Theological Jazz
Friday, February 8th, 2008
A number of years ago a friend of mine, Richard, a professional orchestral musician said that if you want to play professionally you have to play a lot of notes first. In a world subjected to the tyranny of “now”, from fast food to fast track projects, we resist the idea that excellence takes time and dedication.
With a very few exceptions, a musician must play a lot of notes, a painter a lot of brush strokes, a photographer a lot of shutter clicks, the writer a lot of words, the theologian a lot of thoughts if excellence is to be achieved. Many of these notes, strokes, clicks, words and thoughts will be less than impressive. Excellence comes at a price; we must be willing to be less than impressive first. The road to excellence is littered with wrong notes, discarded canvases, discarded photos, crumbled paper and thoughts that we can only shake our heads at.
The pursuit of excellence demands having the freedom to walk the road that leads there. In my theological pursuits, as helpful and important as my professors at seminary are in pushing me to new heights, some of the most profound discussions have been with my friend Dell. As postmodernity would allow, when pressed I describe myself as a Reform informed Charismatic Anabaptist—I don’t really like labels. I was recently asked to explain this. My answer, I’ll tell you when I know, but I am a fan of Karl Barth…that can explain a lot. Dell, is pursuing service as an Anglican Priest, and has his own mix of influences.
When we get together, it is like a jazz jam session. A lot of theological notes are played. We have the freedom to toss out new ideas and rehash old ones. There is no judgment when we disagree, the disagreements are the fun part—it makes us think—we like to think. Some times we go to a coffee shop, our wives sitting at one table while we rehash the great theological debates of the centuries at another table.
The theological music we play may not be suitable for a pulpit and if written, some of it might not impress my theology professor Dr. Guretzki (but I’m sure he would be right in the middle of the debate given a chance). We just play notes, trying new thoughts, enjoying the journey. Sometimes something profound comes out of it (at least to my thinking). I recall once coming home with a paper napkin scribbled with notes related to a paper I had to write. Most of the time, we just leave with our brains tired and our souls a little richer. I can’t wait until the next time. So what about those Cappadocians Dell?