Perhaps I should also do a series entitled “Reasons to Write.” The first reason would be: writing helps the author clarify in their own mind what they are thinking. This has especially been the case with The Maust Letters, where writing those posts has caused me to really think and try to organize what I think and believe. I’ve recently added a quote to this site by St. Augustine which sums up this paragraph: “I count myself as one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write.”

After reading the above post afresh this morning, I do realize that I haven’t said everything I wanted to and it’s a bit “fast and loose.” I guess I got excited and the maxim of writing has proved true: you can’t say everything at the same time. Nonetheless, and this last phrase will be ironic, my goal should be perspicuity. =)

What do I mean by “little systems”
First, when I consider the concept of little systems in our minds, I think mainly of them as they relate to theology and biblical interpretation, because it is in these fields where I most frequently encounter them influencing one’s thoughts.

Secondly, I would define a “little system” as: the combined network of thoughts, beliefs, and experiences that form the lens through which one understands and interprets the world (writings, thoughts, people, events, experiences) around them. I would venture to guess that others have written more extensively with more clarity on the idea of “little systems” and “conceptual webs.” I just need to search them out. But Reymond and Tennyson were the first for me. I suppose, furthermore, that one might call what I defined “culture.” But culture helps form one’s “little system” (”LS” onward) and is not the LS itself, for one’s LS is idiosyncratic, or couture if you will, and more than just culture.

How then does this combined network of thoughts, beliefs, and experiences influence theology and biblical interpretation?
When most read the Bible, they do so as they would read a yearbook: flip threw and look for the places where I show up. Where are the pictures of me. Reading the Bible like this evinces that “me” is at the center of the person’s LS; this is egocentricism (me-centeredness) and, more generally, anthropocentricism (man-centeredness).

I read the Bible this way until I realized that I shouldn’t be trying to fit God into my “little system” but I should be trying to have my LS shaped by the Scriptures and only after this, see where I fit in in God’s BIG system.

Notice that the first commandment commands that God be first. Jesus said seek the kingdom of God first and everything else will fall into place after this. But we get the cart (us) before the horse (God). There is a new children’s book entitled The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name, and as my Greek professor would say, “the title of this book preaches better than most sermons.” In the book the author “tells 43 Bible stories from the book of Genesis through Revelation. Each story in some way relates to Jesus and who he is, giving children the big picture of what God is all about” (taken from Amazon.com review). Never mind “children’s book”, sign me up! =)

It is beneficial to note here why I like the phrase “little system” and not just “system.” “Little system” gets at the concept the best because it emphasizes the theocentricity (God-centeredness) of the universe. God is the big system. A perfect example of this is the trinity: one essence three persons; a tri-unity. This is a perfect big system. My LS is not perfect because in it lies a mixture of true and falsehoods, conceptions and misconceptions, and compatibilities and contradictions.

An example in biblical interpretation: When I read the Bible do I try to fit every verse into my “little system”? If so, then this is incorrect and anthropocentric. Tennyson rightly points out that the system in my mind is merely a broken light of God for he is “more than they.”

Earlier Christians far more intelligent and adept at the Word of God than I have pointed out the idea of analogia scriptura…the analogy of Scripture…Scripture interprets Scripture…NOT my “little System” interprets Scripture. The main reason is: my LS will lead me astray, but the Scriptures, consonant with the infallible and inerrant God that inspired them, are trustworthy and will not lead anyone astray, but to salvation and enjoyment of God forever! Secondly, it’s idolatrous to be searching for “me” in the Scriptures, before/ahead of God, when Luke 24:27 shows Jesus interpreting “all” the Scriptures as concerning him.

Hopefully, this should explain more what I mean and some of my thoughts. Thank you for prompting me to write this!

SND