The Northside Church August worship series possesses an unusual title: Oxymorons of Faith. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory words with opposite meanings. Examples include jumbo shrimp, fresh frozen, even odds, and ill health.

The back-to-school sermons tackle four ecclesiastical oxymorons: Blind Faith, Minor Miracle, Servant Leadership, and Inactive Church Member. We use these common phrases at church without recognizing their contrary natures.

Holy Scripture and Christian theology maintain a dynamic tension between opposing concepts. Jesus declared that the kingdom of God was here but not yet. Paul preached a gospel of grace but appreciated the function of law. James believed that faith without works is dead; but Paul wrote that works without faith is dead.

Humans seek to resolve tension by collapsing the ambiguity of both/and into the certainty of either/or. Choose: heaven’s kingdom is either here or not. Practice grace or law. Embrace faith or works.

The harder course maintains a tension between opposing principles. God’s kingdom has come, is coming, and will come into the world. Law defines the boundaries of human behavior, and grace declares the bounty of divine grace. Faith adopts us into God’s family, and works instructs us to live as heaven’s children.

Oxymorons of Faith: Coming to a Church Near You!