Can Buddha help?

Like many people in our modern, scientific world, Paul Knitter has trouble making sense of some traditional Christian beliefs: like a God who is one, yet three; like an everlasting hell; like talking to an invisible Big Person in the sky. Knitter is a Catholic theologian who taught for many years at Xavier University in Cincinnati. He also has studied Buddhism for decades and practiced Buddhist forms of meditation. His most recent book is entitled, Without Buddha I Could Not be a Christian.

This book is not for everyone; but it will be helpful for many of us. Knitter tackles the theological problem of 'dualism'—which makes the Christian God seem far away and disconnected to the real world. He emphasizes the symbolic nature of all words and all language. He encourages the use of the 'sacrament of silence' as part of the Christian practice.

I think his explanation of the Buddhist notion of 'mindfulness' as acceptance is profoundly helpful. He doesn't back away from controversial doctrines. He writes:

I simply don't believe in hell because I simply can't. The square peg of eternal punishment just doesn't fit into the round hole of God's love.

Knitter goes on the reinterpret the Atonement and the Resurrection. At each step he describes how putting on 'Buddhist glasses' helps him see these beliefs in a different way—a way that makes more sense to him. He keeps coming back to Galatians 2.20:

It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.

What is of utmost importance for Knitter is being awakened to the unity between all people and God. To experience God is more important than theorizing about God. He quotes John Cobb, Jr.: "Jesus is the Way that is open to other Ways."

In the last part of the book he discusses the role of anger in violent behavior; and he struggles with the call to complete non-violence.

Paul Knitter's book does not call us to become Buddhists. But he shares with us his experience of gaining insight from Buddhist practice that helps him be a better follower of Jesus.

Christians who are drawn to a more mystical type of Christianity will probably enjoy reading Knitter's latest book. Christians who are literalists will not be able to make any sense out of this publication.