Magnets Open All The Same

Evolutionarily, I understand why conformity is such a desirable trait in a species like our own. There’s something to be said for gained collective wisdom of what plants are poisonous, what animals can kill us, what a frown on another person’s face means or what goosebumps tell us about our immediate surroundings.

However, the balance between conforming to that shared wisdom in order to keep our biological selves alive and the type of conformity that stymies or ridicules potentially positive-for-the-group (or at least interesting) individual growth is something we’ll never be able to achieve.

Photo by Martin Parr

We are still a young and suspicious type of animal and our lizard brains are still in control of many of our projections and judgments.

So, what to do?

“Well, I try my best
To be just like I am,
But everybody wants you
To be just like them.
They sing while you slave and I just get bored.
I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more.”

Of course, there’s no one complete switch that can be pulled in order to be a creative person free of the wheels that Lennon sat back to watch. That there is not a switch is frustrating. Much like everything else in this existence, originality and not conforming for conformity’s sake is a continual process that demands constant attention and deliberation.

That process is not easy, which is why it’s much easier to love the bomb and watch America’s Got Talent.

For this week, at least, I’m going to try and be more deliberate and attentive to the points of possible originality as they come up in my teaching, my thoughts, my use of technology or just my facial hair.

Mystical moist night air
points me to the cavern
on the green hill
under the shadow of the birch tree.

Hearing myself speak,
I turn to wrestle the Jabbok
on a river of self penance and blame.

You touch my hip and I quake.

You spit in my eye and I see

You burn my lips with coal and I taste.

You clasp my head and I hear.

Just then when the earth spun, you left me here –
on this dewy wet street sweet spot grass

and I cry at having been maimed by my identity.

Between us there is a pen and a paper.
And a spider web of neural pathways fired by electricity.
And tendons that moves bone that move flesh.
And keys on a keyboard that are depressed.
And a spider web of wires fired by electricity.
And pixels.
And photons emitted by bulbs.
And nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide.
And a lens that contracts because of the photons.
And a retina that filters some of what I have to say.
And an optical nerve that carries the message like Hermes.
And then you, somewhere in that Grand Central Station in your head, read what I have to say.
Between us there is a universe of time.

The “Real Time Web” is as valid a construct as creationism. Both are hopeful ideologies constructed on a misguided theology of poor literalism that misses the beauty of what lies in between.

It’s the in between time that is important.

Often it does seem a pity that Noah and his party did not miss the boat.
-Mark Twain

What has consistently drawn me to the study of the Bible is my never-ending fascination with the parts of this collection of literature, history, oral tradition, repurposings, fables, parables, stories, moralities that lend themselves to seeing the whole as a collective spider web of many disparate and conflicting modules.

As a qualifier, this does not mean that I view the Bible as some hodgepodge mashup of borrowed tales thrown together to accomplish a particular agenda. Rather, the Bible has succeeded in holding the captivation of billions of members of species because of its incongruences and its non-linear modes of telling God’s story.

Whatever remains of modern mass-culture America has an ongoing fascination with the Bible as well. However, this fascination has a different tone and temper than the one I illustrate above. Instead of the beauty of incongruences and all-night wrestling with the text by the banks of the Jabbok, the veneer of beauty is located in the surface sacrificial history reading giving the Old and New Testaments an ultimate purpose of affirming the central Godliness of Jesus the human above and beyond any other textual issues that may arise.

Pointing out these textual issues or asking questions about the apparent (and evident) inconsistencies within the Bible is an anathema to The Faith. You are spitting upon the cross when you dare to ask how many times Jesus went up to Jerusalem or who actually killed Goliath or what the narrator tells us about the characters involved in the Rape of Tamar.

Rather, consistency is godliness and godliness is finding a foreshadow of the Christ in every literal corner of the text. Veneers crack easily, and the veneer of biblical inerrancy is certainly composed of such brittle molecular bonds.

Nonetheless, this veneer of the Bible’s simplicity, literalness and accurate historicity is not a construction of the οἱ πολλοί. Certainly, folks of all religious and denominational stripes have contributed to this hegemonic stranglehold on the Scriptures. However, the real fault in reinforcing the cult of simplicity lies with the modern book and news publishers (both secular and religious) who feed their molochs with the blood of revenue generated from pushing out formulaic factory books exposing “startling new revelations about the historical nature of the Flood/Exodus/Resurrection/Jesus Story/Revelation.”

This will not change in the foreseeable future. The publishing business is facing a crisis of identity and revenue. That publishing business will continue to churn out what pays the bills. For the time being, one of the areas that pays the bills are “Secrets of the Bible” series or “A New Look on the Flood” books or “Left Around” serializations verging on heresy.

So, where do the few of us who care enough about the Bible to not turn a blind eye to this dumbing-down of Scriptures turn? I would suggest following Jesus’ example and telling God’s story as authentically, incongruously, raw and as dangerously as possible.

References:
- Geologist claims scientific explanation for Exodus
- Religion in America: A many splendored thing
- The Bible’s Literary Merits

I’m definitely using this guide the next time I teach undergrads:

Hevel.org: A Chasing after Wind » Blog Archive » How to argue with your biblical studies teacher: “Most of us who teach classes in college or in some churches have encountered that interesting personage: the argumentative student.”

Who knew such wisdom could come out of FU (I’m a Wofford grad)??

Tremendous piece from Geoff Mulgan in Prospect Magazine detailing a possible future for capitalism as a tool, rather than a master, in the US and around the world:

Cover story: ‘After capitalism’ by Geoff Mulgan | Prospect Magazine April 2009 issue 157: “It’s an irony that so many of the measures taken to deal with the immediate impact of the recession, like VAT cuts and fiscal stimulus packages, point in the opposite direction to what’s needed long term. But there are already strong movements to restrain the excesses of mass consumerism: slow food, the voluntary simplicity movement and the many measures to arrest rising obesity, are all symptoms of a swing towards seeing consumerism less as a harmless boon and more as a villain. “

Technology (Twitter, blogging, Facebook, etc) are the tracks (pun intended) for the delivery of a growing social conscience that mass consumerism is to blame for our current economic and societal ills.

The incessant marketing to children, the dumbing down of education into a mush of preparation for a consumer-future and the focus on bigger/stronger/better/faster are finally meeting their match with the growing realization that this is not the best way for humans to live.

At least I hope so.

And I hope the church stands at the center of this growing conscience and points to a better future that is not reliant on the wheels of marketing or the engines of corporate shackles.

Good to read…

Baptists and Muslim Scholars Meet in Jordan on EthicsDaily.com: “(BWA) A number of Christian and religious groups were convened by the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) at the Kempinski Hotel in Amman, Jordan, on the morning of Thursday, March 19, to discuss common interests and to review plans surrounding the official opening and dedication of the Baptism Center in Bethany beyond Jordan.”

Hopefully this will lead to a fruitful dialogue between (moderate to progressive) Baptists and members of the Muslim faith.

I’m a Baptist.

That’s not always an easy descriptor to assign to myself because I am…you might say…”high church.”

What does high church mean to me?

1. High church is an adjective that, to me, helps differentiate my preference and personal theology of worship from “low church.”

2. Neither high church nor low church are preferable to God or general polity of denominations or congregations. One is not better than the other.

3. To consider one’s self high church does not automatically mean one is Catholic or Episcopal (or Anglican) or Lutheran. To consider one’s self low church does not automatically mean that one is B/baptist, Quaker, Pentecostal, Holiness or Primitive Methodist.

4. High church and low church are descriptors about worship preferences.

5. The distinction between high church and low church transcends a church’s carpet color and includes views on sacraments, liturgy, the lectionary and theology (and anthropology).

So, in this chain of thought, I’m a high church Baptist and there’s nothing contradictory there (at least that’s what I tell myself).

What does it mean to be a high church Baptist?

1. I consider the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper and the Word (Scriptures) to be the two fundamental aspects of worship. Worship, as Robert Webber points out in Ancient-Future Worship: Proclaiming and Enacting God’s Narrative, tells God’s story (it’s not something we do, but something in which we participate). I wish we participated in the Eucharist more often in Baptist worship services. Much more.

Oh, and I prefer wine to Welch’s Grape Juice. WWJD? Just saying…

2. I adhere to the mystical nature of the sacraments rather than viewing them as memorial events celebrating the life, death or resurrection of Jesus. Instead, our ordinances or sacraments are real and meaningful symbols that defy our post-Enlightenment cling to rationality.

3. As a high church Baptist, I hold that the place of the minister is to serve the congregation and creation in order to help a) tell God’s story daily and b) bring about the realized Kingdom of God. Preaching is a part of that, as is daily pastoral care and counseling… but being a minister is much more and includes recognizing the need for sacraments in the life of congregants (and the creation) on a daily basis.

4. High church Baptists recognize the need and responsibility for ecumenical discussions and inter-faith dialogue with Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Baha’i, and other forms/strands of faith communities. High church Baptists realize, through the Word and Table, the cosmic scale of our faith and are driven by the need to bring the creation into union with the Creator.

5. As a high church Baptist, I live my life in communion with God by participating in the Lectionary. It is an amazing experience to adhere one’s self to a daily and holy pattern like the Lectionary which helps us overcome the confines of a secular calendar and conception of time. Time itself is transformed and opens us to a move closer to the divine.

There you go. That’s my (always developing and always unfinished) conception of what it means to be high church and a Baptist.

Here’s a post that sums up things nicely in general (less specific and subjective) terms.

I’m sure I’ll post more on this as I reflect on these ideas over the coming months.

Thomas Whitley and I recorded the first episode of our soon-to-be titled show on religion/theology/Baptist life (click for mp3 or right click to download to your desktop… streaming coming soon!):

Thomas and Sam Show 1 mp3

- The Pope and Interfaith Dialogue Blunders
- Eisenbraun’s on Twitter
- Obama and Religion
- BIG IDEA Segment: Darwin vs God
- Wrestling With God

This is the first show ready for Thinking.fm which will be all set to go sometime this evening.

It’s been a ton of work, but I’m really pleased and excited about pulling that all together (more soon).

Here is a great resource of mp3 recordings of notable texts from the early Medieval period, including a recording of the Westminister Manuscript version of Julian of Norwich’s Showings:

Voice Recording of Westminster Manuscript Julian of Norwich, Showing of Love: Julian1.mp3, Julian2.mp3, Julian3.mp3, Julian4.mp3

Beyond Julian, there’s a whole slew of other recordings linked (I haven’t listened to all of these, so no idea on the quality, etc):

Voice Recording of The Soul a City: Julian and Margery

Voice Recording of Julian of Norwich, The Lord and the Servant Newest

Voice Recording of Martin Buber’s Julian of Norwich

Song Recording of Lydia McCauley, Sabbath Day’s Journey: ‘And All Shall Be Well’

Voice Recording of Thomas Gascoigne’s Life of St Birgitta at birgitvita.mp3 Newest

Voice Recording of Quaker John Woolman, Plea for the Poor: Woolman1.mp3, Woolman2.mp3, Woolman3.mp3, Woolman4.mp3

Voice Recording of Augustine, Confessions XI

Recording of Ambrosian Chant, ‘Deus Creator Omnium’, heard by Augustine in Milan

Voice Recording of Augustine, Boethius, Dionysius, Dante: Julian’s Mystical Philosophy at augmyst.mp3

Voice Recordings in italiano of Dante Alighieri, Commedia, recited, Carlo Poli,
Lettura di Carlo Poli, Inferno I, Inferno II, Inferno III, Inferno IV, Inferno V, Inferno VIII, Inferno X, Inferno XIII, Inferno XV, Inferno XVI, Inferno XXXIII, Inferno XXXIV
Purgatorio I, Purgatorio II, Purgatorio III, Purgatorio IV, Purgatorio V, Purgatorio VI, Purgatorio VII, Purgatorio VIII, Purgatorio X, Purgatorio XI, Purgatorio XX, Purgatorio XXI, Purgatorio XXIX, Purgatorio XXX, Purgatorio XXXI, Purgatorio XXXII, Purgatorio XXXIII, Paradiso I, Paradiso II, Paradiso III, Paradiso IV, Paradiso V, Paradiso XXXIII, Padre Nostro, Vergine Madre

Voice Recording of Poems Pennyeach at poems.mp3

Song and Voice Recording of Hedera, who is Rom from Romania, singing ‘Alleluia’

Voice Recording of Romany Vocabulary by Daniel Dumitrescu, Vandana Culea and JBH at Romany.mp3

via INDEX: GODFRIENDS’ WEBSITES ON JULIAN OF NORWICH, HER ‘SHOWING OF LOVE’ AND ITS CONTEXTS

Additionally, you can read Julian of Norwich’s text via Google’s increasingly excellent Book Search feature: Julian of Norwich on Google Books

Always great to find these sorts of free resources out there on materials that are in the public domain. I normally much prefer the quality and presentation of a “paid” version (such as the Classics of Western Spirituality edition which has twice as much material from the editors and relevant scholars as primary text itself), but the Google search is handy if you don’t want/need that much secondary depth or quality.

I presented an overview of Julian of Norwich’s Showings along with a brief overview of 14th Century England to a class at Gardner-Webb yesterday.

My Masters degree from Yale included a heavy focus on the writings of Piers Plowman and associated “Lollard” literature, so it was a natural fit for me to present on Julian given her historical and geographical context.

Needless to say, I had a blast putting this together (with the help of BeeDocs):

Here is the presentation itself:

Julian of Norwich

And here is the basic text of the presentation as well:

Julian of Norwich and 14th Century England

Julian’s work really is fascinating (as is the history of 14th Century Europe). I can’t recommend the study of either/both enough!

BTW, I normally use Scribd for these sorts of embeds and uploads of documents, but they’ve been having problems all morning. Frustrating. So, I’m using DocStoc. Let me know if you have a preference between those two.

Happy LXX Day!

Codex: Biblical Studies Blogspot » Blog Archive » Reasons to Study the Septuagint (in Honour of International Septuagint Day): “February 8 is International Septuagint Day. This is a day established by the International Organization for Septuagint and Cognate Studies (IOSCS) to promote Septuagint studies throughout the world.”

Don’t feel bad if you didn’t send me a card. I didn’t know, either.

This Sunday, I’m preaching at Sharon Baptist Church in Iron Station, NC.

The lectionary text for this Sunday is from 1 Corinthians and is a text I’ve been wrestling with all week. So many possibilities yet such a subjective text that really makes the most sense when you can apply it directly to a community you are familiar with and understand.

I’ll post up my notes after I finish (since I don’t preach from a full manuscript… I know, I know) my preparation.

In the meantime… what would you say to a congregation based on this text from Paul?

9:16 If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!

9:17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.

9:18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.

9:19 For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.

9:20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law.

9:21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law) so that I might win those outside the law.

9:22 To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

9:23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

BTW, I love how Paul is always depicted with a receding hairline in Christian art. I should know this being that I have a Masters in Religion and Art from Yale… but I wonder where that tradition comes from?

Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year B

Should be interesting to watch how the Obama administration handles the delicate ego’s of the many evangelical faith-based organizations that the previous administration relied on for to solidify their base during election years (oh, and for the social work stuff as well):

Obama says faith shouldn’t be used to divide | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times: “Obama is also telling the gathering that the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships that he is announcing Thursday won’t favor any religious group, or favor religious groups over secular groups.

He says it will help organizations that want to ‘work on behalf of our communities,’ without ‘blurring the line’”

It’s good to hear a President speaking ecumenical language and not imparting governmental favor or sanctioning upon one denomination, faith or creed but recognizing the place of government to be a neutral party that allows itself to hear, rather than speak, the prophetic languages of faith communities.

After all, (to channel one of my old prof’s from Wofford College), it has been all downhill after Constantine.

As much as I’m drawn to Dura Europos, the interesting convergence of narrative interpretation, post-colonial criticism and historical authenticities surrounding the study of 7th and 6th century Judah as played out in the Deuteronomistic “History” of Joshua thru II Kings (and Jeremiah and parts of Hosea, Genesis, etc) is too fascinating to avoid.

I really do uphold the position that Hezekiah and Josiah (especially Josiah) are the main characters of the OT (from a narrative point of view) and all the actions, theologies, histories, and imaginings of creation can (I would say should, but that’s my own reading) be read through a Josianic lens.

Questions of historicity, royal theologies, centralization of politics and the worship of YHWH, cultural hegemony… it’s all in the Deuteronomistic History.

Fun, and incredibly important, stuff to ponder for us as we move out of a world dominated by the ideas of nationalism into something very different where cultural theologies will be as, if not more, important than historic realities.

It would appear that following the destruction of Philistine Gath, and the apparent existence of a political “vacuum” in part of the region of the late kingdom of Gath, the kingdom of Judah, perhaps under Hezekiah, takes over parts of the lands of the former kingdom of Gath, including the city of Gath itself.

What is interesting though, is the fact that despite the clear change in ceramics, when we analyzed the animal bones from the 8th cent. BCE level, there still was a lot of pig bones – very untypical of the Judean sites. This may very well indicate that while the political control, and cultural affiliation of the site moved towards Judah, at least some of the original “Philistine” population remained on site and sustained their traditional dietary habits.

link: A Judean “pillar figurine” from Gath « The Tell es-Safi/Gath Excavations Official (and Unofficial) Weblog