Too often, I have heard good people dismiss theological inquiry by admonishing others to simply have the faith of a child. The implication is that reaching deep into the bowels of human existence is a dangerous thing to do. The implication is that if we want to be Christians we should turn off our brains every time we walk through the sanctuary doors.

I would suggest just the opposite. I am convinced that our faith in God becomes richer, stronger, when we have the courage to go where Jesus calls us...into the depths, into the hells of human existence. It is there that we will discover the God whose love is so deep and profound that we will be resurrected into a new faith, a greater faith.

When I began to tell people that I was going to go to seminary, besides the looks of utter horror from my friends, I received some curious words of warning from some very sincere folk.

"Just don’t lose your faith," is what they would admonish.

But, of course, that is precisely what happens. A limited, childish faith does die and in its place a new, deeper faith is born. It is a faith that is not afraid of going into the dark places of life, into hell. It is there, I have come to know, that we are catapulted into heaven.