A Serious Spiritual Problem

Re Notions Of Faith, Letters, June

Mr. Mitchell argues in his letter “Notions of Faith” that Rev. Dr. Scott’s “Sola Fida” carries on an overly intellectualized “nitpicking” about outdated theological differences. Unfortunately, he does not offer any evidence that these debates are no longer relevant today. It seems hard to believe, though, that people today do not struggle with guilt over their own wrongdoings. This is part of the universal human condition, and it requires an answer. As soon as you begin to provide that answer, you will have to take sides on the issues Rev. Dr. Scott raised; i.e., can you get a clean conscience and assurance of God’s love simply by trusting in Jesus? Or is it necessary that you submit to the complex ecclesiastical sacramental system of the Roman Catholic Church?

In the recent movie “Inception”, the main character speaks to someone he has deeply wronged –a crucial juncture in the film. She replies:

Mal: Then what if you’re wrong? What if I’m what’s real? You keep telling yourself what you know, but what do you believe? What do you feel?

Dom Cobb: Guilt. I feel guilt, Mal. No matter what I do, no … no matter how hopeless I am, no matter how confused, that guilt is always there reminding of the truth.

The theological “nitpicking” that sola fida is all about is really not nitpicking at all. It’s trying to summarize a real answer to a very serious spiritual and psychological problem. And it is a problem that all human beings must come to terms with in their lives. If a blockbuster film can see that, one would hope that those within the church, those with God’s answer to this problem, could acknowledge it as well.