Sermon Illustrations

AXIOMS

 

"Axioms"
By David Steele
TUESDAY MORNING (column)

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’Twas in Seminary Ethics class that the term “middle axioms” came my way. Ten years later, I began to understand what it
meant. It had to do with the great gap between the lofty pronouncements of faith and the way things are in actual life —
between love your neighbor and that actual stinker who lives next door.

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In order to give any punch to the former, I need some kind of basic stance drawn from it that actually has concrete effect on 
the latter. 

 

Desegregation was often given as an example of a middle axiom. The goal was what we then called Universal Brotherhood (the family of God); the reality was the segregated society. It did little good to mouth our goal over and over. One needed some middle axiom, something concrete that would relate the goal to what actually existed. Desegregation seemed the axiom. It was in between the goal and the actuality. It gave a person a concrete direction for thought and action.

 

LATELY, I have become concerned with middle axioms once more. I meet weekly with seminary seniors. One of our
tasks is to help translate theology into practicality.

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There is a gap between the ideal of ministry and an actual person in an actual parish. Middle axioms are in order. So I spent some time asking myself, “Dave, what are the middle axioms in your ministry?” It was difficult to determine them, for they have had to have some practical working out in my life. At last I came up with this list, which I shared with the class.

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Perhaps they will prime your pump. I would be very interested in learning what middle axioms other pastors and lay folk find they are actually employing in their lives. I’d be pleased to pass yours on if you will send them to me.

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STEELE’S AXIOMS AS OF NOW:
1.    Jesus grabs me, this I know.
2.    Infallibility is in short supply.
3.    Humor is a means of grace.
4.    The key to ministry: knowing what not to do and not doing it.
5.    A congregation has the right to expect its minister to tell them the truth.
6.    Sunday worship demands our best.
7.    Worship is participation.
8.    Brooks was right: preaching is conveying truth through personality.
9.    People are marvelous critters: they do not need any “help” or for me to “feel sorry” for them.
10.    Establishment change is a worthwhile pursuit.
11.    Institutions (including the church) cannot love me. God and people can and do.
12.    What I don’t know interests me more than what I do know.
13.    My task: to be an authentic human being, not to be a saint.
14.    Religious truth is metaphorical. 
15.    The grace in ordinary (bread) days is worth watching for.
16.    Creating brings life.
17.    It is difficult to be efficient and authentic at the same time.
18.    Play is essential in ministry.
19.    Providence is important to choose what is going on.
21.    The waves wash away the footprints on the beach.
22.    Writing comedy would be fun to try.  

  

In The Presbyterian Outlook, 3/21/88