Interpretation, a shining example

A few of us have recently been having a discussion about interpreting the Old Testament. Interpretation is always a difficult task, whether we are dealing with ancient texts or contemporary cinema we always run the risk of missing the point. This problem is brilliantly illustrated by a slightly different take on the film 'The Shining' (thanks to Si for the link). You can view the trailer here.

Wouldn't you just love to have a foster father like Jack?

The Journey: Destination and Process

The last six years have proved to be fairly complex in terms of my faith and spirituality. I have had many highs and lows, and the sheer pace of life has turned what could have been a pleasant stroll into a rollercoaster ride that is difficult to get off. From being a happy clappy ‘God is cool’ Christian, I became an angry bitter self-righteous cynic and am currently located somewhere in-between the two.

As a result of these experiences, I have found the concept of ‘journey’ to be a useful metaphor for my spiritual life. It has provided me with a framework to cope with my ups and downs. Whether I am taking on new beliefs or rediscovering old ones, I am able to see myself as heading towards a destination.

I have been reflecting this week on the differences between destination and the process of the journey itself. In my case, the destination is God; that is where I am heading. However, the manner in which I am getting there is not so straightforward. When I lost my faith, I focused all my energy into sorting through the mess myself. While I had significant conversations with those around me, the majority of progress took place within my own mind, on my terms.

The journeys in the biblical narrative not only have God as the destination but also as co-traveller. While I may have the former, the latter is alien to me. I do not know what it is like to ‘walk with God’. To journey with God is to lose my autonomy, something I find very difficult to give up. It would mean a walk characterised by obedience, a life beyond my own control. Maybe this is what it is to know God.

Any thoughts or advice?

Individualism and Consumerism

Kiera e-mailed me the other day to point me to this article written by a guy called Mark Sampson. It’s a great piece and highlights individualism and consumerism as the two big problems that face the church in our day. However, while Mark highlights the issues well, he doesn’t give us much advice on how to deal with these two behemoths (not a criticism, just an observation; probably not his intention anyway).

Andy Crouch has written an excellent article on how the sacraments themselves (particularly baptism and the Eucharist) are potent resources for those wanting to follow Christ in the world. Here are his main points:

In Paul’s letter to the Romans, it is clear that baptism was central to the self-understanding of the early Christians. Paul argues that when we present our bodies to God (the same bodies risen from baptism), we are one body, not many (Romans 12). As we begin to ‘live out’ our baptism, we are offered a model of true community living.

While baptism aids us against individualism, the Eucharist offers us a way past consumerism. At the table we consume the simplest of foods, the meal does not nourish us and yet is the ‘bread of life’ and the ‘fruit of the true vine’. Nobody gets preferential treatment, all have the same meal and there is no menu with a hierarchy of products.

Many of us from low-church backgrounds tend not to practice the sacraments much, if at all. Are we missing the point?

The Soap Opera: Opt-out for the socially stunted or Valid moral forum?

I’ve had some interesting conversations over the weekend with Rosie, James and Ben that have got me thinking again about the worth, or lack thereof, of soap operas. I used to hate them. As far as I was concerned, they were for people who preferred to spend their time following fictional creations rather than getting involved with real people and communities. I don’t think that anymore. After spending a year or so living with my wife’s Eastenders addiction, some of her arguments have begun to persuade me otherwise.

The soap opera can be an effective forum where ethical issues that would otherwise go un-discussed invite comments and opinions from all who watch. In a culture like ours, where morals and values tend to be ignored in much public discussion, the soap opera provides an opportunity to contemplate the good and the bad in life. Fair enough, there is a lot of rubbish around (anyone who saw Peggy Mitchell throw Chrissy into the grave of twice dead Dirty Den will agree), but many serious issues are also covered (e.g, Adoption, terminal illness and child abuse to name but a few).

What do you reckon?