With thanks…

Wow! The two weeks are now over and I’m sitting at home in San Marcos. The last two weeks have been fantastic and now it will take weeks to mentally “unpack” from the classes. Dr. Packer’s class was fantastic – I can’t say it enough – he embodies a kind of generous puritanism. Sitting in his class, I began to realize how privileged I am to have studied with him. Dr. Hall’s class was a very different class from Packer’s but incredibly introspective. I have pages of notes simply filled with questions that I need to explore for my own spiritual life.

In addition to the classes, I met some incredible people for whom I thank God. Folks from New Zeeland, Australia, Taiwan, Scotland, England, Germany, Canada (of course), and America (Florida, Washington, Wyoming, MICHIGAN, etc.)! Besides the diversity of locations, they were from diverse denominational backgrounds as well – Anglican (a lot of Anglicans), Church of Scotland, Pentecostal, Reformed, Baptist, etc. For the rich diversity of God’s people I give thanks!

For the beauty of God’s good earth I give thanks. Vancouver is a beautiful place. During my two week stay, it sprinkled once, otherwise, it was clear blue skies (except for the day that we hiked Bowen Island – then it was cloudy which was good). Yesterday, while I was sitting in the airport getting ready to fly home, it started to pour and is supposed to rain all week – a good time to leave Vancouver! From walking every morning through Pacific Northwest forests, to experiencing the Vancouver city-life, to enjoying the sunken flower gardens of Queen Elizabeth Park, to seeing bald eagles soar through Stanley Park, to hiking to the summit of Bowen Island – for all these things I give thanks to God.

For all your prayers and words of encouragement I give thanks. I was blessed to hear from many of you during these past couple of weeks. And finally, for being home with Rachael I give thanks!

unexpected vespers

“The king is entralled by your beauty; honor him for he is your lord” (Psalm 45:11)

Today I attended a conference at Regent called “The Beauty of Truth and the Truth of Beauty.”  Luci Shaw, a wonderful Christian poet, and Sven Soderlund, professor emeritus of New Testament at Regent, were the two speakers.  They both talked about how beauty enriches our understanding of the Christian faith.  Luci Shaw explained that by paying attention to the often mundane things in our lives we begin to see God’s thumbprint upon his creation which leads to wonder and awe.  She then talked about how writing and reading poetry helps us notice God’s thumbprint.  Sven Soderland discussed how the biblical writers used beauty and poetry in their writings to convey theological truth (1/3 of the Old Testament is in a “poetic” form!).  He discussed the Psalms, Philippians 2:5-11, Colossians 1:15-20, and the Book of Revelations as highly structured beautiful literature that is used for the service of God.  We then concluded the conference by reflecting how we can incorporate beauty into our Christian lives and in particular into our worship services.

Ironically (or providentially) then, when I got back to the house that I’m staying at, I met Mark, the nephew of the people that I’m staying with.  As we got to talking, I found out that he is part of an Eastern Orthodox Church and that he was just about to leave to go to their Saturday evening Vespers service.  So he and I went to the service together – what a rich and beauty-filled service.

Just a quick run-down on what the service looked like.  There were a number of icons throughout the building which the worshippers kneeled before, crossed themselves, and then kissed.  The congregation (about 10 of us!) stood during the entire service (about 45 minutes) while the priest and the choir sang responsively (again the entire time).  The priest would walk through the sanctuary chanting and swinging the censor (a chain and ball with smokey incence in it) at the icons, at the cross, and at the congregation.  I participated when I felt it was appropriate and refrained at other times (like when they prayed to Theotokos (Mother of God)). 

Anyway, it was an interesting and  unexpected way to end a day of discussing beauty, truth, and worship. 

on confession

I thought I would share a quote from John Chrysostom that we discussed in our Desert Spirituality class today. I thought it to be a very helpful reminder about confession (particularly since we evangelicals don’t like to do too often).

Why are you ashamed, why do you blush, tell me, to admit your sins? You are not speaking to a human being, are you, who might reproach you? You are not confessing to your fellow servant, are you, who might expose you? No, rather to the Master, who protects and cherishes you, to the physician you are showing your wound. He is not unaware, is He, even if you do not confess, since He understands everything even before it is done? So why do you not confess? The sin does not become more burdensome because of your self-accusation, does it? Rather it becomes easier and ligher. For this reason He wishes you to confess, not in order to punish you, but in order to forgive you: not in order that He may learn your sin (how could that be, since He knows already?), but in order that you may learn how great a debt He forgives you. If you do not confess the greatness of the debt, you do not discover the excess of grace. ‘I do not force you,’ He says, ‘to come into the middle of the theater and place many witnesses around you; tell your sin to Me alone in private, so that I may treat your wound and relieve your pain.’” (Chrystostom, John. On Wealth and Poverty. trans. Catharine P. Roth. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1984. p.89)

I love the image of Christ the physician healing our wounds – he is our Doctor, our Physician.

stories from the country of beulah

The other night I attended an evening lecture given by Dr. Maxine Hancock. She is an incredibly bright and articulate speaker and teacher. Her topic was something like: “Grace in Transitions: Spirituality in Life and Literature.” Although there were many topics covered in her lecture, I want to focus on one – that is telling and listening to stories – that is stories of faith.

She lamented that in so many of our churches we have fragmented and separated the generations so that one generation does not hear the faith-stories of the other generations. She particularly lamented the fact that younger generations don’t often hear the faith-stories of the elderly (and for that matter, many elderly don’t often tell their faith-stories).

She referenced the old Puritan practice of gathering around a aging or dying family member to hear their last words for the Puritans believed that the closer one got to heaven, he or she might have words of increasng wisdom. Hancock then discussed Pilgrim’s Progress in which Christian and Hopeful (Christian being the main character of the journey and Hopeful his companion) enter into the “country of Beulah” – the borders of heaven. While they traveled through the “Borders of heaven” they conversed and talked with wise people there so that they were strengthened to carry on and to finish their journey well.

So it is with us argued Hancock. We need to converse with those who have walked the path of faith before us. That means those who are yet living but older than ourselves and those who are already in glory by reading their biographies and their writings.

I know that I have a list of folks who are in the country of Beulah (or are apparently closer to it than I) from whom I want to hear faith-stories. I hope to do so. Perhaps you, too, can think of residents of Beulah that could enrich our lives. Let’s hear their stories (and if you think yourself to be a resident of Beulah, please do share!).

humiliation and intimidation

I haven’t able to break away long enough to really put some concrete thoughts together for a complete post, but a quick story from today.

Today I met with Dr. Packer to discuss my paper to get some clarification and direction. We met for only about 10 minutes but it was very helpful. I am going to be writing about how the Puritans read the Bible devotionally and meditatively. Dr. Packer was able to give not only the Puritan books that I should read but also what page numbers I could find the material on (from the top of his head!). He was extremely kind and gracious in our conversation.

Not so smooth on my part, however. Here I am speaking with the definitive mind on all of Puritanism and I ask him if it would be worthwhile exploring Jeremy Taylor’s Puritan method of reading the Bible. He smirked, cocked his head, and said, “I think Jeremy Taylor would turn over in his grave if he knew that you call him a Puritan. He was a High Church Anglican largely opposed to the Puritans.” A bit embarassing no doubt. (Later, however, I found comfort from a new friend Joanne, a professor at Biola, who knows that there is at least one reference where Taylor is called a Puritan loosely.)

Finally, as I was about ready to leave, he told me that he looks forward to reading the final product and I joked back with him, saying that I hope he has that same sentiment after reading it. He chimed back, “I expect the best, and I mean the BEST.” A bit intimidating coming from arguably THEE leading evangelical writer/theologian. A high standard to live up to. So, please pray for me.

to chew on

Here are a number of questions that came up during desert spirituality class this morning. These are things that I need to spend a lot of time processing. I invite you to reflect upon them as well.

Who taught me to pray? How do I go about praying? How do I pray? What are the habit patterns that surround our prayer life? When do I pray? What goes on when I pray? Is there a rhyme and reason? What is my prayer history – is it easy or hard? Has it been successful? What does successful prayer look like? What have been some struggles in prayer? Have there been times when I stopped praying b/c of doubt or something else? When did these times come? Track my prayer history. Have you sensed a time when my passions interrupted prayer? What about the overarching question of praying continually – unceasing prayer (1 Thess. 5)? How do we go about praying unceasingly?

And a few questions about what it means to be “holy”?

What does a holy life actually look like in the 21st century? What characterizes the holy life? What would God have us be? How does holiness take flesh in normal everyday life? What does our/my church teach that holiness looks like?

Happy pondering.

In retrospect

Well the first week is passed and I am currently sitting outside in a gazebo taking a break from research – it doesn’t take much for me to get distracted. I’m trying to research how the Puritans read and applied the Bible – what was their Bible reading habits and how can you and I learn from them? We’ll see where that goes – I’m having a hard time getting my hands on some actual Puritan writings.

Anyway, a quick look back on this week. My hosts have been very gracious – haven’t seen them much, however. I’m walking to school everyday (about 3.5 miles one way) and am feeling great – it feels good to exercise regularly.

I’ve been busy in classes which I’m thoroughly enjoying. Dr. Hall’s Desert Spirituality class is deeply reflective and is causing me to reflect on my life and my “disciplines” of my life. Dr. Packer’s class is wonderful as well. He is a gifted teacher, a funny man, and clearly he has a heart for the Lord and for his students. On Thursday I, along with about 12 other students, had afternoon tea with him and were able to get to know him better. He is graciously opening up his schedule to visit with each student individually to discuss our research papers so I will meet him on Tuesday.

I’ve met some very intriguing people this week. Lex from New Zeeland (I actually met him while going through Customs), a couple from Denmark, a Mormon from Brigham Young University (he is actually the Mormon that Richard Mouw references in his book, Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport.), Bill the former director of WorldVision in Jerusalem, Rajin from Singapore, Carrie from Australia, John from Southern Baptist Seminary, Chris a Reformed Anglican, and many, many others.

Over all, God has been good in providing and caring for me. Although, I certainly miss Rachael and would love it if she were here with me. Maybe some day…

Next week will also be busy with classes, evening lectures, and other school events. Next weekend I’ll be attending a conference entitled, “The Truth of Beauty and the Beauty of Truth” with poet Luci Shaw and biblical professor Sven Soderlund.

Blessings to you all,

Mark

A word from the desert

I thought I would share just a few “words” from the desert fathers living mostly in Egypt. The desert fathers and mothers were wise and experienced Christians who were ascetics – Christians “exercising” their faith. People would travel to them and would often say, “Abba, speak a word so that I might be saved.” They didn’t think the Abba’s words were some how divinely inspired but were a wise word of life to be followed. We’ve been chewing these in class and so I post some of them for your chewing. Try to read them slowly and ask what is in the word or saying that is instructful for our life in Christ.

And he was silent for a little, and poured water into a cup. And he said, ‘look at the water.’ And it was cloudy. And after a little he said again, “now look, see how clear the water has become.” And when they leant over the water, they saw their faces as in a glass. And then he said to them: “So it is with the man who lives among men. He does not see his own sins because of the turmoil. But when he is at rest, especially in the desert, then he sees his sins (Part II, 16, p. 43).

Seamen beginning a voyage set the sails and look for a favourable wind – and later they meet a contrary wind. Just because the wind has turned, they do not throw the cargo overboard or abandon ship: they wait a little and battle against the storm until they can again set a direct course. And when we run into headwinds, let us put the cross for our sail, and we shall voyage through the world in safety (VII.18.87)

Amma Syncletice: “It is dangerous for a man to try teaching before he is trained in the good life. A man whose house is about to fall down may invite travelers inside to refresh them, but instead they are hurt in the collapse of the house. It is the same with teachers who have not carefully trained themselves in the good life: they ruin their hearers as well as themselves. Their mouth invites to salvation, their way of life leads to ruin.

Three brothers once came to an old man in Scete. One of them asked him: ‘Abba, I have memorized the Old and New Testaments.’ And the ld man answered: ‘You have filled the air with words.’ And the second said, ‘I have written the Old and New Testaments with my own hand.’ But the old man said: ‘And you have filled the window-ledge with manuscripts.’ And the third said: ‘The grass is growing up my chimney.’ And the old man answered: ‘And you have driven away hospitality.’

Abba Joseph asked Abba Poeman: ‘How should we fast?’ And Abba Poeman said: ‘I would have everyone eat a little less than he wants, every day.’ Abba Joseph said to him: ‘When you were a young man, did you not fast for two days on end?’ And the old man said to him: ‘Believe me, I used to fast three days on end, even for a week. But the great elders have tested all these things, and they found that it is good to eat something every day, but on some days a little less. And they have shown us that this is the king’s highway, for it is easy and light.

I would love to hear some thoughts or feedback about these words from the Abbas and Ammas.

a walk in the woods

This morning I walked to school – about a 45-50 minute walk through Pacific Spirit Park, a 600 acre forest. It was absolutely beautiful. I’ve attached a few photos from the walk as well as some photos from UBC’s (University of British Columbia) campus which Regent College is a part.

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“The market day of the soul”

So far in Packer’s Puritan class, we have been outlining a basic structure (historical and theological) from which to understand the Puritans. Much of this has been review (except for the historical aspect). However, I want to ponder briefly (I think we will spend an entire day on this in the future) about what the Puritans taught regarding the Sabbath. In comparison to the Continental Reformers (Luther, Calvin, et al) the Puritans were much more strict (for better or for worse) regarding Sabbath observance (that is, Sabbath rest). Towards the end of yesterday’s lecture, Packer mentioned two quotes from the Puritans about the Sabbath. I think they are worth chewing on, particularly because we have become so careless in our Sabbath preparation and observance.

The first from John Geree (1646). “The Lord’s day he esteemed a divine ordinance, and rest on it necessary so far as it induced to holiness. He was very conscientious in the observance of that day as the market day of the soul.”

And the second from the classic Puritan commentator, Matthew Henry: “The Sabbath was ordained to be a day of holy rest in order that it might be a day of holy work.”

The Sabbath was not a day to do whatever, nor a day to not do nothing but eat roast beef and mashed potatoes and then, while watching the football game, doze into a food-induced coma. Rather, it seems for the Puritan that the Sabbath was a resourceful day. The “market day of the soul,” the day when we accumulate the supplies that our spiritual lives need to live on. Or as Henry put it, we take a holy rest so that we may attend to our holy work. The Sabbath is not a passive receptivity, but an active time of work.

The Sabbath is the time (and a space I think) where we intentionally hear God speak through the preaching of his word, encourage our brothers and sisters in the faith, be instructed and instruct one’s family, study God’s word, spend time in self-examination and confession, and so forth. I wonder what this could look like in 2007? What could this look like on a practical level?

I know that I need to frequent the marketplace of the soul more often!