Peter’s Rollins’ work, How (Not) To Speak About God, is divided into two sections. In the first section, Rollins explains many of the theological issues with which postmoderns are wrestling. The second section is a series of unique worship gatherings that have been practiced in Rollins’ church, a group name Ikon. The second half’s focus upon practice well fits the postmodern emphasis upon experience as a pathway to God. I will examine some of the primary theological issues that Rollins upholds and their possible affect upon ministry.
First, following the “critique of ideology,” Rollins says that speaking of God risks idolatry, for whatever is said about God by humanity is incomplete. (Interestingly, R. Scott Smith in his work Truth & The New Kind of Christians, speaks of the idea that language is “constructive”—defining reality—as being idolatrous.) Rollins points towards the many different stories of God’s character in Scripture, saying that the desire to harmonize or systemize these accounts is idolatrous, for it leaves out various aspects of God’s nature and character.
Second, Rollins speaks of the immanent-transcendent nature of God; that is, that God’s immanence is so powerful that it overwhelms us and points towards his transcendence. The belief that God cannot be captured in words or experiences leads toward “iconic” experiences of God, such as staring at a diffuse pattern in worship and seeking to find Christ there. This immanence should also result in the transformed life of the believer.
Third, Rollins says that love is a virtue that is evoked by another person’s presence. Thus, rather than humanity having a “God shaped hole in their hearts” caused by God’s absence, it is God’s presence that makes the hole in our hearts: “the God-shaped hole can be understood as precisely that which is left in the aftermath of God.” A true encounter with God will not fill a person up, but instead will leave him or her panting for more.
Fourth, Rollins upholds love rather than ethics as being the proper approach to solving moral dilemmas. Ethics seeks to help a person to determine to do “the right thing”; however, this minimalist approach to behavior pales to the response evoked by love. Love will always “give more than ten percent of our money” and go the extra mile.
These four points seem true enough. So how are they worked into our worship?” In response, we can emphasize the mystery of God in our public proclamations. Second, we can use some “icons” in our worship, sometimes without words, allowing people to be overwhelmed by this experience. Third, if the very act of helping people experience God may lead to their personal transformation, this ought to lead me to devote more time to creating meaningful, creative experiences of God. Finally, in our next giving series, I need to teach Rollins’ concept and illustrations of love. When one loves, he or she naturally “goes the extra mile” for others.
