Paradox

A paradox is an assertion consisting of two contradictory truths. Paradox is prominent in the Bible and thus in Lutheranism. For instance there is the paradox of sinner/saint. We are simultaneously 100% sinner and 100% saint. The person of Christ is paradoxical since he is both God and man.

The notion of paradox can be pushed too far. We receive by faith such paradoxes as described above but we ought not to go so far as the mystics do, to think that the Christian faith is entirely mysterious and known only through mystical meditation. God's word is communicated to us in plain language. God is a God of order and not chaos and mystery.

Thanks to Pastor Tim Rossow for this definition