Solva, Pembrokeshire, Wales (photo from trekearth.com)
The Cynical Theologian
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On Sunday after church, I was having a discussion concerning the problem of evil with my pastor and a newer Christian. My pastor stated with a smile that he and I were cynical, unlike the newer Christian. I took this as a compliment. Related to the context of our discussion, The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines a cynic as a person who has little faith in human sincerity and integrity, and cynical as one being incredulous of human sincerity or integrity. Thompson (1995: 335).
Harry A. Ide describes cynics as a classical Greek philosophical school, which featured asceticism and the need for virtue in order to obtain happiness. Also emphasized were the importance of bold speech, and action without any shame. Ide (1996: 174). Ide writes that Socrates was a major influences on cynics. Ide (1996: 174). Simon Blackburn explains that the term cynics comes from the Greek kynikos meaning dog like. Blackburn (1996: 91). Blackburn speculates that the related term dog philosophers comes from Diogenes of Sinope a prominent member and founder. In the ancient world dogs were symbols of lack of shame. Blackburn (1996: 91). For those within the school, the good life consisted of avoiding shame and having mastery over desires and needs. Happiness demanded that a person lacked nothing. Blackburn (1996: 91).
For the purposes of this article, I am not claiming in any way to be associated with classical Greek cynics, but I provide that information for historical background. Back in 1999 to 2001 when I lived in Manchester, England, I split my time between a non-denominational charismatic church where many of my friends attended, and an Anglican church where another friend attended. Both churches, in my view, were Biblically based, gospel orientated churches where Christian love was shown. One night on a Sunday evening service a pastor on stage at the charismatic church looked over at me, perhaps unintentionally and perhaps not, and stated that we should not be cynical as Christians, and I believe the pastor was commenting in regard to God and the miraculous. I had previously discussed this issue with another pastor on staff. I was not and am not a cessationist. I do not reject the idea of God issuing the gifts of the Holy Spirit today. Erickson (1994: 878). My issue is that at a certain point in a service, the pastor assumes that the congregation shall likely hear from the Lord and miraculously someone has a prophetic word. Am I being cynical because I do not think that the sovereign God, in a fallen creation, in light of the problem of evil, will always perform a miraculous sign when a congregation thinks it is time? I do not doubt the sincerity of many persons involved in the charismatic church, and I do not doubt the integrity and consistency of belief of many persons involved. Perhaps in the case of my former church, I am actually sceptical of their claims as opposed to cynical concerning them. The Oxford Dictionary defines sceptical as one inclined to question the truth or soundness of accepted ideas, and facts. Thompson (1995: 1234). This definition appears to fit my approach better.
I firmly believe that only the infinite God can completely and properly judge finite persons, however, in regard to certain televangelists and some others within the cultural Christian community, my opinion of them and their works may move beyond scepticism and into cynicism. Those within the Church who are basically theologically astute will be aware that many persons distort the faith and do not follow the Bible correctly at many points and do not have a proper Biblical theology at many points. I am not stating that any person or organization has perfect theology, but excellent theology by God’s guidance through his Holy Spirit and his Scripture should be the goal. Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 24:24 that many false Christ’s and false prophets would arise. Has this not happened? Is it not happening this very moment? The Apostle Paul spoke against false teaching in Galatians 1:6-9 and mentioned the concept of contrary gospel. The Apostle John in 1 John 2:2:19 mentions persons that were in the church but not really of the church. John goes on to state in verses 22-23 that those who deny that Jesus is the Christ at the same time deny the Father.
There is room to be sceptical of those within religion and cultural Christianity, and error can take place in both legitimate and non-legitimate Christian churches. There is also room within the fallen creation, plagued with the problem of evil, when faced with non-Biblical teaching to at least cautiously question the sincerity and integrity of some, but as Christians we must always be open minded and realize that only God can fully and properly judge religious leaders and movements in regard to motives. I am therefore not primarily a cynical theologian, but cannot deny that a cautious cynical approach is correct at times.
BLACKBURN, SIMON (1996) ‘Cynics’, in Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy, p. 91. Oxford, Oxford University Press.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
IDE, HARRY A. (1996) ‘Cynics’, in Robert Audi (ed.), The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) ‘Cynic’ and ‘Cynical’, Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.
THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) ‘Sceptical’, Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.
