Theology Now

Theology can often feel like a dense collection of abstract concepts, but it is frequently best understood through stories that bridge the gap between "head knowledge" and "heart experience."

: It serves as a warning to those who study theology that knowledge can sometimes lead to pride, potentially closing one's eyes to the raw power of simple faith. theology

That night, as his ship is far out at sea, the Bishop sees a light skimming across the water. It is the three hermits, literally to catch the ship. They reach the side and tell the Bishop they have already forgotten the long prayer he taught them and ask him to teach it again. Theology can often feel like a dense collection

Finding this too primitive, the Bishop spends the entire day teaching them the formal Lord’s Prayer. Satisfied that he has "fixed" their theology, he sails away. They reach the side and tell the Bishop

In this tale, a Bishop hears of three elderly hermits living a simple, holy life on a remote island. Curious and wanting to ensure their theology is "correct," he travels to meet them. When he arrives, he finds that their only prayer is a simple refrain: "Three are ye, three are we, have mercy upon us."