With daily reminders of malfunctioning faith--specifically faith-inspired violence--it comes as no surprise that there has been increased hostility toward faith in contemporary society. But more faith, not less, can foster healthy and peaceful social rela
With daily reminders of malfunctioning faith—specifically faith-inspired violence—it comes as no surprise that there has been increased hostility toward faith in contemporary society. But more faith, not less, can foster healthy and peaceful social relationships, said Dr. Miroslav Volf to a group of Seventh-day Adventists on the campus of Adventist-owned Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland. Volf, a well-known theologian and director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture and professor of Systematic Theology, discussed “Malfunctions of Faith” at the school’s 26th annual G. Arthur Keough Lectures March 30 to 31.
Responding to critiques that Christianity can inspire violence and sometimes idleness, Volf examined the peaceful core of Christianity as well as its relevance in today’s society.
It’s not that Christianity never motivates violence, Volf said. “Blind religious zeal is part of the problem,” he said, but noted that “the more the Christian faith maps a way of life and the more [its adherents] practice it as an ongoing tradition with strong ties to its origins and with clear cognitive and moral content, the better off we will be.”
Volf affirmed that violence is not in keeping with the Christian interpretation of who God is. Citing monotheism as an example, he pointed out that some may think it inspires a type of “My-God-is-better-than-yours” mindset, which can result in violence. However, he beckoned audience members to take a closer look at the very nature of God. Volf said the monotheistic Trinitarian nature of God “forms a perfect communion of love” upon which Christianity is based.
“It would be difficult to argue that such monotheism fosters violence,” Volf said. “Instead, it grounds peace here and now in the ‘transcendental’ realm, in the love and peacefulness of the divine being.”
But what about the many violent references in the Bible, particularly in the book of Revelation when Christ is described as coming to strike down nations? (19:11 to 16). What of that seemingly angry and violent God?
“The book of Revelation rightly refuses to assume that all evil will either be overcome by good or self-destruct,” Volf said. “Those who refuse redemption from violence by the means of love will be excluded from the world of love.”
Volf also responded to what he called “idle faith,” which views God as a “divine Band-Aid.” Idle faith seeks the easy way out, doesn’t see faith’s relevance and, putting faith aside, succumbs to the pressures of today’s world. But a properly functioning faith, Volf said, is relevant and gives the Christian’s life meaning, guidance and deliverance.
While some may see God as a “performance enhancing drug,” only looking to Him when they need success or immediate help, Volf noted that God wants humanity to succeed.
He pointed to Biblical examples of God blessing His followers in the Hebrew Bible. There God’s blessing is seen as the “constantly given power that makes for human flourishing” and “specifically directed by God at a particular undertaking.”
Those practicing idle faith may think that faith “demands too much, [and] so they pick and choose, as in a cafeteria, filling up their tray with sweets but leaving aside broccoli and fish,” said Volf.
But he says “a properly functioning faith nudges us to go beyond what is morally permissible and do what is morally excellent.”
When Christians practice a faith that refuses to be idle, Volf concluded, “God blesses us, and we succeed in work; God delivers us so that we aren’t weighted down by our failures but can achieve lasting happiness; God directs us so we can work in morally responsible and morally excellent ways; and God gives meaning to our work in that God gathers all our efforts on behalf of ourselves and our communities and works through them to create, redeem, and consummate the world. Our faith will make a positive difference.”
Ante Jeroncic, a professor of religion at the Adventist-owned Andrews University located in Michigan responded with a presentation of his own on Volf’s lecture. He said he was particularly impressed with the way Volf showed “the relationship between God and human flourishing. Dr. Volf answered the question, “In what way is faith in God relevant in a contemporary context?’”
Jeroncic continued, “Volf also spoke of ‘thin’ Christianity, which is a type of faith subject to different ideologically purposes and is separated from the core of the gospel. But Dr. Volf argued that when you stay close to who Jesus is Christianity cannot be violent.”
The Keough Lectures are held in memory of a former professor of religion at Columbia Union College, G. Arthur Keough. Dr. Zack Plantak, chairman of the religion department at the school, organized this year’s program. In 2006, the series marked its 25th anniversary with presentations by Dr. Michael Kulakov, an associate professor at Columbia Union College. The lecture themed, “The Infinite Diversity of Persons: Individual Personality in the Orthodox East,” examined the attitudes toward religious diversity and individual freedom in the Eastern Orthodox mystical tradition.
In 2005, Philip Jenkins, author and distinguished professor of religion and history at Pennsylvania State University lectured on “Southern Christianity” the concept of certain geographic areas, specifically sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Asia having a different relationship with the Old Testament than many mainline Christians in other parts of the world such as Western Europe and North America.