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 Christian Theologians Prepare for Extraterrestrial Life reads one of the headlines in Wired News.com. The article goes on stating: Little green men might shock the secular public. But the Catholic Church would welcome them as brothers.
What is truth... to you?
What is the foundational belief that gives your life equilibrium and upon which everything else revolves around? It may be a tradition or custom passed down from previous generations. It may be a belief essential to your faith or a scientific fact critical to your understanding of humanity's existence. Whatever it is, there is the central point in your universe upon which all else revolves.
 In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus came up with a new hypothesis which revolutionized the scientific thought of the day. Most believed that everything in the heavens revolved around the earth. Copernicus set out to demonstrate that the activity of the heavens could be understood without the Earth being in the geometric center of the universe. He dramatically stated that the Earth moved around the sun, not the other way around! This thesis transformed the astrological thinking of the day, radically changing the central scientific belief up to that time.
So, what turns our world upside down and brings into question every truth, belief or tradition grounding our life? Most likely, it is when something or someone comes along and challenges our worldview of truth. What if we would be taken out of our world of absolutes and thrust into another world with a completely different belief and traditional system. This is exactly what Joseph experienced. His world was turned upside down when he was brought to Egypt. In Genesis 43 , using our new cool move #8 , we will see a different side of the Joseph narrative, the theological side dealing with truth, beliefs, and traditions. First off, let's define theology.
What is Theology?
There are many ways to use the word theology. Some believe theology has to do with defining the doctrines of Christian faith, based on Scriptures. Others believe it is based on a process of experience that defines truth. The most basic definition comes from the Greek: a word about God. For our purposes, we will define theology as our attempt to answer questions about God and His relationship to us. What do we say about God?
If we would look back to Genesis 37 and read through to our present chapter Genesis 43, what would Joseph’s theology be? How about Jacob’s? or Joseph’s brother’s? How about the Egyptians? Potiphar? What about the narrator of the Joseph story? What do our characters hold as center in their world. If they could tell us, what would they say as we look at Genesis 37-43 ?
Hello, my name is Joseph and I believe God will accomplish his plan in my life.
He interprets the dreams of kings, servants and slaves establishing his purpose on earth.
He is to be feared and revered.
He heals, restores, and blesses, even in hardship.
He provides and extends grace.
He gives an awareness of what is good and what is evil
and calls us to choose a righteous path.
Hello, my name is Jacob.
Though I may go down to my grave in sorrow, God, the All-Powerful One grants mercy.
Hello, we are Joseph’s brothers.
God works out his plan in the lives of humanity and deals very swiftly with wickedness.
Hello, my name is Potiphar.
Joseph’s God brings me wealth and prosperity. I believe there are other gods than Pharaoh.
Hello my name is Pharaoh.
Joseph’s God reveals himself to Joseph and because of this I can see clearly
what I have to do to save my people and my country.”
Hello, I am the narrator of the Joseph story.
The LORD is active and present in the lives of people.
He blesses whom He chooses, shows steadfast love
and grants favor to the world because of His presence in the lives of His people.
If I would sum up the theology of Genesis 37-43, I could suggest the following paraphrase:
The LORD who is merciful, steadfast in love, and abounding in grace,
is personally present and active in the lives of His people.
He is the All-Powerful God, sovereign over every person, over life or death,
over every country,
and every catalytic world-event.
He intimately knows
the heart of humanity,
it’s goodness, it’s wickedness,
it’s need of restoration and healing .
He is the Ultimate Provider, establishing His plan of blessing
over all the earth.
Commentary
Just as the earth revolves around the sun, Joseph’s spiritual world had an overarching belief system upon which all his thoughts of Absolute Truth revolved. That is, he believed in One God who was central to his universe and upon this overarching belief, all other Truths were grounded. For Joseph, God was sovereign, faithful, merciful, and loving. God held all things in His hands, including circumstances of daily living. We know through our study of his theology, that Joseph did not give way to the beliefs and perceived truth of the Egyptians. But he did seem to adopt a few customs regarding his marriage to a foreigner. He could have refused Pharaoh’s offer of the daughter of a priest as a wife. He also abided by the Egyptian tradition that Egyptians and Hebrews could not eat together as it was an abomination (Gen 43:32). It seemed Joseph picked his battles, sometimes strongly disagreeing with Pharaoh’s thinking, other times going along with the flow when it didn't challenge his core beliefs.
For the Egyptians all revolved around the deity of Pharaoh. Absolute truth for their society arose out of their traditions, customs, and convictions. They had no problem incorporating Joseph's God into their belief system and at God-chosen moments allowed Joseph to address their needs within the framework of both belief systems.
By using our Cool-Move #8, we become more alert to what Scripture says about God and can summarize ultimate truths, beliefs, and traditions from the text we are studying. What does this have to do with our theology and how we relate to those who believe differently than we do? Consider some questions we may face within the various religions or beliefs we encounter:
Does God reveal Himself, in saving ways, in other religions? Raimundo Panikkar writes that Christ has other names—Rama, Krishna, Isvara, Purusha, Tathagata.
Can any religion truly advance a legitimate claim to superiority over any other religion? Shouldn't we respect all religions and thereby help bring about world peace?
Can any one person ever reach such a level of objectivity that their education, economic and social background, their culture, traditions and even their sex do not influence their understanding of the truth? Truth, therefore, must be whatever we perceive it to be.
Most of these responses sound much like the theological perspective of Genesis 37-43. The theology is well-formed, faith-based, and strong. Let’s test if they address the theological problems mentioned above?
 Here's our challenge: Though it makes sense for us to state our belief in Christ to be the one and only way for salvation, does our answer satisfy the person who believes Christ is also Krishna? Do we continue arguing that our religion is right and all else is wrong with a person who will not embrace an exclusivist viewpoint? Is it the wisest methodology to base our defense of the Gospel on historical proof of the Dead Sea Scrolls or other means with a person who believes in pluralism of all religions?
First, let's look at how Joseph could have addressed these theological debates?
Three Key Thoughts:
There are three key areas we know Joseph acted on with regard to his theology.
1) There is a CHOICE to be made
Joseph chose his belief system and lived by it. We need to make the same strong committment.
2) There is a need for SENSITIVITY when living in a world of varied beliefs
Joseph demonstrated the credibility of his convictions through his sensitivity to the needs of the Egyptians. Pharaoh needed Joseph’s help, Joseph indicated unhesitantly that he needed God and God revealed Himself to both. We need to be alert to the needs of others and be willing to help despite a difference in beliefs
3) There is a need to be FLEXIBLE
Joseph remained flexible in his theology when it came to the various traditions and customs of the Egyptians. Living thirteen years in a society with a different worldview, Joseph tolerated some of the Egyptian traditions. However, Joseph did not compromise his convictions regarding their view of deities and other Egyptian beliefs. We need to be alert to what we hold as traditions and what we hold as truth. We need to treat our preferences as just that... preferences.
Conclusion: In 1543, Nicolaus Copernicus came up with a new worldview with regard to the center of the physical Universe which revolutionized the scientific world. In the 1500's William Tyndale was also doing his fair share of revolutionary work. He had discovered the importance of the Word of God as a central focus, a grounding point for all Truth. So he took the leap and began translating it into English at the great consternation of the clergy of that day. He fought for our choice to study the Word of God freely, in our own language. He believed the Holy Scriptures to be the inspired, authoritative Word of God, vital in our understanding of Truth. He knew that we would be able to verify our convictions with the Word of God, fuel our discernment when faced with decisions and problems, and increase our awareness regarding how to live in a society with different beliefs. William Tyndale, who was martyred for his commitment to the Word of God, wrote:
Though a man had a precious and rich jewel, yet if he knew not the value thereof,
nor wherefore it served, he were neither the better nor richer of a straw.
Even so though we read the scripture, and babble of it ever so much,
yet if we know not the use of it, and wherefore it was given,
and what is therein to be sought, it profits us nothing at all.
It is not enough, therefore, to read and talk of it only,
but we must also desire God, day and night, instantly, to open our eyes,
and to make us understand and feel wherefore the scripture was given,
that we may apply the medicine of the scripture, every man to his own sores.
Unless we intend to be idle disputers, and brawlers about vain words,
ever gnawing upon the bitter bark without,
and never attaining unto the sweet path within;
and persecuting one another in defending of wicked imaginations,
and phantasies of our own invention.
William Tyndale; prefixed to the translation of the Pentateuch, 1530
So, what is our response then as we live in a world that radically shifts from one belief system to another? How should I talk with my Buddhist neighbor about God? or my Islamic friend? How about the Jehovah Witness who knocks at my door? What do we say to a gay priest in the church of England marrying a fellow clergyman? How do we respond to Christian theologians who encourage us to welcome aliens as brothers? The Joseph narrative gives us a good starting point. It reminds us of some very simple guidelines when living in a world of differing beliefs:
Checkpoints for Marj from the Joseph story :
Joseph did not seem focused on pitting his beliefs against the Egyptians; he simply stood by his choice of beliefs. I have a tendency to fight against the core beliefs and traditions of other religions when I feel insecure in my theology. The more commited I am in my choice of beliefs, the more objective I can be with of others.
Based on his theological perspective, Joseph seemed focused on offering solutions to the problems the Egyptians faced. Often I want to get to the heart of the theological difference and offer my worldview rather than addressing the heart of the individual and offering my God as a source of help. Joseph simply told Pharaoh, My God can help you.
In his theology, Joseph seemed to be able to discern what the serious issues were and what was important to let slide. I can easliy mistake my traditions for truth and judge others negatively according to my preferences.
Therefore before talking with my mormon neighbor or visiting with a New Age friend, I want to make sure I know what I believe and stand commited in my choice. I want to remain grounded in my theology using the Word of God in order to be able to remain objective in my approach to those with differing beliefs. I want to be able to look into the heart of friend without feeling threatened by their theology and be able to discern where I should not compromise what I believe and where it really doesn’t matter. This flexibility may lessen my strong tendency to see battles behind every bush. Most importantly, I want to remember that putting individuals right in their theology is not my goal. Putting individuals in touch with my God, as Joseph did, should be my heartfelt objective. After this, the choice is theirs.
Through Joseph's steadfast commitment to God, his sensitivity to the needs of the Egyptians, and his flexibility to live within their customs, the Egyptians recognized another God at work in their lives. They saw that this God was with Joseph, and because of this, Joseph's God was with them.
Through his presence among them, Joseph extended to the Egyptians a choice of another God to revolve around. And remarkably, in some respect, they did choose the God of Joseph as the center of their universe— a strong testament to Joseph's success in reaching a world different than his own.
And if it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD,
choose for yourselves today whom you will serve:
whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River,
or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living;
but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua 24:15
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