Theological Pointillism
In the art world there is a fascinating painting technique called Pointillism. Founded and popularized by Georges Seurat, it uses small points or dots of paint to create the larger image. Color TV's and printers use a similar approach to create an image. Probably the most famous of all Pointillist paintings is Seurat's Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.
Here's some detail from the painting La Parade by Seurat:
(Click on the image to see the full painting.)
Notice how the colors and overall image change as you view the full painting.
Why I thought of this I don't know, but I think there is something similar that happens in theology.
I've met folks who passed through the doors of Reformed churches and left for Eastern Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism. Their reasons vary, but a common theme is that Reformed theology doesn't capture "X" aspect of Biblical teaching well. The corollary is that Reformed theology focuses too much on "Y."
While I might disagree with these folks' reactions, analysis and understanding of Reformed theology, there is something to what they say.
Reformed theology loves its Pointillist dots. Seurat the painter was fascinated by theories of light and color. Each dot in his paintings had precision and a purpose. We in Reformed circles also love our dots. We're fascinated by theological precision and accuracy. We want to know not only that we are justified sinners, but also in detail what justification is -- and isn't. It's important to us that salvation is sola fide, but also that sola fide is sola fide.
But we can't lose the overall picture. I don't think we intend to, and more than that I don't think a full and careful reading of Calvin or any other Reformed theologian can miss the big picture that is there.
Nevertheless when new believers, or believers new to Reformed theology come into our midst, we often - maybe far too often - give the impression that all we care about are picky little details. We need to remind ourselves, and especially remind those new to our ranks, that there is a bigger picture, that when you step back from all the wonderfully detailed dots that make up Reformed theology what you get is an amazing picture of the work that God has accomplished for and applied to us poor sinners.
Here's some detail from the painting La Parade by Seurat:
(Click on the image to see the full painting.)
Notice how the colors and overall image change as you view the full painting.
Why I thought of this I don't know, but I think there is something similar that happens in theology.
I've met folks who passed through the doors of Reformed churches and left for Eastern Orthodoxy or Roman Catholicism. Their reasons vary, but a common theme is that Reformed theology doesn't capture "X" aspect of Biblical teaching well. The corollary is that Reformed theology focuses too much on "Y."
While I might disagree with these folks' reactions, analysis and understanding of Reformed theology, there is something to what they say.
Reformed theology loves its Pointillist dots. Seurat the painter was fascinated by theories of light and color. Each dot in his paintings had precision and a purpose. We in Reformed circles also love our dots. We're fascinated by theological precision and accuracy. We want to know not only that we are justified sinners, but also in detail what justification is -- and isn't. It's important to us that salvation is sola fide, but also that sola fide is sola fide.
But we can't lose the overall picture. I don't think we intend to, and more than that I don't think a full and careful reading of Calvin or any other Reformed theologian can miss the big picture that is there.
Nevertheless when new believers, or believers new to Reformed theology come into our midst, we often - maybe far too often - give the impression that all we care about are picky little details. We need to remind ourselves, and especially remind those new to our ranks, that there is a bigger picture, that when you step back from all the wonderfully detailed dots that make up Reformed theology what you get is an amazing picture of the work that God has accomplished for and applied to us poor sinners.
Labels: Calvinism
