Does focusing on the factual or historical nature of an event lessen its spiritual relevance?

Question

One of my favorite Christian theologians Paul Tillich wrote a little book called, “The Irrelevance and Relevance of the Christian Message”. (Yea I know I’m not a Christian but I still like to study the stuff.)

Anyway, one of the points he makes is that if one focuses strongly on the historicity or proving the factuality of Christianity then Christianity becomes irrelevant.

What say you? Does preoccupation with whether or not some element of a religion is factual reduce the relevance of the religion or spiritual practice in question?

Answer 1

Yes...people get all worked up on what is or isn't true, because they don't know truth in their hearts!

Answer 2

I tend to side with Tillich. "Proving" has come to mean a scientific process of verification. But when the King James Bible was translated, the word "prove" had a different meaning. It meant to "try" or "test" --ie. see how it works for you.

So I personally do not engage in "proofs" of God or other doctrine. At the same time, I am a person of faith, which is partly about having confidence in the ultimate outcome of life events here as well as having the power of vision and imagination to believe that the world can become a better place if we work towards peace and justice.

For me these are beliefs, and matters of belief are not always subject to matters of science and proof.

For example, if I believe in the kingdom of God as a place of justice, peace, and love for all creatures, I hold this belief in the face of everything logical and counter to the way the world seems to be heading.

Yet I wonder, if enough people dare to imagine the same thing, could it happen?

I see Jesus as a person of vision and imagination as well, inviting us to envision what might be possible, not only what IS, what is readily observable and quantifiable/

Answer 3

I don't think so. When I re-read some of the Hebrew Scriptures history, once in a while I'll see a brand new application to the spiritual side of the story.

Example: I'm ashamed to admit how old I was before I figured out why TV always played "The Ten Commandments" in the Easter season. Duh. It's also Passover season. (I live in a small town)

Then it occurred to me that the event the Jews were commemorating what took place in their history as a people was virtually the same time of the year that the Passover Lamb, Jesus, was sacrificed so we could hide under His blood, just as they hid under the lambs blood on their doorposts.

I think studying the history brings it home more powerfully than ever.

Have you read the book of Hosea? It really happened, but it applies to Jews back then and it applies to everyone today.

Answer 4

The truth is the exact opposite. The fact that Christianity is historical makes it very relevant. A persons faith is only as good as the object that they put their faith in. If a person puts their faith in a myth, then it will not do them any good. But the fact that we know that the Resurrection of Jesus Christ was a real historical event, means that we believers have the assurance that Jesus is who He claimed to be(God), and that we can know that we have eternal life because the Savior lives and He will resurrect our bodies also in the future. www.equip.org

Answer 5

First off, I couldn't resist this one:

Chris·tian ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krschn)
adj.
Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
Showing a loving concern for others; humane

Therefore, you are a Christian.

Ok, now on to your question. No, I don't believe if you are preoccupied to, say the point of obsession, doesn't mean the you think less of the spiritual practice.

Answer 6

This is kind of an all things in moderation situation. There are certain religions whose blatant historical lies are a warning shot that one should be wary of the religion. That being said, man can not live on bread alone, there should be some spiritual bond with the religion. I believe that a happy middle ground might be found in this situation.

Answer 7

Tillich is mistaken.

Christianity is founded upon the historicity of the Resurrection of Christ.

True Christianity is focused upon daily relationship with God (through Jesus Christ and what he did for us on the cross). The factuality of the life, death, resurrection of Christ is a foundational substrate that supports Christian Faith (Trust) in God.

It is possible however to focus so much on the facts (about Jesus; about God) that we lose the focus on our daily relationship with God.

Cordially,
John

Answer 8

I agree.

Religion is not about fact, it is about faith.

A religion has to have some grounding in fact or else it lacks relevance. But the message of the faith has to take precedence.

Literal interpretation of a holy book written hundreds or even thousands of years ago can dangerously distract the followers.

Answer 9

I think that's a cop out. I think Christ is awesome. Now seriously, His message is true and can stand the tests of accuracy; however it is valid to say that it can and will never be proven 100% (though it has amazing proofs already) of everything since some faith is required. But I am not afraid to have people put my faith to the test.

Answer 10

I don't think it reduces the relevance, often it helps to prove it's credibility. I do think that some people get lost in the details and fail to see the wonder of it.

Answer 11

no. ALL the facts point to Jesus.
just like in the holocaust, all the historical, factual, and spiritual evidence pointed to Hitler as being a bad man.