Nothing New Under The Sun...

I continue to be amazed at the insight and wisdom of the author of Ecclisiastes when he observed that there is nothing new under the sun. This time, the surprise was not a pleasant one.

One of the thrusts of the postmodern world is a growing awareness and desire for community, as well as questioning of the individualistic capitalism that drives the globalization of the world’s economies. Surprisingly, this is not new. Defenders of slavery in the antebellum South did, according to Mark Noll’s book “The Civil War as a Theological Crisis,” in fact, “raise serious questions from Scripture about the moral order of an individualistic and profit-mad economy which they saw as the North’s aggressive alternative to a slave order. In Eugene Genovese’s words, the threat was of ‘a materialistic, marketplace society that promoted competitive individualism and worshiped Mammon’… In that postbellum climate, Southern Christian defenses of patriarchal communalism were fatally compromised by their association with slavery…” (pp 52-53).

Interesting twist on my desires for communalism and less materialism. A tainted desire? I don’t think so. But as Noll points out, war fatigue cut short the theological debates about economic systems which should have been natural at the time of the Civil War. “The result was theological weakness in the face of pressing economic circumstances: while there was a heightened capacity to produce wealth, there was also a heightened capacity to produce alienation and vast economic inequality. These issues were eventually addressed practically by pietists like the Salvation Army and theoretically by leaders of the Social Gospel, yet theological incoherence in the face of modern economic realities has remained a major problem for Christian thinking ever since the Civil War” (pp 53-54).

That sounds like a resounding call to the emerging theologians to continue tackling a growing interest of mine, the theology of economics. May thoughtful Christians everywhere rise up to this challenge.

What are you against?

What are you against? It is a rather unusual question. The more common query is “What (or who) are you for?” Whether it be a sports team (Go Bucks!), a flavor of Mountain Dew in their Dewmocracy contest, a religion, or a politician, most people ask the question in the positive form.

Yet, I have become more sensitive to the numerous ways in which people express their feelings, and questions, in the negative form. People are less and less ‘for’ something, and more and more ‘against’ something.

In fact, I was at a church service recently, and was thoroughly surprised (as were many) at the blatantly political message from the pulpit.

I should mention at the start, however, that this congregation is unlike many in the broader Christian world. Generally, this congregation, and its fellowship in general, tends to be very Republican and conservative, but is also careful to keep politics and in most cases even patriotism “separate and apart” from the message of the Good News. I have never seen a flag of any kind on the grounds of any of the churches of this fellowship, much less in the building (Praise God!). Also, this congregation attempts to train and involve as many Christian men as are willing. So, at least one time a month, the elders allow and encourage men of the congregation to sign up to give the sermon. On this night, a young man that I respect greatly was giving the lesson.

He started his sermon most excellently about talking about priorities. Whose priorities are we seeking, our priorities or God’s? He gave several good biblical illustrations of people who sought their own priorities, much to their detriment. He then shifted gears a bit to remind us that this process of seeking God’s priorities extends to politics and the election process. He started by stating, “I’m not going to tell you who to vote for. It’s none of my business.” So far, so good. “But as a Christian, I can tell you who you should not vote for… Nobody who calls themselves a Christian can vote for Obama.” What!? His main reason was Obama’s support for abortion rights. While it is terribly predictable that abortion would be the most important issue for him (and the church in general), I was struck at how he was so blatantly against something, and not for something.

I am for life. In fact, I’m so pro-life that I have serious reservations (not blanket prohibitions) about the death penalty and use of violence to accomplish military and nationalistic goals. I am morally sickened at the rampant use of abortion.

But I am for other things too. In fact, my whole life perspective, my whole theology, is succinctly summarized by Micah 6:8 – “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” I am for justice and mercy and walking humbly with God. I am about loving people.

In this election, as it always is now a days, I have to wisely seek God’s priorities, because no one individual appears to be “for” the same things my limited understanding leads me to believe are God’s priorities. If I vote for “X”, he will likely align with my views on this one issue. And if I vote for “Y”, he will likely align with my views on these two issues. How do I value these in the process of deciding to vote?

If churches, and really all faith communities, want to address moral issues in the political realm, they should really be addressing how to be wise in making evaluations about what really matters. Which is a higher priority for God? Stopping abortion, or addressing the economic oppression and moral decay that leads to abortion? How should we view personal responsibility in terms of the Christian perspective? What does it mean to oppress the poor, and how does that happen today? These are the types of questions that I wish faith communities would wrestle with.

I wish people would be more worried about what they are for, than what they are against.

From the mouth of the great sage... Dolly Parton

I confess. If I remember right, my first record (a 45 at that!) was a Dolly Parton-Kenny Rogers single. I know that is wrong on so many levels (what are records? I'm only 32!... Dolly and Kenny? Really?) But, I have had a strange, mostly repressed affinity for them ever since.

I continue my confession. I have been watching American Idol. Thanks to a DVR at my friend's house and some group pressure, I have been joining several from our midweek devotional time in watching American Idol after the study.

There, I've said it. I feel a little better already. At least that lays the ground work for what follows. Last night, American Idol did a "Dolly Parton" theme, where all the song selections had to be one of her 3,000+ compositions. One guy (thankfully, I don't know most of their names yet!) who I really don't like sang a song that really struck me. It was just an authentic confession of persistence. And when I had a meeting and got a "bad prognistication" vibe about my current situation at work, I thought more about that song, as a sort of anthem in my head... I just got to keep "travelin' thru."

"Travelin' Thru" by Dolly Parton

Well I can't tell you where I'm going, I'm not sure of where I've been
But I know I must keep travelin' till my road comes to an end
I'm out here on my journey, trying to make the most of it
I'm a puzzle, I must figure out where all my pieces fit
Like a poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find what feels like home
Where that is no one can tell me, am I doomed to ever roam
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' on

Questions I have many, answers but a few
But we're here to learn, the spirit burns, to know the greater truth
We've all been crucified and they nailed Jesus to the tree
And when I'm born again, you're gonna see a change in me

God made me for a reason and nothing is in vain
Redemption comes in many shapes with many kinds of pain
Oh sweet Jesus if you're listening, keep me ever close to you
As I'm stumblin', tumblin', wonderin', as I'm travelin' thru

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru
I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin' thru

Oh sometimes the road is rugged, and it's hard to travel on
But holdin' to each other, we don't have to walk alone
When everything is broken, we can mend it if we try
We can make a world of difference, if we want to we can fly

I'm just travelin', travelin', travelin', I'm just travelin'
Drifting like a floating boat and roaming like the wind
Oh give me some direction lord, let me lean on you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', thru

Like the poor wayfaring stranger that they speak about in song
I'm just a weary pilgrim trying to find my own way home
Oh sweet Jesus if you're out there, keep me ever close to you
As I'm travelin', travelin', travelin', as I'm travelin' thru

A well verbalized explanation of my view on abortion

Frequently, I come across something that makes me say, "Ah ha, that's it!" It is either a picture or verbalization of the complex and elusive thoughts I'm having. I came across one such explantion from psychology professor Richard Beck from Abilene Christian University discussing abortion. I could definitely add something to it, regarding the need for positive and meaningful reasons for abstinence, but for the most part, he verbalizes my unease very well.

That obvious, eh?

I finally remembered that I have been wanting to renew my passport for a year now, and I had some time available today. I knew that you could do it at post offices, and there was a sign in the Massillon one that said that the Winesburg office does them too. I figured the Winesburg office would be quicker and easier, plus it is a beautiful (and equidistant to Massillon) drive. Since the entire county population where Winesburg is (Holmes County) is about the same as the City of Massillon, I knew it would be less busy.

I drove into town, but somehow missed the post office. So I pulled into a bank and started to go in. An older woman was coming out.

"Pardon me, are you from around here?" I asked.

"Yes I am."

"May I ask where the post office is?"

She sized me up, and then said, "You aren't getting a passport, are you?"

My surprise must have been plastered all over my face as I responded, "Uh, um, yes, I am."

"I thought so. WKSU and all. I'm heading there right now. Follow me."

It took me a moment to remember that I had my WKSU jacket on. Did I stick out that much? Does she associate public radio listeners as world travelers? Did my corduroy pants and button-up shirt underneath a green WKSU jacket betray a comopolitan air? Was it that obvious?

The Seattle Bizarro World Anti-Church

I assume that most people will remember the Seinfeld episode where Seinfeld and his friends meet their “oddly normal” counterparts, which they refer to as “Bizarro World.” Well, I have met the Bizarro World counterpart to our home church.

While here in Seattle, visiting my cousin, who is a humanist and atheist, we met up with some of her friends from the Seattle Atheists organization for a party for the 4th of July. We got there late, and I walked into the room, and was greeted by a few friendly faces. I looked around, and there was a middle-aged guy teaching a young teenager how to play a song on the guitar. We went outside, and there were several others out back, sitting around in a circle, talking about “normal” stuff. They had had a grill potluck, complete with beef burgers and veggie burgers… but all the beef burgers were gone. I sat down and listened as one of them said suddenly, “I finally found an issue that I can join the conservatives on.” “Why would you want that?” replied someone. “I miss being conservative. I want to be conservative, but I just can’t be now.” So, before he could explain his issue that he could be “conservative” about, the group made him explain why he wanted to be conservative. Then he went on to share his thoughts, which resulted in good-natured ribbing, honest discussion, and total civility. A little later, a guy pulled up a chair and started talking to my cousin and me. He talked about how one of the members of the group wanted to produce an Atheist Show for public access TV… and how he didn’t have time to work on it… and thought only astrologers and weirdo Christians had public access TV.

Apparently, this is pretty typical for this group. They meet regularly, have meals together (either potlucks or at restaurants), sit in a circle and talk about things, celebrate birthdays and weddings and holidays, share songs on the guitar, and generally seem to function like extended family. The parallels were more than a little unnerving.

So, this Bizarro World anti-church reinforced a couple of things to me. First, Atheists are normal people with normal lives who are seeking very similar things in life. They don’t have Bible burnings (though I think some of them wouldn’t mind it), they don’t have a monolithic political agenda, and they value marriage (at least, some do; they recently had a wedding in their group, and some are married) and relationships. Second, Atheists are seeking the same thing our group is seeking – relational intimacy (ie, family). In this respect, I begin to really value to “model” of relationality that a Triune God involved in the perichoresis provides to those of us seeking intimate relationships.

Some Definitions

I have realized lately that when talking about my recent thoughts and understandings, there is not a common understanding of the meaning (definition or use) of certain words or phrases. Since all communication is subjective and symbolic, common association and meaning in the word (symbol) is inherent to effective communication. I've realized that several of my friends engaged in this discussion of "opting out of the American Dream" use terms differently, and thus conflict and misunderstanding develop.

Thus, I thought I would define some words in terms of how I use them. This exercise is mostly for my own sake, so that I can establish common grounds with people I'm having discussion with.

1. The American Dream.

Wikipedia defines it like this:

The American Dream is a subjective term usually implying a successful and satisfying life. Perceptions of the American dream are usually framed in terms of American capitalism, its associated purported meritocracy, and the freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Bill of Rights. The term is not easily defined, and has subjective meaning to many who claim it. The term is used by many modern Americans to signify success in life as a result of hard work (as in, "living [or pursuing] the American Dream").

To put it in my own words, the American Dream is a socioeconomic construct that informs us that freedom (defined as Americans define it... freedom of speech, press, religion, etc) and capitalism combine to allow hard working individuals to attain a better life (as defined by your socioeconomic status) for yourself and your children. Implicit in that construct is a value system that esteems individuality, material wealth, status, and security obtained by individual hard work.

Wikipedia mentions some criticism this way:

However, there are also those who think that the American dream is not even a good ideal to try to live up to:

• Consumerism and economic materialism: Its emphasis on material possessions as a way of finding happiness is seen by critics as being somewhat superficial or meaningless.
• Social justice: The American Dream has been criticized as promoting an ethic of selfishness and promoting social inequality.

I think that that sums up the critique I have of the American Dream.

2. Community.

I will try to use it as it is commonly understood in most circles; a community is a collection of people bound together in some fashion, whether it be geographic (like a neighborhood), a belief system, or a profession. For example, I'm part of the broader "medical community." Or, a "community church" is a church claiming to be more connected to a locality than to a denomination.

3. Intentional Community.

When I use this term, I'm referring to a group of people who have chosen to be in relationship to one another, with certain benefits and responsibilities. For example, a biologic family is not intentional community (at least not initially) because you can't choose your family. Or, just living in a neighborhood is not intentional community, because you can't choose your neighbors, nor are do you make commitments to one another.

4. Communal Community.

I recognize the inherent redundancy, but in using this term I'm building on the common usages of the terms "commune" and "communal"; in other words, a communal community is a group of people who actual share a living space or common spaces. Roommates are a form of communal community.

5. Intimate Community.

To me, this term represents a group of people who are very emotionally and socially intimate. This could refer to a family, or to any of the above other types of community.

6. Holistic Community.

I had trouble finding a phrase to describe an emotionally intimate, purposefully committed group of people who share a common living space. Holistic is the best term I could come up with, as it refers to a community that is intimate, intentional, and communal.

Perhaps defining these things will help me in my own deliberation/meditations. For example, I'm really wanting an intimate community that is also intentional. I am definitely willing to have that in a communal setting. But that is not the only way. Several of us could move into the same neighborhood with the intention of being committed to each other and being Christ in the community. We could spend a lot of time together, but still have separate houses. It may not be holistic community, but it would be intimate and intentional.

May God grant me the wisdom to understand his will for me, and grant me intimacy with him and others, and give me the strength to do it intentionally. Amen.

Lessons of the Desert – Part 2: Living Close to the Land

This is me on January 1, 2007, outside my parent's house. Yes, their deciduous tree had not yet lost all its leaves; yes, the bushes are in bloom; and yes, it was actually warm enough to wear shorts.

The strangeness of this scene leads to another lesson that was driven home to me while in Arizona. It is the ability of people to collectively ignore the obvious rhythms and balance of the land.

Now, I'm one of the few people, perhaps, who really doesn't mind lots of rain and clouds. Don't get me wrong, it bears on my psyche like everyone else. But I have a rationale appreciation for it, especially coming from Arizona.

A few years ago this appreciation was crystallized as I spent time around Puget Sound. Several days there were, of course, cloudy. But as I gazed upon the ocean, the waves cresting, the rhythmic movement and the swirls of variegated color, I saw similar patterns in the clouds above. I felt comfort in the clouds as I saw them as an extension of the ocean. It was as though the ocean was giving itself to the land, in the form of clouds. As though the very essence of the ocean was above instead of beside the land. There is a great connection between the ocean and its defining life-giving water and its gift, clouds. To this day, I can look up at the rolling clouds and feel some of the same things I do when gazing upon the mighty ocean.

How does this have anything to do with the arid experience I had in Arizona? Many people who are from Arizona, and almost all who move there, are totally disconnected from the rhythm, cycles, and lessons of the Sonoran Desert. Settlements in deserts have historically been limited in size due to the limits of the environment. There is typically little wood for construction, the land is not as productive as other places, even with water, and there is a natural amount of water that is replenished, but this is rather limited. Phoenix gets an average of 7 inches of rain per year. Yuma gets only about 2 inches. But this matters little, now that we can import wood easily, dig deeper wells, and dam even more rivers. We have air conditioning and fertilizers and rapid importation of food. With trimmed yards, lots of concrete, air conditioned buildings and cars, sprinkler systems, and cookie-cutter neighborhoods, there is a complete disconnect from that delicate balance of the desert. There is no consideration of the drain and lack of water or the imbalance that rapid growth causes.

When I was in the Pacific Northwest, I felt keenly aware of that balance. Life needs water, and the ocean was willing to give it bountifully in the Pacific Northwest. Many look at that as a problem. Yet, historically, the Native Americans living in the Pacific Northwest were among the wealthiest, because of the abundance of nature. Other groups, such as the Hopi of the desert Southwest, have always been limited in number, scratching out a living on the dry, arid mesas of the high desert. But they have been able to survive the harsh environment because they live in harmony with it. There is balance.

Phoenix is a great place to live. There are no blizzards, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, etc. The year-long sunshine and warmth is attractive, especially for those with mood disorders and arthritis. But the ability of humanity to cut itself from contact and enmeshment with nature has allowed people to ignorantly offset the balance. I am drawn now to learning more about God's patterns in nature; what He gives through it, and what we are to learn from it. We are created as a part of, and from, the creation itself. I want to start living in more intimate relationship with the incredibly vibrant creation I find myself in. I want to live closer to the land.

Lessons of the Desert - Part 1: The Frenetic Folly of Flourishing Phoenix

I had the joyous opportunity of New Year's to visit my home town of Phoenix. I always enjoy seeing family and friends. And it amazes me how much has changed.

As many people know, the Valley of the Sun (a misnomer, as the metro area long ago "spilled over" several of the original boundary hills and mountains) is a sprawling metro area with almost 4 million people. Statistics I just heard a few weeks ago claimed that Arizona regained its title from Nevada as the fastest growing state. It now has about 6 million residents, and is just 300,000 people away from surpassing the political powerhouse of Massachusetts. The city of Phoenix itself is home to over 1.3 million people (making it the 6th largest U.S. city), is 475 square miles (the 10th largest by land size), and is the largest state capital in the nation (by population) [see Wikipedia entry].

All this growth is exciting. As many people know, a brand new NFL Stadium (the University of Phoenix Stadium) was home to the BCS Championship, and will host the 2008 Super Bowl.

This is a picture I took while driving around the area. The stadium is amazing... it has a retractable roof, but the field itself is on wheels, and rolls out to grow the grass in the sun, then slides into the stadium for play. Totally crazy! But as you can see, it was built in the middle of farm fields in Glendale. Growth is now frenetic around the new stadium. But this growth is draining the city center of Phoenix. At one time, downtown Phoenix was a ghost town after 6 pm. There was nothing but offices there. Then, in the 1990s, a revitalization was started. It made great progress as the new basketball arena and baseball field were built, and entertainment venues and restaurants followed. At that time, the Suns and Mercury basketball teams, the Diamondback baseball team, and the Coyotes hockey teams all played downtown. Condos and townhouses, and the business that cater to them, began infilling the area.

But this was not to last. The Coyotes play in a brand new arena just 1/2 mile north of the new Cardinal's stadium. And, as you can imagine, much of the energy of growth has now been diverted from the city center.


This is a look toward the stadium (the silver dome between the two palms) from the new Cabella's Showroom. This development is called Westgate, and is still being built. It includes movie theaters, condos/apartments, restaurants, and shops.

The whole area around the stadiums is being built up by the day. From the same parking lot as the above picture was taken from, you can see hundreds, if not thousands, of apartments being built.

All this frenetic growth is exciting. There is an incredible feeling being apart of something new. You can literally see the principle of "If you build it, they will come" in action. There is a strong siren call from the cranes and construction trucks.

But when I step back and look at what is happening, it seems to be so foolish. Most other metro areas have learned that if you continue to grow only at the periphery, the core dies, and the whole metro area suffers. Most are working to bring growth to the core areas of a city. This does several things. It brings jobs to areas devoid of opportunity, thus creating wealth not otherwise available. It makes mass transit more economical and effective. It creates more intense communities as people begin living in higher density than they would otherwise. I need not go on.

Phoenix's benefits and problems are myriad. Some of the biggest problems people face (severe pollution, traffic jams, lack of effective public transportation, lack of a cultural center, and lack of community) are made even worse by the sprawling growth of battling suburbs (Consider that Glendale, a western suburb, has over 230,000 people, while Mesa, an eastern suburb, has over 440,000 people! And that is just two of the 2o or so suburbs!)

The frenetic growth of Phoenix is exciting, and alluring. But I can't help to think of the folly of such outlying, unplanned, uncontrolled growth. I hope they learn soon.