Irony

Much of theological truth is couched in irony. Irony refers to an “unexpected outcome.” What we see is not what we expect, such as in the ancient fable of the race between “The Tortoise and the Hare.” In such a race we would naturally expect the hare to cross the finish line first. In fact, he does not.

Christian theology has its own ironies. One such irony is discussed at length in the Book of Romans, chapter 8 (see verses 18 to 30). Here we have the Apostle Paul inspired to write about hope in terms of suffering, futility, corruption, and complete weakness. Certainly, one would not naturally expect such conditions to provide much hope. More so one would expect ease and power to be more conducive to an attitude of hope.

On March 24, 1872 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London the preeminent Baptist preacher of the time offered this reflection on the above passage:

“A lack of depth in the inner life accounts for most of the doctrinal error in the church. Sound conviction of sin, deep humiliation on account of it, and a sense of utter weakness and unworthiness naturally conduct the mind to the belief of the doctrines of grace, while shallowness in these matters leaves a man content with a superficial creed.”

People chafe against any notion they are “utterly weak and unworthy” and incapable of any progress toward godliness on their own. People prefer to be of the type that to pull oneself up by “moral bootstraps.” There is little evidence of much conviction of sin these days. A shallow, self-determined religiosity is the order of the day. Grace is not needed and the Bible is unheeded.

There is little irony in regard to why society is the way it is. We have what one would expect a self-righteousness might provide – shallow, superficial churchianity where hope is based upon works and despair continues to abound. Perhaps there is a bit of irony in that.