Dictionary.com
defines the word paradox to mean “a
statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd, but in
reality can express a possible truth.”
The Biblical
view of God appears to include paradoxes; e. g. He is first and last, and one
yet three, a consuming fire and loving Father, etc.
Paradoxically, Jesus
was a suffering servant and is our soon returning King. He was our sacrificial offering and is our
merciful High Priest. He is the lion and
the lamb, Who died (temporarily) so we can live (eternally).
Christ’s teachings include paradoxes like
“he who humbles himself shall be exalted” and “whoever saves his life will lose
it but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s, shall save it” and His
ironic promise, “In the world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer I
have overcome the world.”
Paradoxes do not
only exist in Biblical understanding, on the natural side we know about opposites
like electricity, being both positive and negative simultaneously.
As humans, we
walk on opposite legs, left and right, we hear with opposing ears, etc.
I live with such reality everyday,
being married to my wonderful polar opposite since ’77. (It could get boring otherwise).
It seems that two
becoming one in marriage requires both parties dying to self. This is a
paradox that - when embraced - purifies selfishness. (With me, such
sanctification is still ongoing).
Perhaps God’s
purpose in life’s paradoxes is to reveal His glory in ways that our linear
thinking cannot comprehend. Surely, He
does not want us to overlook or minimize important realities just to satisfy closed
mindsets.
John Calvin, a Reformation era pastor, so
powerfully preached about God’s sovereignty that some have accused him of
minimizing the responsibility of man.
From that same period, Jacobus
Arminius so strongly emphasized the responsibility of man that others have
accused him of minimizing God’s sovereignty.
Debates have gone on for centuries
as to which of their viewpoints are most Biblical; with many polarizing into
opposing Calvinistic and Arminian camps. It seems they may never settle
this matter, although today both sides might agree to disagree with me.
I believe we should be prepared to
explore the possible truth in anyone’s perspective, especially when different
from our own and to laugh at our differences whenever possible.
A story is told
about an Arminian and a Calvinist who both walked across the same field at
different times and they both accidentally stepped on the upturned teeth of a
rake, laying hidden in the grass, resulting in the handle flipping upwards and hitting
them in the nose.
The Arminian reacted
by yelling, “What idiot left this rake out here? How could I be so blind?”
Later, after
doing the same thing, the Calvinist exclaimed, “I’m sure glad that part of my
life is over!”
Now, go ahead and
laugh. It’s not a paradox to smile, but
it is to not.
“A merry heart does good like a medicine:…” PROVERBS 17:22
