Faith, Fundamentalism and My Proctologist

By Curt Harlow

Part 1

Last year my proctologist assaulted me. Not medically mind you but mentally. It started innocently enough. While in the middle of a procedure (anyone who has follow the today show can guess which one) he asked me what I did for a living. I told him quickly that I was a minister and I did so in that tone of voice that clearly indicated, “I don’t really want to chit, chat right now.”

In spite of this, when he learned that I was a reverend he immediately blurted out, “Oh God! You’re not one of those fundamentalist are you!?”

I  breifly tried to explain the difference between the historic understanding of Christian fundamentalism and my evangelical/Pentecostal (with a Catholic background) positions on the inspiration of scripture, correct Biblical hermeneutics and reasoned faith but I guess I am not that articulate looking at a live video feed of my innards.

Not that my explanation mattered. Without hearing a word I said, and before I could finish he began to pepper me with an anti-God lecture in the form of the rapid-fire questions. “Why believe something so stupid?” “You believe in dinosaur saddles don't you?” “How could you trust anything in the Bible?” And his coup de gra question, “Why would you believe something that science has already proven wrong?”

<a href="http://curtharlow.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/6a00d8341bf89d53ef0133f1ffc62f970b-800wi.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-290" title="6a00d8341bf89d53ef0133f1ffc62f970b-800wi" src="http://curtharlow.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/6a00d8341bf89d53ef0133f1ffc62f970b-800wi-198x300.jpg" alt="6a00d8341bf89d53ef0133f1ffc62f970b-800wi" width="198" height="300" /></a>G.K. Chesterson came to mind. “There are two kinds of people in the world, the conscious dogmatists and the unconscious dogmatists. I have always found myself that the unconscious dogmatists were by far the most dogmatic.” I had the presence of mind not say the quote out loud while still at the mercy of his procedure.

I have found that whether it is in the classroom, break room, board room or even exam room at some time those of us who are convinced that scripture is more than ancient literature eventually become the focus these apologetic questions.

While the setting (please atheist proctologists of the world, can we talk in the waiting room from now on?) was a little out of bounds, the questions asked, regardless of motivation, were completely fair.

In fact scripture itself demands that as believers we give reasoned answers to these questions (even if they are not asked in a reasonable way). As important as being reasoned, our answers must respectful and gentle in spirit (2 Peter 3:15).

Wouldn't it be nice if ever christian new their apologetics and had the character to converse in a respectful manner? Even in the proctologist exam room?

I am sad to say that such is not the case. Too many Christians regard apologetics as too complex to master or too trivial to matter. Some regard it as unspiritual to be logical.  I have even heard several proclaim that only miracles are able to convince non-believers of the truth.

Some believers dogmatically and loudly hang onto historical or scientific ideas that are neither Biblical nor reasonable, making all Christians look ignorant.

Even worse, some stridently induce contentious debate thinking that being rude is somehow similar to being bold. Again the 2 Peter passage is completely ignored.

Contrast this with Proverbs message that wisdom (applied reason) is crucial for a good life and true faith. “Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways.  Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.  Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD.” (Prov. 8:35)

Wisdom means making a life long (at time expensive) investment (Prov 23:23) in learning.  Every mature believer should be reading, discussing and preparing to intelligently and honestly respond to people who have questions. At this point I need to confess that in the proctologist office, I fail to respond effectively.

In the end (pun intended) if I were able to revisit him, here are the ideas I would have tried to convey to my metaphysically unmotivated physician.