Bishop Cannon

On June 09, 1997 the campus newspaper at Emory University published an obituary for Bishop William R. Cannon, Jr. I was impressed by one particular episode in his life. I cut out that article and saved it. I refer to it often. This posting is basically a synopsis of that article and the conclusion I drew from it. Hang with me; I will eventually get to the point, and it is a good one.

Thomas J. J. Altizer was a faculty member in the Emory College religion department back in the 1960’s.  Note well that Altizer was in the religion department and was NOT a faculty member in the Theology School. Theology students seek the Master of Divinity degree and generally become ministers after graduation; not so with religion students. This is an important distinction which I will try not to belabor repeatedly.

Altizer became famous in 1966 when his religious views were highlighted in Time magazine. Time magazine’s cover page asked in bold letters, “Is God Dead?”  Altizer’s opinion was that God had withdrawn from active participation in the world, and that it was as if God was dead. That is my simpleton explanation from my recollection of that time and my understanding of the Wikipedia page.

Of course there was a huge furor. Emory University was (and is) affiliated with the Methodist church, was located in the middle of the Bible belt, and this occurred in 1966. Altizer received death threats, and many called for his resignation or immediate dismissal.

William R. Cannon, Jr. was the Dean of Emory’s Candler School of Theology during that time. Belaboring the earlier point, Altizer was a faculty member of the religion department and reported to another dean at the University, NOT to William R. Cannon.

Even though I haven’t shown it here, I think that it is safe to assume that as Dean of the Theology School, a school that prepares students for the Methodist ministry, that Cannon’s theology was quite different, if not diametrically opposite, that of Altizer’s theology.

I am finally getting to the point of this blog post. I hope I have not telegraphed the "Aha!" moment that is coming up.

The point is not about Altizer’s God is Dead theology.
The point is not about Cannon’s theology.
The point is about Cannon’s reaction to Altizer’s theology.

Even though Altizer and Cannon must have had severe theological differences, and even though the Christian community was calling for Altizer’s head on a platter, William R. Cannon Jr., Dean of the THEOLOGY School, wrote a lengthy essay in a Methodist publication SUPPORTING Altizer! Emory’s newspaper quotes Cannon as follows –

From all I hear, Dr. Altizer is an interesting teacher, and the fact that his thought is now receiving national attention indicates his gifts as a philosopher and religious thinker . . . [Emory is] big enough to absorb and use all forms of opinion. We exercise the privilege of discussion, dialogue and debate. We are strengthened and in turn we strengthen others by having to give a reasonable account of the faith that is in us against strong and intelligent opposition. We never progress by restriction and exclusion.
(bold added by me for emphasis)

Are you as blown away as I was by those words?

I think it is wonderful that in spite of their vast theological differences that Bishop Cannon supported Altizer’s academic freedom and the principle of free speech. Bishop Cannon’s support of Altizer must have been very unpopular at the time, not only in the Theology School, but in the University, in the Methodist church hierarchy, and in the Christian community. That’s great, but it isn’t the main point of this post.

The main point I want to make has to do with the general application of Bishop Cannon’s words. Cannon’s statement is applicable to more than just the issue of faith. Whenever I find myself verbally challenged on any issue I draw on Bishop Cannon’s words. Here is how I paraphrase Cannon’s words for general application.

I am mature enough to absorb and use all forms of opinion. I exercise the privilege of civil discussion, dialogue and debate. I am strengthened, and in turn strengthen others, by having to give a reasonable account of my positions against strong and intelligent opposition. I cannot progress by restricting and excluding dialogue.

I try to remind myself that if I want to do right, be right, and know the truth, that I should be open to discussion, dialogue and debate. The Who, What, Where, Why, When and How of every aspect of my life should be open to challenge. I need not take offense when challenged. Each challenge is an opportunity to explore my position and consider an alternate position that might be a better informed position.

Lastly, consider this quote about beauty -

"Beauty is that reasoned harmony of all the parts within a body, so that nothing may be added, taken away, or altered, but for the worse.”
Leon Battista Alberti (A.D. 1404-1472)

Following the line of thinking in this quote, if my position is right, then nothing need be added, nothing need be taken away, and nothing need be altered. At work, at home, at church, in public; how am I to know if I am right if I do not reexamine my position to see if it needs to be modified? Don’t I need others to help me find, and know, the truth? Don’t I need people who disagree with me just as much as I need people who agree with me? Of course I do, because . . .

I am mature enough to absorb and use all forms of opinion. I exercise the privilege of civil discussion, dialogue and debate. I am strengthened, and in turn strengthen others, by having to give a reasonable account of my positions against strong and intelligent opposition. I cannot progress by restricting and excluding dialogue.