The Light Weight of Doctrinal Declarations

Have you ever seen this t-shirt logo:  “The Church/Bible teaches it. I believe it. That settles it”? It is a rather pithy and provocative turn of phrase. More importantly, however, it reflects an utter misunderstanding in regards to what it takes to evangelize in a postmodern culture that is secular, humanistic and widely skeptical of authority. The saying claims that a doctrinal declaration (stating the truth) settles the related matter completely, finally, irrevocably, allowing for nothing but acceptance of said truth. The problem is, of course, that it just doesn’t work this way.  It does not work this way in a postmodern culture any better than it worked in first century Palestine.    

This very point was on full display in the Gospel reading for Divine Mercy Sunday. We all know the story of Thomas, that famous doubter of the Resurrection. Thomas stands front and center in the midst of Christianity’s most profound tenet— the Paschal Mystery— Jesus’ death and resurrection. By definition, authentic Christianity requires that one believe in the Resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection is big. It is bold. It is at the very heart of everything. The Apostles would soon preach Christ crucified, not because He was crucified, but because He rose from the dead after being crucified.  

But, Thomas does not believe. If we follow the path of this story in which Thomas comes to belief, we can see a road map for evangelizing in our own postmodern world. There are four critical way-points in this story from unbelief to belief, and the order in which they occur is important.  

The Power of the Testimony

Thomas, not having seen Jesus, hears multiple testimonies about the Resurrection.  Peter, John, and some of the women have been to the empty tomb, have already seen the risen Jesus.  Others among their number have encountered the risen Lord.   While Thomas may appear unmoved by the testimonies, a careful reading of his words tells a different story.  The testimonies have actually challenged and stirred Thomas.  They blunt the movement and manifestation of fear, hopelessness, and despair.  Thomas finds himself arguing, I imagine, as much with himself as with those around him, “I won’t believe.  I won’t.  Unless…”  The word “unless” shows us there is room for something new besides unbelief.  The testimony calls to the deep within the person, to the Spirit of God that dwells within him.  It does not stir faith, but it does stir hope, opening the door to faith.

The Natural Expression of the Supernatural

Thomas, witness to countless other miracles and supernatural events during his time with Jesus, does not believe. Then comes Jesus. The supernatural— the resurrected Jesus appears. Not a ghost or phantom or mirage, but in a completely natural form. When the supernatural manifests itself into the natural, there is no more doubting or denying. The supernatural, where it is invited and welcomed, manifests itself in the natural.  It is profound, it is revelatory, and it is real.  The supernatural gives credibility and causes a disaffected world to pause.

The Encounter

Jesus seems not merely satisfied to appear, making himself the prize in an apostolic game of “I told you so.” He is in pursuit of a much greater prize within Thomas. Jesus invites Thomas deeper, into an experience of Him and with Him. It is personal and very, very intimate. Caravaggio’s famous painting of Thomas and Jesus is a profound visual representation of this encounter between the two of them. It is in this moment that Thomas professes his faith. Testimony, followed by the experience of the supernatural, leads to encounter. There is a ‘knowing’ of each other that occurs in this moment, special and unique between Jesus and Thomas.

Declaring the Doctrine (Understanding)

After all of this, Jesus still is not finished. The Gospel goes on to tell us that Jesus explained the Resurrection and His divinity to the apostles.  He explained the truth and brought them into understanding.  He taught them how everything foretold in the Old Testament was revealed and brought to fulfillment in Him.  Teaching and doctrine follow.  They do not lead.  The teaching provides a framework in which the Apostles can understand the entirety of their experience with Jesus, as it should for us.  Without the preparation, none of them could have accepted the full and mighty weight of the doctrine, the truth of all of Jesus Christ.

The Lesson

There is a clear message for those of us evangelizing in a postmodern world.  We must first testify, be a living witness to the powerful message of the Gospel and its supernatural nature.  Jesus is divine, risen from the dead and very much alive today.  He continues to heal, cure, and love today as He did 2,000 years ago.  The miracle-worker is intimately involved in the lives of His people.  He is close, active, accessible, and real.  Doctrine gives understanding and context to our relationship with God.  

This is the new evangelization. It requires much more from us than declaring doctrines to a disinterested and disaffected world. We must not errantly separate the living God from the doctrine that helps us to know Him better. And, we cannot offer the world the incredible and fulfilling relationship with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if we do not have that relationship ourselves. God can only be known in relationship. Doctrine can only be understood and authentically lived within that relationship. We must testify boldly, immerse ourselves in the supernatural nature of God, experience Him deeply and intimately, and understand who He is. This kind of evangelization is what the world really needs.