The Best We Can Do

Catherine Keller presents an alternative view of theology in her book On the Mystery. Instead of viewing existing theology she suggests her own form of theology. Keller urges theologians as well as common believers to follow a form of belief where rigid absolute truths are avoided while the whole truth is continually looked and sought after. I found it interesting that Keller backed up her beliefs with the translation of the classic definition of theology, fides quaerens intellectum. Keller explains that this is translated to “faith seeking understanding.” This is the definition of Keller’s view on theology in that it is not good to continue to follow your established faith with a closed mind. The flip side is it is not good to not believe in anything and to go through life without searching for meaning.

Keller does not use translations to bolster only her theology argument. Another point Keller makes is how little we know about God. This was the most intriguing part of Keller’s argument thus far to me. Growing up in a Baptist church there were many “Sunday school” names given to God. The Holy Father, The Great Provider, Heavenly Father, Alpha and Omega, The Lord, The Great Shepherd, and The Lord God Almighty are just a few of the “holy” names attempting to name God. Some of these names are not far from the original language such as Alpha and Omega, while others work off of major assumptions. Keller discusses the incorrect assumed meaning of “the Almighty.” Keller talks about how almighty all powerful ruler is not necessarily what the text says. She says that, “”The Almighty” is actually a mistranslation of El Shaddai, “God of the Mountain”- literally in Hebrew “The Breasted One!” (Keller, X). The Breasted One brings to mind either a Buddha type figure or even worse in the minds of ancient theologians, a woman. Many of the earlier included names all gender based names such as Father and to certain extent shepherd. These names are the best translators and biblical scholars could do from the original text to create an accurate description for the Creator of the Universe.

I completely agree with the point Keller is trying to make. The wars that are being and have been fought in the world over miniscule translation differences and absolute truths cannot be won. These wars and violent disagreements are pointless because with many biblical issues we won’t know exactly what God intended to be understood from His writings until we have the opportunity to ask Him in Heaven. Also notice that I said “His” and “Him” in the last sentence. I will continue to use these terms to describe God not because I am a chauvinist but rather because saying God and God’s can become repetitive. God and God’s are also the only terms that have been presented to me as an alternative. I would not be opposed to using a new respectful term if one were presented to me but for the moment “He” is my best substitute.

Keller, Catherine. On the Mystery: Discerning Divinity in the Process. Fortress Press: Minneapolis, MN. 2008. Print