The Importance of Canonization in Protestantism
3 Reasons Why We Should Embrace the Practice
“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”— Jesus Christ, Luke 11:33
Apparently, the Protestant tradition thinks otherwise. For this is essentially what happened when the practice of canonization was not brought into Protestantism during the Reformation. The light of Christ that shone brilliantly in the lives of many of his faithful servants has not been placed in a position of prominence so that others could benefit from it.
To be sure, I understand the theological issues many who are much more learned than I have with canonization. For one, like all human practices, they are prone to be used in ways that can have a corrupting influence. Does this mean we should throw out the baby with the bath water? There is also the argument that the Bible already calls all of God’s children saints. Ephesians 1:1, for example, says: “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus…”
I agree with Paul, our being in Christ as members of the family of God is what qualifies us as saints. We are sanctified (made saints) through our union with him. That being said, what’s the problem with giving special recognition to those whose lives shone with remarkable brilliance for God? When it comes to their lives shouldn’t we “put it on a stand, so that those who come in may see the light”?
Doing so wouldn’t necessarily be following a Roman Catholic or Orthodox example, but a biblical one. Consider when God highlighted Moses as an example of what a prophet should be like when he said to Aaron and Miriam, “[Moses] is faithful in all my house. With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD” (Numbers 12:7-8).
And what of the ringing endorsement of Job that God gave Satan? “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job 1:8). Clearly there are distinctions that catch God’s eye and make him happy.
Little wonder the New Testament follows this example through the discipleship tradition. Jesus calls disciples to be with him so they can learn to be like him. And his disciples went in the world at his command teaching others to be like Christ through precept and, most importantly, through example.
The apostle Paul wasn’t being innovative when he wrote, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Rather, he was keeping with the tradition of placing the light of Christ, even that which was in him, in a place where people could see it, and learn to live from the same light within them.
Therefore, as a pastor that is eager to see the church become a disciple-making factory once again, I think adopting the practice of canonization would be a simple but impactful addition that would help us recalibrate. In what follows I’d like to share 3 reasons why I think this practice could help.
1. Humans Are Inspire-able!
One practical reason is that human beings are wired to be inspired. We are unique from all other earthly creatures in that beautiful and creative things make a mark on our lives; they have an animating influence on us. Don’t take my word for it, search your own memory. Without a doubt you have had a spark of creativity or inspiration hit you when you heard a song, saw a painting, etc.
The reason for this is because we were made in the image and likeness of God; that means we were made to be creative! When we are inspired it is nothing other than the creativity that has been sown into us being agitated and animated towards existence.
And we all know that the most inspiring things in the world are not actually the creative stuff that has been brought into the world, but it’s those through whom those things came. Johann Sebastian Bach, for instance, is more inspiring than the collection of his masterpieces, because the masterpieces came from him. And it’s because of him that millions have been inspired to become musicians.
Consider the impact of the various Halls of Fame, awards for excellence in industry, and many of the other ways the world has of shining a light and recognizing exemplary people. Doesn’t the existence of such things help those who are following after understand what it means to be a great athlete, business person, actor, teacher, etc?
Highlighting the lives of saints will have the same effect. History already bears witness to this. St. Anthony of Egypt inspired the likes of the great St. Augustine. St. Francis inspired St. Bonaventure. And there are many other examples of this kind of inspirational line that runs through history.
Therefore, since human beings are wired to be inspired, shouldn’t the church lift up exemplary lives that were set ablaze by Jesus, so that people can see and also be set aflame by that divine fire?
2. Refocusing on Mission
Another practical reason for canonization is that it will keep the church focused on her mission; that is, the Great Commission. Because naming saints would require the church to clarify what it means to be a saint. It would cause us to think about the qualities and characteristics that are the marks of a life that has been transformed by Jesus.
In my denomination — the United Methodist Church — we are unfortunately known for our niceness. Why is this unfortunate? Is there anything wrong with being nice? Of course not! But niceness is not a fruit of the Spirit, and it doesn’t reveal the heart of a Christian. So if we were to adopt our own process of canonization we would need to identify certain marks of sanctity that we might look for in the life of one being considered.
In addition to identifying those marks, the church would need to regularly analyze how it is doing in this effort. Just imagine a denomination that went years without any candidates for canonization. Such a revelation would speak volumes about what such a church is actually doing in the world.
On the other hand, imagine visiting a church whose walls were lined with saints from long ago, and from recent memory. And imagine that, after seeing this, you learned that their mission statement was, “We make real saints out of real sinners.” Wouldn’t you expect something different to be taking place at such a church, than what takes place at most churches today?
3. Modern Saints Make Modern Saints
The last practical benefit I’ll mention is that the naming of saints could provide recent examples of Christlikeness and, in doing so, help current disciples learn how to be like Jesus in a day that looks completely different from his.
Here’s an example. In the present day billions of people are trying to navigate what it means to live in an age with social media, mobile devices, etc. These all have wonderful potential but, as we all know from experience, they can also be disastrous. There is a real need for people to learn to have a relationship with technology in a way that leads to flourishing and not to vice.
Well, what if there was a person that was recently canonized who was eminently Christlike in the age of social media and mobile devices? Wouldn’t it be awesome for us to display their luminescent life for all to see, while proclaiming, “imitate her as she imitated Christ!”
I’d like to suggest to you that one of the main reasons people fail to be Christlike is because they don’t know how. They need people to model their lives after; people who practiced certain means of grace that enabled them to experience God’s power in their lives. In doing so disciples would effectively have a kind of sanctifying line of succession that extends all the way back to Jesus!
Conclusion
Of course this is no quick-fix, if it was I would not advocate for it because it would be sure to fail; nevertheless I hope you can see the potential in it. After all, was it not God that said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, land crawlers, and beasts of the earth according to their kinds” (Genesis 1:24). To that list could we not add, “saints according to their kind”?
Yes, saints produce saints, the life of Christ spreads contiguously. If we in Protestant traditions adopt this process, it could be another means of grace whereby God transforms the lives of his children. And it’s past time that this happens.
Sure we have a few who are regarded as saints, just without the title. These include: John Wesley, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Jacobus Arminius, and many others. But there are many more luminescent ones whose lives are being kept under a bowl, in relative obscurity.
This list includes saintly people like George Müller. I would nominate him as the patron saint of those who depend upon God. Harriet Tubman: patron-saint of the enslaved (in any way). Dietrich Bonhoeffer: patron saint of martyrs. And, of course, a man that I will be eternally grateful for, Dallas Willard. I would nominate him as the patron saint of all those who need to rediscover the true message of the Gospel; namely, the availability of life in the Kingdom of God.
But this list won’t only include the popular, but a treasure trove of God’s unknown but glorious ones would emerge. One such gem that would emerge for the church to learn from is Marg Strang, a member of Friendship UMC that entered the eternal Kingdom of Jesus in 2011. When people at my church discuss people who influenced them to actually live for Jesus, it’s not long before some mention Marg Strang.
Her life should be placed on a stand, so that those who come in may see the light of Christ shining through her.
What do you think about all of this? Who makes your list? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comment section.