Recently I had the opportunity to experience the Stratford, Ontario production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Teyve’s questionings “One time you pull out a prop and where does it stop?" reminds me of the huge change that is happening in our understanding of the universe, ourselves in that universe, and God. As these understandings change, we are challenged to align ourselves to look at life through a new lens. In embracing this evolving universe as revealed by science, it stands to reason that our theology of God is undergoing vast changes. We are no longer dealing with a static entity removed from our life experiences, but rather with a creative loving force that chose to manifest himself in the person of Jesus. Gone then is our preconceived notion of a God in the sky who orders all things rightly to be replaced by a God who is present in all of creation as all creation is present in God. (Panentheism is not pantheism)
Our oneness in God takes on unimaginable proportions when we put it into this perspective of God's insatiable desire to connect with us.
Joan Chittister in her interview with Michael Dowd "God and the Evolutionary World" (transcript of audio in "Evolutionary Catholics" series) states that good theology is not so much now of giving pat answers but of asking questions.
If it is the nature of nature to change, then who is God now? What does my image of God have to do with how I live my life? What if I am no longer relating to a harsh judgmental God but one who continues to evolve in relationship to all of creation? What if my kind of God is now the one who wants fullness of life for me, for creation and not one who seeks to control the universe and rule in fear?
"The traditional notion of Creation was that everything on Earth had been created separately, uniquely, individually discretely. Evolution says Creation emerges; it didn't come all finished." (Joan Chittister's interview).
This begs the question "Is creation still emerging?"
In an evolutionary theology, free will is key and we have a responsibility to be co-creators with God. In summary, Joan Chittister states." What I come out with at the end of evolutionary theology is growth versus perfectionism—a sense of ongoing creation instead of faith, participation in God's life, and God supports. God doesn't decide. God supports and stands by as we grow.....evolution is both the promise and possibility. It promises that we will keep on growing right up to the measure of the fullness of the spirit of God. And my possibility is that I can participate. I can become a better self. I can participate in making a better world, and together we can all grow into God."
And so the answer to Teyve's question, "where does it stop when you pull out a prop," is, from an evolutionary lens, "The props are replaced by new and life-giving questions into which we are invited to live."