You can have too much of a good thing, even religion. Large doses of licorice pose dangers. So does rhubarb – or at least the leaves. Too much chocolate makes us fat, though that three-letter word is almost off-limits in any case.
An excess of religion can leave a person shrivelled, dried up, an embarrassment to the neighbours There are so many other interests in life that the renunciation of everything delightful which the thorough-going puritan desires takes us out of our depth. We find ourselves far from the sayings of Jesus. We lose the natural curiosity that has uncovered the magic that surrounds our footsteps wherever we go. When Paul appeared before Festus, the reaction was violent. Festus shouted: ‘Paul, you are raving. Too much study is driving you mad.’ (Acts26.24)
If Paul was indeed mad, he and Festus had much in common. Over-reaction is a common trait, usually concealed when it is seen in an occupant of high office.
But since the enlightenment and the calmness (as its admirers would hope to persuade us is the case) of the sciences in their autonomy have been tempted to overstep the mark and claim for their own interest what is properly the benefit of a larger part of society. It is a big step from asking how to asking why. The ‘why’ question is one for theologians.
We have to eat but we don’t have to eat too much. To say grace before meals is to remind ourselves of that.
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