Presbyterian theologian rejects common sense.

(Source of the story can be found here- The Christian Post)

It doesn't surprise me much that a Presbyterian theologian doesn't choose to adhere to the standards of sound logic and reasoning, but to reject common sense is a ludicrous idea. Of course, this is just playing around with words- the theologian (Dr. Margaret Aymer) doesn't mean reject common sense in its everyday use, but to adhere to "uncommon sense".

"Common sense would say, in the face of the world today, prayer is ineffectual. Common sense would say, in the face of the world today, giving thanks is learned powerlessness."

"As children of a living God, redeemed by the Christ, inspired by the Spirit, I am here to remind you that we are not called to be a people of common sense," she proclaimed. "We are called to be a people of uncommon sense; and as a people of uncommon sense, Paul charges us: rejoice, pray, give thanks."

Common sense would say that prayer is ineffectual, and with good reason. There is no real evidence concluding that prayer gives the believer the ability to change anything without doing a damn thing, and that is why it is common sense to not believe its effectiveness. For giving thanks, I don't quite understand what Dr. Aymer is stating- giving thanks when thanks is deserved is just common courtesy.

I don't really think Dr. Aymer understands when she states that Christians are not called to be a people of common sense, seeing as though common sense is valued in society is a useful tool. Claiming ignorance, or lack of necessary life tools, is not something you should "rejoice" about. But like I said, Dr. Aymer may not be making the case that one shouldn't have common sense, but that one should include unsubstantiated claims when examining their common sense.

Rejoicing amid such conditions makes no common sense. But Aymer, who is associate professor of New Testament and Chair of Biblical Studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, explained that the Christians' joy "rests not in our human ability to change the grief of the present, but in our steadfast hope in the One who holds the future," as reported by the Presbyterian News Service.

It's all fine and dandy to have hope for the future, but when a hope for an afterlife that is not guaranteed to be true replaces your desire to change the wrong things going on around you, then you have a problem. This is the only life you're absolutely sure to have, and when you go around thinking that it doesn't matter because you'll live in Heaven Avenue (which has never been proved to exist) when you're dead, well, that doesn't make much sense at all. I suppose that's what uncommon sense is all about then.