Such examples and personal experiences are what cause a great number of people to dismiss the church as worthy of their consideration. If the church is to have a message to proclaim to the world, it must face honestly its own sinfulness. One of the remarkable aspects of the story of faith as it is contained in Scripture is its willingness to confront the sinful aspects of its messengers and community as it continues on its journey. It is not hidden that Abraham was willing to allow his wife to be violated by the pharaoh in order to escape danger to his own person or that Sarai was spiteful towards Hagar and Ishmal. Jacob is clearly a manipulating scoundrel and he apparently learned that trait at his mother’s knee. Moses is wanted for murder. The people he leads to freedom begin to grumble and rebel from the very beginning of their journey. The judges that are raised up to save the people in danger are filled with human frailties and despite the fact that God provides for their salvation, the people continually return to their sinful ways. David is an adulterer and killer. Solomon becomes an indulgent tyrant.
The story is only remarkable for God’s faithfulness and patience, although at times even God is described as losing patience. If there is symbolic continuance suggested in the twelve tribes and the choice of twelve disciples, there is also a continuance of their obdurate and sinful ways as is mentioned above. In the telling of the story of faith, the Scriptural pattern is to be very clear about one’s own sinfulness. As Hans Kung reminds us, “In all its historical forms the true nature of the church is accompanied, like a dark shadow, by its ‘un-nature;’ the two are inseparable.” (The Church, Hans Kung; p. 51)
