I have long been fascinated by paradox.
Coming from a childhood belief in rational, intellectual, reasonable, logical "thought", for a long while I erred in dismissing paradox as merely a way to explain the inexplicable. The seeming contradictions were at best confusing to me, especially when used in a quasi-religious manner, citing Jesus as a literal example of "you must lose your life to keep it".
As an adult, I became acquainted with recovery phrases that fit this category: "You have to give up to win"; "Give it away to keep it", "From weakness comes strength" and so forth. (There is even a list on the wiki-net of paradoxical statements, and more quotes on paradox by famous folk.)
Living from the perspective previously described, these statements just did not make sense to me. Then, one day, someone explained that I was having difficulty understanding because paradox was related to spiritual understanding, a spiritual truth, not a literal, logical, intellectual truth.
When reading "A Handbook of Theological Terms" (Harvey), I read the statement that "...metaphysics is attempting to resolve matters that are impossible for reason to do in the nature of the case." (p. 24; definition of Antinomy). In the same book, within the definition of "paradox" is the statement "All true theological doctrines, therefore, are alleged to be paradoxical..."
When I run into statement that impact me as "possible Truth", the scientist in me launches an experiment. (I am wary of any statement with the word "all"...) From the point when I hear/feel something that strikes me as "possible Truth", I "try it on" for a while. I test the hypothesis against what I think I know, what I was taught, and how it looks/works in my life while reserving judgment about it's validity.
So, what do you think about that statement? What are your favorite paradoxical concepts?
Hi Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your history. It especially impacted me when you made the statement that you did not want anyone to be a translator between you and God. It represented, to me, a deep desire in you to actually experience the Divine for yourself in a genuine, true way. I also liked how you interpreted sin as "that which separates me from my connection with God and other people." Seeing sin as separation is a beautiful way of looking at it and helps me to harmonize my own embedded theology with where I am at now in my theology. It lightens up that concept!
I also appreciate how you made the transition from intellectual understanding to spiritual understanding in terms of looking at paradoxes. The statement "All true theological doctrines...are alleged to be paradoxica" rings very true to me. I find that the further along the spiritual path I go, and the deeper my mystical experiences, the less I seem to know. For the first 8 or 9 years, I thought I knew something. Now I only have tools which help me discover that I know almost nothing. In the end, my understandings all seem paradoxical.
Blessings and Light,
Jeffrey
Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteI also am leery of those statements that start with all. It is a red flag for me. I agree we have to try things on to see if they fit. My favorite paradox is us! Human and divine, limited and unlimited, wise and not so wise....the list goes on and on and on. I chuckle and am amaze at myself when I am in tune with a paradox that is showing itself. To live the paradox is to live the mystery.
Namaste,
Melody
My personal favorite and one Dr. Tom pointed out: "In Unity we believe..." yet we are encouraged to agree or disagree. This is one paradox I'm grateful for because it encourages me to think outside the box. I've "tried on" a lot of teachings and the one that I agree with most is Unity principle #3 - We create our world through our way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I wonder how my beliefs affect the outcome of any paradox I'm faced with. It affects it by my absolute belief or lack thereof. Also, how willing am I to believe something? Sometimes I'm willing to believe something simply because it goes against what I was taught as a child. Strike one up for my embedded theology to take refuge from while I immigrate to a higher level of understanding.
Blessings,
Elise