Ritröð Guðfræðistofnunar - 01.01.1998, Page 51

Practice and Passion in Theology
Theology: ‘Those who live by the truth come to the light so that it may be clearly
seen in all that they do.’14 The truth that is encountered in loving activity is also
something to be loved in, indwelt. Christian practice is dwelling in truth, not
simply applying the truth, or putting the truth to work, or verifying the truth in
action. We know the truth only when we dwell in it.
The theme of dwelling in truth has been developed in our day with startling
relevance by Václav Havel, former dissident and now President of the Czech Re-
public.15 He tells the parable of a greengrocer during the days of the communist
dictatorship, who one week puts in his window among the carrots and tomatoes,
the slogan ‘Workers of the World Unite!, and the next week, ‘Struggle Together
for World Peace!’
Why does he do it?
Because the slogan has been delivered to him from the wholesalers along
with the fruit and vegetables;
Because everyone else does it;
Because if he refused there would be trouble; he would be accused of dis-
loyalty;
Because this harmless action ensures a tranquil life for him.
The greengrocer is not very interested in what the slogan say. He certainly
does not feel he is communicating some exciting new truth to his customers. The
reflex action, week by week, of putting up the slogan in his window simply
means, ‘I an dependable and obedient, and I want to be left in peace.’
The words of the slogans in the greengrocer’s window, Havel suggests, not
only conceal the degradation of his condition, but they also hide the realities of
the system behind a facade of respectability, morality and high aspirations. They
suggest that the system is in harmony with the moral order, that power and truth
are at one.
But hat is not true. The greengrocer is living in a lie. And most of the time his
life is more comfortable that way.
Now, suppose that one day something snaps in our greengrocer. He refuses
any longer to put up slogans so that he can have a quiet life. He starts to speak
his mind in public. He seeks out and befriends other dissidents. He no longer
plays by the rules of the game. He steps out of living in the lie. He begins to live
in the truth.
His bill is not long in coming. He loses his job. Old friends shun him in the
14 John 3.21
15 Václav Hvael, Living in Trutli. London: Faber, 1987. The parable of the greengrocer is to be
found on pp. 41 ff.
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