Thank you for visiting Fides quaerens intellectum (Latin for “Faith Seeking Understanding”). The title is a quote from Anselm of Canterbury, a medieval theologian of some repute. Many see “faith seeking understanding” as the very definition of what we mean when we say “theology.” Notice faith precedes the attempt to understand it. The statement implies faith comes first, then we try to make sense of it.
That is definitely how I see my own religious experience and theological vocation, but feel free to disagree! I know all too well that my experience is hardly a universal one. In fact I would be surprised if “theology” even has a universal meaning.
My name is Chris Hayward. I was born in Spokane, Washington. I grew up in the mostly white suburb of Veradale, which is now part of the city of Spokane Valley. I went off to college in the Dutch Reformed mecca of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I’m a bit of a procrastinator so I ended up spending five years at Calvin College.
Moving from a conservative Evangelical tradition with immersion, believer-only baptism and a mostly pre-tribulation rapture, dispensationalist eschatology to a Dutch Reformed education institution kind of rocked my world. It forced me to re-think the foundations of my faith. I eventually settled into the United Church of Christ, a fairly liberal denomination.
Feeling a call to ministry, I first went to seminary in Berkeley, California. After many years there, however, I decided it was not for me. I eventually obtained my Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. Eden is truly an amazing place. I have never felt so supported by an educational institution.
Then I had to wait… and wait… and wait. Finally, after nearly ten years I received my first call to serve a parish. Greenacres Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a small community struggling to live our faith in a world that often seems hostile or — worse — indifferent. Amusingly the church is probably less than a mile from my parents’ house.
Sometimes I wonder if I really have what it takes to minister to them, but they chose to hire me. I guess it’s not my place to question their wisdom!
Peace,
+Chris.
The Bible makes it seem as though Jesus had a large following. Some of the “miracles” Jesus performed were done in front of large audiences (raising Lazarus from the dead, etc). Yet Jesus is only mentioned sparingly, if at all, in secular history. Jesus is mentioned twice by Josephus. Many scholars don’t regard the testimonium as authentic but I believe Jesus was probably mentioned in that section (18) of Antiquities. He is mentioned again in book 20 but only in passing. Tacitus also mentions Christ in a short reference. Philo, who lived at the time of the crucifixion and was certainly in a position to be aware of Jesus, makes no mention of him. I believe the Suetonius reference in “The Lives Of The Twelve Caesars” is still debated and disputed. Some Christians point to Origen but he was born approximately 150 years after the crucifixion. Just a subject for general discussion if anyone wants to offer an opinion.