One
20/03/14 05:21
My teacher and mentor Ross Snyder was fond of saying “Two is the sacred number of creation.” I know what he meant. Both the biblical account and the stories of origins from science are filled with dualities and dichotomies. Light and dark, water and dry land, male and female. Most plants and animals begin with the combination of two specific cells from two parents. Two is a very important number in mathematics. An integer is called even if it is divisible by 2. Two is the smallest and first prime number. It is the only even prime number. Two is the base of the simplest numeral system and the basis of the binary system used in computers.
Two is a very important number in the Bible. God ordered Noah to put two of every animal in the ark. The ten commandments were given on two tablets, and they are recorded two times in the Old Testament. Two candles are used to usher in the Sabbath. Two witnesses are required to validate marriage, divorce, or a serious crime.
However, I would like to speak up for the number one. I know it isn’t the favorite number of some and I know that we don’t all share the same vision or interpretation of one, but it is a very important number to me, and, I think to the way that I see the world.
I know that there are churches that practice multiple baptisms. The primary cause of a repeated baptism is the failure to acknowledge a baptism performed by another congregation. Some churches where members are baptized only once they have reached the age of consent and have chosen baptism for themselves will not acknowledge the baptism of an infant. Other churches do not recognize baptism that involves the sprinkling of water as opposed to total immersion. I have been quizzed by some Christians brothers and sitters about the exact words that we use when we baptize in our church. There is a belief that if the trinitarian formula isn’t said in exactly the right way the baptism is somehow invalid. However, I believe that one baptism is enough. Baptism is sacrament. It is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. It is not subject to the control, whims, or even the understanding of humans. If we don’t use the right words, or if we don’t agree on the exact moment, baptism still occurs. God is capable of making up for our human failings and shortcomings. The words and actions of the officiant don’t have to be perfect. It is the power of God claiming an individual that is present in the baptism. Once baptized a person can never become unloved by God, who of course is also capable of perfectly loving the unbaptized. Once claimed by God as a child of God, you are always a child of God, even if you do not understand or even acknowledge God’s claim on your life. Baptism may be more of a reminder of the truth that already exists than the establishment of the relationship, but once is enough in my opinion.
One is a good number for baptism.
I have friends and family members who have experienced romantic love as a series of relationships. marriage, divorce and another marriage is a common pattern in our society. There are lots of really good people who have experienced the breakup of a marriage. There are lots of meaningful relationships that aren’t the first relationship. People who are widowed are not condemned to live alone for the rest of their lives. I officiate at plenty of second and even third marriages and I don’t doubt the sincerity of the promises that are being made. Still, in my particular case, one is the right number for marriage. I was blessed to meet the love of my life early in my life and given the joy of a marriage that is strong and nurturing and supportive and creative. I know that this is a gift that is not given to everyone. I know that this blessing wasn’t earned, and that those who haven’t received it are not somehow less than those of us so fortunate, but I feel privileged to have been given the gift of a single marriage.
One is a good number for marriage.
There are serious religious thinkers and people of great faith who belong to many churches. We have a lot of good people in our community who participate in more than one church at a time. They search for the places and events that carry the most meaning for them. They express their faith by worshiping in multiple communities. They spread out their commitment to be supportive of different congregations. But I haven’t ever felt the need to belong to more than one congregation. Our beloved United Church of Christ is far from perfect. We are quirky and prone to all sorts of problems and differences of opinion. But it is the church of my birth and growing up years. It is the church of my ordination and service. And one church is enough for the expression of my lifetime of faith.
One is a good number for a church.
I have met those who believe that humans get more than one opportunity at life. They believe in a cycle of life and death and rebirth and life and death. Some believe that we go through this cycle again and again. Some even believe that what we do with this life isn’t of critical importance - we can always start over again. Make a major mistake, you’ll get another opportunity to make a different decision. They do not fear death, and even welcome death in some instances because they see it as an opportunity for new life. I don’t see the world that way. One life and one death seems to be sufficient for our human experience. After we die we go on to something that is entirely different.
One is a good number for life and death.
I’ve also always found myself in the camp who believe in one God. More gods, it seems to me results in lesser gods. One is a good number for God.
Of course, there are plenty of people who see the world differently than I do. But for me, the best stories always begin “Once upon a time . . .”
Two is a very important number in the Bible. God ordered Noah to put two of every animal in the ark. The ten commandments were given on two tablets, and they are recorded two times in the Old Testament. Two candles are used to usher in the Sabbath. Two witnesses are required to validate marriage, divorce, or a serious crime.
However, I would like to speak up for the number one. I know it isn’t the favorite number of some and I know that we don’t all share the same vision or interpretation of one, but it is a very important number to me, and, I think to the way that I see the world.
I know that there are churches that practice multiple baptisms. The primary cause of a repeated baptism is the failure to acknowledge a baptism performed by another congregation. Some churches where members are baptized only once they have reached the age of consent and have chosen baptism for themselves will not acknowledge the baptism of an infant. Other churches do not recognize baptism that involves the sprinkling of water as opposed to total immersion. I have been quizzed by some Christians brothers and sitters about the exact words that we use when we baptize in our church. There is a belief that if the trinitarian formula isn’t said in exactly the right way the baptism is somehow invalid. However, I believe that one baptism is enough. Baptism is sacrament. It is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. It is not subject to the control, whims, or even the understanding of humans. If we don’t use the right words, or if we don’t agree on the exact moment, baptism still occurs. God is capable of making up for our human failings and shortcomings. The words and actions of the officiant don’t have to be perfect. It is the power of God claiming an individual that is present in the baptism. Once baptized a person can never become unloved by God, who of course is also capable of perfectly loving the unbaptized. Once claimed by God as a child of God, you are always a child of God, even if you do not understand or even acknowledge God’s claim on your life. Baptism may be more of a reminder of the truth that already exists than the establishment of the relationship, but once is enough in my opinion.
One is a good number for baptism.
I have friends and family members who have experienced romantic love as a series of relationships. marriage, divorce and another marriage is a common pattern in our society. There are lots of really good people who have experienced the breakup of a marriage. There are lots of meaningful relationships that aren’t the first relationship. People who are widowed are not condemned to live alone for the rest of their lives. I officiate at plenty of second and even third marriages and I don’t doubt the sincerity of the promises that are being made. Still, in my particular case, one is the right number for marriage. I was blessed to meet the love of my life early in my life and given the joy of a marriage that is strong and nurturing and supportive and creative. I know that this is a gift that is not given to everyone. I know that this blessing wasn’t earned, and that those who haven’t received it are not somehow less than those of us so fortunate, but I feel privileged to have been given the gift of a single marriage.
One is a good number for marriage.
There are serious religious thinkers and people of great faith who belong to many churches. We have a lot of good people in our community who participate in more than one church at a time. They search for the places and events that carry the most meaning for them. They express their faith by worshiping in multiple communities. They spread out their commitment to be supportive of different congregations. But I haven’t ever felt the need to belong to more than one congregation. Our beloved United Church of Christ is far from perfect. We are quirky and prone to all sorts of problems and differences of opinion. But it is the church of my birth and growing up years. It is the church of my ordination and service. And one church is enough for the expression of my lifetime of faith.
One is a good number for a church.
I have met those who believe that humans get more than one opportunity at life. They believe in a cycle of life and death and rebirth and life and death. Some believe that we go through this cycle again and again. Some even believe that what we do with this life isn’t of critical importance - we can always start over again. Make a major mistake, you’ll get another opportunity to make a different decision. They do not fear death, and even welcome death in some instances because they see it as an opportunity for new life. I don’t see the world that way. One life and one death seems to be sufficient for our human experience. After we die we go on to something that is entirely different.
One is a good number for life and death.
I’ve also always found myself in the camp who believe in one God. More gods, it seems to me results in lesser gods. One is a good number for God.
Of course, there are plenty of people who see the world differently than I do. But for me, the best stories always begin “Once upon a time . . .”