. Books may record or mirror reality but to be real God must be experienced in life and life must be lived, for life comes from God. To despise that life is to denigrate God. We need to glory in creation knowing that we are all God’s creatures and valuable for that reason. Accordingly if we boast, we boast in our weakness which God, through Christ, turns into strength. To own a few thousand books is not a strength but a measure of our interests and possibly our avoidance of involvement in life, particularly that of others.



PISCATOR