Trying to be “perfect” can make you crazy–if not others, as well–if they let you do that to them. At least in the way most of us, these days, define the term–“perfect.” This, I recently discovered, once again, when writing the initial installment of my blog. It was a piece in reference to disgraced New York Congressman, Anthony Weiner. Or is it “Wiener”?
Typically, “ie” is pronounced as a “long e” sound, while “ei” is pronounced as a “long i” sound. So when I wrote the blog referring to the scandalized former Congressman, I assumed his name was spelled like I had heard it spoken–like the sound of a hot dog (pardon the pun)–a “wiener.”
But later–after publishing the blog, having proof-read it more than any reasonably sane person ever should (as when you have some really tight sphincters)–I noticed that I had, in fact, spelled Weiner/Wiener’s name (or had at least referred to him) both ways. Which is when I started kicking myself for being so careless (consciously or otherwise).
Except, a day or so later, I read a news article in which the guy’s name–despite how it’s pronounced–was spelled Weiner. So I Googled the feisty ex-Congressman, and sure enough–this particular Wiener is a Weiner.
Since I’m a Christian minister, there’s little in my life that I don’t reference theologically, as in what the Bible–or at least how one reads the Bible–might have to say about whatever. In this case, what it means to be “perfect.” As in, for instance, Jesus’ admonition in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5: 48): “You, therefore, must be perfect, even as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”
The Greek word, translated “perfect” there, is telos. It’s the same Greek word found in John 19:30, where Jesus pronounces, from the cross, “It is finished.”
Our current typical understanding of “perfect” has a static quality to it. As in “flawless,” or “never making a mistake.” Whereas the Greek term, telos, in the New Testament, is more dynamic. It is more accurately translated “complete, whole, finished,” reflecting more of a developmental concept, as in growing and maturing. As in, for example, our English word “telescope” (to use a different metaphor), where what is far away is brought nearer. Thus, what is called “teleological ethics” (as in Matthew 5: 48)–it doesn’t refer to where we’ve arrived–the image is, rather, that of a pilgrimage, a journey toward which (Whom/God) we’re being led, being drawn.
I was explaining this once to one of my AA buddies. Which is when his face lit up, and he exclaimed, “You mean God’s not finished with me yet?”
