Paradox or Paradigm

Paradox or Paradigm?

The Scriptures contain many seemingly paradoxical teachings and principles. The hardest of these for many to overcome and accept is that of the Trinitarian Godhead – one Being comprised of three equally unique entities. There are several metaphors used within the Church to help those grappling with this seeming anomaly. One commonly used metaphor is that of water. Water, although one substance, has three physical states of being – ice, water and steam. It is said that the Godhead is the same, in that the Godhead is one being yet consists of three different beings. However, the difficulty in using this metaphor to explain the Trinity, is that water cannot be in two, let alone three, different molecular states simultaneously. Therefore, if God were ‘like’ water, He would be limited to exhibiting the characteristics of one of His ‘beings’ at any one given time.

There are several Scripture passages purported by some to be paradoxical, which have quite simple explanations, if one takes the time to look. One of these is Matthew 19:23-24 'Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."'

Throughout the Middle East many cities were walled for protection against raiders and foreign invaders. At dusk the city gates would be closed to complete the cities fortifications. Often, within these large doors, were much smaller doors through which a traveller, and his camel, could enter the city after the main gates had been closed. The doors were of a size that everything on the camel, including its harnesses, had to be removed before the camel could enter. The camel was then made to go down onto it’s knees and, with a lot of cajoling and often a few men pushing from behind, was then able to enter through this door. This smaller, second door was referred to as ‘the eye of the needle’ and a camel’s entry through it was so time consuming and problematic, that it was usually utilized only in times of extreme danger. And so we have a reasonable explanation.

I would suggest that what we see as being biblical paradoxes, fit into two main categories. The first category being those paradoxes for which there is a simple explanation, and the second consisting of genuine mysteries which no man can adequately explain, like the Trinitarian Godhead.

It is the second category that I would now like to address. In 1 Corinthians 1:25 we find the following assertion. 'For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.' Writing on the premise that all Scripture is the inspired Word of God, I have no hesitation or difficulty in accepting this passage at face value. God’s foolishness is wiser than man’s wisdom. This in no way negates the need for wisdom in men, yet it does assert that no matter how wise a man thinks himself, or is believed to be, his wisdom is still only foolishness when measured against the wisdom of God. Does not even the thought that the created can fully comprehend and understand its Creator, undermine the very Deity of God? In the expectation and belief that one can achieve this same level of knowledge, understanding and wisdom as God, is one raising oneself up to equality with God, or drawing God down to equality with man? The answer to this question will solely depend upon one’s own personal belief in the Deity of God.

I, therefore, believe it is quite probable that the paradoxical finds its paradox within the inabilities of man to fully comprehend the world in which he lives, and the Creator of that world, and that this is as it should be. Men’s paradigms are restricted to men’s abilities, intellect and understanding, and therefore man cannot categorically state that anything is in fact paradoxical. The only conclusion I can reach, is that Biblical paradoxes are paradoxes only within the minds of the created. That it is the Creator, and the Creator alone, who has full knowledge, wisdom and understanding of His creation.