I am originally from Port Talbot in South Wales, a town that has lived through very hard times. Once intended as the cutting edge of European industry in the 1950s, Port Talbot became a classic boom town, at its peak employing some twenty thousand at its gargantuan steelworks. By the 1980s, though, that industry collapsed, leaving behind a rustbelt world that would be instantly familiar to any American who knows declining cities like Johnstown PA or Gary Indiana. It is a depressed and depressing place.

Philip ends his post by noting the attention that was brought not just to Port Talbot but the passion story itself in the media.

 

Journalist Allison Pearson wrote powerfully about the original play:

“Well, last weekend, Christ came to stay in Port Talbot, even if the embarrassment of our secular age meant that, in this performance, his name was never spoken aloud. God the Father himself – a roofer in a blue boiler-suit surveying his creation from scaffolding attached to a council house – was known as Dad. If that seems timid or dumbed down, just consider that there were people on that miles-long procession to the Crucifixion on a roundabout [rotary] by the seafront who have never been taught the greatest story. They think the meaning of Easter is a caramel rabbit. ‘Why is the sad man carrying that big log?’ one child asked his mother as Sheen, in his crown of thorns, passed by.”

Pearson participated in the mass procession to the cross, but flagged under the pressure of heat and numbers. She wanted to give up and leave, but her daughters refused strenuously, declaring:  “We can’t leave Jesus now. His cross is so heavy. If he can do it, so can we.”

 

via THE GOSPEL OF US.

 

I assume Vandy is allowing the College Republicans to only select those student leaders who adhere to the basic positions of their party or the LGBTA organization to insist that those in leadership are supportive of an LGBT agenda. Why not the same for Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups?

Last week, Tennessee legislators sent a message to Vanderbilt University: Religious liberty matters. Large majorities in both houses passed a bill to prohibit the school from interfering in the ability of student groups to select their own leaders and members, define their own doctrines and resolve their own disputes—or Vanderbilt risks losing $24 million in state funding.

The legislation follows Vanderbilts decision to stop recognizing campus religious organizations that require their leaders to accept certain religious beliefs on which they are founded. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vanderbilt Catholic, Navigators and other groups—ministering to about 1,500 students—would effectively be moved off campus in the name of “nondiscrimination.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has stated that although he opposes Vanderbilts policy, he plans to veto the bill because it is “inappropriate for government to mandate the policies of a private institution.” Thirty-six members of Congress have urged the university to reconsider, stating that its exemption of fraternities and sororities but not religious groups “suggests hostility on the part of Vanderbilt toward religious student groups.”

Ironically, the very freedom Vanderbilt administrators have to make their unfortunate decision derives from a 19th-century Supreme Court case that led to the proliferation of Christian colleges such as Vanderbilt, founded under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1873.

…

On Feb. 2, 1819, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Dartmouth. Concluding that the Constitutions contract clause protected private corporate charters, the court paved the way for the founding of myriad private colleges during the 19th century—a large majority of which were affiliated with Christian denominations.

Scores of graduates became leaders in the abolitionist movement, champions of minorities and womens right to education, world missionaries as well as business leaders and influential government officials.Yet today, Vanderbilt officials are restricting the liberty of the very sorts of religious folks who not only founded the school but whose followers led many of the nondiscrimination battles of 19th-century higher education.

Does Vanderbilt really want to miss out on future student leaders who will no doubt choose other schools where they can join organizations that support rather than undermine their faith? As an educator and Vanderbilt alumnus, I will no longer be able to recommend the university to Christian families in good conscience.

I pray that Vanderbilt will reverse course and act in the spirit of Webster—setting a precedent for other universities defending religious liberty for the 21st century.

via John Murray: The Religious Battle of Vanderbilt – WSJ.com.

 

“I think there is something rather dangerous about standing on these high places even to pray,” said Father Brown. “Heights were made to be looked at, not to be looked from.”

“Do you mean that one may fall over,” asked Wilfred.

“I mean that one’s soul may fall if one’s body doesn’t,” said the other priest.

“I scarcely understand you,” remarked Bohun indistinctly.

“Look at that blacksmith, for instance,” went on Father Brown calmly; “a good man, but not a Christian—hard, imperious, unforgiving. Well, his Scotch religion was made up by men who prayed on hills and high crags, and learnt to look down on the world more than to look up at heaven. Humility is the mother of giants. One sees great things from the valley; only small things from the peak.”

 

In our own case we accept excuses too easily; in other people’s we do not accept them easily enough. #CSLewis

 

Who shall ascend to the hill of the LORD? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart… (Psalm 24)

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ: Recently the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed Resolution 535 proclaiming 2012 the “Year of the Bible”. In some circles of our community this has been very controversial.  One of the most active protests has been made by American Atheists and Pennsylvania Non-Believers. Among their points of contention is that the Bible is the primary source of validation for all the major social ills of our history. To dramatize this point they hired a billboard dominated by a depiction of a very negroid featured black man wearing a large neck manacle, with the Biblical text “slaves obey your masters” in smaller print. The billboard was in a predominantly African-American community in Harrisburg. This caused another type of protest by citizens of that community and the city (my op-ed, while not printed by the newspaper, is available here).   A representative from the American Atheists was interviewed shortly thereafter on local Public Television, and his anger with Christianity and the Bible was palpable.  While his interpretation of the scripture texts was without regard for or knowledge of context, I was amazed that his literal knowledge of scripture seemed equal to persons who have been nurtured in a fundamentalist tradition. His vitriolic reaction to callers who differed with him, sometimes devolving into personal attacks, caused the host to question his behavior.  As the conversation continued it was revealed that he had indeed grown up in a very fundamentalist, literal Christian tradition and in an unguarded moment intimated something of the hurt to him and his family.   I have no question that the best of our democracy, the inspiration for our rich artistic and cultural life, and also the historic movements to correct social and political injustices (which were often based upon misuse of scripture), have all been directly rooted in the Bible and Jewish and Christian Faiths.  The Founding Fathers, even those who were Deists or non-practicing Christians, clearly found the Holy Scriptures a base of inspiration for their work.  Like Jefferson regarding slavery, they also often found themselves conflicted between their political values and the Judeo-Christian values they sought to exploit in the political and economic compromises made to establish the Constitution. Besides the historic record of the Bible and our particular religious history as the inspiration for our democracy, there are independent sources such as Alexis de Tocqueville, the young French researcher who visited and wrote about the phenomenon of American Democracy. I doubt that there would be the strength of our democracy without the religious heritage which so greatly influenced our ideals, including a call to respect the religious faith (or non-faith) of others.   Having said the above, there is no question that the misuse of religion, particularly Christianity, has deeply hurt and even destroyed many.  As I listened to the angry, bitter representative of American Atheists, my heart hurt for the pain he felt, the betrayal he clearly experienced and his estrangement from the God with whom he continues to invest his life’s energy to deny and debase. But his anger, and that of many, is more rightly directed to us…the Christian Community.  Whether progressive or conservative, fundamentalist, evangelical or mainline—whatever our doctrine or tradition, in our efforts to “Love God with all our heart mind and strength” (cf. Mark 12.30) we too often have not Loved or shown a Godly respect for our neighbor.  I believe the most difficult promise we make in the Baptismal Covenant is “…respecting the dignity of every human being.”  This is especially true within our denominations and congregational communities.  When we differ on theological or political views how do we treat one another in our differing?  When persons are struggling with conflicts of Faith and their personal experience or need, do they sense from us our judgment or grace? Do we know how to speak truth with Love, knowing that Love is the only truth—for it instructs all other truths? Jesus’ chief command for the Christian community is found in John 15: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another…by this shall the world know you are my disciples because you have love one for another.”  Love (or the Greek word “agape”) does not mean agreement with one another or even warm affection for one another. It does mean seeing the other as someone loved by God; and that truth informs and shapes the character of life, even our conflicts, in Christian community.  Without it we destroy one another, the integrity of the Church, and create spiritually wounded souls who, in their pain and anger, may never be reconciled again to the God of Love— until, I pray, they come to the nearer presence of God, who takes away not only the sins of the world but also the sins inflicted by the Church. +Nathan

 

Jim offers the following summary for “Reformed Christians (real adherents of Reformed theology).”

Lent- The hyperpious notion that if one slathers ash and dirt on one’s forehead and gives up a few non-essential pleasures during a period of 40 days one is somehow made right with God, in spite of and even indeed in contradiction oftentimes to the condition of one’s heart and one’s authentic spiritual state.

Ash Wednesday- That day when the Un-Reformed slather ash on their faces and festoon their blogs with constant reminders of their super-seriousness concerning spiritual things.  It is ‘kickoff day’ for the period of Lent, after which, as soon as the Easter Egg Hunt is over, practitioners return to their pre-Lenten state of riotous living and debauchery.

I will say upfront that hypocrisy abounds in all people (their faith or religious tradition is really irrelevant) and, in fact, I agree with the implication of Jim’s comments that Lent often has no lasting impact of the lives of many who attend Ash Wednesday services or practice in the discipline of Lent.This should not, however, preclude us from seeing the value in penitence and spiritual discipline.

This is, of course, the heart of the Ash Wednesday service: confession of our sins and recognition of Christ’s sacrifice for our forgiveness. Hardly a “Catholic myth,” Ash Wednesday is an ancient practice that, as with all liturgy, is designed to aid worshippers and guide them in their walk of faith. The imposition of the ashes reminds us of our own mortality and of the sacrifice of Jesus which is ultimately commemorated on Good Friday. Interestingly (and perhaps unknowingly) Jim cites Matt. 6:16-17 which begins, “When you are fasting, do not put on a gloomy look as the hypocrites do: they go about looking unsightly to let people know they are fasting.” This is the Gospel reading for Ash Wednesday and I agree that walking about the rest of the day with ashes on your head does go against this passage and teaching. That is why I know of many priests and churches who offer towels as one leaves the service in order to wash your face, not letting others know of your fasting and penitence.

If you have never gone to an Ash Wednesday service I encourage you to do so. Last year I took almost 60 students to New Orleans for our Leadership Academy. Coincidentally we arrived on Ash Wednesday so I took the students to the parish I used to attend and where I preached my first sermon: Trinity, New Orleans. Several of the students were Jewish, most were not practicing Christians, and all said it was an incredible experience. Everyone should attend, if not participate, at least once in their lives, even “real” reformed Christians.

I have written about Lent before and you can find my comments from two years ago about the discipline of Lent here. Jim insists he is simply having fun, but I wonder if his (mis)characterization of Lent betrays actual belief. Lent is not about works leading to salvation, you are not ushered into the grace of God because you gave up some sweets, rather it is about growing strong in faith, faith that transforms our lives by the power of the Spirit. In fact, the origins of Lenten practice is preparation for baptism. Perhaps remembering that will help some to understand its meaning. We are not saved through our efforts during these 40 days and 40 nights, but we are seeking to live a more holy life in remembrance and recognition that Jesus did so before and for us.

Spiritual discipline is like any other, it requires effort, dedication, and consistency. These are all things that I often seem to lack. Lent provides us with the excuse to be more diligent in our study of Scripture, prayers, and charity. That is not to say that we should not be doing it at all other times in our lives, but this helps us to develop “muscle memory” so that once the 40 days are over we continue such practices. Many do also give up some things for Lent (and even take some on in order to give them up, something I do not hold to and the reason why I am not writing about Mardi Gras which is not part of the Christian calendar) and this to is intended, like a fast at other times, to draw us nearer to God in devotion and cleanse and prepare us for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, to receive Christ more fully into our lives.

Some may not view me as a “real Reformed Christian” but I certainly would categorize myself as such. After all, in spite of what some may say, the Anglican tradition is Reformed. (It is not perfect, to say the very least, but what tradition or church is?) What I can tell you is that this reformed¹ Christian has grown more deeply in his faith as a result of Ash Wednesday and observing Lent. I wish the same for you all.

 

1. I wonder if the “R” is imperative, does it indicate some secret handshake I am (blissfully) unaware of?

Jen McCreight posted on her blog about someone who gave thanks for having passed an exam, and expressed gratitude for prayers offered on their behalf. Jen made several comments, among which this seemed to me the most interesting:

“Seriously, if God really is the reason that some students were doing well, they should be expelled. A supreme deity isn’t enrolled in school, you are. If they’re altering your grades, that’s cheating.”

via Is Praying for Academic Success Cheating? « Exploring Our Matrix.