Amicus Dei

  Normally, I read an entire book before posting about it.  But, I am reading a fascinating new book, Saving Paradise — subtitled, How Christianity Traded Love of This World for Crucifixion and Empire, by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Ann Parker.  You need to read this book.  Brock and Parker offer some of the freshest, most exciting insights into the transformation of the Christian church over the past 2,000 years.

Paradise, the authors contend, was the focus of the early church.  Paradise was where humanity was created in the image of God.  Paradise was the destiny of the people of God — the land flowing with milk and honey. The psalmists wrote of paradise; and the prophets described the renewed land as paradise restored.  The church was the “portal to paradise” and baptism the rite that ushered new converts back into the paradise that sin had lost.

The book is also filled with first-through-fourth century historical vignettes depicting how the early church spoke of and anticipated paradise here and in eternity.  One of the most fascinating chapters titled, “So Great a Cloud” describes how the early church held sacred dinners at the entrance to the burial places of Christians who had died.  They placed a single lit candle in an empty chair, signifying the presence of the deceased in their midst.  Based on the Hebrews 12 image of “a great cloud of witnesses” the early church believed that the dead were present with and helped those Christians still in this life.  They believed that the resurrection defeated death immediately, not just in the future, and that the veil between this world and the world to come was much thinner than we believe now.  

The tone of the book is positive, hopeful, and points us back to a time when the church took seriously and practically the life-giving power of the resurrection.  Paradise was the narrative that gave coherence to creation, even in all its sin and short-coming.  Paradise, the garden of God, is not only the goal, but the present reality of followers of Christ.  

I read a lot of books, as I am sure many of you do.  Most books are rehashes of old ideas, maybe with some good stories, or clever twists.  But, Saving Paradise presents a unique perspective, a fresh encounter with the early church.  If the second half of this thick volume (over 500 pages) is as good as the first, then I’m in for a treat for the next couple of days.  I’ll let you know.  – Amicus Dei

I’m back.  Not that anyone is around to notice, but after a protracted absence I am again resuming Amicus Dei.  I have tried several times to ignore, kill, or let it die a peaceful death, but I just can’t.  I’ve also tried posting stuff at my other blog, Confessions of a Small-Church Pastor, that previously I would have posted here.  It doesn’t work.  So, I’m back.  

One reason I neglected Amicus Dei was the frustratingly poor transfer from Typepad to WordPress.  I lost all the tags, most of the images, and who knows what else.  I have about 200 posts here, so I’ll fix them by category starting with the church-as-abbey posts.  

Times are uncertain at best now, and friendship with God and others seems more important to me than ever.  So, I’m back.  Thanks for your patience, both of you.   Stay tuned.  Peace. – Amicus Dei

A couple of posts ago, I reviewed John Allen Paulos book, Irreligion. Paulos answered his own question — Are there any logical reasons to believe in God? — with an unequivocal, No. In his book, Paulos comes to that negative conclusion by dismantling to his own satisfaction 12 of the logical arguments for the existence of God.

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Debbie and I started a new blog, Eden’s Path, to chronicle our journey toward a sustainable, simple life. The name Eden’s Path is taken from a old Celtic Christian saying that living in this world is like having “one foot in Eden.” We thought that summed up what we were trying to say. At Eden’s Path we’ll explore ways to live more simply — spend less, enjoy it more, slow down, and live our lives in the rhythm of God’s grace.

This journey started when we turned off our cable TV, and began to use that time to think, read, talk, cook, and generally try to live our life “mindfully” as the Buddhists say. Of course, Jesus said something similar when he said, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear.”

There is also a monastic component here, too. Two words described the life of monks — orare et laborare — to pray and to work. So, that’s what we’re trying to do within the limits of our ability. And if it sounds way too serious and grim, we’re actually having a lot of fun! If you’re interested, stop by Eden’s Path, and leave a comment or some helpful hints. We need all the help we can get! — Amicus Dei

John Allen Paulos sent me a review copy of his book, Irreligion.  Thanks to Dr.  Paulos and Hill & Wang (division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux)  for their kindness and I’ll post a review shortly.   You might be surprised at what I say.  Or then, again, maybe not.  Stay tuned.

Today is the Virginia presidential primary, and Debbie and I voted just a few minutes ago.  Not many voters today, the poll workers said.  Maybe because we’re in a very Republican area, and that contest looks settled.  But, I wonder if the historic impact of voting choices today on the Democratic side has been realized.  If you vote in the Democratic primary today in Virginia, you are making history regardless of your choice.  A black man whose father was an immigrant, and a white woman are the primary candidates for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States of America.  With all that is wrong with us, this is a very bright moment indeed.  Debbie and I participated in history today, casting ballots of hope.  -- Amicus Dei

It all started when we unplugged the TV cable. We’re now in our fourth month without TV, cable or otherwise. I didn’t even watch the Super Bowl, which apparently was actually super this year. Without cable we don’t get Fox (not a total loss, I might add), and no one invited me to a Super Bowl party, so no SB this year. But, I’m getting off point.

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 In the celtic Christian abbey, the monks and nuns practiced a “rule of life.”   The most well-known example of this is The Rule of St. Benedict, written by the father of the Benedictine order.  But other traditions also have a rule of life that shapes community.   A simple  example I like is this one:

1. Protect all life. “I am committed to cultivating compassion and learning ways to protect the lives of people, animals, plants, and minerals.  I am determined not to kill, not to let others kill, and not to condone any act of killing in the world, in my thinking, and in my way of life.”
2. Use material possessions for good.  “I will practice generosity…I am determined not to steal….I will respect the property of others…I will prevent others from profiting from human suffering or the suffering of other species on Earth.”
3. Practice love and responsibility in the area of sexual relationships.  “I am committed to…protect the safety and intergrity of individuals, couples, families, and society…determined to respect my commitments and the commitments of others…do everything in my power to protect children and families from being broken by sexual misconduct.”
4. Speak lovingly and listen deeply. “Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspire self-confidence, joy and hope…I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord…I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small.”
5. Cultivate good health practices. “I will ingest only items that preserve peace, well-being, and joy in my body…I am determined not to use alcohol or any intoxicant or to ingest foods or other items that contain toxins, such as certain programs, magazines, books, films and conversations.  I will work to transform violence, fear, anger, and confusion in myself  and in society by practicing a diet for myself and society…”

Quotes excerpted from Thich Nhat Hanh:  Essential Writings, pages 159-160, by Orbis Books.

These rules govern the life of the community, or sangha, in Mahayana Buddhism.  If you would like to read more about this rule of life, read Thich Nhat Hanh’s books, particularly Being Peace.  The church-as-abbey would also practice a rule of life around which its members shape their lives.   Some neomonastic communities are doing this now, but traditional churches can also find a rule of life suitable for their shared commitments together.   Of course, as in the Celtic abbeys, not everyone who comes into the abbey will commit to that rule or practice it, but a core group of neomonastics could.  — Amicus Dei

As 2007 comes to a close, here are The Top 10 Posts on Amicus Dei for 2007 —

1. Why I Preach From The Lectionary — This post recently was picked up by the Religious Herald and quoted by Baptists Today.  More of us Baptists are realizing the wisdom of following the Christian Year, and preaching from the revised common lectionary. 
2. A Baptist Using Prayer Beads — Another odd thing for a Baptist preacher to do, use prayer beads.  But there they are.  Sadly, the beads in the photo broke this year and some went missing.  My other set  is hanging here at my desk now. 
3. The Church as Abbey — This is the first post I did on the-church-as-abbey concept.  Several more followed with lots of comments and interest over the year. 
4. Prayer for the Wandering Heart — This is one of my favorites because I was living the poem’s story. 
5. Doing Justice:  Don Imus Has To Go — Remember the Imus affair?  Off the airwaves in disgrace.  Less than a year later, he’s back.  With the same guests.  But hopefully not the same tired routine.
6. Where Is God?  — Portion of a sermon I preached after the killings at Virginia Tech.  ChristianityToday.com picked it up on their site.
7. Groundbreaking for The Community Center — Two years of work came together as 40-kids donned "hardhats" and kid-size shovels to break ground for our new community center here in Chatham.  We’ll move in April, 2008.  I’ll keep you posted.
8. Why Are We Putting Children in Prison? — I was stunned by this story of the incarceration of young children and their mothers who came to the US seeking asylum.  Thankfully the ACLU won a lawsuit, and now these same children who are still in prison can have teddy bears and crayons.  What happened to give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free? 
9. Mother Teresa and the dark night of the soul — my take on the controversy surrounding the publication of Mother Teresa’s memoirs, and her confession that Christ seemed far from her.
10. Nothing Personal — a true story of friends of ours and their encounter with anti-Semitism now and as history. 

So there they are — the top 10 from 2007.  I hope this year has been good for you.  See you next year!   — Amicus Dei 

6 For to us a child is born,
       to us a son is given,
       and the government will be on his shoulders.
       And he will be called
       Wonderful Counselor, ^[b] Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace
       there will be no end.
       He will reign on David’s throne
       and over his kingdom,
       establishing and upholding it
       with justice and righteousness
       from that time on and forever.
       The zeal of the LORD Almighty
       will accomplish this.

Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV