Psalm 36

The parallels between David’s psalm 36 and modern times are many. In the centuries since the Industrial Revolution people have grown in their confidence of the mastery of their environment. There has developed a growing belief that through the power of human intellect, better government and education, the ills of human society can be cured.

The psalmist declares there are but two alternatives: humanity or divine grace. In the more recent evolution of society a third alternative has been established. Instead of the “Either / Or” of the psalmist, there is a “Both / And” movement that tries to hold to both a belief in God and confidence in human ability. On the surface this movement seems to be an appropriate position; after all, John Wesley did teach his followers to sort out life by Scripture, Reason, Tradition and Experience. This quadrilateral certainly seems to combine human ability with theology. But there is a huge problem with the “Both / And” approach.

The “Both / And” approach creates a temptation to dismiss or ignore the parts of Scripture we do not like, or do not understand; and instead, trust our own judgment and intellect. When we do so, we leave the “Both / And” camp and move into the Humanist camp.

Karl Barth is considered by many as the most important theologian of the Twentieth Century. He was in the “Both / And” camp, leaning more to the Humanist approach of solving the world’s problems. Then came WWI and the evidence of human depravity was overwhelming. After a fresh reading of the Book of Romans, Barth aligned himself with the psalmist’s expression of the sovereignty of God.

In Wesley’s quadrilateral, he begins with Scripture. None of the following three elements (Reason, Tradition and Experience) are valid unless they align with Scripture. This way of living in our environment does not ignore human intellect and potential; it affirms that human intellect and potential are fully realized within God’s divine grace and will. Thus we can sing with the psalmist:

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;

    your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,

    your justice like the ocean depths.

You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.

     How precious is your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter

    in the shadow of your wings.

 You feed them from the abundance of your own house,

    letting them drink from your river of delights.

 For you are the fountain of life,

    the light by which we see.

Psalm 36: 5-9

      

Sē’lah

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What word or phrase in today’s reading of the Psalms

 attracts your attention?

Reflect on that word or phrase.

What insights come to you?

How does this passage touch your life today?

Reading for June 7, 2012             Psalm 37