I say the currency of human contact is stories!

In our world today, how do we understand faith as a paradoxical stance gained through uncertainty rather than certainty? Do we grasp the intricate and often ambiguous relationship between faith, doubt, belief, and resistance? This thinking is leading me more toward a theopoetic understanding of theology that emphasizes the role of doubt and questioning in authentic spiritual development. When I listen to people at the gym or in the grocery store as we engage in conversation, I notice that they often struggle with understanding doubt, let alone resistance. (Think Cardijn Merton, Bonhoeffer here)

Do we choose solidarity with the suffering and marginalized over personal salvation or moral clarity? We live in a world and church that willingly embraces positions that traditional theology considers damned. How do we move people to take a theological stance that prioritizes justice and resistance over doctrinal purity or personal redemption? (Think Cardijn, Merton, Bonhoeffer here)

We need to abandon abstract theological arguments; we should structure our exploration around encounters with specific figures from literature and history. Like the French philosophers and many mystics known for their radical social commitment, and Huckleberry Finn, who famously chooses to ‘go to hell’ rather than betray his friend Jim, these literary and historical figures exemplify a moral courage that goes beyond conventional religious categories often represented by the clergy hierarchy. …. Is it time for a focus on ‘theological resistance’, a concept that challenges the status quo, questions traditional beliefs, and advocates for justice? (Think Parables here)

How well do we understand the need for Doing Theology in the Age of MAGA/Trump? The rise of Christian Nationalism? This is not just a question, but a call to action for us to critically engage with the theological implications of our current socio-political context. It is an intellectual challenge that we must rise to meet. (Think Cardijn, Merton, Bonhoeffer, and Parables)

How do we get people to understand that faith operates in a broken world—one where traditional moral and religious frameworks often collapse under their own contradictions? This ‘broken world’ is one where social injustices prevail, where the marginalized and oppressed are frequently overlooked, and where the actions of those in power often contradict the teachings of faith. How can faith navigate and address these challenges?

Rather than offering systematic theology or doctrinal instruction, which has often led to rigid interpretations and divisions within faith communities, we express a theology forged in struggle, that begins where clarity ends—and where steadfast faithfulness begins. This approach acknowledges the complexities of faith and the need for a more flexible, narrative-based understanding of it. (Think Parables)

How do we offer practical guidance to people for navigating moral and spiritual challenges in situations where traditional religious answers are insufficient?

Can we develop a thematic focus? By exploring themes through sustained engagement with the literary and historical figures mentioned, we can use their stories to illuminate pathways toward what we can call authentic faithfulness in an uncertain world. This narrative and resistance-based approach to theology is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical and inspiring way to navigate the complexities of our contemporary society.

Once again, I say the currency of human contact is stories! People visualize and remember what they “see and hear” in their minds.