My Personal Radical Spirituality Theology
Just so you know where I'm coming from
As a spiritual leader, one of the most common questions I receive is “What is your theology?” Before I answer, I often have to explain that the definition of theology is confusing for most layfolk. Its etymology derives from the Greek theos - God/Diety and -logia, or utterances/words/oracles. Theology literally means “The word of God/s” or, as it became, “Words About God/s,” or “Reasoned Discussion about God/s” as a way of divining how to live according to what the God/s said or what others said about what He/They said. Confusing?
Over time, it referred more to the study of the nature of divinity through doctrinal texts, specifically related to religions that have God/s, most specifically, Christianity. Of course, other religions have their theologies - Hinduism has many - though sometimes, especially if they don’t have creator deities, they are called “philosophies.” For example, Buddhists often refer to Buddhology, and Daoists sometimes say “Daoist Philosophy.” This is not to be confused with “Philosophy of Religion,” a different academic subject altogether that has little relevance to the lived experience of divinity.
I define it, however broadly, thus: Theology is the attempt to understand and articulate the lived experience of Mystery and the varied expressions —verbal, non-verbal or written—whether or not there are gods involved.
But, that’s not what most people mean when they ask you to tell them YOUR theology. They want to know what you believe. What is God for you? What about Death? Sin? Forgiveness? Do you believe in angels? Reincarnation? They want your tenets, your system, your doctrine and your dogma, based on certain assumptions. They want to know if they agree or not with your beliefs, and whether or not they should “follow” you.
That’s why it’s hard for me to answer. I’m not a doctrine/dogma person, I’m not really a theist (deities), and I don’t care if you agree or not with my beliefs. I want you to discover your own: I don’t want you to “follow” anyone or anything but your own guidance.
But, because I have to explain my “theology” so often, I have decided to put it down into something that satisfies without being too cheeky. I also thought it would be good to share it with you, so you have some idea of where I am coming from.
So, as whittled down as I can make it, here’s my personal Radical Spirituality “Theology,” based on my own lived experience and study:
It’s ALL (ALL, us too!) ONE great, big, unnameable, incomprehensible, infinitely beautiful, messy, interconnected, always becoming, active Mystery, and we get a little glimpse of it now and then (more than we realize, if we are open to it).
The appropriate responses to a glimpse of Mystery are a sense of awe, profound gratitude, and endless curiosity.
If we study the ways Mystery behaves, we will notice some common patterns or principles that appear everywhere from the smallest to the largest scale.
If we humans can live in accordance with those principles, life is less difficult.
“Maybe” is the First Principle. We don’t really know.
That’s about as concrete as my theology gets. It’s pretty open, and if you read my writing and books (and listen to my podcasts, teaching, workshops, etc.), you’ll see these basic “tenets” appear throughout everything, sometimes more directly than others. That said, any theology should be subject to change. Mine certainly has evolved over the decades and continues to do so.
But unfortunately, that theological explanation isn’t always sufficient. Often, the questions have only just begun. Because people see me as “an expert” (as if anyone is an expert on the Mystery), they want ANSWERS! Though I always prefer the deepening questions over answers, and, in true rabbinic fashion will often answer with a question like, “I don’t know. What do you think?”, I feel like I have to give some basic answers to the more specific doctrinal questions that usually follow, such as:
“What is the meaning of life?” What do you want it to be? First and foremost, Life is for living. Beyond that, it’s up to you.
“Is there free will?” What did you do today? What are you doing with your life? Why?
“Why is there evil?” Why is there good? See Questions #1 and #2 above.
“Is there sin?” The only sin is believing yourself separate from the Mystery and not subject to its principles. From that singular erroneous belief will inevitably follow certain bad behaviors that make life unpleasant or impossible for everyone involved. Other stuff is just humans being forgetful, imperfect, messy humans just trying to figure it all out.
“Why do we die?” Principle of the Mystery. Observe: nothing lasts forever.
“Do I have an eternal soul?” I call “soul” that impersonal “spark of aliveness” that is inseparable from the Mystery. It is eternal because the Mystery is eternal. But is YOUR soul, as in YOUR specific, unique personality, eternal? Probably not (see above). Bummer, if you’re really attached to it.
“Is there an afterlife?” In some fashion, on some level, it’s likely that some part of your being goes somewhere else (principle of “recycling”). But you probably won’t recognize the afterlife when you get there, if there’s a “you” to recognize it (see #6 above). In this form, this life is all there is. Refer to Question #1.
“Are there angels?” I take this as a question about the supernatural. There’s definitely more going on here than we can understand, so if you want to call those apparitions or intuitions “angels” or “spirits” or “guides,” go right ahead. I’ve experienced some unexplainable things myself — messages and messengers from whence I don’t know. But they seemed as real as my hand. I just don’t have a name for them.
Please remember that I am only giving answers to these questions for myself personally, and I’d be happy to explain why I believe what I believe. But this isn’t a doctrine or dogma. You don’t have to agree with or believe any of it. That’s totally fine. In fact, I’d love to hear what you believe and why. There’s a good conversation to be had there, and I am always open to learning.
On that note, if I have missed any burning questions you might have, please let me know. Better yet, become a Pay-It-Forward subscriber (just $7/mo!), and join THE CONVERSATION, our monthly Zoom Gathering where you can ask questions, explore, delve deeper, and learn and share with each other. It’s always a good time!
In the meantime, take some time to jot down YOUR personal theology. It’s a good exercise to see where you are in your own spiritual journey, remembering that it’s possible it might change as you do. It should be based on your lived experience, not just on books. And, if you don’t have answers, that’s even better! Stay with the questions. See what arises for yourself.
I’ll leave you with a final thought: If “Maybe” is the First Principle, what if that is the only theology we need? The rest is just thinking about angels on the head of a pin….