Day 74 - Never fully known
- Congregational Federation
- May 2
- 2 min read
Today, May 2, is the Feast Day of Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria. Athanasius was a powerful figure in early Christianity on the side of what was to become the `orthodox` faith. The Athanasian Creed, although not written by Athanasius is a vehement defence of the Doctrine of the Trinity. Athansius` main opponent in the Christological debate raging at the time, was Arius. Arius` views were argued from scripture but were at variance with the trinitarian views held by others and when the Church sought to bring about doctrinal uniformity at the Council of Nicaea, Arius found himself on the losing side. A distinctive aspect of the Creed were the Anathemas, condemning those who disagree with its statements.
Sadly, this is often the way with theological debate and the most orthodox are invariably keen to condemn those seen as less orthodox. My Sending Church had as its minister in the 19th century, a Rev Dr Henry Montgomery, who took a similar view to Arius in the theological debates of his time within Presbyterianism. Although he too ended up on the `losing side`, he maintained a magnanimity of spirit.
“The Divine Being is not the God of a sect or a party,
but the Father and the Friend of all;
the Lord Jesus is not the Redeemer of a few,
but "the Saviour of all men" who will accept of His love.
I do not say that all theological systems are equally conducive either to the temporal or eternal interests of mankind, for I am persuaded that they are not; but I do believe that even the most erroneous creed will not shut out a good and sincere man from a humble mansion in the Father's house!
In these views I may be far wrong; but I am certain I feel more pleasure in believing that even my opponents and enemies may be saved than they have in believing that I shall be damned. May the Spirit of grace purify our faith, enliven our hope, and enlarge our charity!”
God cannot effectively be contained within a Creed. That is why I am drawn to today’s hymn by Brian Wren.
Bring many names, beautiful and good,
celebrate, in parable and story,
holiness in glory, living, loving God.
Hail and Hosanna! Bring many names!
Strong mother God, working night and day,
planning all the wonders of creation,
setting each equation genius at play:
Hail and Hosanna, strong mother God!
Warm father God, hugging every child,
feeling all the strains of human living,
caring and forgiving till we're reconciled:
Hail and Hosanna, warm father God!
Old, aching God, grey with endless care,
calmly piercing evil's new disguises,
glad of good surprises, wiser than despair:
Hail and Hosanna, old, aching God!
Young, growing God, eager, on the move,
saying no to falsehood and unkindness,
crying out for justice, giving all you have:
Hail and Hosanna, young, growing God!
Great, living God, never fully known,
joyful darkness far beyond our seeing,
closer yet than breathing, everlasting home:
Hail and Hosanna, great, living God!
Alan Kennedy
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