Robert Capon tells a nifty tale about an oyster in a tidal pool (Hunting the Divine Fox, Seabury Press). As I recall, the story goes something like this:
Sunlight789 | Dreamstime.com
Oyster
Whether we're an oyster or a ballerina, our view of God is always limited and imperfect.
The seawater was clean and full of plankton, so the oyster grew and prospered. Next to him, there was a stone with whom he sometimes talked.
The stone was about the same size as the oyster, and was good, if undemanding, company.
As a matter of fact, their conversations gave the oyster a feeling of superiority. One day, however, a harrowing experience escaping from a hungry starfish made the oyster doubt his position in creation.
“Oh, how I wish the Almighty would explain the universe to me,” shouted the oyster.
To his utter astonishment, a voice said, “All right, all right, but make it snappy.
“It’s true,” said the voice, “you have a limited world view, so let me tell you that you are not at the top of the evolutionary scale. As a matter of fact, I enjoy watching squirrels more than oysters.
“But my absolute favorite is a prima ballerina. Talk about moves. They’re better than Lebron James."
The voice paused, but the oyster was too terrified to ask any questions.
Sounding a little out of breath, the voice concluded, “Listen, I appreciate your desire to be the first oyster theologian, but I’ve got to run.”
The oyster was left to talk to his rock. ”Now let’s think this through,” said the oyster. “Ballerinas must move like starfish. Do they attack oysters like starfish? And how does Lebron compare to a rock?"
***
That’s the corrective we need across United Methodism, probably across all Christianity, and maybe even across all religious faiths. When we wrestle with questions about God, we are little better than oysters trying to understand ballerinas. We have only shadows and clues from which to work, and seminary professors are only better educated oysters operating out of the same tidal basin as us rocks.
Let’s not forget that we use symbols of bread, wine, and water because books and words are inadequate tools.
The Rev. Rich Peck is a retired clergy member of the New York Annual Conference and a longtime United Methodist communicator. He frequently writes news and features for the General Commission on United Methodist Men.