Theologically it’s
not out of the question, unless you of course claim interesting/odd/awesome
phenomena stopped at the end of the first century church. I however am
persuaded that He keeps up the craziness! So why not in every place? Why
doesn’t He do these unexplainable signs everywhere? I think many have asked
this question, and perhaps I’m the least qualified to present possible answer.
I mean I don’t have a M.Div (my theological degree is a bit “Practical”
[CFNIers get it], but in a recent conversation with a dear friend a few
thoughts came up that perhaps bear some truth.
In the days that
Jesus walked this earth, He went around doing good deeds, healing the sick, casting
out demons, and giving sight to the blind (sometimes in strange/cool ways e.g.
making mud from His spit and putting on a guys eyes). Oddly enough those who
were church leaders, or those who had all the answers, found every possible way
to diminish the Son of God, from calling him a son of the devil, to a
blasphemer. Eventually a few came to the conclusion that He might be a prophet,
but the majority seemed to be in one accord that He should be destroyed. I say
all that to say this, the things He did were not normal, thus causing many
churchgoers to distance themselves from believing in Him. Fast forward to today
(Not that there isn’t a ton of awesome stuff to glean from church history, because
there is e.g. tongues of fire appearing over the Disciples at Pentecost). The
church now is not so different from back then, in certain ways. There is a
certain apprehension toward all things Spiritual/Supernatural, and even more
skepticism when something unexplainable happens. It could be that we are
comfortable with the Christianity we’ve built, and would rather not have the
waters stirred. But I find myself wondering if the answer is revealed in a sort
of biblical parallel. Jesus performed many wonders among those who were simply
willing to believe. Many of these with the faith like that of a child. The
place He was able to do the least, however was in the place where He was
expected to act a certain way, in His hometown. God being limited by our
preconceptions of how He should act, though perhaps somewhat true, is not the
point I’m trying to make. I wonder however, if He chooses not to perform signs
and wonders based on the fact that for many who are along the journey of
sanctification it would prove to be more of a stumbling block. I think of
something Jesus says that I’m sure could be interpreted many ways. In Luke 18
Jesus talks about receiving the kingdom as a child does, and though this
entails much more than signs and wonders I have to believe it must include
them. He certainly didn’t say we should receive the kingdom like a theologian.
Something I’ve noticed when these unexplainable signs happen is that the
children who see them don’t hesitate to believe and are left in awe as well as
full of joy. I remember when I was a child being around some pretty cool things,
like awesome healings and such. These didn’t push me away from God but rather
drew me closer. What I am not saying is that we should be theologically
ignorant, even though I don’t have a degree I wouldn’t say I’m theologically
ignorant. What I am presenting however, is the idea that faith like a child and
sound theology shouldn’t be divorced. Thus, when the Holy Spirit chooses to
show up in awesome/crazy ways we shouldn’t theorize our way to say it couldn’t
be God. I am aware many have used the Holy Spirit as an explanation for drawing
attention to themselves. But even that doesn’t diminish my desire for God to do
these cool things.
I’ll conclude
with this. Perhaps the greater question for many is why does God even want to
do these things? Is all that stuff really necessary? I believe it is in God’s
nature to do things that make us stand in awe, but with the intent that we
would enjoy Him like a child would enjoy their father doing things that make
them say “WOW”. I have to believe that our heavenly Father enjoys us enjoying
Him. He wants to reveal the greatness of the kingdom “On earth as it is in
heaven”. But in His grace for us He doesn’t want to do things that push us
away, when after all they aren’t essential to our salvation. So He allows our “safe”
theology to continue. I however, tend to believe passion and safety don’t
always dwell in the same house. In my passion for Him, I want to stand in awe
when He chooses to put a cloud in the room, feathers start to fall, or gold
dust appears, believing its because He wants to reveal the wonders of His
kingdom to His kids. I would love my response to be, “WOW, can You do that
AGAIN!? I would love it if God would enjoy Himself in my presence as much as I
do in His. It’s not impossible with Faith, and with the faith like that of a
child.
