Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief 1. Who Can We Trust? (I believe in God the...

Tokens of Trust:Tokens of Trust:An Introduction to Christian An Introduction to Christian

BeliefBelief

1. Who Can We Trust?1. Who Can We Trust?(I believe in God the Father Almighty)(I believe in God the Father Almighty)

Sunday, January 25, 200910 to 10:50 am, in the ParlorPresenter: David Monyak

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

Tokens of Trust: Tokens of Trust: An Introduction An Introduction to Christian to Christian BeliefBelief,, Rowan Rowan Williams, Williams, Westminister John Westminister John Knox Press, Knox Press, Louisville, Louisville, London, 2007London, 2007

The Most Revd. Rowan Williams is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 27th February 2003

Born 1950 Born 1950 Studied theology at CambridgeStudied theology at Cambridge DPhil at Oxford 1975DPhil at Oxford 1975 Priest 1978Priest 1978 1977 to 1992: taught theology at 1977 to 1992: taught theology at

Cambridge and OxfordCambridge and Oxford 1986: Lady Margaret 1986: Lady Margaret

Professorship of Divinity at the Professorship of Divinity at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford

1991: Bishop of Monmouth in 1991: Bishop of Monmouth in Anglican Church of WalesAnglican Church of Wales

1999: Archbishop of Wales1999: Archbishop of Wales Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th

bishop of the See of Canterburybishop of the See of Canterbury Considered by many the best Considered by many the best

Protestant theologian in the world Protestant theologian in the world todaytoday

Also a noted poet and translator Also a noted poet and translator of Welsh poetryof Welsh poetry

Who Can We Trust?Who Can We Trust?(I believe in God the Father Almighty)(I believe in God the Father Almighty)

QuestionsQuestions

QuestionsQuestions1. Believe?1. Believe?

““I believe in God the Father almighty”I believe in God the Father almighty” What should we mean by What should we mean by “I believe”“I believe”?? Does “I believe in God …” have the same Does “I believe in God …” have the same

sense as saying:sense as saying: ““I believe in UFOs”I believe in UFOs” ““I believe it is cold outside.”?I believe it is cold outside.”?

QuestionsQuestions2. A Trustworthy God?2. A Trustworthy God?

What grounds do we have to think What grounds do we have to think “God the “God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth”earth” is is trustworthytrustworthy?? Isn't God in a sense some completely alien Isn't God in a sense some completely alien

intelligence, remote and transcendent?intelligence, remote and transcendent? Isn't it likely therefore that God has an agenda that Isn't it likely therefore that God has an agenda that

we know nothing about?we know nothing about?

QuestionsQuestions3. An Almighty Father?3. An Almighty Father?

How do we make sense of the words How do we make sense of the words “Father “Father Almighty”?Almighty”?

Father:Father: Isn’t wishing for an almighty “Father” the ultimate Isn’t wishing for an almighty “Father” the ultimate

unhealthy wish fulfillment projection?unhealthy wish fulfillment projection? wanting to have an all powerful father to sort out our problems, to wanting to have an all powerful father to sort out our problems, to

help us out of situations we should be responsible for?help us out of situations we should be responsible for?

Almighty:Almighty: Might not this word carry a very heavy baggage of human Might not this word carry a very heavy baggage of human

fantasies that obscures its true meaning? fantasies that obscures its true meaning? We project onto God our desire to overcome our human We project onto God our desire to overcome our human

limitations, to have what we want with the flick of our wrists?limitations, to have what we want with the flick of our wrists?

QuestionsQuestions4. A 4. A RealReal God? God?

Suppose we agree that it makes rational sense Suppose we agree that it makes rational sense to say God could be trustworthy, could have to say God could be trustworthy, could have the characteristics of a parent, could be the characteristics of a parent, could be “almighty.”“almighty.”

How can we know that any of it is actuallyHow can we know that any of it is actually truetrue? ? How do we know that this is a How do we know that this is a realreal God, as God, as

opposed to an impressive character in a book?opposed to an impressive character in a book?

1. Believe?1. Believe?

Believe?Believe?A Crisis of TrustA Crisis of Trust

There is a crisis of trust in our modern worldThere is a crisis of trust in our modern world We often don't feel the great institutions of our We often don't feel the great institutions of our

society are working for us:society are working for us: They often have their own hidden agendas that are They often have their own hidden agendas that are

against our own interestsagainst our own interests We have learned to be suspicious by default:We have learned to be suspicious by default:

We tend to We tend to assumeassume that things aren't arranged for that things aren't arranged for our benefitour benefit

Believe?Believe?“I Trust, I Put My Confidence In”“I Trust, I Put My Confidence In”

This issue of This issue of trusttrust is relevant, for when we say “I is relevant, for when we say “I believe in God the Father Almighty,” “I believe” is:believe in God the Father Almighty,” “I believe” is: not simply an acknowledgement about your opinion on the not simply an acknowledgement about your opinion on the

nature of God,nature of God, But meant to be a But meant to be a proclamation of trustproclamation of trust in God. in God.

In the 9In the 9thth chapter of John, when Jesus asks the chapter of John, when Jesus asks the formerly blind man if he “believes” in the Son of formerly blind man if he “believes” in the Son of Man, he is not asking what the man’s opinion is of Man, he is not asking what the man’s opinion is of the concept “Son of Man”the concept “Son of Man” Jesus wants to know whether the former blind man is ready Jesus wants to know whether the former blind man is ready

to to trusttrust the Son of Man — that is, Jesus in his role as the Son of Man — that is, Jesus in his role as representative of the human race before Godrepresentative of the human race before God

Believe?Believe?“I Trust, I Put My Confidence In”“I Trust, I Put My Confidence In”

““I believe” is much closer to the statement of faith I believe” is much closer to the statement of faith made by Buddhists: “I take refuge in the Buddha.”made by Buddhists: “I take refuge in the Buddha.”

When we say “I believe” in God the Father When we say “I believe” in God the Father Almighty,” “I believe” means:Almighty,” “I believe” means: I take refuge in God the Father AlmightyI take refuge in God the Father Almighty I put my trust in God the Father AlmightyI put my trust in God the Father Almighty God is where I belongGod is where I belong God is who I have confidence in to keep me safeGod is who I have confidence in to keep me safe God is where I find the anchorage of my lifeGod is where I find the anchorage of my life God is where I find solid ground, homeGod is where I find solid ground, home

2. A Trustworthy God?2. A Trustworthy God?

A Trustworthy God?A Trustworthy God?Trust An Essentially Alien Intelligence?Trust An Essentially Alien Intelligence?

Why should we put our trust in “God the Father Why should we put our trust in “God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth”?almighty, maker of heaven and earth”? How can we dare to fathom the purposes of God?How can we dare to fathom the purposes of God? Surely God’s intelligence is so much unimaginably greater Surely God’s intelligence is so much unimaginably greater

than ours, that God is best thought of as an essentially alien than ours, that God is best thought of as an essentially alien entity.entity.

Surely God’s ultimate agenda is hidden from us, beyond Surely God’s ultimate agenda is hidden from us, beyond our understanding.our understanding.

Why then should we think him trustworthy?Why then should we think him trustworthy? After all, is he not a remote and transcendent alien After all, is he not a remote and transcendent alien

intelligence with an agenda hidden from us?intelligence with an agenda hidden from us?

A Trustworthy God?A Trustworthy God?The Bible’s AnswerThe Bible’s Answer

The Bible directly addresses these concerns:The Bible directly addresses these concerns: God has communicated his purpose by the life and God has communicated his purpose by the life and

death and resurrection of Jesus.death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Jesus and the events around Jesus’ life, Through Jesus and the events around Jesus’ life,

God has at last made his purposes clearGod has at last made his purposes clear God has shown us God’s agenda God has shown us God’s agenda

The opening passage in Paul’s Letter to the The opening passage in Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians in particular plainly tells us God has Ephesians in particular plainly tells us God has at last made his purposes clearat last made his purposes clear

A Trustworthy God?A Trustworthy God?The Bible’s AnswerThe Bible’s Answer

God’s Agenda:God’s Agenda: In a phrase from two themes in the Letter to the Ephesians: In a phrase from two themes in the Letter to the Ephesians:

“peace and praise”“peace and praise” Peace: the world God has made is designed to become a Peace: the world God has made is designed to become a

reconciled world, a world in which diverse human communities reconciled world, a world in which diverse human communities come to share a life togethercome to share a life together

Praise: this reconciliation liberates human voices for praise, for Praise: this reconciliation liberates human voices for praise, for celebrating the glory of the Godcelebrating the glory of the God

This does not tell us all there is to know about God, This does not tell us all there is to know about God, nor does it exhaust the mystery and wonder of nor does it exhaust the mystery and wonder of creationcreation It simply assures us about God's aim in creationIt simply assures us about God's aim in creation God’s “agenda” for creation is not hiddenGod’s “agenda” for creation is not hidden

A Trustworthy God?A Trustworthy God?Another AnswerAnother Answer

Another answer to why we can put our confidence in Another answer to why we can put our confidence in God the Father Almighty:God the Father Almighty: we can trust the maker of heaven and earth precisely we can trust the maker of heaven and earth precisely

because he is the maker of heaven and earthbecause he is the maker of heaven and earth God is the unique source of everything, and there is God is the unique source of everything, and there is

nothing beyond Godnothing beyond God There is nothing God is “forced” to doThere is nothing God is “forced” to do The only thing that can 'motivate' his action is simply what The only thing that can 'motivate' his action is simply what

he is. he is. Hence: what God Hence: what God doesdoes shows us what he shows us what he isis


God can't have a selfish agenda, because he God can't have a selfish agenda, because he can't want anything for himself except to be can't want anything for himself except to be the way he is.the way he is.

The only motivation we can think of as to why The only motivation we can think of as to why God would make a heaven and earth is God would make a heaven and earth is sheer sheer unselfish loveunselfish love:: ““He wants to give what he is to what isn't him; he He wants to give what he is to what isn't him; he

wants difference to appear, he wants an Other to wants difference to appear, he wants an Other to receive his joy and delight.”receive his joy and delight.”


Caution:Caution: God does not “need” us in any wayGod does not “need” us in any way We don't 'contribute' anything to God: God would be God We don't 'contribute' anything to God: God would be God

if we never existedif we never existed We exist because of God’s utterly unconditional We exist because of God’s utterly unconditional

generosity. Creation is entirely and unreservedly for generosity. Creation is entirely and unreservedly for our sakeour sake

““God is, in simple terms, sublimely and eternally God is, in simple terms, sublimely and eternally happy to be God, and the fact that this sublime eternal happy to be God, and the fact that this sublime eternal happiness overflows into the act of creation is itself a happiness overflows into the act of creation is itself a way of telling us that God is to be trusted absolutely, way of telling us that God is to be trusted absolutely, that God has no private agenda”that God has no private agenda”

A Trustworthy God?A Trustworthy God?Creation and SalvationCreation and Salvation

That God has made a heaven and earth out of That God has made a heaven and earth out of sheer unselfish love, that we exist because of sheer unselfish love, that we exist because of an utterly unconditional generosity highlights an utterly unconditional generosity highlights a deep connection between the often separate a deep connection between the often separate topics of “creation” and “salvation.”topics of “creation” and “salvation.”

The love God shows in creating us is the same The love God shows in creating us is the same love that God shows in saving us:love that God shows in saving us: They are the same love, and both are completely They are the same love, and both are completely

free and unconditionalfree and unconditional

3. An Almighty Father?3. An Almighty Father?

An Almighty Father?An Almighty Father?“Father”? “Almighty”?“Father”? “Almighty”?

How can we make sense of the description of How can we make sense of the description of God as “almighty father”?God as “almighty father”?

An Almighty Father?An Almighty Father?“Father”? “Almighty”?“Father”? “Almighty”?

Pitfalls: Pitfalls: The wish fulfillment fantasy to have an all-The wish fulfillment fantasy to have an all-

powerful authority figure to look after us, who: powerful authority figure to look after us, who: can sort out all our problems,can sort out all our problems, is always there on hand to help us out of situations is always there on hand to help us out of situations

where we would otherwise have to take responsibilitywhere we would otherwise have to take responsibility Believing there is somewhere an unlimited power Believing there is somewhere an unlimited power

that can do anything it likesthat can do anything it likes So I better be on its good sideSo I better be on its good side Such a huge arbitrary will may inspire fear, but not Such a huge arbitrary will may inspire fear, but not trusttrust

An Almighty Father?An Almighty Father? “Almighty”? “Almighty”?

““Almighty,” translated from the Greek means:Almighty,” translated from the Greek means: ““Ruler of everything”, or “Holder of everything”Ruler of everything”, or “Holder of everything”

Suggests “almighty” applied to God means:Suggests “almighty” applied to God means: there is no place where God is absent, powerless or there is no place where God is absent, powerless or

irrelevantirrelevant there is no situation where God is at a lossthere is no situation where God is at a loss

““God always has the capacity to do something fresh and God always has the capacity to do something fresh and different, to bring something new out of a situation”different, to bring something new out of a situation”

An Almighty Father?An Almighty Father? God as Parent God as Parent

In other words “almighty” implies: In other words “almighty” implies: there is no situation in which we cannot rely upon there is no situation in which we cannot rely upon

GodGod God’s “love never exhausts its resources”God’s “love never exhausts its resources”

Therefore: God is to be trusted as we would Therefore: God is to be trusted as we would trust a loving parent:trust a loving parent: Whose commitment to us is inexhaustible,Whose commitment to us is inexhaustible, Whose purposes for us are unfailingly generous; Whose purposes for us are unfailingly generous; Whose life is the source of our life,Whose life is the source of our life, Who guarantees that there is always a home for usWho guarantees that there is always a home for us

4. A Real God?4. A Real God?

A Real God?A Real God?Does This God Exist?Does This God Exist?

How can we know that any of this is actually How can we know that any of this is actually truetrue??

How do we know that this is a real God, and How do we know that this is a real God, and not just some impressive figure we have not just some impressive figure we have created – like a character in a novel? created – like a character in a novel?

In other words: does God exist?In other words: does God exist?

A Real God?A Real God?Arguments to Prove God’s Existence?Arguments to Prove God’s Existence?

There is no decisive argument to prove God There is no decisive argument to prove God existsexists

St Ambrose of Milan (died December 7, 397 St Ambrose of Milan (died December 7, 397 A.D.): A.D.): “it did not suit God to save his “it did not suit God to save his people by arguments.”people by arguments.”

The Bible has no arguments for the existence The Bible has no arguments for the existence of God.of God.

A Real God?A Real God?Arguments to Prove God’s Existence?Arguments to Prove God’s Existence?

Indeed, the Bible is full of stories and poetry about Indeed, the Bible is full of stories and poetry about the pain and angst of letting God come near you, of the pain and angst of letting God come near you, of trying to trust him, when all the evidence seems to trying to trust him, when all the evidence seems to have gone.have gone. See: Job, Abraham, Moses, the PsalmsSee: Job, Abraham, Moses, the Psalms

Job, Abraham, Moses and the Psalmists don’t solve Job, Abraham, Moses and the Psalmists don’t solve their angst by trying to work out decisive arguments their angst by trying to work out decisive arguments to convince themselves of God’s existence – they to convince themselves of God’s existence – they already seem too caught up in a reality they can't already seem too caught up in a reality they can't deny or ignore.deny or ignore.

A Real God?A Real God?The Testimony of Trustworthy LivesThe Testimony of Trustworthy Lives

The effort they bring to their relation with God The effort they bring to their relation with God is itself a is itself a kindkind of argument for God – of argument for God – if they take God that seriously, then God is surely if they take God that seriously, then God is surely

more to them than a fantasy to make them feel more to them than a fantasy to make them feel betterbetter


Faith does not usually begin with intellectual Faith does not usually begin with intellectual arguments.arguments.

Faith often begins with “belief”, trust in the Faith often begins with “belief”, trust in the lives of some believing people:lives of some believing people: We have confidence, trust in them because of the We have confidence, trust in them because of the

way they are living.way they are living. The way they live is a way I want to live. The The way they live is a way I want to live. The

world in which they live is a world in which I world in which they live is a world in which I would like to live.would like to live.


Some people do take “responsibility for Some people do take “responsibility for making God credible in the world” through making God credible in the world” through their lives.their lives.

One example Williams cites is Etty Hillesum, One example Williams cites is Etty Hillesum, a young Jewish women captured by the a young Jewish women captured by the Germans in Holland in 1941, who died in the Germans in Holland in 1941, who died in the gas chambers at Auschwitz in November 1943 gas chambers at Auschwitz in November 1943 at the age of 29at the age of 29

Etty did not start out particularly religious.Etty did not start out particularly religious.


Her published diaries and letters from 1941 to 1943 Her published diaries and letters from 1941 to 1943 show how she became more and more conscious of show how she became more and more conscious of God’s hand on her life.God’s hand on her life.

She wrote “She wrote “there must be someone to live there must be someone to live through it all and bear witness to the fact that through it all and bear witness to the fact that God lived, even in these times. And why God lived, even in these times. And why should I not be that witness?”should I not be that witness?”

She described her life as having become She described her life as having become “an “an uninterrupted dialogue with You, oh God”uninterrupted dialogue with You, oh God”

She sensed her vocation in the camp as being She sensed her vocation in the camp as being “not “not … simply to proclaim You, God, to commend … simply to proclaim You, God, to commend You to the heart of others. One must also You to the heart of others. One must also clear the path toward You in them.”clear the path toward You in them.”

Who Can We Trust?Who Can We Trust?(I believe in God the (I believe in God the

Father Almighty)Father Almighty)

Who Can We Trust?Who Can We Trust?I Believe in God the Father AlmightyI Believe in God the Father Almighty

Faith often begins and is sustained by the Faith often begins and is sustained by the recognition there are trustworthy lives (like recognition there are trustworthy lives (like Etty Hillesum, and many other less dramatic Etty Hillesum, and many other less dramatic examples) making God credible to the world.examples) making God credible to the world.

And as long as there are such trustworthy And as long as there are such trustworthy lives, the doors to faith remain open, and the lives, the doors to faith remain open, and the possibility is there for Others, perhaps very possibility is there for Others, perhaps very slowly, to find their way to a point where they slowly, to find their way to a point where they can say, “I believe”.can say, “I believe”.

Who Can We Trust?Who Can We Trust?I Believe in God the Father AlmightyI Believe in God the Father Almighty

Not merely “I believe in God” in the same Not merely “I believe in God” in the same sense of:sense of: ““I believe in UFOs”I believe in UFOs”

but “I believe in God” in the sense of:but “I believe in God” in the sense of: I take refuge in God the Father AlmightyI take refuge in God the Father Almighty I put my trust in God the Father AlmightyI put my trust in God the Father Almighty God is where I find the anchorage of my lifeGod is where I find the anchorage of my life God is where I find solid ground, homeGod is where I find solid ground, home

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