On Maps

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.   For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  -- James 1:22-25

I have always had a fascination with maps.  I used to draw my own when I was a kid.  The child in all of us probably likes treasure maps with 'X marks the spot'.  GPS is really nice, but it does not hold the same mystery as a map.  And that's the thing about a map, it shows you the way but it's not the same as going there.  You can imagine the adventures you might have traveling the trail marked out with strange place names.  Even on the maps I have of this settled and civilized and fenced in country, there are road-less gaps and spaces, where, if you are going to go, you won't be riding in a Cadillac.      

 

It is impossible to reduce the truth to words.  We can speak the truth, but it always exceeds our ability to fully express it.  We are always reduced to metaphors and comparisons.  The truth is ineffable.  Knowing this, that reality is always going to evade capture and confinement in our language and equations, are doctrines and dogmas of any use to us?  How is that we can know the truth if we cannot communicate it?

As we’ve noted before, George MacDonald quoted one particular verse several times in his fictional works:  So Jesus answered them, My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.  If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority (John 7:16-17).  

The only way to know the truth is to act upon the truth, obey the Word, and put into practice what we see is right.  Only when we operate in accordance with and obedience to whatever revelation we have will more be given to us.   It is only in doing God’s will and desiring to do His will that we have understanding.  We can know and recite all the doctrines of the Church, but this form of knowledge leads only to guilt and condemnation or spiritual pride and self-righteousness.  We must live the truth. 

Since we are frail in our flesh, it is often the case that darkness overtakes us on the road.  Clouds may obscure the sun, and we find that we have missed our way.  We don't need to wander about lost and ask other lost people for directions because we do have guidance readily available.  Scripture and our creeds and our dogmas are the maps and the compasses and the sign posts that will put us back on the right track and help us hold a true course.  As much as we value, adhere to, and trust in these helps, we are not foolish enough to confuse our compass with the pole to which it points. 

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’  And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went.  And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go.  Which of the two did the will of his father?”  (Matthew 21:28-31)