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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Nonrational, not Irrational

Grace Episcopal Church
Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Grace Notes
16 June 2016

Last week I wrote of things that are worth doing in themselves; things that are uniquely invested with value, that are ends and not means.  Faith is the preeminent example, but other things in life that we consider very important (friendship) can also be seen to qualify, as well as those for which the intrinsic value might not be so apparent (play, for example—that is play not to learn something but just to have fun).
The example of friendship highlights that the supposed opposition between faith and reason is a false one.  In this false dichotomy, faith is depicted as irrational.  This is a category error in thinking.  Faith is not irrational; it is nonrational, i.e., it cannot be explained.  But this is not the same thing as irrational thinking.  Friendship perhaps offers a good illustration.
We value friendship highly.  We certainly point to advantages in having friends, but we know that these are effects, not the nature of friendship.  We can have close friends (and often express friendship best) when there is no worldly advantage in knowing the person.  If I decide to do an act which I am not required to do, a perfectly valid reason to act could be expressed by saying, “I will do this because John is my friend.”  Notice what happens here:  I base a rational decision (to act) on a nonrational construct, friendship as a thing which has value in itself, which is an end, not a means.  Irrational thought is easier to recognize.  If I say “I am the Tsar of Russia!” you will recognize this be by a statement unfounded in reason, i.e., crazy. 
Compare a nonrational construct (e.g., friendship) and an irrational statement (“I am the Tsar!”) and the contrast shows that comparing a nonrational construct (faith) with cause-and-effect reasoning is itself a failure in thinking.  The faith: reason debate is a false one perpetuated not by reasoning but by a combination of lazy thinking and hostile motive.
Faith is an end, not a means.  Recognizing faith to be an end, and practicing our faith, involves participating in an end, in the ultimate End (and Beginning), God, who is the source and summation of all those things of intrinsic value:  good, beauty, love, truth, being.  Be blessed in this end!  (And if you ever want to refer to me a Velikii Gosudar! I’ll just wink and nod.)

Grace aboundsPlease thank: 
§  Joyce Wessel and Brian Heck for the Sunday coffee hour.
§  Randie Barrows for repairing the rectory garage door, and straightening the parish flag pole.
§  Randie and Austin Barrows for power-washing the columbarium pavement.
§  Bobbie May and Ben Dobey for gardening.

Call for ContributionsIf you have a spiritual reflection to share, or want to point your fellow worshipers toward a resource, submit your contributions to Fr. Karl (by email) by Wednesday in the week of publication.

Music this Week:  The Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 7C)

Prelude                           Prayer; Invocation                                            Guilmant
Entrance Hymn 427         “When morning gilds the skies”                 Laudes Domini
Offertory Hymn 366        “Holy God, we praise thy Name”                   Grosser Gott
Communion Hymn 482    “Lord of all hopefulness”                                         Slane
Closing Hymn 561           “Stand up, stand up for Jesus”                    Morning Light
Postlude                          Grand Triumphal Chorus                                    Guilmant

Parish Notices

§  Fr. Karl on Vacation: Fr. Karl will be away June 13 – 17. If you are in need of pastoral care, please call Deacon Michael Burg at 920-918-9944. Ellen will be in the office Tuesday – Thursday 9:00am – 3:00pm. There are no services scheduled this week until Friday when the normal Morning Prayer at 7:00am and Liturgy of the Word with Reserved Sacrament at 7:15am will be offered.

§  Continuing Education: Deacon Michele will be out of the office June 13 – 17 at a Christian Formation Conference entitled “Take. Bless. Break. Give. Following Jesus in the 21st Century”. The conference is held at the Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC.

§  Elkhart Lake Chapel: We are in need of help for each Sunday. This would include: picking up the box of bulletins at Grace Church, arriving a little early to open the buildings, finding readers for the lessons and the prayers of the people, lighting candles, greeting the visiting priest, various other tasks, locking up at the end and returning the box to Grace Church. There are instructions printed and several people who would be able to help if you have questions. Please sign up for a Sunday or two by calling the office at 452-9659 with dates you are available. Thank you.

§  Like Grace Church on Facebook
§  Follow Grace Church on Twitter: @GEC_Sheboygan
§  Follow Grace Church on Instagram: @GEC_Sheboygan
§  We Are on Itunes! Check out the new podcast!!!




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