Hear it for the first time - everytime

Have you ever driven to work the same way for so long that you stop noticing the scenery along the route? The streetscape is there, but the details have disappeared. Businesses along the way may come and go but it is so familiar that you no longer notice the changes. You may even drive the familiar roads and as you approach a particular section you suddenly wonder “How did I get here? I don't remember the last 10 miles.” Sometimes it seems we are on autopilot, the scenery goes by like a blur.

That can happen with scripture too.

How many times have you heard the 23^rd Psalm? How many times have you heard the creation story?

When was the last time you really listened?

This January term I am taking a course on Speech for the Preacher and Presider. This is helping me to see how I can use my voice and my body to communicate more effectively. Interestingly, most of the people in the class were already skilled, and everyone in the class is getting better. But as I often find in seminary, there is the course material that we learn, and there are the unintentional lessons that hit us, or me, like a ton of bricks.

Susan, our professor, made a comment about the wonderful interpretation of the 23^rd Psalm that was written by Bobby McFarrin as a gift to his mother. I of course went to YouTube and found the recording.

It was as if I was hearing the 23^rd Psalm for the first time. It could have been the beautiful harmony of the a capella group. Or it could have been the feminine role of God that Bobby McFarrin used in his interpretation. Regardless, it was wonderful.

For many, God needs to be a white male that looks like Merlin the Magician, or perhaps Albus Dumbledore. I don't think that God can be type cast with such rigidity. After all, we are made in His image. So He looks like you and me. And the last time I looked around that included men and women, and people of color, and people of differing sexual orientations and the variations goes on and on...... But I am getting sidetracked, so back to my original thought.

Today in class I had the opportunity to read the poem “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson. This creation story brought the creation story of Genesis back to life for me. It was as if I read it for the first time.

I wonder how many people, like myself, have heard scripture passages so often and done so poorly that the passage goes by like a blur? Wouldn't it be wonderful if every time you heard the same passage it was like the first time that you heard it?

Peace be with you,

Simple Pleasures

Today is my first day back in class since December 22nd. The time off flew by quickly, but that is another story. And yes, being in class with the other students is a pleasure. However, today was also the first day of the seminary library book sale. Its a secret, but students were offered a preview of the sale before the public was allowed in. Yes it was a room full of simple pleasures. When a dollar will not typically buy a cup of coffee it is amazing that it will buy you a book.

So lets see some of the simple pleasures a dollar afforded me today. For my historical reference there is a copy of the 1940 Hymnal and the 1916 Hymnal. My theological library had a gaping hole filled in with the purchase of a King James Bible. This copy is from the 80's; something that is verified by the dates written in the margins by the previous owner indicating when they read a particular passage.

My new old copy of Lesser Feasts and Fasts opened to reveal the prayers for the prophet Martin Luther King Jr. A week after his birthday celebration they prayers still sound sweet.

There were two books examining The Book of Common Prayer and two books on the Eucharist and Sacraments.

Never knowing when one might need a prayer or collect there are two books full of wisdom. The Book of English Collects encompasses prayers from England, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa and the United States. Then there is The Collects of Thomas Cranmer. Written in the 1500's these are timeless and are the foundation of the prayers of the Anglican Church.

Perhaps the prize find of the lot is also the thinnest paperback among a stack of voluminous hardcover books. Walk with Jesus: Stations of the Cross by Henri Nouwen. With Lent approaching this book will lead me along a powerful journey that is the Stations of the Cross. Henri Nouwen has been a favorite since I was first introduced to his writing and I am looking forward to this journey with him.

This stack of books was purchased for less than a trip for two to Starbucks. It has brought me pleasure to find them and will bring me further pleasure to explore and get lost in them. As I pulled book after book from my messenger bag my wife smiled, she was especially proud to learn how little I paid for the stacks. I also found two CDs by Grover Washington Jr. and Wynton Marsalis. These provided musical inspiration for a quick dance lesson across the kitchen floor for our 13 year old son.

Interesting how our perspective changes. In my past life this would not have measured as a great pleasure. Simple pleasures cost a great deal more then. But tonight as we said a blessing before dinner my wife interjected at the end “and thank you for the wonderful stack of books.”

Peace be with you,

A Coat of Many Colors

There was a photo in this morning’s paper of one my classmates, he was involved in a Martin Luther King celebration. His photo reminded me of the diversity of the incoming class. While some schools are represented by a bastion of white males the overwhelming feature of this class is its diversity.

By any measure we are diverse. Ages range from 22 to 60 something. Ethnic origin does not encompass a full spectrum but it is close. Married, single, newly married, divorced, and same gender partnered are all represented in quantities sufficient to eliminate “token” categories. Faith traditions that range from conservative Biblical literalists to non-Trinitarian and from high liturgy to spiritual are all represented.

This presents a broad array of views and opinions in discussions. It is amazing how the professors balance this along with their own faith. The varying ideas have been eye opening. I am hearing interpretations and perspectives that I never before was able to see. I don’t necessarily agree with all that I hear, but I am listening and processing the views. The diversity of ideas has been an education in itself. It is an important feature of our individual formation. The breadth and diversity of this seminary education makes this experience unique. It is a challenge and a treasure.

Each of us has come together in community to form a fabric of many colors and textures. The strength of this quilt is it diversity.

Peace be with you,

Guns and Roses

During orientation for 1st year seminary students we were given the opportunity to write about a topic and possibly waive a normally required course on research and writing techniques. We were asked to choose between two current news articles and develop a response to the story in 20 minutes. The story that I wrote about concerned bringing guns to church. Well about a week ago another story came to light about a proposed Georgia law that would permit guns in churches. Guns in church is a whole different discussion; what has been sticking with me is one of the comments posted in response to the article. “Armed Geek” wrote:

Luke Chapter 22 NIV
35Then Jesus asked them, 'When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?'
'Nothing,' they answered.

36He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'[b]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment.'

38The disciples said, 'See, Lord, here are two swords.'
'That is enough,' he replied.

The belief that Christians should be unarmed sheep for the slaughter is both unbiblical and morally repugnant.

So here is a Bible quote that justifies carrying guns. Wow – Jesus says we should carry guns.

But I am not too sure about Jesus packing heat. Two of my professors (thanks to Julia and Greg for the wisdom) have mentioned looking at what comes before and after a passage to understand that passage. Also, is the interpretation of the passage consistent with the message of the whole book or Bible? Does “Armed Geek’s” Bible quote hold up to this examination?

In this passage Jesus is about to face persecution and arrest. He knows this is coming. He is also preparing his disciples for the probability that they too will be arrested. Following this passage Luke shows us Jesus’ response to the use of swords later in this chapter. When one of the disciples cuts off the ear of the slave of the high priest Jesus says “No more of this!” and heals the slave with a touch. Then he turns to the priests, police, and elders saying “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit?....But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!” (NRSV 22:51-53). Here Jesus has aligned the use of swords with the power of darkness. Not exactly a ringing endorsement.

What came before this passage? Peace and love! I can’t find a passage about Jesus striking with a sword, carrying a sword, or wanting a sword. Jesus lived as a pacifist. Why would he now want swords? We know that Jesus liked to talk in parables, liked to use metaphors and generally confuse his disciples. Well I would suggest (and so do a lot of good Bible commentaries) that “Armed Geek” is quoting one of Jesus’ metaphors. The disciples took his statement at face value and so did “Armed Geek.” The response to this could be as Jesus said in exasperation "It is enough."

It is enough using Bible passages out of context. It is enough trying to distort the teachings of our Savior to further a cause – a cause that is not supported by the life and actions of Jesus. Jesus showed us love and compassion; that is not congruent with violence and guns. “Armed Geek’s” interpretation of the passage is not congruent with the life and teachings of Jesus, nor is it congruent with the disdain for the sword that follows in the same chapter. It does not stand up to the exercise of actually reading the Bible.

However, “Armed Geek” should be comforted to know that the disciples also got it wrong. Jesus was simply preparing them for persecution and for learning to live with the realities of the sword being used against them. The disciples, and “Armed Geek,” are not to actually use a sword, but they are to stand strong with the strength of the sword, not the violence of the sword, in their hearts. I remember news footage of Vietnam War protests. The protesters placed flowers in the barrels of the rifles carried by the National Guard Troops and the police. That is how I believe Jesus would have faced a gun, he would have calmly placed a long stem rose in the barrel of the gun.

Peace be with you,

Raison d'etre

There must be a reason to start a blog - you believe that you have something to say, or someone else believes that you have something to say. In this case, I suspect that it is some of both. My two biggest fans, my wife and my son, have encouraged me to write about my experience as a seminary student. Perhaps I will have to get them to guest-post as the family of a seminarian.

While this may not be the most interesting topic, it will be important for me to look back and remember lessons learned. It may also prove important for my son to someday understand why our world changed when dad realized he was called to ordained ministry.

Contrary to how I usually approach tasks with every detail explored before starting, this will be a work in progress. For starters, I have not decided if I am going to name the seminary that I am attending. This is not to protect the innocent, rather, I hope that some of my reflections will be universal so that my denomination and seminary need not be the focus. I do realize that after a series of posts the seminary and other details may become apparent, or I may simply decide to name them. Also, because it is now January and I have completed my first semester of seminary there is a bit of a backlog on thoughts and reflections. There will probably be some posts that are out of date sequence. If Hollywood can alter the time line continum then so can I.

So just as the light reflections of stained glass change with the movement of the sun across the sky, so too might this blog change.

Peace be with you.