One of the gifts of being human is imagination. We have the capacity to see the world not only as it is, but to imagine changes that might make the world better. We are not confined and forced to simply accept everything the way it is. We can use our imaginations and creative capacities to make things different. Even when we are incapable of making changes, our imaginations can provide an avenue of escape from the harsh realities of the world. There are plenty of stories of imagination playing a definite role in the survival of individuals, groups and cultures. In the darkest days of Nazi extermination camps, groups of detainees formed orchestras and created music together. The resiliency of spirt that was demonstrated in these dark moments contributed not only to the survival of Judaism against the forces of genocide, but to a deeper understanding of the nature of the true sources of power and authority.

Imagination, however, can be a source of problems for humans. People who prefer their imaginary worlds to that of reality can lose touch with what is true and what is not. In some cases, an inability to distinguish between reality and imagination can be manifested as a brain disease. Some who suffer from mental illnesses are literally unable to tell the difference between an objective reality that can be observed by others and their internal delusions. In severe cases, the delusions can be life-threatening, demanding actions that are dangerous.

Trained crime investigators know that human memories are far from perfect. Different people tell the story of events in different ways. Not every difference in detail is the product of intentional lying. Sometimes, people genuinely believe they are telling the truth, but have been misled by a misinterpreted memory. The phenomenon of false memory has been widely studied and is not the topic of today’s blog, but it is clear that not all false memories come from malevolent manipulation. Some false memories are the product of innocent recall.

Imagination is a powerful force in our lives. It can be the source of innovation and new ways of living. It can be the source of pain and suffering. It all depends on how we employ our imaginations.

I have been thinking of imagination this week because I have been taking classes as part of the International Convention of Police Chaplains Region 3 Training Session. Some of our classes were taught by seasoned police officers who helped us to understand the processes of careful investigation of crimes. Often it is difficult to obtain the evidence required to know what has happened. Even trained investigators fail to see some details. Sometimes a crime scene may lack the details necessary to obtain a complete picture. Information provided by witnesses can be key to understanding what has happened, but that information has to be carefully obtained so that the witness is not negatively influenced. Witness information also has to be taken carefully as memory can become clouded and inaccurate. And, in the world of crime investigation, there are witnesses who intentionally lie to mislead investigators.

Investigators need to have active imaginations to come up with all of the possible scenarios. They also need to understand that criminals have active imaginations that enable them to come up with false alibis and misleading stories.The same human capacity that works towards the good of an ordered society can be employed to cause harm to others and disrupt society.

We are complex beings living in a complex world. There are times when we need a deeper truth than just the “who, what, why, when and where.” Jesus understood this when he employed the ancient teaching practice of parable. Sometimes, in order to reveal a deeper truth, a story is required. A man asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor.” Jesus answers with a story about a man who falls into robbers and, left lying to die, is passed by a Priest and a Levite before a Samaritan provides assistance and rescues him. “Who,” asks Jesus, “proved to be a neighbor to that man?” The point of the story is not the same as a crime investigation. The name of the priest and the levite is not essential to the deeper meaning. It is not necessary to determine whether Jesus is telling of an actual event that occurred at a specific time and place or whether the story is a product of his imagination. The underlying truth of how neighborliness is born of caring and compassionate relationships can be learned regardless of the origins of the story. We re-tell that story over and over in our generation to help people learn ways of relating to the people they meet.

There are plenty of other examples of teaching by parable in the Gospels. Jesus, the good teacher, employs not only his own imagination, but also stirs the imaginations of his followers by telling these stories. The relationship of God and humans is not a concept that is easy to learn and once things are learned they are difficult to pass on to others. Our faith is a multiple-generation process. There is too much to be learned by a single generation. We rely on the discoveries and understandings of those who have gone before us. And we trust that new insights and understandings can be discovered in each generation. The stories themselves appear to change when told in new and different contexts.

Theologians and biblical scholars have long known that sometimes an uninitiated person can open a text and discover a meaning that has eluded those who have invested a lifetime of study. Devotional reading can yield insights that scholarly examination misses. Like the witnesses at a crime scene, each perspective is worth consideration and each interpretation is worthy of considering. There are, however, some avenues of interpretation that can be misleading. Knowledge of history can be valuable in preventing repeated misinterpretations. The study of the history, traditions and discoveries of previous generations is important in equipping teachers of religion for their tasks.

In the midst of the complexities and failings of our very human circumstances, truth does emerge. Eternal truth is distinguished from flights of imagination. Approaching the big truths of life is its own reward and worthy of a lifetime of study and reflection.

I continue to be a student for there is much to learn.

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