Cat and Dog Theology
I have recently read a book that has changed the way I see my relationship with Jesus. In the past I had seen the outworking of my faith as quite complex and often contradictory.
The book Cat and Dog Theology sets forth a simple proposition. It suggests that when we look at what the bible says it is actually about God and His glory, not us. Most Christians would have no issues agreeing with this proposition but I suspect many of us do not live this out in what we really think and do.
For instance, what was Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection about? What it about the salvation of mankind? Yes of course it was. But was that the main reason? I would suggest the main reason was that it bought glory to God in an amazing way. It defeated evil. It conquered sin’s curse and in an amazing way that only God could imagine. All praise to Him!!!
This act of submission, that got spun around into the most amazing history changing event, continues to bring glory to God to this day and will do so into eternity. It illustrates His complete and utter sovereignty, His power and His endless love. Ultimately it was about Him and His glory, not us.
In many cases we as humans get caught up in our own selves. We see events such as Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection as being about us. Even our attempts to praise God end up focusing on ourselves. Matt Redman’s song “The Heart of Worship” reflects this realisation in terms of our musical worship on Sunday mornings. “…I’m coming back to the heart of worship. And it is all about You, all about You, Jesus…” These lyrics say it so well. It’s not about us. It is about Jesus, our Lord and God.
Many other areas have become “us focused” or “task focused” when they should be “God honouring”. Many churches, missions organizations, para-church organizations, writers, musicians, etc have ended up focusing on themselves or their objective rather than what is core, to bring honour to God. Unfortunately when this happens there is an inevitable fall as reality catches up. This generally does not bring glory to God.
I would like to suggest that “Christian work” that becomes self indulgent is one of the subtlest traps the devil has come up with. Even something as “righteous” as focusing on our own personal holiness can turn inwards onto ourselves and away from God. Anything that causes us to turn our focus from bringing glory to God is a trap. I have seen a number of people who have focused on “becoming deeper” in one spiritual area or another become so absorbed on that area of their lives that they have fallen away from what should be their first love, God.
Cat and Dog Theology suggests a different and controversial approach. How about we put God first in our lives? Seriously… it suggests that everything we do should be focused on bringing glory to God and His name. If this is our overriding, first call then everything else will be ok.
I would suggest this is what Paul was getting at when he said he was content when he had plenty and content when he had little. What he had was irrelevant because all he wanted to do was see more people following Jesus, bringing glory to God.
Jesus set the example, the ultimate example of how we can bring glory and honour to God. He showed all the individual characteristics we need to follow. However we are sinful people. We fail at “doing” all these characteristics at once and for prolonged periods of time. Jesus showed something more important. He showed that if our attitude is right, that is if our desire is to bring glory to God in everything we do, then God is pleased. God looks at where our heart is and that is what counts with Him.
The amazing thing is this is not new. The bible is full of stories and illustrations and statements that shout this out. Cain and Abel. What was wrong with the offering of Cain? The desire to honour God was not there. Was David’s taking another wife wrong? No. However David’s desire was for Bathsheba and not God that made it wrong.
For me this “new” way of thinking has simplified my life and my faith. I want to bring honour and glory to God’s name in everything I do. I do not worry about personal holiness. I do not worry about tithing. I do not worry about setting aside a dedicated time to do a quiet time. [the list can go on and on] All these things basically happen but they happen because my focus is on what brings glory and honour to God’s name. When I am focussed on God’s name, nothing else seems to matter and everything makes sense. Yet curiously, it seems that everything else matters in the right proportions.
I would like to recommend you read this book. It is no substitute for the bible and never pretends to be. It does however give you a new set of glasses through which to read and understand God’s revelation.
Sym Gardiner
15th August, 2005
