Contradiction and paradox make up an important interest for me – high interest. In my view the wise person does not sift through the issues of life and faith without finding some way to manage contradiction and paradox. They contain some secrets to understanding how to balance life and understanding, in both theory and reality. I wonder about the wisdom views of Solomon and the contradictions of his life. I wonder about how Peter could walk with Christ for a thousand days, and deny him, swearing, at the fire near the site of Christ’s crucifixion. I wonder about Demas, so important to the ministry of the Apostle Paul, abandoning the Apostle, but seeming to recover later. I wonder about the contradictions of Samson, of many of the kings of Israel, even of Moses, Joshua, Jonah and Elijah. The story of this issue of paradox and contradiction is a long one. In the world of humanists, I feel deeply the contradictions of Alexander, the Great and of the various Greek and Roman leaders remembered to our time as greats. Contradictions occurred for Popes and other leaders in the Church from early decades of the church. Individuals may be easier to follow than institutions, like the eminent author, Honore Balzac, who was so addicted to gluttony that he became known as much for his excesses in food, as for his classic writings. He was creative to follow his habits, even feasting when he was imprisoned, and disregarding various evidences of excess from the sufferings of his body. Balzac died at 51 years of age, likely living two-thirds of the years he should have lived. The stories are extensive both in personal and social contexts. I smile in reading Plato. In the dialogues he insists in his conversations that his listener reply succinctly, and directly, but when he launches his speeches, he has no serious consideration for time limits. Or does he know what he is doing in contradiction. Is he more complete in his analysis than he permits his opponent in debate?
It seems commonplace, when I pick up a new book, to read of unspeakable ideas and conducts in persons who have changed the world. I have just read a biography of Frederick, the Great. If it were not so well documented it would be difficult to believe, from the beginning of his life, that he would be so mistreated by the king, his father, and the contradictions of the father and mother in rearing him in contradictory contexts – the mother seeking the glittery and refinement of the French, and the father seeking the barracks context with a corresponding love for the army and international intrigue. The beatings, threats, and the utterly despicable treatment the lad received seem almost to negate any love of parent for child. The hatred grew as the prince also grew in hatred – with growing insults in public places from his father. It is difficult to accept the order of the king to subject Frederick to prayer, first thing in the morning, with an hour of biblical instruction before noon, to be in contact with the protestant pastor on a daily basis, and close his evening with prayer. What a contradiction is the father’s conduct and orders for the careful education of his son. Frederick’s health was, during childhood, a problem that added to the ugliness in the family. His teachers were given strict instructions that were, sometimes unchristian, and told that if they did not keep them, they would lose their heads. They did not keep them strictly, and offered the only sensible hope for young Frederick who grew to love and respect them. (Frederick later treated his son as he had been treated.)
Long ago I had a spirited conversation, to which I have referred on another Page, with a man from Europe who was the guest of a couple registering for a summer conference to which I was speaker each evening. At the close of the first evening, he in animation approached me. He began with some compliment about my view, new to him, that Christianity was a personal matter made genuine in a conversion experience that changes a life, but that Christian conduct could be followed partly in life context without faith. Such a decision of disciplined conduct did not mean the person was a Christian if it was not attached to a genuine individual faith that invited Christ into that person’s life so to provide the ongoing of divine life beyond the grave. He thought he was a Christian because he nodded to Bible and church teachings, but realized in this hour that his life was a contradiction to Christianity – was socially acquiescent without any personal life substance. He now wanted Christian faith. He believed Europe had more christians than Christians. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020