tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-221054572024-03-07T01:11:04.611-08:00Diary of an Arts PastorA diary of an arts pastor who never wanted to be a pastor and never thought he could be an artist.w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.comBlogger501125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-16162802478754871472024-01-16T16:17:00.000-08:002024-01-16T16:17:50.600-08:00My Blog Has Moved!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEkNt8ivCwxqGeIev9nV5xwsdhWvgvsH6K1p0FrVpkjEAunGTqWgAKQRS_QafrK4J8FNbbhj2_wQtkIge3nl4efcYQHcIboXZpq5qNwK06QHZWdGVv2zljZ_fHYKXtAshiE95hTXzuGRR3Lqn3ZXYjX0c4ailUHWyJ-5NMseY0hob5ouN-RttOg/s800/moved%203.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEkNt8ivCwxqGeIev9nV5xwsdhWvgvsH6K1p0FrVpkjEAunGTqWgAKQRS_QafrK4J8FNbbhj2_wQtkIge3nl4efcYQHcIboXZpq5qNwK06QHZWdGVv2zljZ_fHYKXtAshiE95hTXzuGRR3Lqn3ZXYjX0c4ailUHWyJ-5NMseY0hob5ouN-RttOg/w640-h480/moved%203.gif" width="640" /></a></div><br />This note is long overdue. It's almost four years overdue, in fact. But I decided to switch over to a SquareSpace <a href="https://www.wdavidotaylor.com">website</a>, and with it, all of my blog work. (Do people still blog? Who knows. I do so only occasionally these days.) Here is that website: <b><a href="https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/">https://www.wdavidotaylor.com/</a>. </b><p></p><p>You're more than welcome to find me there. </p><p>Or here on X, formerly known as Twitter (and hopefully one day again known as Twitter): <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(83, 100, 113); font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: nowrap;">@wdavidotaylor.</span></p><p>Or <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidtaylor_theologian/" target="_blank">here</a> on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/davidtaylor_theologian/">@davidtaylor_theologian</a>.</p><p>Or here on Facebook: wdavidotaylor.</p><p>Thanks for following me on this blog (if you're still doing so) and thanks for your support and encouragement over the years.</p><p>David</p>w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-24558983130383835622020-08-26T09:26:00.003-07:002022-06-15T06:48:19.889-07:00Back to School Prayers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2vdgxKfHGh21xeXCTU7wVHK5xIrKam-BEse7IoOb1mmzjpsEnUYk_hXtymi7vB6bnow_U87neo8X7mxTtXhBobrqAUKGH-36euJ5CWLOkq0wPxW9gOrbX3XbcuhEUjosUaeAIA/s1880/back+to+school.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1880" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg2vdgxKfHGh21xeXCTU7wVHK5xIrKam-BEse7IoOb1mmzjpsEnUYk_hXtymi7vB6bnow_U87neo8X7mxTtXhBobrqAUKGH-36euJ5CWLOkq0wPxW9gOrbX3XbcuhEUjosUaeAIA/s640/back+to+school.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>A few weeks ago my bishop asked if I'd craft a <a href="https://www.c4so.org/special-prayers-for-back-to-school/" target="_blank">collection</a> of <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/august-web-only/11-back-to-school-prayers-for-parents-students-and-teachers.html" target="_blank">Back to School Prayers</a> in my new role as Scholar in Residence for Arts, Media, and Culture for the diocese. I was grateful for the opportunity and ended up writing six prayers: prayers for kids schooling at home and going off to school, a prayer for high school and college students, and prayers for parents, teachers, and school administrators. </p><p>Christianity Today offered to <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/august-web-only/11-back-to-school-prayers-for-parents-students-and-teachers.html" target="_blank">re-publish</a> these prayers and requested a few new ones. I added a "Prayer for a New Day," a "Prayer for Nightly Care," a "Prayer for a Time of Pestilence," and a "Prayer for Teachers" that they might pray for themselves. My favorite perhaps is the "<b>Prayer for Frustrated School-Related Relationships</b>," of which there are plenty today and there will be plenty more, I imagine, in the weeks to come. The prayer goes like this:</p><p><span style="font-family: "Chronicle SSm A", "Chronicle SSm B", serif; font-size: 16px;">"O Lord, you who told us that we would have trouble in this world, we confess to you our worries over things that we cannot control, our distress over things that seem wrongheaded, and our frustration with those who oppose us on things that we hold dearly. Grant us the ability to bear with one another in love, and may the peace of Christ guard our hearts, so that together we might trust your leading and walk in the way of unity that only the Spirit of God can make possible. Amen."</span></p><p>You can find all the prayers <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/august-web-only/11-back-to-school-prayers-for-parents-students-and-teachers.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p>Yesterday I wrote a <b>Prayer for the Bewitching Hour</b>, which in our house is usually 5:00 PM, when our children magically turn into feral creatures and refuse to think logically or practically about anything whatsoever. I figured a few of us might need such a prayer in our hour of need. Here it is:</p><p>"Dear God, I’m going crazy, please help me. Keep me from doing something stupid. Be with me. Speak your word of peace to my heart. Lord, save me. #$@&%*! HELP! AMEN! THANK YOU!"</p><p>A last thing to share here. The good people at <a href="http://trinitythomasville.com" target="_blank">Trinity Anglican</a> in Thomasville, Georgia, (and <a href="https://www.unitedadoration.com" target="_blank">Catherine Miller</a> in particular) took my Back to School prayers and gave them a graphic makeover. I've included below a few examples of them. As with all these prayers, please feel free to share them with anybody that might find them helpful in these strange and stressful times. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK4mGeH2flGBKSX8xW52wN3kp0eFD3OjqZuOILx0uS8cK3BEYC4BO9KtdSJlvAv0bLqIHE0Sc8FgaENsOjuHMZFi2BepnKb4GYrNeAV7fWBCxLP6EwdugEynvthO6wsxDkp5Q9A/s960/Prayer+for+Children+Going+to+School.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixK4mGeH2flGBKSX8xW52wN3kp0eFD3OjqZuOILx0uS8cK3BEYC4BO9KtdSJlvAv0bLqIHE0Sc8FgaENsOjuHMZFi2BepnKb4GYrNeAV7fWBCxLP6EwdugEynvthO6wsxDkp5Q9A/s640/Prayer+for+Children+Going+to+School.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies_qeQ0R5OynIQ8Fd5uspUL5g4bA5hh3B6ilHGtBQCAJanZz8y4o41AbGGdPhA831oWYeP9wWP-KuHHFiAUpPK-324I08l1EE-0IguHrXZ2nhSiT_h9tqZ-fOhuL3p8ydroQptg/s960/Prayer+for+Children+Schooling+at+Home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEies_qeQ0R5OynIQ8Fd5uspUL5g4bA5hh3B6ilHGtBQCAJanZz8y4o41AbGGdPhA831oWYeP9wWP-KuHHFiAUpPK-324I08l1EE-0IguHrXZ2nhSiT_h9tqZ-fOhuL3p8ydroQptg/s640/Prayer+for+Children+Schooling+at+Home.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzNkSHc9GKckQcLKpuxASaY6OityQRObu-JrUyk1uFWwpLZu8vfMzoV0MaoOUZ0MMtbJhQ6-GKvlqUSy_hmQ9h8xZEVte2VI1OQZTVJIz3QI4EHswV9AP9eFNc-fgEVjUtPRXMg/s960/Prayer+for+Parents.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzNkSHc9GKckQcLKpuxASaY6OityQRObu-JrUyk1uFWwpLZu8vfMzoV0MaoOUZ0MMtbJhQ6-GKvlqUSy_hmQ9h8xZEVte2VI1OQZTVJIz3QI4EHswV9AP9eFNc-fgEVjUtPRXMg/s640/Prayer+for+Parents.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4vPeYS3jy86qD_K7IYK5qfDBaXyf2_TbtgfbYBfn4gTZ89JP7dX808IUF9dO5o-ytd5nTa33SH8fyKUkY1pG1Ei0o4m7QbS6Om8ucoTEOhMA3zakg8dw8rcGcWT0sN7hnB4P7Q/s960/Prayer+for+School+Administrators.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4vPeYS3jy86qD_K7IYK5qfDBaXyf2_TbtgfbYBfn4gTZ89JP7dX808IUF9dO5o-ytd5nTa33SH8fyKUkY1pG1Ei0o4m7QbS6Om8ucoTEOhMA3zakg8dw8rcGcWT0sN7hnB4P7Q/s640/Prayer+for+School+Administrators.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-6306752760719006452020-08-05T06:17:00.002-07:002020-09-24T15:16:57.728-07:00Praying with the Psalms: A Set of Illustrated Prayer Cards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QcfwqyLuwARsuNha0TVqEh_cQy0x0xjGhHDjK9OFLkoy31MMo3gqlkPWwn09saGWkuxougbc68i2VXMILsaqqMLDmjo2USczo1hWn_ghozSoKcD1YgXyZTz14_ky1qc9lotCHw/s2048/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-1-honesty.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_QcfwqyLuwARsuNha0TVqEh_cQy0x0xjGhHDjK9OFLkoy31MMo3gqlkPWwn09saGWkuxougbc68i2VXMILsaqqMLDmjo2USczo1hWn_ghozSoKcD1YgXyZTz14_ky1qc9lotCHw/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-1-honesty.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Stanley Hauerwas, the theologian and ethicist who taught at Duke Divinity School for many years, once wrote that <b>we do not see the world rightly just by opening our eyes</b>. We see the world rightly, rather, he argued, by training them to see the world rightly, which is another way of saying what C. S. Lewis observed, that it is impossible to fully see the mystery, beauty, wonder, or terror of the world except by the help of others. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>This is one of the things we had in mind when <a href="https://www.phaedrataylor.com">Phaedra</a> and I created <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887" target="_blank">a set of prayer cards</a> that would serve as a supplement to the book that I wrote on the psalms, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Unafraid-Psalms-Guide-Life/dp/140021047X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19BNK7ZT80P4J&dchild=1&keywords=open+and+unafraid&qid=1596630196&s=books&sprefix=open+and+una%2Caps%2C166&sr=1-1">Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life</a></i>. Our hope is that these cards (15 in total) would provide help to individuals, families, small groups, and communities who wish to learn how to pray in the light of the psalms. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJBgQNPFraKsH4kNmh4qNJaMHEwaBaxtYGOMXxOZI2kct2If1SA3DfKxL1apqkdzOdeWxqp1kCwhSIVBwKdCNN8vLxLI68KGgiVPVfQzW2IELWx9q4DSaKHGD-xVlrIiVVmLJIw/s2016/Psalms+Prayer+Cards+%2528as+a+whole%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJBgQNPFraKsH4kNmh4qNJaMHEwaBaxtYGOMXxOZI2kct2If1SA3DfKxL1apqkdzOdeWxqp1kCwhSIVBwKdCNN8vLxLI68KGgiVPVfQzW2IELWx9q4DSaKHGD-xVlrIiVVmLJIw/s640/Psalms+Prayer+Cards+%2528as+a+whole%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><b>The themes that I explore in the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Unafraid-Psalms-Guide-Life/dp/140021047X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N8HH9YSBO232&dchild=1&keywords=open+and+unafraid&qid=1596632823&s=books&sprefix=open+and+unafraid%2Caps%2C207&sr=1-1">book</a> include such things as honesty and community, sadness </b><b>and</b><b> anger, poetry </b><b>and</b><b> joy, justice </b><b>and</b><b> enemies, life </b><b>and</b><b> death, nations </b><b>and</b><b> creation.</b> Each 4X6 card (designed by <a href="http://shaunfox.com">Shaun Fox</a>) includes an original watercolor painting artwork on one side, corresponding to a specific theme in the book, and text on the other: a short passage from the psalms, three questions for reflection, and a prayer that I've written.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few ways that we think people might be able to use these <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">cards</a>: </div><div><br /></div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Individuals</b> can use them as prompts to pray throughout their day. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Families</b> can use them as conversation-starters around meal times. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Children</b> can use them to help them talk about their thoughts & feelings about God. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Small groups</b> can use them as aids to the study of the psalms. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Church/ministry staff</b> can use them as community-building exercises. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Children’s ministry leaders</b> could incorporate them into a Sunday school series. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Therapists </b>might use them as helps in counseling sessions. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Preachers</b> could include them as sermon illustrations. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Spiritual directors</b> could use them as self-examination exercises. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Retreat leaders</b> could use them as tools for personal reflection and journaling work. </div><div>•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><b>Art and Faith </b>leaders might use them as examples of the integration of art & prayer. </div><div><br /></div><div>However they may be used, our sincerest hope is that many people will be helped in their journey with God and be encouraged in their prayer life. </div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>One of the gifts of the psalms is that they do not ask us to figure out our prayer life alone. </b>They offer us the company of friends to pray with us, and when we pray the psalms, we can be confident that we will hear the voice of saints and sinners in them. We can also be confident, in the words of <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+66%3A20&version=MSG">Psalm 66:2</a>, that God will come on the double when he hears our prayers, however wholehearted or half-hearted they may be.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Victorian pastor and writer George MacDonald remarked in a 1908 essay on the role of the imagination, that <b>our job as Christians was “to have constantly before our eyes in the room we most frequent, some work of the best attainable art. This will teach us to refuse evil and choose the good.”</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Phaedra and resonate with this observation, and our hope is that these <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">prayer cards</a>, drawn from the language and imagery of the psalms, might offer each of us something true and beautiful to look upon in order that the eyes of our mind might be clarified and the eyes of our heart might be aroused for the sake of a deeper love of God and a more faithful engagement with a world that God so loves. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>This is another way perhaps of saying that we hope <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">these illustrated prayers</a> might invite us to “pray with the eyes” and thus to see the world as God sees it</b>—to see our life and work, our friends and neighbors, our churches and cities, our country and all of creation, in the light of the redemptive love of Jesus—and to be changed accordingly.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZruEEpa7fnjzIRs-oW81sVZtqr5vtVNmS31wED2t3EIi_Dy9ISZP-cGsBBkQQwd6LUFvKwtCMSzUbyCQlMttEIaXdvRZu0_hdOBTHPCaRWvwRF1HZ-kfdnZji-mUNRCT-vm6c4w/s2048/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-15-love.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1583" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZruEEpa7fnjzIRs-oW81sVZtqr5vtVNmS31wED2t3EIi_Dy9ISZP-cGsBBkQQwd6LUFvKwtCMSzUbyCQlMttEIaXdvRZu0_hdOBTHPCaRWvwRF1HZ-kfdnZji-mUNRCT-vm6c4w/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-15-love.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+66%3A20&version=MSG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="495" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoyJeW3uL7vVL5Ex1q5c0rSbmEQoj3var5Tv9FO6QrL53-ReO5o0dKxjWYya8LOJ3c2gjLyPP_mqgxziqEmQ4j-y-uHMO9Y806pp8gfrl7f0FmpnlizJ5v7HX8EcqRLoB8e8PXg/s640/Psalms+Prayer+Cards.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-90394469366660633272020-06-01T10:56:00.003-07:002020-06-01T13:04:56.718-07:00The Psalms of Anger<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhGqQny-TN9JmrndkInZ__S2OsVcBn6ppFpRrqAj6vMFO3tQrnp9OzEXNPJ0P48r0-VWklRN144eI_0uTkLbv-Td4dmvZFrrgNrpwgl0Fe-qfZHdAFKLo1eT4jXZZHiT-tSVYpQ/s1600/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-7-anger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhGqQny-TN9JmrndkInZ__S2OsVcBn6ppFpRrqAj6vMFO3tQrnp9OzEXNPJ0P48r0-VWklRN144eI_0uTkLbv-Td4dmvZFrrgNrpwgl0Fe-qfZHdAFKLo1eT4jXZZHiT-tSVYpQ/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-7-anger.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">The Psalms of Anger: Prayer Card</a> (illustration by Phaedra Taylor)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b>(</b>The following is an excerpt from my chapter on the curse or imprecatory psalms in my book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Unafraid-Psalms-Guide-Life/dp/140021047X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27UCUVCCSYIWZ&dchild=1&keywords=open+and+unafraid&qid=1591033798&sprefix=open+and+unafra%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-1"><i>Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life</i>.</a> I thought it might be helpful to post a portion of the chapter here in light of the current events in our society and the confusion that often surrounds the emotion of anger in Christian circles, especially within the context of prayer and worship.<br />
<br />
As I write in the book, the psalms make justice a primary concern in a way that many Christians today do not. And where you find injustice in the psalms, you also find anger, which, again, plenty of Christians have rejected as an absolute negative emotion. Yet in the same way that there is no faithful prayer apart from justice, there is likewise no cry against injustice that does not include an element of anger. <br />
<br />
So what does it mean for Christians to allow themselves to be taught in the "Anger School" of the psalms in such a way that our prayers are made more, rather than less, faithful by our "righteous anger"? What does it sound like to sing an angry worship song? And how might singing and praying such psalms help us to name our angers, as a form of protest worship, while robbing us of the impetus to act out on our revenge fantasies agains our perceived enemies?)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>THE PSALMS OF ANGER</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>"And so I continued to bear the crippling weight of anger, bitterness, and resentment toward those who caused my suffering—the sea/ring fire that penetrated my body; the ensuing burn baths; the dry and itchy skin; the inability to sweat, which turned my flesh into an oven in Vietnam’s sweltering heat."</i><b> —Kim Phuc Phan Thi </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>"I am grateful, too, to Lewis for having the courage to yell, to doubt, to kick at God with angry violence. This is a part of healthy grief not often encouraged."</i> <b>—Madeleine L’Engle </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>THE ANGERS OF THE WORLD</b></div>
<div>
I have struggled with anger my whole life. In college I would walk around the campus with anger simmering just below the surface. Any number of things might provoke me to an outburst—a careless comment, a missed bus, a lost opportunity, an unwanted interruption, an unexpected failure. Usually those closest to me, family or dear friends, experienced firsthand my eruptions of anger. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After our daughter Blythe arrived, I found myself driving around the streets of Durham, North Carolina, with an infant in the back seat. Like a protagonist in a revenge-themed movie, I perceived all cars as a threat to my only child’s life and, therefore, to my well-being. I would sit at traffic lights, a surplus of anger churning inside me, and imagine a scene where I would beat an attacker into unconsciousness with a baseball bat—a bat that I didn’t actually own. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few years before this, when I was a young pastor in Austin, Texas, I blew up at a fellow pastor. I had nursed resentment against him for things I believed he had failed to do that I felt he ought to have done. During a staff meeting he said something that touched a sore spot in me. One moment I was listening; the next moment I was yelling. I yelled at the top of my lungs. I shook my fists at him and bludgeoned him with a litany of slights. It was ugly, and it was embarrassing. I’m still embarrassed about it. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But I know that I am not the only one who struggles with anger. Plenty of things make people angry around the world: the state of the economy, the outcome of a sporting event, recurring sickness, the betrayal of a friend, the experience of domestic violence, the abuse of power by those in authority, or the killing of innocent people. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 2018, Rebecca Traister released her book <i>Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women’s Anger</i>. In it she argues that anger at repeated experiences of injustice has fueled movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo. The Catholic faithful have been angry for a long time at the failure of bishops to address the problem of clergy abuse, of both children and nuns. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the 2018 movie <i>The First Purge,</i> a lead character declares: “If we want to save our country, we must release all our anger in one night.” In the context of the movie, this involves allowing citizens to use violence in whatever way they wish for one night of the year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the <i>Time</i> magazine article “The Las Vegas Shooting and Our Age of Anger,” editor-at- large Jeffrey Kluger writes this: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
"Americans have made something of a fetish of our rage of late—a fact that’s even been leaking into our language. The base is never just “animated,” it’s always “enraged.” Health care debates are never “spirited,” they’re always “furious.” In the run-up to the 2016 election, a CNN/ORC poll found that 69% of Americans reported being either very or somewhat angry at the state of the nation." </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What Bernie Sanders actually said was this: “I am angry and millions of Americans are angry.” </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
People get angry at themselves too. They say things like: <i>I’m so stupid; I’m fat; I’m ugly; I always fail. Some people nag. </i>Others erupt in sudden fury. Still others simmer in passive-aggressive behavior. Unrighteous anger destroys, while righteous anger fuels the work of justice and peace. God gets angry. Jesus gets angry. Saint Paul says plenty of things about anger, not all of them self-evident. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What exactly then are we to do with our experiences of anger—or the experiences of those nearby? Suppress it? Deny it? Indulge it? How do we keep from “losing our head” when we feel used by people? How do we forgive someone who is unwilling to own up to their harmful actions? And what do we do with emotions that threaten to turn revenge fantasies into reality? It is questions such as these that this chapter seeks to answer.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>THE PSALMS OF ANGER</b></div>
<div>
One way forward is to take advantage of the psalms of anger, sometimes called the imprecatory psalms or the curse psalms, which include Psalms 5, 6, 11, 12, 35, 37, 52, 54, 69, 79, 83, 109, 137, and 143, among others. It begs the question, of course, that Christians have been asking since the early church era: Can we <i>really</i> pray the curse psalms? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aren’t these prayers diametrically opposed to the “Spirit of the Gospel,” as Isaac Watts once asserted? Didn’t Jesus forbid us to curse our enemies? Did he not command us to pray for those who persecute us? Isn’t anger one of the seven deadly sins? And is C. S. Lewis right, in the end, that “one way of dealing with these terrible or (dare we say?) contemptible Psalms is simply to leave them alone”? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would like to think that Lewis is wrong on this account. We do not leave them alone. We trust instead that God has given us the angry psalms to help us feel angry without being undone by our anger. We trust that God has given us these psalms to rescue us from the desire to do violence to others. And we trust that God has given us these psalms to heal and unite us, and to show us the possibility of a faithful anger. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Within the context of the Psalter, a curse psalm is a psalm where the psalmist prays angry prayers against his enemies and those he perceives to be God’s enemies. The psalmist curses his enemy because he is hurt. The hurt is so acute, the wound so deep, that it provokes the psalmist to anger.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And, as my counselor would often remind me in our sessions together, while the movement from “sad” to “mad” in our experiences of profound pain is a natural one, the movement from “mad” to “bad,” where we commit sin against our neighbor, is always a choice. And it is from this decision to do violence, either to another or to ourselves, that the curse psalms rescue us. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Along these lines, because sadness always lies at the core of our experiences of anger, the basic shape of curse psalms follows the basic shape of psalms of lament, because they, too, are a lament. Psalm 12 is typical of such psalms. It begins with a complaint by the faithful, transitions to a petition to God, and ends with a response by the faithful.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxjZyUkFDH17tc7fh8s-cZQEDR6DAIbBuV0gDvKuwZ9gs5Bu-seFwr6Z_tKmjJWzvTAFF0QTL16xkSYV3KxLCFiFlV_AcjMhl7EOwhKOegd3ooDrGL9FN04dPowObuGywGLgkkg/s1600/Alex+Brandon%253AAssociated+Press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxjZyUkFDH17tc7fh8s-cZQEDR6DAIbBuV0gDvKuwZ9gs5Bu-seFwr6Z_tKmjJWzvTAFF0QTL16xkSYV3KxLCFiFlV_AcjMhl7EOwhKOegd3ooDrGL9FN04dPowObuGywGLgkkg/s640/Alex+Brandon%253AAssociated+Press.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex Brandon/Associated Press (Washington DC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3g-vceCWdlRXktZ8n4hAKiZalpSbbPMm81jNopjO5zdoRWVqNG0P89Dq4Nl3yv_rtQZ_qMAtQm5ei3x5FJ18nqUqdi2DwF_nGhusfinqQfGkGLP5heZ5pj7iVfk1w7AdBZhI0g/s1600/Ben+Gray%253AAtlanta+Journal-Constitution%252C+via+Associated+Press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1315" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV3g-vceCWdlRXktZ8n4hAKiZalpSbbPMm81jNopjO5zdoRWVqNG0P89Dq4Nl3yv_rtQZ_qMAtQm5ei3x5FJ18nqUqdi2DwF_nGhusfinqQfGkGLP5heZ5pj7iVfk1w7AdBZhI0g/s640/Ben+Gray%253AAtlanta+Journal-Constitution%252C+via+Associated+Press.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Gray/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, via Associated Press (Atlanta)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPdJdtd6BhN3giHLMAl0H_c2nKissmnEeaMDI8QJM6MWhbeGkP_LLpwBgZeTXBcUtLMlO4j8ISlH-nkYX-KceBk7dvAlntpzYlCRnVNSjg8MxB2aYsHPeFbgCfxCdaxIANnLaxw/s1600/Bryan+Denton+for+The+New+York+Times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilPdJdtd6BhN3giHLMAl0H_c2nKissmnEeaMDI8QJM6MWhbeGkP_LLpwBgZeTXBcUtLMlO4j8ISlH-nkYX-KceBk7dvAlntpzYlCRnVNSjg8MxB2aYsHPeFbgCfxCdaxIANnLaxw/s640/Bryan+Denton+for+The+New+York+Times.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan Denton for The New York Times (Los Angeles)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo38b0J5DzLTN3U7QxccKPg_B6rPPyzvp7Y0sc4a2eiIAuvJI4UC_zdlDRb_kTxn4LfSZQXmb6BBf3hfErKXq9pMDtZnFwgkCZ3PDv5SAijAQwwswz54LPZWrAiPtP2BH7gmiMA/s1600/Jeff+Chiu%253AAssociated+Press+%2528San+Francisco%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzo38b0J5DzLTN3U7QxccKPg_B6rPPyzvp7Y0sc4a2eiIAuvJI4UC_zdlDRb_kTxn4LfSZQXmb6BBf3hfErKXq9pMDtZnFwgkCZ3PDv5SAijAQwwswz54LPZWrAiPtP2BH7gmiMA/s640/Jeff+Chiu%253AAssociated+Press+%2528San+Francisco%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Chiu/Associated Press (San Francisco)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORsKokui2LjGZIkCK5EzQdWSegvUx50JgoYjdJFc6JKbBFb1RpjS4MQaEiRtPfz9v4Ihl4mCyzGPj6ggQdVC3vaZT91d8ghShiBWWW_z28UOe6l3ayU6jWT6Gtb7q3R3f4Y3ZFg/s1600/Jim+Bourg%253AReuters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORsKokui2LjGZIkCK5EzQdWSegvUx50JgoYjdJFc6JKbBFb1RpjS4MQaEiRtPfz9v4Ihl4mCyzGPj6ggQdVC3vaZT91d8ghShiBWWW_z28UOe6l3ayU6jWT6Gtb7q3R3f4Y3ZFg/s640/Jim+Bourg%253AReuters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jim Bourg/Reuters (Washington DC)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEa-zBlONexRCoZsaNiiYzGdMw_Ero9RI9xoJ-PgjGd2QW0mwym-_mDu0S3ZltuhMEnV7ROEHLHzdICStrnlx2p7YZXWWL9YpShDiH0fr6tDnH_Bczy5CRIK6r4ODE5NGA-ZMpA/s1600/Ricardo+Arduengo%253AAgence+France-Presse+%25E2%2580%2594+Getty+Images+%2528Miami%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFEa-zBlONexRCoZsaNiiYzGdMw_Ero9RI9xoJ-PgjGd2QW0mwym-_mDu0S3ZltuhMEnV7ROEHLHzdICStrnlx2p7YZXWWL9YpShDiH0fr6tDnH_Bczy5CRIK6r4ODE5NGA-ZMpA/s640/Ricardo+Arduengo%253AAgence+France-Presse+%25E2%2580%2594+Getty+Images+%2528Miami%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricardo Arduengo/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images (Miami)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRLyi-LVCppHkb5Gp72fbcAS8ICOMwXf_635pXsQ9NXt3VaS2GUZIapTjFZ51vom3fiExThRgRrrZw882fUHAnT8OPhBDI8myOC-kav0Heh_vlYk2iVGpQotfLAT0-5t98Ctepw/s1600/Victor+J.+Blue+for+The+New+York+Times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRLyi-LVCppHkb5Gp72fbcAS8ICOMwXf_635pXsQ9NXt3VaS2GUZIapTjFZ51vom3fiExThRgRrrZw882fUHAnT8OPhBDI8myOC-kav0Heh_vlYk2iVGpQotfLAT0-5t98Ctepw/s640/Victor+J.+Blue+for+The+New+York+Times.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victor J. Blue for The New York Times (Minneapolis)<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilNw0AwVq6qnOVFH9xpiJtRXPoWgi7srk7PxORhFr2Wnh48RNHZHKywKxYz_eIFOg5OTSIv8sx9uU05VqOWwk7v8gaBix1ByFVzyYuR6neaNIEHvw1QmPd8GxI6FZBarYnes_8g/s1600/IMG_8315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilNw0AwVq6qnOVFH9xpiJtRXPoWgi7srk7PxORhFr2Wnh48RNHZHKywKxYz_eIFOg5OTSIv8sx9uU05VqOWwk7v8gaBix1ByFVzyYuR6neaNIEHvw1QmPd8GxI6FZBarYnes_8g/s640/IMG_8315.jpg" width="432" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-3548110742091464782020-05-31T15:39:00.001-07:002020-05-31T15:39:55.480-07:00A Trinity of Pentecost Prayers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN6K0_bcN6NRO57ClckMHcz-tMdwLrwO8oWax7GaMoU-kdeRHfHz1tq0tNItNoCf3TUzn1LJlOYEGauyA3eoLHWjaTCS_zAljMOn-_20Cw_nRMh7Hb0j1yfKvBwn-HMk8JA36HQ/s1600/Pentecost-Tryptic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="666" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN6K0_bcN6NRO57ClckMHcz-tMdwLrwO8oWax7GaMoU-kdeRHfHz1tq0tNItNoCf3TUzn1LJlOYEGauyA3eoLHWjaTCS_zAljMOn-_20Cw_nRMh7Hb0j1yfKvBwn-HMk8JA36HQ/s640/Pentecost-Tryptic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.phaedrataylor.com/work/index.php?/category/16">Phaedra Taylor,</a> "<a href="https://christchurchofaustin.org/2019/06/07/pentecost-2/">The Feast of Pentecost</a>" (2015)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I wrote a trio of Pentecost Prayers this morning in the light of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/george-floyd-protests-today-live.html?action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage">what has happened this past week around our country</a> and in the light of the fact that, worldwide, Christians today celebrate Pentecost Day, that day when the Father sent the Holy Spirit to the first disciples in order to fill them with the transforming life of Jesus and with the fire of God in their hearts and bones, so that, by the power of the Spirit, they might bear witness to the good news of Jesus to the four corners of the earth. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The three prayers are titled, respectively: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. A Pentecost Prayer for Unity</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>2. A Pentecost Prayer for Those Who Don't Know What to Pray</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>3. A Pentecost Prayer for Mission</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsMo_cbB9CCp_gWmZYqNxH4xW-tWwNf_Yto6QDzDHB1JxcoP9N9Vt8bz0KQbOduEXfUdHyBswh108O3azo6gGQcbyitkMGPoDMgELSbU7HyRUjRR1xurh4gixLgSCJ5-mkO6imw/s1600/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Unity.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1600" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsMo_cbB9CCp_gWmZYqNxH4xW-tWwNf_Yto6QDzDHB1JxcoP9N9Vt8bz0KQbOduEXfUdHyBswh108O3azo6gGQcbyitkMGPoDMgELSbU7HyRUjRR1xurh4gixLgSCJ5-mkO6imw/s640/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Unity.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7fp4HECBcAjkYcLHmQeGy-31NEoxUmHzXtPTK8P2J9-II6Ghk6SG5sMSPoKePkgjFKRah8XFC_EaejaHVIDsX7MYDOXJFthnkoLoEY_F3Zb6XM3kDxlLNc1I02SBApnX6mWRDw/s1600/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Prayer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1432" data-original-width="1600" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7fp4HECBcAjkYcLHmQeGy-31NEoxUmHzXtPTK8P2J9-II6Ghk6SG5sMSPoKePkgjFKRah8XFC_EaejaHVIDsX7MYDOXJFthnkoLoEY_F3Zb6XM3kDxlLNc1I02SBApnX6mWRDw/s640/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Prayer.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM6QI0pDkv61qAhWBXLbKj8McJuTDsxXtW3XjDy-mHF3KZSLCgk38a3FJmtJSZuYvfSicUJSeAZRAHqxSrGQiBHAyxJzdJYtqzF6moCI0RZiHIm8i8Dwe6mjRGTiB84jkTlFgRA/s1600/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Mission.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiM6QI0pDkv61qAhWBXLbKj8McJuTDsxXtW3XjDy-mHF3KZSLCgk38a3FJmtJSZuYvfSicUJSeAZRAHqxSrGQiBHAyxJzdJYtqzF6moCI0RZiHIm8i8Dwe6mjRGTiB84jkTlFgRA/s640/Pentecost+Prayer+for+Mission.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<b><br /></b>w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-47674823285360343202020-04-14T14:44:00.001-07:002020-04-14T14:46:28.236-07:00Eastertide in the Time of Coronatide<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVcpnp8BXioAlKNvd7cldhyTClcrEwSzdYT0ujq69yw1CJ8DVT1Fvjr9WBw4abchJd7AZtWSxvge6Ci3WabpZesh8LcjG2biwCJYosQDJqBqmMURy5Ke23GDn1WldOok3mxBdlw/s1600/Phaedra+Easter+All+Saints+%2528detail%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="931" data-original-width="1242" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVcpnp8BXioAlKNvd7cldhyTClcrEwSzdYT0ujq69yw1CJ8DVT1Fvjr9WBw4abchJd7AZtWSxvge6Ci3WabpZesh8LcjG2biwCJYosQDJqBqmMURy5Ke23GDn1WldOok3mxBdlw/s640/Phaedra+Easter+All+Saints+%2528detail%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, detail from 8'X4' Easter panels, All Saints Church, in Durham, NC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Today is Easter Tuesday, the third day of Eastertide, which for Christians traditionally marks a period of fifty festal days. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
This past Sunday, Christians gathered across the country, dressed in their finest (or most comfy) and raised the roof with their hallelujahs. They likely greeted each other, through their digital screens, with shouts of “Christ is risen!”, to which others instinctually responded, perhaps through glitchy wi-fi, “He is risen indeed!” They reminded each other of the empty tomb and the hope that it entails. And they possibly shared hot cross buns with each other as a way to mark the end of Lent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Yet, one day later, the world still looks a lot like Lent—somber, austere, replete with opportunities for self-denial. The U.S. death toll nears 25,000. Social distancing strictures keep us separated from family and desperate for physical touch. Social and economic inequities increase on the public front, while funerals occur without the witness of loved ones. Depression is on the rise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
At a personal level, I find myself perpetually behind at work, my wife and I experience friction almost daily, my eight-year old daughter fears the specter of anxiety at night, and my toddler son has begun to throw spontaneous tantrums (only God knows why). We also had our shower break in the most spectacular way while we watched the Easter liturgy on our computer screen, thus largely ruining our brief moments of joy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
As followers of Jesus, we face ahead of us a very strange Easter season. What then does it mean to celebrate Eastertide in the middle of what one clever neologist has called Coronatide? How do we choose joy when we feel only tired and dispirited? How do we rejoice in the new life that Christ’s resurrection promises when we face more of the “same old same old” for the foreseeable future? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
We would do well, I suggest, to remember two important things.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>First, we must remember that Easter is chiefly a promise, not a holiday.</b> “Easter Sunday,” <a href="https://sites.duke.edu/dita/holy-week-2020/">writes</a> the British theologian Jeremy Begbie, “holds out the promise of a dazzling future—resurrection life, no less—a life that can start here and now. But it’s just that, a promise, a divine promise, not a human achievement.” By this, Begbie means that Easter is decidedly un-interested in providing us with a much-needed vacation (as nice as that may be), or revitalizing the economy, or even with the reassurance that “we’ll rise up again” after COVID-19 has ceased to menace our planet.<br />
<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Easter instead marks the beginning of a new Reality that utterly disrupts our own realities, a Reality that we encounter in the face of the risen One who meets us, as he did the original disciples, with the marks of his wounds still visible. Far from a utopian project, Eastertide represents a pilgrimage of the hopeful who live as a people who, by the Spirit’s power, have been made partakers of a life that belongs to the age to come, which we experience now, in "this quintessence of dust,” only as a foretaste of the promised fullness that yet awaits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The first disciples witnessed in person the resurrected Jesus, yes, and yet they still experienced acute deprivation. They touched the wounded hands of the “Prince of Life,” to be sure, and yet found their own hands bound with chains. They glimpsed the glory that awaited them—but saw around them evidence only of Rome’s cruel oppression and untimely, heartbreaking deaths. And they did so with a resolute joy in the One who had defeated death by his own death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
For the early church, this faith in the Resurrection and the Life meant that they could be truly content in all circumstances, whether living in plenty or in want. It meant that they could be “hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed," as saint Paul wrote the believers at Corinth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
It meant that they could love not just their neighbors, but also their enemies, to the very end, not because they thought that “things would turn out okay in the end,” but because they knew the true end of the world: life without measure.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>A second thing we must remember is that Easter is about joy, not happiness, and the distinction, in biblical terms, is key.</b> This is something the German martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer understood well. In late 1942, Bonhoeffer wrote a letter to the “brethren” who had been his students at the underground Finkenwalde Seminary, which he had directed from 1935 until its forced closure by the Gestapo in 1937. He begins his letter by naming those who had been killed in action. About them he says: “Everlasting joy will crown their heads.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
This joy, he argues, is not an artificial joy that, like a drug, numbs the pain; it is true joy that faces the pain. Bonhoeffer writes, “The joy of God has been through the poverty of the manger and the affliction of the cross; therefore, it is indestructible, irrefutable. It does not deny affliction when it is there, but it finds in the very midst of distress that God is there…it looks death in the face and it is just there that it finds life.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
On April 5, 1943, Bonhoeffer would be incarcerated at Tegel Prison, in Berlin. Two years later, on April 9, 1945, he would be executed at the Flossenbürg concentration camp. And yet he would remain unwavering in his conviction about joy. With Psalm 100 he would declare, “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Unafraid-Psalms-Guide-Life/dp/140021047X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1586882823&sr=8-1">As the psalms imagine it</a> and as Jesus himself exhibits it, joy arises out of contexts of suffering, and it does not ignore that suffering. It declares itself in hope, not in a denial of reality.<br />
<br />
This is why, for the Christian, true joy always makes space for sorrow—for the sorrow, in these times, that arises from the experience of intense loneliness or one’s businesses going bankrupt or the loss of all the rites of passage that mark one’s senior year in high school or college—while happiness, as it is usually understood, cannot. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b>Rather than dreading this Eastertide, then, which may well be haunted the entire time by this deadly virus, I suggest that we ought to embrace as a gift</b>. Why so? Because we may find out now whether we believe that Jesus’ resurrection matters—<i>really </i>matters. We may also see how we have allowed our experiences of personal happiness and economic well-being to become indistinguishable from the celebration of Easter. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Perhaps, then, these are the perfect, even if lamentable, conditions for us to celebrate Easter as followers of Jesus.<br />
<br />
Perhaps now we will see if that promise means anything in the face of disheartening difficulties, if the joy that compelled Jesus to endure the cross means anything in the face of irretrievable losses, and if the hope of Christ’s resurrection means anything in the face of the death of a future that we had all imagined for ourselves prior to this coronavirus.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
This is perhaps just another way to say that we may now find out whether the gospel really is the gospel and whether the church really is the church, an instrument of Christ’s Body in the world, able to make visible God’s beauty and love, justice and peace. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
Happy Eastertide!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-82432960585309185382020-03-31T16:37:00.000-07:002020-07-17T06:40:00.532-07:00Prayers for a Time of Suffering<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LnVBTEh1vfYl9-jq68eLGV5-jBmddBOu0dSNlFzK4hhm6-SqGqGqWOODYIHtgwilUr6pAZygaS8dsAJqR9UOmrLgpd0doFt9is90pdVOAg2CSz6D0ug5bFkRL7vypqGnksU7ow/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1409" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LnVBTEh1vfYl9-jq68eLGV5-jBmddBOu0dSNlFzK4hhm6-SqGqGqWOODYIHtgwilUr6pAZygaS8dsAJqR9UOmrLgpd0doFt9is90pdVOAg2CSz6D0ug5bFkRL7vypqGnksU7ow/s640/Picture1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Station #1: Jesus is Condemned," by Kevin Vandivier (2003)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been writing Collect Prayers for sometime now. Last summer I <a href="https://artspastor.blogspot.com/2019/07/a-collect-prayer-for-beginnings-make-me.html">wrote</a> about how I get my students in my course on worship at Fuller Theological Seminary to write Collect Prayers all term-long, because I believe it's simply one of the best forms of prayer on offer. It's a form that frees us to pray in deeply biblically, richly theological, pastorally sensitive, and relationally attuned ways.<br />
<br />
This year I took on the challenge of writing at least 100 Collect Prayers by the end of 2020; mainly for the fun of it but also as a way to put into words the things that I would like to tell God in prayer about all of life, not just the so-called "religious" or "usual" parts of life.<br />
<br />
That includes, for example, <b>a Prayer for Dashed Plans, a Prayer for Driving to Work, a Prayer for Feeling Stressed Out, a Prayer for Grocers, a Prayer for the Adoption of a Child, a Prayer for Those Who Feel Crummy on Valentine's Day, and a Prayer for a Fresh Start to the Day.</b><br />
<br />
I've been writing a good deal of prayers since this COVID-19 pandemic irrevocably changed our world and disrupted our common patterns of life. I thought I'd share a few of them here (some of which, granted, stretch the idea of a proper Collect Prayer), in case they might be helpful to others who are struggling to find the words to make sense of this trying and troubling time and who may be struggling also with God's perceived absence in the face of widespread suffering.<br />
<br />
I'm also including below a couple of songs that I co-wrote with <a href="https://www.paulzachmusic.com/">Paul Zach</a> and that I'm hoping might become a source of comfort to both adults and children during these difficult days.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">PRAYERS FOR A TIME OF SUFFERING</span></b><br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR A TIME OF PESTILENCE</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who are the refuge of the poor and needy,<br />
we ask that you would save us<br />
from the pestilence that stalks in the darkness<br />
and the plague that destroys at midday.<br />
Be our sun and shield.<br />
Be our fortress.<br />
Be our comfort this day.<br />
May we not fear any evil<br />
but rather trust in your might to save and your wisdom to guide,<br />
so that we might rest always in the shadow of the Almighty.<br />
In the name of the One who heals our diseases. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>UNA COLECTA PARA UN TIEMPO DE PESTILENCIA</b><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Translation by William D. Taylor and Paul Sywulka)</span></i><br />
O, Señor, tú quien eres el refugio del pobre y necesitado,<br />
te pedimos que nos salves de la peste que acecha en las sombras<br />
y la plaga que destruye a mediodía.<br />
Sé nuestro sol y escudo.<br />
Sé nuestra fortaleza.<br />
Sé nuestro consuelo este día.<br />
Que no temamos ningún mal,<br />
sino que más bien confiemos en tu poder para salvar<br />
y tu sabiduría para guiar,<br />
a fin de que podamos descansar siempre bajo la sombra del Omnipotente.<br />
En el nombre de Aquel quien sana nuestras dolencias. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS</b><br />
Oh God, you who have promised wisdom to all who would ask it,<br />
we pray today for school administrators and educational leaders,<br />
that you would grant them clarity of mind, unity of spirit,<br />
strength of will, resilience of body, protection from harm,<br />
a heart of wisdom and the gift of your truth-bearing Spirit,<br />
so that they might be enabled to make decisions<br />
that lead to the flourishing of their teachers, staff, and students<br />
and to the wellbeing of the whole community.<br />
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR A NEIGHBOR WHO IS BEHAVING LIKE AN IDIOT</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who commanded us<br />
to love our neighbors as ourselves,<br />
I confess to you an utter lack of desire<br />
to love my neighbor who is behaving like an idiot.<br />
As much as I am tempted to ask you “to teach them a lesson”<br />
and “to put them in their place”<br />
and “to give them what-for,”<br />
I ask rather for the seemingly impossible:<br />
that you would perform a miracle in my heart<br />
by the power of your Holy Spirit,<br />
so that I might be freed from bitterness, hatred,<br />
and the oppressive feeling that I live ultimately in an unfair universe<br />
where neighbors get away with things that they shouldn’t<br />
and that God remains detached and uncaring.<br />
I pray this in the name of the One<br />
who loves my neighbor and me alike<br />
and who will do right by each of us in the end.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR AN UNTIMELY DEATH</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who wept<br />
over the untimely death of your beloved friend Lazarus,<br />
we too weep over the untimely death of our beloved one.<br />
We weep over all that has been lost—<br />
their touch, their voice, their presence in a room,<br />
all that they would have made of the world that you so love,<br />
all that they called out in each of us,<br />
all the beauty that shone through them.<br />
As their life has been suddenly snatched from us,<br />
we pray that you would grasp us with your care.<br />
As they are now far from us,<br />
we pray that you would be near to us.<br />
Where we feel empty inside,<br />
fill us up with your resurrection life.<br />
Watch with us, we pray, and watch over us.<br />
Be our comfort in the face of all that feels inconsolable.<br />
Bless us as we mourn.<br />
We pray this in Jesus’ name,<br />
the Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief, and<br />
the Lamb of God, who makes all things new.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER BEFORE HARD MEETINGS</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who told us that we would have trouble in this world,<br />
we confess to you:<br />
our worries over things that we cannot control,<br />
our distress over things that seem wrongheaded, and<br />
our frustration with those who oppose us on things that we hold dearly.<br />
Grant us the ability to bear with one another in love,<br />
along with an abundance of patience and humility,<br />
and may the peace of God guard our hearts and minds,<br />
so that together we might trust your leading<br />
and walk in the way of unity<br />
that only the Spirit of Christ can make possible.<br />
Amen.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>A PRAYER FOR HEALTH WORKERS</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who touched the leper and healed the sick,<br />
Be with me this day.<br />
Be a succor in the time of trial.<br />
Be a comfort in the hour of loss.<br />
Be a refuge in a storm of needs.<br />
Use my hands to heal the broken in body<br />
And my words to heal the crushed in spirit.<br />
Make things possible, I pray, in the face of all that seems impossible.<br />
Be my haven, dear Jesus, and my true companion<br />
Throughout these tireless days and lonely nights.<br />
In your compassionate name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR THE START OF A NEW DAY</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who keep watch over my life:<br />
I rise from my bed this day by your grace,<br />
I face the tasks of this day by your grace,<br />
I embrace all the unpredictable and<br />
uncontrollable things of this day by your grace,<br />
I receive all the gifts of this day by your grace,<br />
And I hold lightly, and joyfully,<br />
the outcome of this day by your grace.<br />
In the name of the One who did some things<br />
but not all things in his earthly sojourn. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR GOD'S SHEPHERDING CARE</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who know your sheep by name, be my Shepherd this day.<br />
Where I am burdened by the cares of life, give me rest.<br />
Where I am helpless against the enemies of my soul, be my defender.<br />
Where I am hungry, feed me.<br />
Where I am weary, restore me.<br />
Where I am vulnerable, protect me.<br />
Guard me, keep me, shield me,<br />
so that I might feel your loving care this day.<br />
In the name of the One who lays down his life for his sheep night and day. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR SINGLE PEOPLE</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who were alone in the wilderness and in the garden,<br />
be with me in this time of singleness and solitude;<br />
and when I feel tempted to believe<br />
that I have been abandoned by friends and forsaken by God,<br />
may I sense the sweet presence of your Spirit<br />
and the ministering care of your angels,<br />
nourishing me in my hour of need,<br />
so that I might know that I am never alone<br />
but rather filled and fortified by your very real presence.<br />
In your name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR WEARIED PARENTS</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who hold all things together,<br />
help me not to lose my mind;<br />
you who calmed the tempest,<br />
help me not to lose my temper;<br />
you who promised rest to the weary and heavy-laden,<br />
speak a word of peace to my body;<br />
you who healed the blind,<br />
open my eyes to see your presence;<br />
you who speak and things come to life,<br />
help me to hear your still, small voice<br />
over the din of my own noisy world;<br />
you who welcomed the children,<br />
please take care of my own;<br />
you who promised to be with us always,<br />
be with me here and now in my hour of need.<br />
Though I struggle to believe these things are possible,<br />
I pray them nonetheless in the name of<br />
the compassionate and wounded One for whom nothing is impossible.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR GROCERS</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who are the True Grocer<br />
who gives your life as bread and wine to a needy world,<br />
bless the farmers who make the food<br />
and the manufacturers who make the goods that we consume;<br />
bless the distributors and the drivers<br />
who go the extra mile to make our groceries handy;<br />
bless the stockers and the shelvers<br />
who put all things in their place;<br />
bless the clerks who care for the customer and the cashiers who count their money;<br />
bless the baggers and the bakers and the butchers, too;<br />
bless the night crews and the day crews;<br />
and bless the managers who direct it all.<br />
Bless them with your hand of provision and protection.<br />
Bless them with your ministering angels in their long hours of need.<br />
Bless their families as well.<br />
May they know your care this day, this hour, this moment,<br />
as Living Water and Bread of Life,<br />
as God of Refuge and of Angel Armies as well.<br />
In your name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR STIR-CRAZY CHILDREN</b><br />
Dear Jesus, I feel frustrated right now.<br />
I don’t know what to do with myself and I need your help.<br />
I feel tired and bored and my feelings are all mixed up and out of place.<br />
But you can help me,<br />
and I thank you that you know exactly how I feel<br />
and that you have a special place in your heart<br />
for children like me—and that you love me very much.<br />
Please give me that peace that you told your disciples you have lots off.<br />
I need it. Thank you.<br />
In your name I pray. Amen. <br />
PS: Please help mommy and daddy too.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR THE WEARIED AND ALONE</b><br />
Oh Lord, you who entrusted your mother to the care of your beloved disciple<br />
and who promised not to leave us as orphans<br />
but instead to provide us your very own body<br />
and the care and comfort of your Spirit,<br />
be with all who feel afraid and alone this day.<br />
Care for the least of these in our community<br />
and grace us to be your Body in word and in deed,<br />
bringing your word of peace to the fearful and the friendless.<br />
We pray this so that we might behold your glory<br />
and praise your lovingkindess,<br />
in the name of the Shepherd who walks with us through darkest valley.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR THE BELEAGUERED</b><br />
Oh God of angel armies,<br />
be my defender this day where I am defenseless,<br />
be my refuge where I feel exposed,<br />
be my vindicator against all false accusations,<br />
from Satan, from others, from my own thoughts.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR THE IRRITATED </b><br />
Oh God, you who see the hearts of all with perfect clarity,<br />
I confess my irritation with those who bully their way with words,<br />
who fail to take responsibility for their actions,<br />
who think no one sees what they do in the shadows,<br />
and who live in a world of denial.<br />
I’m angry and scared and tired of doing the right thing.<br />
Strengthen my heart so that I not lose hope.<br />
In the name of the Just Judge and Merciful Shepherd.<br />
Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR WAKING UP TO A HARD DAY</b><br />
Oh God, you who promise new mercies every morning:<br />
where I am low, lift me up;<br />
where I am weak, carry me;<br />
where I am vulnerable, shield me;<br />
where I am heavy-hearted,<br />
grant me new strength and refreshment for my soul.<br />
In Jesus' name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR A NEW MORNING</b><br />
Oh Lord, may I walk in the way of life today,<br />
faithful to what you have entrusted to me for this day,<br />
no more and no less.<br />
Let me not become anxious over the things that I cannot control<br />
but instead receive your grace to face these things trustingly.<br />
In Jesus’ name. Amen.<br />
<br />
<b>A PRAYER FOR RENEWED HOPE</b><br />
Oh God, you who make new, again and again,<br />
enliven the thoughts of my mind,<br />
revitalize the cells of my body,<br />
and cause a fresh outburst of praise to surge in my heart,<br />
so that I might taste the Life that is truly life this day.<br />
In the name of the One whose face is like the shinning sun.<br />
Amen and amen!<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kKUVLy__jv4" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cWSp3irAUHA" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
PS: <b>If you would like a practical resource for prayer during this time, </b>or at any time, I would love to recommend a collection of illustrated <b><a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">Psalms Prayer Cards</a> </b>that my wife Phaedra and I made together. You can buy them <a href="https://store.rabbitroom.com/products/open-and-unafraid-prayer-cards?variant=31489346764887">here</a> at the Rabbit Room store. You can see three sample prayer cards below.<br />
<br />
Each 4x6 card includes an image on one side, corresponding to a specific chapter in my book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Open-Unafraid-Psalms-Guide-Life/dp/140021047X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1585695569&sr=8-2">Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life </a></i>(Thomas Nelson: 2020), and text on the other: a passage from the psalms, three questions for reflection, and a prayer. <br />
<br />
Each original watercolor illustration corresponds to a specific theme in the psalms and the text on the back offers an opportunity to reflect on one's life in the light of the good news that we discover in the psalms.<br />
<br />
And if you're in need of good resources on prayer and worship in light of COVID-19, let me heartily recommend a <a href="https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/covid-19-and-worship-resources-for-churches-adapting-to-social-isolation">list of resources</a> that the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship has put together, along with this list of "<a href="https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/hymns-for-a-pandemic-a-brief-historical-introduction">Hymns for a Pandemic</a>," as well as a list of <a href="https://cardiphonia.org/2020/03/13/worship-in-the-age-of-coronavirus/">resources</a> that Cardiphonia has compiled. This <a href="https://www.c4so.org/c4so-responds-to-the-coronavirus/">list</a> of resources is really good, too.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCsKTfl3XxVosRlnMyRGn0xur6DKnblaE5RLP7Ey5iWThpB3cJeyfmaK_xKGmYkZyKQVh_ACsFUtWJrR8oOAdyruOToLxOHofm0G3yLSkznIvMJ2GKOwz-7Hzf4i7icaMxl9Lgw/s1600/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-6-sadness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCsKTfl3XxVosRlnMyRGn0xur6DKnblaE5RLP7Ey5iWThpB3cJeyfmaK_xKGmYkZyKQVh_ACsFUtWJrR8oOAdyruOToLxOHofm0G3yLSkznIvMJ2GKOwz-7Hzf4i7icaMxl9Lgw/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-6-sadness.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1FZdp_PTEDON0-tnvQn_a5Ax6fjapsFMwcURjm6HRCZhEV8CXNhqAci5bBuYwkaU5aU-Hewn2sxbNgOzYixHwxXvZzulV_CISvhv7DH0TXFfrX2AH2Q2Gc2pSaLh9Ydoqqulpg/s1600/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-14-creation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw1FZdp_PTEDON0-tnvQn_a5Ax6fjapsFMwcURjm6HRCZhEV8CXNhqAci5bBuYwkaU5aU-Hewn2sxbNgOzYixHwxXvZzulV_CISvhv7DH0TXFfrX2AH2Q2Gc2pSaLh9Ydoqqulpg/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-14-creation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHFc6Bi0h9P72W3G_U12RAFJNlHJSJ3bde1tqsAqB82qZ0ByAwkUkyozAzOrl_gkrxcMAp0vfjCVd20ND-Xa7lmObp0UDzanBfWHPkvInBBlk3TvnEg7YxlsIqe802aM91JZLdg/s1600/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-4-prayer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHFc6Bi0h9P72W3G_U12RAFJNlHJSJ3bde1tqsAqB82qZ0ByAwkUkyozAzOrl_gkrxcMAp0vfjCVd20ND-Xa7lmObp0UDzanBfWHPkvInBBlk3TvnEg7YxlsIqe802aM91JZLdg/s640/psalms-cards-4x6-promotional-4-prayer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-12588694700659167882019-11-27T13:26:00.000-08:002019-11-27T10:12:27.515-08:0027 Daily Advent Devotionals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YnattWSyDLkSEFAYuytSJsqWVU8GkAvqGDSWNeIvK0WMEUKMk6SiV1bg0Y5-T1ND2AUfipjxULtnc47ob10i-0C9wUmGv1pkLQnmsqx5-uuX4_VkmSb5kGjhXUoCpfjws2ZXZA/s1600/Phaedra+Taylor+Annunciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="1008" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9YnattWSyDLkSEFAYuytSJsqWVU8GkAvqGDSWNeIvK0WMEUKMk6SiV1bg0Y5-T1ND2AUfipjxULtnc47ob10i-0C9wUmGv1pkLQnmsqx5-uuX4_VkmSb5kGjhXUoCpfjws2ZXZA/s640/Phaedra+Taylor+Annunciation.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, "<a href="http://www.phaedrataylor.com/work/picture.php?/27/category/19">Annunciation</a>" (Watercolor, 4'X2', 2005)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>"Enfeebled Waiting Muscles that Wait With Hope"</b><br />
<br />
The beginning of the church year, marked by the first Sunday of Advent, arrives again.<br />
<br />
Oft-nicknamed a "Little Lent," because of its invitation to repent as a way to prepare for Christmastide, the time of feasting, Advent is a season in which we meditate on the coming of God in Christ by his Spirit. From the Latin "adventus," which is the Latin translation of the Greek word "parousia," a word frequently used to refer to the Second Coming of Christ, Advent asks:<br />
<br />
<i>"How does the original coming of God to earth and the future, eschatological coming of God inform our experience of God's coming here and now?"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
More personally perhaps:<br />
<br />
<i>"What does it mean to commemorate and celebrate God's coming when he so often does not, in fact, come?"</i><br />
<br />
Instead of seeing God's coming as a distant idea, fossilized in the past or far-flung in a seemingly perpetually receding future, both First Coming and Second Coming re-orient our sense of God's coming in our own day and time. If we're honest with ourself, this fact might actually terrify us, as it often did the protagonists of Luke 1 and 2. If the triune God wants to come into my life today, what does that mean? What does that <i>look</i> like? How does my life need to change in light of that fact?<br />
<br />
<b>It bears mentioning that the season of Advent, with its stress on the "coming of God," is not interested in a generic coming.</b> It is interested in a very <i>particular</i> form of coming: a coming that involves an extraordinarily large amount of waiting, an experience of anticipation that resists our urges to predict the work of the Lord in a manner that excuses the need for deep trust, and an arrival that always surprises even if in retrospect it remains consonant with the character of God.<br />
<br />
This coming of God is ever and always a communal experience: a "advent" of the triune God which is experienced by the people of God. It is never a solo project.<br />
<br />
This coming of God is inseparable from a personalized invitation to wait and to anticipate.<br />
<br />
What Advent does, at its best, more concretely, is to retrain us in muscles of waiting and anticipation, which are muscles that we require in all domains of our life--family, work, friendship, ministry, politics, study, economy, health, hobbies and so forth.<br />
<br />
<b>All-too often, despite our best wishes, we succumb to a hopeless waiting.</b> If this hopeless waiting is allowed to occupy our heart long enough, it results in a low-grade form of despair that in turn births a "grinding it out" or a "making the best of it" mentality, which inevitably makes us feel sick of ourselves.<br />
<br />
All-too easily we grow faint with anticipation. How <i>long</i> do I have to wait? How long must I wait<i> </i>for that which I have hoped for, worked towards, prayed into, yearned till it hurts to want something so intensely?<br />
<br />
Advent reminds us that God does in fact arrive. In Christ he arrives to a first-century peasant girl betrothed to a blue collar worker. In the Spirit he arrives to a hundred and twenty of the most unlikely bedfellows, gathered on the day of Pentecost. He arrives here and now, in this time and place, to you and to me.<br />
<br />
<b>He arrives just on time, even if it takes him a day or two, or thirty years, or four hundred, or even a thousand to arrive on the scene.</b><br />
<br />
But his arrival, just like all his arrivals, always unsettles and astonishes. His arrival always exceeds our capacity to forecast the manner of his arrival, even if, looking back, we're be able to perceive the coherent shape of God's care for us and for the world that he so loves.<br />
<br />
The season of Advent, then, is an opportunity both to discover the nature of our enfeebled waiting muscles as well as our tired practices of anticipation and to discipline our hearts and minds, bodies and lives so that we might become, together, a people who wait with hope, who anticipate with faith, and who welcome the arrival of the Lord with courage in our hearts.<br />
<br />
<b>A Collect Prayer for the first Sunday of Advent</b><br />
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of<br />
darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of<br />
this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit<br />
us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come<br />
again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the<br />
dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives<br />
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and<br />
for ever. Amen.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T06IcTzKTd2RjFMoSfpvunqIzfgtYXewX9KXz4iqVYR6MmlVgVNdPcB_2KH102isqnuOFmqhaJ1SKJpGuAqDC1234SB-BDvQ0AAtoWdYmKkyeMksAt1rF4Kxb-ALV_E8rUWjAw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2018-12-02+at+8.56.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="736" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T06IcTzKTd2RjFMoSfpvunqIzfgtYXewX9KXz4iqVYR6MmlVgVNdPcB_2KH102isqnuOFmqhaJ1SKJpGuAqDC1234SB-BDvQ0AAtoWdYmKkyeMksAt1rF4Kxb-ALV_E8rUWjAw/s640/Screen+Shot+2018-12-02+at+8.56.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork of the Holy Family by Fr. John Giuliani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In light of the fact that we cannot do this work without practical helps, here are a few resources (in no particular oder) that might be helpful to do this work well.<br />
<br />
1. <b><a href="https://www.adventword.org/">The #AdventWord Global Advent Calendar</a>. </b>"It’s an innovative way to engage in the season of Advent with people all over the world. Simply respond to the daily meditation emailed to you with images and prayers that speak to your heart. Your images and prayers will appear in the Advent Calendar with others from around the world."<br />
<br />
2. <b><a href="http://justice.crcna.org/advent-devotionals">The Office of Social Justice for the Christian Reformed Church</a></b>: "What does the incarnation have to do with us in our daily worship, work, school, home, and play? How should Christians respond to friends and family, strangers and neighbors—literal and figurative—in light of the true light? Are we as Christians, as followers of Christ, embodied beings of love in our interactions with members in our community and beyond? What does the incarnation look like in our lives today—for us and for others? We invite you to let these questions orient your Christmas season."<br />
<br />
3. <b><a href="https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship-planning/are-we-there-yet">An Advent Devotional by the Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church</a></b>. "This devotional includes an Advent Worship Service for Families."<br />
<br />
4. <b><a href="http://crackersandgrapejuice.com/">Advent Begins in the Dark: Reflections to Ready Us for the Not Yet</a></b>: "Reflections by Fleming Rutledge, Jason Micheli, Sarah Condon, Todd Littleton, Chenda Innis Lee, Taylor Mertins, Johanna Hartileus, Teer Hardy, Josh Retterer, Will Willimon, Drew Colby, and several others for a special online Advent devotional and discussion community."<br />
<br />
5. <b><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/september-web-only/advent-2017-30-day-devotional-guide.html">Christianity Today's Advent Devotional:</a> </b>"Advent is a 30-day devotional to help individuals and families journey through the 2017 Advent season. It features devotions by Christianity Today contributors and editors such as N.T. Wright, John Ortberg, Fleming Rutledge, Peter Chin, Joni Eareckson Tada, Russell Moore, Tony Evans, and more."<br />
<br />
6. <b><a href="https://www.cru.org/us/en/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/holidays/advent.html">Cru's Advent Devotional</a></b>: "The Savior is Here: Advent Study. As our awareness for the first coming of Christ is heightened, our longing and expectation for his second advent should increase as well. Beginning four Sundays before Christmas we focus on advent, a season of reflection and longing for the coming King."<br />
<br />
7. <b><a href="https://intervarsity.org/pregnant-pause?utm_source=marketing-cloud&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=29875-year-end&utm_content=thanksgiving-email">InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Advent Devotional</a></b>: "A Pregnant Pause: Each section contains a number of different elements: a painting, Scripture passage, written reflection, questions, and a guided prayer. I encourage you to see each component as an opportunity to converse with God. Take the time to step away from distraction and allow God to meet you through this work. Enjoy His presence with you and respond as He leads. It is more important that you engage with Him than whether you get through all the content. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring you to a place of rest, refreshment, and transformation in His way and at His pace."<br />
<br />
8. <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0827231555/christiancent-20">I Am Mary: Advent Devotional</a></b>: "From the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Day, each daily devotion includes a scripture verse, a reflection, and a prayer. I Am Mary also features an Advent candlelighting service as a free download. Best-selling author and minister Carol Howard Merritt leads us on a remarkable Advent journey with the blessed ordinary girl who becomes the holy and revered Mother of God."<br />
<br />
9. <b><a href="https://www.thecommonrule.org/advent-edition">The Common Rule Advent Devotional</a></b>: "The Common Rule - Advent Edition! is a seasonal version of The Common Rule which provides a set of daily and seasonal practices for celebrating the King that has come and waiting for the King that will come again."<br />
<br />
10. <b><a href="http://englewoodreview.org/lectionary-poetry-advent-week-1-year-a/">Lectionary Poetry – Advent Week 1 (Year A) by The Englewood Review of Books</a>: "</b>A diverse range of classic and contemporary poems to accompany the Sunday lectionary readings through Advent (and beyond)!"<br />
<br />
11. <b><a href="http://imagejournal.org/advent/">The Image Journal Advent Calendar</a></b>: Day 1 includes the entry, "Snow on Snow" by Robert Clark.<br />
<br />
12. <b><a href="http://ccca.biola.edu/advent/2018/">Biola University's Center for Christianity, Culture and the Arts Advent Devotional</a>:</b> "Join us daily for the CCCA’s popular Advent Project, an online resource with scripture, devotionals, art, video, and music -- as we remember the mystery of the incarnation and the Word made flesh."<br />
<br />
13. <b><a href="https://paracletepress.com/products/all-creation-waits-e-subscription">Paraclete Press' book <i>All Creation Waits. The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings</i> by Gayle Boss</a></b>: "Dear friends, We’re very excited to offer our best-selling Advent devotional, <i>All Creation Waits</i>, as an e-subscription. Chapter one can be viewed <a href="https://gallery.mailchimp.com/640d77ec1e07b8508da9e07e6/files/1c3cb93d-3d2e-49a2-9ff4-3646e14ea949/introduction.pdf?utm_source=Paraclete+Press&utm_campaign=d882813b95-e-subscription+sample&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bed19e6d21-d882813b95-123578237&mc_cid=d882813b95&mc_eid=f8f75219e8">here</a>." <br />
<br />
14. <b><a href="https://www.tamarahillmurphy.com/advent/">Tamara Murphy's Advent Daybook</a></b>: "If you've ever considered following the ancient rhythms of the liturgical calendar, there's no better time to start than at the Church's New Year: Advent. Even if your church follows the civic calendar more prominently than the liturgical, you can follow along with your brothers and sisters in Christ across the globe from the quiet spaces of your own home. You could create -- figuratively or, even, literally -- a family altar. This does not have to be elaborate, time-consuming, or expensive. Simple tangible acts will impress themselves upon your hearts and minds for a lifetime: a book or two filled with rich images and time-tested writings, mealtime prayers, a candle or two. It's one of my greatest joys to walk alongside you through Advent with suggested resources and daily encouragement in the form of the Advent Daybook blog series."<br />
<br />
15. <b><a href="https://sanctifiedart.org/what-cant-wait-advent-devotional">What Can't Wait: A Sanctified Art</a></b>: "This is a bundle of 8 multimedia resources for you to use in your worship and ministry to draw near to God throughout the season of Advent. The Draw Near theme emerged for us in our group study of the Revised Common Lectionary texts for Advent Year C, particularly the gospel texts for each week. It helps us name our individual and collective longing for God’s closeness and for a world made new."<br />
<br />
16. <b><a href="https://godspacelight.com/2015/11/11/advent-activities-for-families-and-kids-for-2015/">ADVENT ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES AND KIDS </a></b>by Godspacelight (Christine Sine): "I love getting ready for the Advent season and am already planning our activities and decorations for the season so thought you might like to do so too."<br />
<br />
17. <b><a href="https://www.lhm.org/advent/">Advent Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries</a></b>: "Mary and Joseph, Zechariah and Elizabeth, Simeon, shepherds, wise men from the east, a legion of angels, and even King Herod—all play their parts in the Gospel narratives that speak of the Savior’s incarnation. Explore the many ways their lives were touched as God became one of us, for each of us, in The Coming King."<br />
<br />
18. <b><a href="https://www.rca.org/resources/adventdevos">ADVENT DEVOTIONS from the Reformed Church in America</a></b>: "The Jesse Tree explores the lineage of Jesus in preparation for Christmas. This year's Advent devotions follow the Jesse Tree. Join us as we reflect on Abraham, David, Rahab, and others, tracing God's plan as it unfolds toward the birth of the Christ child. Devotions are available in both English and Spanish."<br />
<br />
19. <b><a href="https://adventconspiracy.org/">Advent Conspiracy</a></b>: "Advent Conspiracy was founded on the radical idea that we can celebrate Christmas humbly, beautifully, and generously. Advent is the story of a wondrous moment when God entered our world to make things right. It is the greatest story ever told and it changes everything—including the way we celebrate Christmas."<br />
<br />
20. <b><a href="https://ssjdadventreflections.blogspot.com/">On the Road to Bethlehem</a></b>: "Advent Reflections for 2018 Written by the Oblates and Sisters of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine."<br />
<br />
21. <b><a href="http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgical-year/advent/">Advent Calendar from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops</a></b>: "Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Our Advent calendar above can help you fully enter in to the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ."<br />
<br />
22. <b><a href="https://www.wvi.org/breaking-silences">Advent Devotional by World Vision International</a></b>: "Our prayer is that this Advent these few simple resources will provide you with ways to help your faith communities become more aware of the violence that is happening to children, and encourage them to start breaking the silences that have surrounded those forms of violence against children, whether they are in their neighbourhood or further afield in the global community."<br />
<br />
23. <b><a href="https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/collections/advent-2019/products/advent-conversation-cards-kids-read-truth-pre-order?variant=30273563525182">Kids Reads Truth Advent Conversation Cards</a></b>: "Twenty-five conversation cards will help you countdown to Christmas while exploring the biblical story of Jesus's birth. Celebrate our Savior each day by reading Scripture, answering age-appropriate discussion questions, and completing a fun activity."<br />
<br />
24. <b><a href="https://www.christiancentury.org/blog-post/cover-cover/advent-coming-are-you-ready">The Birth of Jesus Advent Calendar and Nativity Scene by Agostino Traini</a></b>: "Agostino Traini's delightful Advent calendar looks like a book but unfolds into a Nativity scene made of pressed wood that’s sturdy enough to last for years. The brightly-colored figures that make up the scene—one for each day of the season and a bonus one for the day after Christmas—will delight children. Many of the characters are engaged in everyday activities, as if to emphasize that Christ came into a world of ordinary people."<br />
<br />
25.<b> <a href="https://stevebell.com/product/advent/">Pilgrim Year (Advent) by Steve Bell</a>:</b> "Drawing on poetry, music, history and tradition, Steve's unique reflections animate a rich spiritual tradition for the seasoned and the novice alike. Advent, where we consider the mystery of the human person, whose dignity is to accept the invitation to take part in the drama of salvation, co-operating to bring Christ’s life to the world."<br />
<br />
26. "<b><a href="https://www.fuller.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/The-Bible-in-Advent-Leaders-Guide.pdf">The Bible in Advent" by Fuller Missional Formation</a></b>: "This Advent, consider using our free guide and scripture readings to help you and your community engage Advent afresh by simply listening to the Bible together. Gather with your family, an existing group, or start a new group and delight in the mysteries of anticipation and joy. These are simple tools to help you pause, and reflect."<br />
<br />
27. <a href="https://www.wewonderpod.com/"><b>We Wonder: Contemplative Bible Storytelling for Children:</b> <b>A Daily Contemplative Advent Podcast</b></a>: "Join us, as we wait together for God. Each episode features: a Scripture passage brought to life with dynamic music and audio a short, engaging reflection on the passage a contemplative time for wondering together about the story brief thoughts and a prayer led by a special child-guest."<br />
<br />
PS: If you know of any other good daily Advent devotionals, please feel free to add them in the comments section.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFcXQFo0UQOKTy8rgZuaSTbMZqss0OZd6syJdfF5A3wZ7lqTpxHKpjcq1l3RNwSrQ5qDBVkSog4vOgs8xOLeUh0cdbeyl-542yQU3cWkps6Qde3WbRVjZWHtBbzZxcFR6uHqyQg/s1600/Donald+Jackson+-Luke+Frontispiece+-++The+Birth+of+Christ+-+Preparatory+sketch+1+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFcXQFo0UQOKTy8rgZuaSTbMZqss0OZd6syJdfF5A3wZ7lqTpxHKpjcq1l3RNwSrQ5qDBVkSog4vOgs8xOLeUh0cdbeyl-542yQU3cWkps6Qde3WbRVjZWHtBbzZxcFR6uHqyQg/s640/Donald+Jackson+-Luke+Frontispiece+-++The+Birth+of+Christ+-+Preparatory+sketch+1+.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donald Jackson, "Luke Frontispiece: The Birth of Christ (Preparatory sketch 1)"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-8837267618344808012019-10-16T08:57:00.000-07:002019-10-21T16:34:31.748-07:00Silence in Worship: an essay and resources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4Jj1EJK3UQJEXHJLqoQYrktrYBlkXzgzp7LNpzF3UaRbm3VREjZDqbzetN5QXMU8NNk5a6N5y7o3M2AvktKIOwQgcNeqcwcNkT32Psdqj-1FD6Fjioq97Q5vLLr8CN27O_uc1Q/s1600/10+-+Prostration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD4Jj1EJK3UQJEXHJLqoQYrktrYBlkXzgzp7LNpzF3UaRbm3VREjZDqbzetN5QXMU8NNk5a6N5y7o3M2AvktKIOwQgcNeqcwcNkT32Psdqj-1FD6Fjioq97Q5vLLr8CN27O_uc1Q/s640/10+-+Prostration.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I wrote an essay recently for Christianity Today in which I explored the purpose and place of silence in corporate worship, "<a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2019/october-web-exclusives/church-worship-make-joyful-silence-unto-lord.html">Make a Joyful Silence Unto the Lord</a>." It's a topic that I've thought about for years and had a chance to examine briefly in my new book <i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Glimpses-New-Creation-Worship-Formative/dp/0802876099/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1VHN4GHLSAU0S&keywords=glimpses+of+the+new+creation&qid=1571238490&sprefix=glimpses+of%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1">Glimpses of the New Creation: Worship and the Formative Power of the Arts</a></b></i> (Eerdmans: 2019). As I wrote there in my conclusion:<br />
<br />
"<b>Silence, it must be stressed, plays a determinative role in the proper experience of art in worship</b>. In music, as scholars and practitioners remind us repeatedly, silence represents a fullness rather than an emptiness. In the interstices of musical notes, silence swells and contracts, thereby generating meaning for the listener. For poets, speech lies hidden in silence, while language often finds its force in negative spaces.<br />
<br />
With the theatre, at the end of an extraordinarily good play an audience may sit sated and satisfied, unwilling just yet to break the silence with applause. A great play may also begin in silence—in a moment that invites anticipation. Within the context of dance, silence often creates particular moods and tensions, and with body language a dancer's silent gestures and movements often say everything. And unless we stand silently before a work of art and architecture, it will not yield its best insights to us or work its good powers on us.<br />
<br />
For those of us, then, who make art for worship and who make the decisions about which art to include or exclude, we do well to make plenty of space for silence in our worship—in our songs and prayers, in our looking and showing, in our listening and narrating, and in our moving and resting. We do well, as C. S. Lewis imaginatively reminds us in <i>The Screwtape Letters</i>, to resist the demonic temptation to fill our lives and liturgies with more noise."<br />
<br />
<b>I was grateful to get a chance to tease out some of these ideas in <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2019/october-web-exclusives/church-worship-make-joyful-silence-unto-lord.html">my CT essay</a>. Here is an excerpt from that essay:</b><br />
<br />
<b>THE FULLNESS OF DEAD AIR</b><br />
<br />
"While silence in our prayer and praise of God may feel for many like anxiety-inducing dead air, it is central to faithful worship.<br />
<br />
<b>Silence is fundamental to faithful prayer because prayer begins with the act of listening, not talking. God gets the first word—not the pastor, not the musician, not any of us</b>. <br />
<br />
Silence is also fundamental to faithful singing because in silence, we attune our ears to “the chief Conductor of our hymns,” as John Calvin once put it, in order to be reminded that we were not the first to arrive on the liturgical scene. In humility, we listen first—then we sing. <br />
<br />
Silence is likewise fundamental to faithful preaching because the preacher must make time for the people of God to inwardly digest the word of God so that it has a fighting chance to take root in our hearts and bear good fruit in our lives. <br />
<br />
<b>Silence, of course, is not merely negative—the absence of speech, the omission of sound, the refusal to act.</b> It is also a positive thing. Much like Mary’s “let it be,” uttered in response to the divine word in Luke 1:38, silence is an “active passivity” which creates space for God to transform us. In other words, the absence of noise is not an emptiness; it is always a generative fullness, and in some cases, a terrifying fullness.<br />
<br />
In silence, we are confronted with God’s voice, a voice that we often drown out for fear of being found out or found wanting. In silence, we are judged for our desperate need to fill up our lives with frenzied activity. In silence, we discover that we are not ultimately in control; we are weak and vulnerable and awfully in need of God’s grace."<br />
<br />
<b>Here are a few extra resources for those who wish to learn more about the role of silence in worship:</b><br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Preparation/Silence.shtml">The Place of Silence in the Catholic Liturgy</a>.<br />
<br />
2. <a href="https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/What_is_the_role_of_silence_in_worship.pdf">The Role of Silence in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America</a>.<br />
<br />
3. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6odg24mQ-10">In the Silence</a>" by Hillsong Worship.<br />
<br />
4. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=fddNmMhJcT8">God is the Friend of Silence</a>," by Paul Zach and Liz Vice.<br />
<br />
5. "<a href="https://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/silence-and-beauty-prayers-for-the-suffering-church/">Silence and Beauty: Prayers for the Suffering Church</a>," by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worshop.<br />
<br />
6. "<a href="https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2014/01/silence">Silence</a>," by Peter Leithart.<br />
<br />
7. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpqrO2agOTs">The Gift of Silence</a>," by Nick Seaver from his TEDx talk.<br />
<br />
8. "<a href="https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/moments-of-silence-in-corporate-worship/">Moments of Silence in Corporate Worship</a>," by Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church.<br />
<br />
9. "<a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/03/these-are-the-cities-with-the-worst-noise-pollution/">The Cities with the Worst Noise Pollution</a>," by World Economic Forum.<br />
<br />
10. A conversation with Audrey Assad on "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eT5_05oxDhw">Silence and Worship</a>."<br />
<br />
11. "'<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/jun/22/silence-lovely-idea-church-quakers">Silence is a lovely idea' – so why have churches become so noisy?</a>", by Mark Vernon in <i>The Guardian.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
12. Diarmaid MacCulloch, "<a href="https://www.ed.ac.uk/arts-humanities-soc-sci/news-events/lectures/gifford-lectures/archive/2011-2012/diarmaid-macculloch">Silence in Christian History,</a>" six lectures given in conjunction with the 2011-2012 Gifford Lecture Series at the University of Edinburgh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhu_zZBkMghvzVgOOKUt5LyEHa0hoRwnXRt9_nArFFvEDjARZl117XzGZK7Cvc0A06Bo3ILV-SDGXiOxbEz8RBSH6hnwKKzefJfdwt_5r6amxE60XBJKrGwHjyfvJjfVA4jUusg/s1600/Guate+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhu_zZBkMghvzVgOOKUt5LyEHa0hoRwnXRt9_nArFFvEDjARZl117XzGZK7Cvc0A06Bo3ILV-SDGXiOxbEz8RBSH6hnwKKzefJfdwt_5r6amxE60XBJKrGwHjyfvJjfVA4jUusg/s640/Guate+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-88820549075874064152019-09-10T13:28:00.000-07:002019-09-10T13:28:04.405-07:00How to Write a Good (Theological) Essay by Jason Goroncy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EAX5YmcYRyBN0J0YG48JDjWj_qjCSmHlkDIxx4mDU3CvHCVEuJ4CQhM8WIIS1-qisdgcSsGVuVlokw_sTT8O6v-GppOZ_N73x9LtBqBYmkTkImikjV8IpTdI0abDeoAO0RV1Nw/s1600/Just+Write.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="570" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EAX5YmcYRyBN0J0YG48JDjWj_qjCSmHlkDIxx4mDU3CvHCVEuJ4CQhM8WIIS1-qisdgcSsGVuVlokw_sTT8O6v-GppOZ_N73x9LtBqBYmkTkImikjV8IpTdI0abDeoAO0RV1Nw/s640/Just+Write.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the things that I've found most challenging as a teacher is the un-even ability of my graduate students to write a good research essay. Partly it's on account to the fact that my students come to seminary from all sorts of educational backgrounds. Some come from the humanities, others from the sciences, still others from the vo-tech or business or kinesiology departments.<br />
<br />
Some come to graduate school after a long absence from the academic world. My heart always goes out to these students in particular. I've been there.<br />
<br />
And even if they come from the humanities, that doesn't mean that they were actually trained to write well. Few of my students were taught how to craft clear and simple sentences, how to build paragraphs that hold together logically and convincingly, how to create transitional statements that deftly take the reader from one thought to another, or how to generate arguments that are equal parts critical and charitable.<br />
<br />
It goes without saying, moreover, that writing well in general and writing good (theological) essays in particular are difficult tasks. Nobody comes by that skill overnight, even if they possess an innate talent for writing. I can attest to that fact firsthand, as somebody who needed decades, not years, to learn how to write well.<br />
<br />
As a professor I try to give my students all the advice that I can at the start of the term: the lessons I've learned along the way, the sorry papers I've written, the pink slips I've received, the essays I regret making public. To help my students know what to expect from me, I also write up a handout that I give to them at the start of the term. I likewise try to provide exemplar papers to show and not just to tell what I mean by an excellent essay.<br />
<br />
I offer friendly reminders along the way, chiefly to tell them not to wait till the last moment to write the essay. And I tell them that as often as not, despite their best efforts to produce good school work, life will interrupt them with unforeseen illness, family problems, financial challenges, work demands or personal trauma, and that God's grace is sufficient to cover these often disappointing, frequently disorienting experiences.<br />
<br />
And I tell them the good news that may be hard to hear in the moment: that in the end, all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well, to borrow Julian of Norwich's phrase.<br />
<br />
Still, as a teacher these days, you often feel like you're climbing an impossibly tall mountain of negative inertia and that you're fighting against a history of bad habits that students have acquired along the way. Or perhaps you're simply fighting an impossible fight against the era of social media communication and internet neurology.<br />
<br />
I was immensely pleased, then, to find this marvelously helpful video tutorial by the Aussie theologian Jason Goroncy (known to some of us for his work editing the multi-author volume, '<i>Tikkun Olam' —To Mend the World: A Confluence of Theology and the Arts</i>). It's an excellent introduction to writing a decent essay. It's clear, it's concise, it's full of inspiring quotes, and it's immensely practical. I heartily commend it to all teachers and students, and I thank Jason for taking the time to produce it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yR7MRUT5fgs" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-25486214012049851112019-07-02T06:46:00.000-07:002019-08-30T09:28:53.207-07:00A Collect Prayer for Beginnings: “Make me new in the middle” <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDACA3gt9Nsc7JSclTeZWqQBgbrTIgmxqrm5szjYE5EuQ6HFMtJYC3k_aURlkhdSm5E-dmwGDWowUs12P9STKOqPIS3hiSz0qQTM5NSoRTzp2Jlppiid0TsqXeXsMBvtcRzsOcg/s1600/Moses+and+the+Burning+Bush++Pedro+Orrente+%25281580%25E2%2580%25931645%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="1000" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDACA3gt9Nsc7JSclTeZWqQBgbrTIgmxqrm5szjYE5EuQ6HFMtJYC3k_aURlkhdSm5E-dmwGDWowUs12P9STKOqPIS3hiSz0qQTM5NSoRTzp2Jlppiid0TsqXeXsMBvtcRzsOcg/s640/Moses+and+the+Burning+Bush++Pedro+Orrente+%25281580%25E2%2580%25931645%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Moses and the Burning Bush," by Pedro Orrente (1580–1645)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One of the assignments that I give students in my "Practices of Worship" course at <a href="https://www.fuller.edu/faculty/david-taylor/">Fuller Seminary</a> is to write a weekly Collect Prayer. Most will not have been familiar with this term, and it will sound just as strange to their ears as it did to mine when I first heard the term in college.<br />
<br />
I will tell them, however, that if they wish to understand <b>the basic grammar of Christian prayer,</b> then they need to get a clear grasp of the Lord's Prayer (the basic New Testament prayer), the Psalms (the basic Old Testament prayer), and the Collect Prayer (the basic prayer of church history).<br />
<br />
Dating back to the 5th century of the church’s liturgical life, the Collect Prayer is rooted in a basic biblical pattern of prayer that “collects” the prayers of God’s people. As C. Frederick Barbee and Paul. F. M. Zahl explain in their preface to <i>The Collects of Thomas Cranmer</i>:<br />
<br />
"This at first extemporaneous prayer would later also be connected to the Epistle and Gospel appointed for the day. A Collect is a short prayer that asks ‘for one thing only’ (Fortescue) and is peculiar to the liturgies of the Western Churches, being unknown in the Churches of the East. It is also a literary form (an art comparable to the sonnet) usually, but not always, consisting of five parts.”<br />
<br />
A typical example from the Book of Common Prayer is this <b>Collect Prayer for Guidance</b>:<br />
<br />
<i>Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen</i>.<br />
<br />
As I tell my students, the Collect Prayer is <b>a commemorative prayer.</b> The model of the Collect Prayer brings to mind what God has done in the past and who God will continue to be in the present. Thus the pattern: <i>You, who….</i> With this model of prayer, we remember before we request; we call to mind the ways of God before we petition the will of God.<br />
<br />
It is also <b>a profoundly theological prayer.</b> The Collect Prayer always keeps the activity of God in close connection to the character of God. By praying first the name of God in light of a particular activity of God, we protect ourselves from abstract or idiosyncratic notions of divine justice, love or goodness, for example, and root them instead in the concrete manifestation of trinitarian justice, love and goodness: how Jesus does justice, how the Spirit does love, how the Father does goodness.<br />
<br />
<b>The basic structure of the Collect Prayer is as follows:</b><br />
<br />
1. Name God ("You who...")<br />
2. Remember God’s activity or attributes<br />
3. Ask<br />
4. State the desired hope<br />
5. End in Christological or Trinitarian way<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
One of the best parts of the Collect Prayer, as I tell my students at the beginning of the term, is that, <b>while prescriptive in form, it lends itself easily to extemporaneous expression</b>. There is no circumstance in life where this prayer cannot become immediately useful. And so I give my students a range of themes and topics as prompts for new prayers.<br />
<br />
I ask them to write a Collect Prayer for doubt or trust in God; for workers in the marketplace and for homemakers too; for a specific person in their community in light of a specific person in Holy Scripture; for healing (whether physical, emotional, mental or relational); for the experience of joy, good news or fruitfulness; for the experience of loss, suffering, tragedy or death; for reconciliation; for endings; and so on.<br />
<br />
Anybody can write and benefit from a Collect Prayer: individuals, small groups, church staff, community leaders, teachers, coaches, and so on. All you need is to learn the basic form, to immerse yourself in the stories of Holy Scripture, and to imagine circumstances and needs that are relevant to your context.<br />
<br />
One of my students, Sarah Jose, wrote the following Collect Prayer for Beginnings. I asked if I could share it publicly and she said yes. While it does not exhibit the economy of the usual Collect Prayer, it retains the spirit of the Collect, and it offers the people of God, who may find themselves in the "middle of their life," a beautiful prayer to put on their lips.<br />
<br />
<b>“Make me new in the middle” </b><br />
<br />
O God, my Creator, Beginning of beginnings,<br />
Here in the middle of my ages, I remember your call on Moses.<br />
You waited until he was past his prime, and past his self,<br />
Past his desire to shine, and past his need to hide.<br />
The burning bush broke through his cycle of days,<br />
Cut through his comfortable habits and patterns.<br />
He became new in the middle.<br />
<br />
Creator of Beginnings, give me a new start today.<br />
Break my cycling days and weeks and my familiar routine.<br />
As you have sustained me this far (farther and further than I ever expected)<br />
Now in the burning mid-day of my life,<br />
Please Lord, make me new.<br />
<br />
With courage to be new in the middle<br />
I rest in you, God my creative Father,<br />
Jesus my sustaining Friend,<br />
and Holy Spirit, my illuminating Vision.<br />
<br />
Amen.<br />
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3c2qTEr96zYaNOeUJ9_SzWx5DUEHjs1mDzpoSLNP9laxe3UuQfUCx_gqBi2yPhmIgY6C9QG00p2BJ4SHRBT2gkBFiKydEaMaAGMESN71jkhdCxzOcPPAkLOAloJ0mXGmNyp_LA/s1600/Moses+keeping+Jethro%2527s+sheep+-+Sir+Edward+Poynter+%25281863%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="639" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3c2qTEr96zYaNOeUJ9_SzWx5DUEHjs1mDzpoSLNP9laxe3UuQfUCx_gqBi2yPhmIgY6C9QG00p2BJ4SHRBT2gkBFiKydEaMaAGMESN71jkhdCxzOcPPAkLOAloJ0mXGmNyp_LA/s640/Moses+keeping+Jethro%2527s+sheep+-+Sir+Edward+Poynter+%25281863%2529.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Moses Keeping Jethro's Sheep," by Sir Edward Poynter (1863)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-76844387052001469072019-06-24T10:23:00.000-07:002019-06-24T10:44:35.589-07:00Master of God, Beloved of God: My Commencement Speech at Fuller Theological Seminary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16Podw8UFMH5I94dO1QzKkcOomuGnKzRYTKpFyDByonTJDYV_UP0x7tQS9u85AMq10kqnwFDojizkk8qy88rh0sELPJMdQPRqDwF6gIjpjuWt707LIDsM3HXTyvO0fywcQUzFrQ/s1600/icon+of+baptism.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="670" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16Podw8UFMH5I94dO1QzKkcOomuGnKzRYTKpFyDByonTJDYV_UP0x7tQS9u85AMq10kqnwFDojizkk8qy88rh0sELPJMdQPRqDwF6gIjpjuWt707LIDsM3HXTyvO0fywcQUzFrQ/s640/icon+of+baptism.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The following is the text of the speech that I delivered to the students graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary, in Houston, Texas, on June 15, 2019. It was both a privilege and a joy to offer a few words of encouragement to them as they transitioned into a new season of life, post seminary.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 15pt;">Masters of God, Beloved of God<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Good morning and congratulations, graduates. You did it. You graduated from seminary!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">After all these years of hard work and the impossibly short deadlines on your final papers, you made it. After all of the long nights and the brain twisting reading assignments and the tedious forum posts that, God help you, you hope you never have to do again, you have finally acquired a new title. You are Masters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And you have learned the names of so many things along the way. You now know the difference between a Calvinist and an Arminian, and you know that the latter are not to be confused with the good people of Armenia, who live just north of Iran. You know the names of popular heresies, like Apollinarianism, even if you <i>can’t </i><i>quite </i><i>recall </i>what it is. You know what the Economic Trinity is and you know that it doesn’t have anything to do with divine budgets or godly bargains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">You’ve got Perichoresis in your back pocket. You’ve got the Great Schism on the tip of your tongue. You’ve got the Rule of Faith in one hand and a Rule of Life in the other. You’ve got mad exegesis powers and you know that homiletics is just a really fancy word for the art of preaching. You also know that only Germans whose last name starts with the letter “B” get to be read in seminary: like Barth, Brunner, Bultmann and Bonhoeffer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">What I would like to offer to you today, then, as a last bit of instruction that you will ever get from a seminary professor, is a general word and a specific word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The general word is this</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">. Because you have gone to seminary, you have acquired massive naming powers, which is a little bit like Jedi powers. Like Adam and Eve before you, you can name the details of the world in a way that escapes most of us, and when you name people and things, you exercise power over them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">You can name the difference between a <i>truly </i>Reformed person and a <i>mostly </i>Reformed one. You can name the consequences of an egalitarian and a complementarian position on marriage. You can spot the Docetist in your congregation. You can detect a dodgy eschatology when it shows up in a worship song. And you can pinpoint a prayer life that makes too much or too little of the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">This is what God has in fact called and equipped you to do by going to seminary: to name the world both responsibly and faithfully, so that the world might know and love God truly. And because all of you belong to a local congregation of one sort or another, God invites you to exercise your naming powers not just responsibly and faithfully, but also carefully and graciously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">A word of caution, then, if I may: the local church is the one place where you will be tempted, like Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode III, to misuse your Jedi powers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">You might be tempted to trot out the names of Arius or Athanasius with a knowing look in your eyes. You may wish, like I did in my first sermon after my first year of seminary, to drop all manner of fancy Greek words into your sermons. You may wish to ramble on about the historical-critical method in your Sunday School class in a way that makes it harder rather than easier for people to love the good words of God’s Good Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And because the people of God are all over the place in their spiritual life, you also may be tempted to call them theologically ignorant philistines. You may find yourself becoming fed up with them as a stiff-necked people who can’t keep theodicy or theocracy straight. You’ll look out over the congregation and think:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">There goes the progressive; there goes the fundamentalist. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">That’s the Bible fanatic; that’s the liberationist. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">She’s the semi-Pelagian; he’s the brain-on-a-stick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">But you’re not alone in the naming business. God is in the naming business, too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The psalms tell us that God calls the stars by name. In Luke 1, God calls Elizabeth the “fruitful one” to replace the nickname that people had given her, the “sterile one.” In Luke 7, he calls “beautiful” a woman whom others called “sinner.” In Revelation 2, he gives all of us a white stone with a new name written on it. And the Holy Spirit bears witness of our true name as well, as children of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">This then is my general word to you: be like God and name the people of God not just faithfully and responsibly, but also in care-filled and gracious ways.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Which leads me to my specific word to you</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">. Of all the ways that you could name the people of God, remind them of their baptismal name. What is their baptismal name? It is the same name, I suggest to you, that Father gives to Jesus at his own baptism: beloved. In all three accounts of Jesus’ baptism in Matthew, Mark and Luke, the Father’s voice from heaven is heard audibly. And all three accounts include the same basic statement: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-size: 13pt;">You are my Son, the Beloved, with whom I well pleased.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Think for a moment how astonishing this is. The Father presumably could have made his voice heard countless times throughout Jesus’ ministry. But he speaks out loud only three times, and two out of the three times, including at Jesus’ transfiguration, the God who exists eternally, infinitely, supremely in the abundance of his ontological life, repeats himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The Father knows all the words in the world. He knows all the words that <i>could </i>be, and yet <i>shall </i>be, world without end. And he could have said a million things—a trillion different things, in fact—about the Son. But instead, he says one thing: You are my Son, the beloved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The people name Jesus, too. They call him Messiah, Lord, Rabbi, King of the Jews. Jesus names himself as well: Bread, Door, Light, Shepherd.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">But none of these names, I offer to you, is more definitive than the name that the Father gives to Jesus, before the Son has accomplished any one thing in his public ministry, and which the Spirit confirms in the hearing of the people: beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And when you and I are baptized, in Jesus’ name, we too hear the Father name us this way: beloved. We too receive the gift of the Spirit who confirms in our hearts our truest name: beloved. And when we look around at the people of God, we too would see their truest name: the beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Each of you here is officially a “master.” That is your new name. A master of art. A master of theology. A master of divinity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">But more important than this new name is your truest name: a beloved of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Some of you are pastors, some are teachers, others evangelists or administrators. All of you are leaders. But your truest name is beloved. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Some of you have the gift of healing; others of you have the gift of mercy. All of you are called to be servants. But your truest name is beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Some of you are academically gifted. Others of you are gifted counselors or gifted in works of justice. All of you are ministers of one sort or another. But your truest name is beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">So when you struggle to find your place in the world, remember your truest name. <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And when you doubt your calling, what’s your truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When you feel exhausted by the demands of ministry, what’s your truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When you feel discouraged by the lack of evident fruit in your labors, what’s your truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When you feel irked by specific people in your community, what’s <i>their </i>truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When people do not appreciate the sacrifices that you have made to serve God, what’s their truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When Christians do stupid things in public and embarrass themselves on social media, what’s their truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When your worship leader plays a song with dodgy eschatology, what’s their truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And when you feel overwhelmed by the neediness of all the people in your community—of the extroverts and the introverts, of the single and the married with a quiver of children, of the old and lonely and the young and the restless, of the theologically fussy and the theologically negligent—what’s their truest name? <i>Beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And when you can’t remember somebody’s names, what do you call them? You call them brother. “Good to see you, brother! How’s it going, brother? Praying for you, brother! It’s all good, brother!” And that brother—and that sister too—is the <i>beloved</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When I was a child growing up in Guatemala, my friends called me “canche” because I had white skin. My not-friends called me “amoeba,” because amoebas are also white and nobody likes them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In high school, my friends called me “Bean,” which was quite the opposite of what my parents called me when I was a baby, which was “Chunk.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In college I was David the Doubter. In seminary I was David the Rabble-Rouser. In my thirties, as a pastor, I was David the High Achiever With Impossibly High Standards For Himself And Everybody Else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In time, I acquired new names: husband, daddy, uncle, professor, priest, chronically fatigued, guy who sorta knows Bono.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">But none of these names define me as truly or as deeply, or as utterly wonderfully, as the name that my Father in heaven gives me in the name of his Son and the power of his Spirit: I am the beloved one.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And that’s how I, too, would name you masters students today in the presence of your family and friends on this marvelous occasion: the beloved of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">And so, beloved, remember your true name and, as you exercise your Jedi powers of naming the world faithfully and responsibly, carefully and graciously, remind the people of God of their true name, too: the beloved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-70890461770946555332019-05-16T18:25:00.004-07:002020-11-18T07:51:16.255-08:00On the construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction of a seminary student: A letter to my students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eJcY6A9m60esK2k7K-B18F5ctZ60G3aKB8nSDdcrX_hkBhHToXQPv8KeLk2EGslzErY-lkNhjTNV_mi0rSBGIv53EnskkFlGE23OjFpDrNiPEDybnXERSzExc14cy2yFRsx9hA/s1600/Sweven+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1298" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8eJcY6A9m60esK2k7K-B18F5ctZ60G3aKB8nSDdcrX_hkBhHToXQPv8KeLk2EGslzErY-lkNhjTNV_mi0rSBGIv53EnskkFlGE23OjFpDrNiPEDybnXERSzExc14cy2yFRsx9hA/s640/Sweven+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, Encaustic on Wood Panel, 4 x 4 (2016)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Dear friends,<br />
<br />
Allow me to say out loud what some of you may be feeling at this point in the course, on a theology of beauty. Some of you may be feeling liberated from faulty ideas about beauty. Others of you may be feeling affirmed in your ideas about beauty. Still others of you may be feeling confused about your ideas of beauty. And some of you may be feeling depressed about beauty as a concept and hopeless about the possibility of ever using the word again without hearing a thousand qualifiers going "clang-clang, beep-beep, wait-stop!" in your head in the most clamorous manner.<br />
<br />
If you've been in seminary long enough, you will know that for many people it involves the experience of deconstruction. Things you long thought or believed or did are questioned, or put under a different light, or deepened and expanded, or refuted and qualified, or they lose their taste altogether and you're left hungry for something better, richer, truer, but you can't quite figure out what that is just yet.<br />
<br />
The experience of deconstruction can be profoundly disorienting and destabilizing. Plenty of students graduate from seminary without any opportunity to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, or at least to put new pieces of the puzzle together in a way that offers a vision of abundant life under a new horizon. That's a truly god-awful experience to be left in and profoundly exhausting besides.<br />
<br />
I'm aware that for much of the course we have been slowly dissecting the idea of beauty. And like the proverbial frog on the laboratory tray, we see what makes it a frog but we do not see its "frogness" any more. We see just parts. We may see all the arguments and ideas and disagreements and perspectives and contexts for beauty, but we do not see its "beautyness" any more. We see just deconstructed parts.<br />
<br />
But perhaps our encounter with beauty is akin to the disciples' encounter with Jesus. To see the truly good news of the Good News, the disciples needed to hear the bad news first: "repent," "deny," "take up your cross," "service is greatness," "the true Messiah dies," and so on. Having heard the bad news, they were given a chance to truly reckon with the consequences, and the glory, of embracing the gospel, and to discover that it was gooder than they could ever have imagined. It wasn't just the promise of new life; it was the promise of resurrected, hyper-abundant life, or as Eugene Peterson translates John 10:10, "more and better life than they ever dreamed of."<br />
<br />
My hope is that by the end of this course, and particularly with the Week 10 readings, you will be given a chance to put the pieces back together again--whichever pieces you believe belong and however you feel they ought to go together. My hope, and indeed my sincerest prayer, is that you will have an opportunity for reconstruction, to see beauty in a new light and to be able to embrace it fully, trusting that it still has good work to do in this world that God has made and that sin has disfigured.<br />
<br />
One of my Old Testament professors once described the experience of theological education as the movement from naïveté<em> </em>to criticality to second-naïveté<em>.</em> We come to our studies with the faith of our childhood or with the faith of our first encounter of Christ. This is the first stage: <em>naïveté</em>. It is a sincere, whole-hearted faith. We then encounter a world of ideas and conflicting perspectives that cause us to question everything or at least plenty of things that have mattered deeply to us. We suspect. We criticize. We analyze. We speculate. We argue. We step away from our hearts and we stand in our heads. We feel suspicious of the naive and we fear becoming children again, vulnerable to manipulation or childishness.<br />
<br />
But while my professor encouraged us to engage this critical stage of our studies with faith, and with vigor too, trusting that God blesses the faithful work of analyzing texts and arguing for good ideas, among other things, he also warned us of the danger of remaining in this stage too long, a stage that turns into a disposition that becomes intoxicating to us after a while, a disposition that in time turns into a habit of being that becomes toxic to the heart. <div><br /></div><div>And so he told us of the day on which he rediscovered Jesus again, as if for the first time, with the simplicity of a child's heart, everything feeling fresh and sharp again as the disciples may have originally felt, vulnerable to God, vulnerable also to being easily harmed by others. He said this with the radiant smile of a child on Christmas morning.<br />
<br />
Hearing him say these things made me feel weepy and terrified both.<br />
<br />
It remains my prayer for you, then, not just in our course but in your experience of seminary, that you would arrive at the place of a second-<em>naïveté</em>. And I pray also that it would not take ten long years to get there, as it did for me, because of my fear of being made fun of or found wanting, and because of my lust for intellectual power.<br />
<br />
And that's why, in part, I have given you an opportunity in your weekly posts to tell us what you find beautiful in your home, in your church, in your city, in nature and in the world that you could imagine for yourself if you had all the money in the world. I want you to feel free to keep using the language of beauty and to say, "This is beautiful," without obsessive worry or interminable qualification, as a child might say it. I want that muscle to remain strong and not to atrophy in the light of all your critical engagements of the course material.<br />
<br />
I want perhaps what may seem impossible: for deconstruction and reconstruction to happen simultaneously. It may be impossible, yes, for any number of reasons, but it's still what I pray. <div><br /></div><div>And I want for you to know that these things are possible within a community of kindred friends, who feel acutely the harm that false ideas about beauty have done in our world and how great damage has been done to people in the name of beauty, and yet who believe that a trinitarian idea of beauty and a faithful practice of beauty might, in fact, somehow, someway, bring healing to world, or as one of Dostoevsky's characters says in his novel <em>The Idiot, </em>that it might somehow, someway save the world, precisely because it appears in the name of the One whose radiant beauty makes all things new.<br />
<br />
These things are possible, I believe, because the Holy Spirit wants them for you, more than I ever could, and intercedes on your behalf so that you might know Jesus again, whose broken, crucified yet also resurrected beauty gives us a glimpse of the heart of God the Father.<br />
<br />
Just a few thoughts here on a Thursday afternoon in Houston, Texas.<br />
<br />
Every blessing,<br />
<br />
David</div></div>w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-8010427414221857632019-04-12T08:17:00.000-07:002019-04-13T06:51:30.703-07:00Psalms for Holy Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWm80nlHeVL8ZvuSkiuzBqLKpCTHmaXQ2aJFmBDyJ84qT0Re7Sh51wr8CcCskPeW6cMh8Xw-qIUymCmM_KoGZcldz7cJ1li6h3TVp3jDPbYyl5QI35OC3kT4BUnfUF7hlNoJfhg/s1600/PJ+-+3+Nails+%2528edit%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1242" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWm80nlHeVL8ZvuSkiuzBqLKpCTHmaXQ2aJFmBDyJ84qT0Re7Sh51wr8CcCskPeW6cMh8Xw-qIUymCmM_KoGZcldz7cJ1li6h3TVp3jDPbYyl5QI35OC3kT4BUnfUF7hlNoJfhg/s640/PJ+-+3+Nails+%2528edit%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, "Lent 2" (encaustic, thread, shellac, and square head nails, 2011)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The following prayers are taken from resources that I found helpful in the writing of my book on the psalms, <i>Open & Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide for Life </i>(Thomas Nelson: 2020). In some cases, they represent fresh and imaginative translations of the psalms. In other cases, they represent a psalm-like poem that draws inspiration from particular psalms or from the spirit of the Psalter as a whole.<br />
<br />
All of them show us in some manner what it means to pray to God from the heart, or perhaps more accurately "out of the depths," <i>de profundis, </i>as Psalm 130:1 puts it, which is language that has been redeployed by artists such as Arvo Pärt, Franz Liszt, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Christina Rossetti, Charles Baudelaire, and Federico García Lorca. I offer this "sampler" of prayers as an aid to our personal and corporate practices of prayer during Holy Week.<br />
<br />
<b>HEAR OUR CRY</b><br />
God our Creator,<br />
God most high,<br />
God immortal,<br />
Hear our cry.<br />
<br />
God all-merciful,<br />
God most high,<br />
God all-powerful,<br />
Hear our cry.<br />
<br />
God invisible,<br />
God most high,<br />
God ever present,<br />
Hear our cry.<br />
<br />
(David Adam, <i>Music of the Heart: New Psalms in the Celtic Tradition, </i>67)<br />
<br />
<b>LAMENT PSALM FIVE</b><br />
O God, find me!<br />
I am lost<br />
in the valley of grief,<br />
and I cannot see my way out.<br />
<br />
My friends leave baskets of balm<br />
at my feet,<br />
but I cannot bend to touch<br />
the healing<br />
to my heart.<br />
They call me to leave<br />
this valley,<br />
but I cannot follow<br />
the faint sound<br />
of their voices.<br />
They sing their songs<br />
of love,<br />
but the words fade<br />
and vanish in the wind.<br />
They knock,<br />
but I cannot find the door.<br />
They shout to me,<br />
but I cannot find the voice<br />
to answer.<br />
<br />
O God, find me!<br />
Come into this valley<br />
and find me!<br />
Bring me out of this land<br />
of weeping.<br />
O you to whom I belong,<br />
find me!<br />
I will wait here,<br />
for you have never failed<br />
to come to me.<br />
I will wait here,<br />
for you have always been faithful.<br />
I will wait here,<br />
for you are my God,<br />
and you have promised<br />
that you counted the hairs on my head.<br />
<br />
(Ann Weems, <i>Psalms of Lament, </i>11-12)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 32</b><br />
Blessed are the man and woman when forgiven<br />
their willful sin, when God gives them a pardon.<br />
Blessed are the young and old whose guilty wrong<br />
the LORD removes because their hearts come clean.<br />
Your hand brought pain, LORD; day and night I suffered,<br />
so long as I would not confess my evil.<br />
Now that my heart no longer hides its sin,<br />
You lift my guilt away and make me free.<br />
<br />
Let every sinful saint who would be rescued<br />
before the flood, repent and plead forgiveness.<br />
We know the wicked harden in their hurts,<br />
but you keep safe those, LORD, who trust in you.<br />
You are our hiding place and certain wisdom!<br />
You will deliver us from stubborn passions.<br />
Let us be joyful as forgiven folk!<br />
Laugh with the LORD: God's grace brings jubilee.<br />
<br />
(Calvin Seerveld, <i>Voicing God's Psalms, </i>53)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 113: THE ENERGY OF COMPASSION</b><br />
As the light of dawn struggles through the gloom,<br />
as the sun filters through the morning haze,<br />
as the weary stretch into another day,<br />
<br />
As the noonday sun burns and does not relent,<br />
as the pressure mounts on the brain,<br />
as the elderly nod through the afternoon,<br />
<br />
As the shadows lengthen and the day declines,<br />
as the air cools around the homeless,<br />
as a night of grieving looms,<br />
<br />
As we grow angry at the senseless violence,<br />
as we cradle the wounded in our arms,<br />
as we patiently repair the damage,<br />
<br />
As the sloucher straightens his back,<br />
as the poor rise up from the scrapheap,<br />
as the barren at last conceive,<br />
<br />
As Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel give birth,<br />
as Ruth follows Naomi to a new home,<br />
as Rahab and Tamar find their place in the story,<br />
<br />
As we seek to deepen our trust,<br />
as we glimpse the power of compassion,<br />
as we see the divine in the outcast,<br />
<br />
As we remember the tales of our ancestors,<br />
as we recall the moments of freedom,<br />
as we renew our strength at its source,<br />
<br />
As the Spirit of awe overtakes us,<br />
as the depths of compassion overwhelm us,<br />
as the glory and splendor overshadows us,<br />
<br />
As we worship at all times, in all places,<br />
as we lovingly relish the Name,<br />
as the people sing with one voice.<br />
<br />
<i>Refrain: Alleluia! We dare to give praise to God!</i><br />
<br />
(Jim Cotter, <i>Psalms for a Pilgrim People, </i>245-246)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 13</b><br />
How long, my Beloved?<br />
Will you forget me forever?<br />
How long will you hide your<br />
face from me?<br />
How long must I bear this pain<br />
in my soul,<br />
and live with sorrow<br />
all the day?<br />
How long will fear rule my heart?<br />
<br />
Notice my heart and answer me,<br />
O my Beloved;<br />
enlighten me, lest I walk as<br />
one dead to life;<br />
Lest my ego fears say,<br />
"We have won the day;"<br />
Lest they rejoice in their strength.<br />
<br />
As I trust in your steadfast<br />
Love;<br />
my heart will rejoice,<br />
for in You is freedom.<br />
I shall sing to the Beloved,<br />
who has answered my prayers<br />
a thousand fold!<br />
Come, O Beloved, make your home<br />
in my heart.<br />
<br />
(Nan C. Merrill, <i>Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness, </i>17)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 133</b><br />
How wonderful it is, how pleasant,<br />
to be healed of the corrosive disease of racism and separation;<br />
and to live as God's people together in harmony.<br />
The Spirit of the Lord will then fill the hearts<br />
and the minds of all the people.<br />
Nobody will be judged any more on the basis of race or colour;<br />
but all will be ruled with justice and integrity.<br />
<br />
The war will end and the people together will rebuild the country.<br />
There will be no reference to the colour of the skin,<br />
for all will be regarded as the people of God,<br />
the people he created in his image.<br />
And this will be the beginning of what the Lord has promised--<br />
the life that never ends.<br />
<br />
(Zephania Kameeta, <i>Why O Lord? Psalms and Sermons from Namibia, </i>47)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 22:22-28</b><br />
Here’s the story I’ll tell my friends when they come to worship,<br />
and punctuate it with Hallelujahs:<br />
Shout Hallelujah, you God-worshipers;<br />
give glory, you sons of Jacob;<br />
adore him, you daughters of Israel.<br />
He has never let you down,<br />
never looked the other way<br />
when you were being kicked around.<br />
He has never wandered off to do his own thing;<br />
he has been right there, listening.<br />
<br />
Here in this great gathering for worship<br />
I have discovered this praise-life.<br />
And I’ll do what I promised right here<br />
in front of the God-worshipers.<br />
Down-and-outers sit at God’s table<br />
and eat their fill.<br />
Everyone on the hunt for God<br />
is here, praising him.<br />
“Live it up, from head to toe.<br />
Don’t ever quit!”<br />
<br />
From the four corners of the earth<br />
people are coming to their senses,<br />
are running back to God.<br />
Long-lost families<br />
are falling on their faces before him.<br />
God has taken charge;<br />
from now on he has the last word.<br />
<br />
(Eugene Peterson, <i>The Message</i>)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 134: LATE</b><br />
A scholar at his desk at midnight<br />
Looked up from his book, beyond the lamplight,<br />
Into a socked-in yard where gray wisps swirled<br />
Between clotheslines, and said: Blessed be the creator<br />
of this world.<br />
<br />
(Laurance Wieder, <i>Words to God's Music: A New Book of Psalms, </i>168)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 117: TO THE CHOIRMASTER</b><br />
I convene the spirit of the song and the singer both.<br />
Lord, we convene our best when we practice harmony.<br />
Two-part harmony is the Lord and ourselves.<br />
Three-part harmony is the Holy Trinity.<br />
Four-part harmony is each Gospel together.<br />
<br />
If there can be the billions of voices harmonious,<br />
then the world may unwobble from its discord,<br />
the celestial choirmaster can raise his baton<br />
to synchronize the stars, the warm wind<br />
through the bars of trees. Harmonized, sing us whole.<br />
<br />
(Nicholas Samaras, <i>American Psalm, World Psalm, </i>173)<br />
<br />
<b>PSALM 130 (131)</b><br />
<i>No se ensoberbece Señor mi corazón</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Yo no quiero ser millonario</i><br />
<i>ni ser Líder</i><br />
<i>ni ser Primer Ministro</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Ni aspiro a puestos públicos</i><br />
<i>ni corro detrás de las condecoraciones</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>yo no tengo propiedades ni libreta de cheques</i><br />
<i>y sin Seguros de Vida</i><br />
<i>estoy seguro</i><br />
<i>Como un niño dormido en los brazos de su madre...</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Confíe Israel en el Señor</i><br />
<i>(y no en los líderes)</i><br />
<br />
My heart does not become proud, oh Lord<br />
<br />
I do not wish to be a millionaire<br />
nor a Ruler<br />
nor a Prime Minister<br />
<br />
I do not aspire to public office<br />
nor do I run after medals and badges<br />
<br />
I own no properties, no checkbook<br />
And without Life Insurance<br />
I am secure<br />
Like a child asleep in the arms of his mother...<br />
<br />
Trust oh Israel in the Lord<br />
(and not in the rulers of earth)<br />
<br />
(Ernesto Cardenal, <i>Salmos, </i>71, my translation from the original Spanish)<br />
<br />
<b>COME, RENEW US</b><br />
Come, Lord, come to us.<br />
Enter our darkness with your light,<br />
Fill our emptiness with your presence,<br />
Come, refresh, restore, renew us.<br />
In our sadness, come as joy,<br />
In our troubles, come as peace,<br />
In our fearfulness, come as hope,<br />
In our darkness, come as light,<br />
In our frailty, come as strength,<br />
In our loneliness, come as love,<br />
Come refresh, restore, renews us.<br />
<br />
(David Adam, <i>Music of the Heart: New Psalms in the Celtic Tradition, </i>86)<br />
<br />
<b>AN EASTER DAY PRAYER</b><br />
Lord of all life and power,<br />
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son<br />
overcame the old order of sin and death<br />
to make all things new in him:<br />
grant that we, being dead to sin<br />
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,<br />
may reign with him in glory;<br />
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit<br />
be praise and honour, glory and might,<br />
now and in all eternity. Amen.<br />
<br />
(<i>The Book of Common Prayer</i>)<br />
<br />
<b>THREEFOLD PRAISE</b><br />
Lord of the sunrise,<br />
Dispeller of night,<br />
Father of glory,<br />
Giver of light.<br />
<br />
Christ of healing,<br />
Making me whole,<br />
Christ redeemer,<br />
Protect my soul.<br />
<br />
Spirit of life,<br />
Setting me free,<br />
Spirit of power,<br />
Full of glory.<br />
<br />
Holy and blessed,<br />
O glorious Three,<br />
Honour and praise,<br />
And worship from me.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
(David Adam, <i>Music of the Heart: New Psalms in the Celtic Tradition, </i>11)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvISlueGOQ_VihGbVN-46FSQVLCBRYTEGsc4ucgrhGem65zv6Tx_RLgGjEnpBW3OVLddbJw7Wdo3k4ako4KxikSb9o9VWYeuy7J60ooxxuSoIA1_Ye84jRaqZX3zpXz56xMJL2mw/s1600/PJ+-+3+descending+nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="623" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvISlueGOQ_VihGbVN-46FSQVLCBRYTEGsc4ucgrhGem65zv6Tx_RLgGjEnpBW3OVLddbJw7Wdo3k4ako4KxikSb9o9VWYeuy7J60ooxxuSoIA1_Ye84jRaqZX3zpXz56xMJL2mw/s640/PJ+-+3+descending+nails.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, "Lent 1" (2011)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-15208980863714056512019-02-04T11:34:00.001-08:002019-02-04T11:34:19.400-08:00On the Vocation of Motherhood & Artmaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOULBqachuwQNjfhvVyQ2x00bas62xHoX0NadqkeYDybIG1-kju0tumB2pIrKN6AlplSI45YJ_LESLcauI_r1OgyMVsM545O2lP5CSwpmHCY9W1RBkw5CB_lUHW_iPdFkm5seprg/s1600/The+Book+of+Game+%2522Oranges+%2526+Lemons%2522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOULBqachuwQNjfhvVyQ2x00bas62xHoX0NadqkeYDybIG1-kju0tumB2pIrKN6AlplSI45YJ_LESLcauI_r1OgyMVsM545O2lP5CSwpmHCY9W1RBkw5CB_lUHW_iPdFkm5seprg/s640/The+Book+of+Game+%2522Oranges+%2526+Lemons%2522.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, "The Book of Games: Oranges & Lemons" (2018)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I've been wanting to pull together a <a href="https://www.laitylodge.org/retreats/motherhood-and-artmaking/">retreat</a> like this since the spring of 1996. At the time I was attending an Anglican church in Vancouver, British Columbia.<br />
<br />
While drinking a coffee in the fellowship hall, a young woman approached me and introduced herself. She said she'd heard I was interested in the arts. A first-year student at Regent College, I had recently offered to help lead the musical worship at the evening liturgy, which was being aimed at folks on the margins of faith and the church.<br />
<br />
She told me she was a modern dancer. She told me that she'd recently given birth to her first child and that was she struggling with postpartum depression. Her body had become foreign to her. It was not the body that she recognized from all her years of training and performing as a dancer. She wondered if I had any good news to tell her.<br />
<br />
I didn't. I felt utterly helpless. At 24 years old, I had nothing to offer her except sympathy and words of encouragement, as useless as those felt at the time.<br />
<br />
Eventually we became friends, shared a small group with other artists, and partnered on liturgical art projects here and there. She bore a second child and experienced an even worse bout of depression. She couldn't figure out where God was in the middle of it all.<br />
<br />
I'll never forget that exchange, twenty-three years ago now. It haunted me throughout my years as a pastor in Austin, Texas. It informed every conversation I had with mom-artists in our congregation at Hope Chapel. And it niggled away at my subconscious brain. One day, somehow, I thought to myself, I wanted to do something to help that young mother and other mothers like her.<br />
<br />
After dreaming about such a retreat with my artist-wife, Phaedra, the mother of our children, and with Steven Purcell, the director at the Laity Lodge, it's finally happening: on July 25-28, 2019. Here's how we have described the retreat, <b>"<a href="https://www.laitylodge.org/retreats/motherhood-and-artmaking/">On the Vocation of Motherhood & Artmaking</a>"</b>:<br />
<br />
"This <a href="https://www.laitylodge.org/retreats/motherhood-and-artmaking/">retreat</a> is an invitation to explore the opportunities and challenges that are involved in the twin calling to motherhood and artmaking. It is open to mothers in all stations and circumstances of life, whether at the beginning of motherhood or in the fullest years of grandmothering, and to artists of all media, disciplines and contexts."<br />
<br />
It'll include contributions from <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1631468456?aaxitk=Uxneo-9ZTQrVzHkTxLa0Ig&pd_rd_i=1631468456&pf_rd_p=3ff6092e-8451-438b-8278-7e94064b4d42&hsa_cr_id=6620625880401&sb-ci-n=productDescription&sb-ci-v=Becoming%20Gertrude%3A%20How%20Our%20Friendships%20Shape%20Our%20Faith">Jan Peterson</a></b> (Eugene's wife), <b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Real-Love-Life-Work-Caring/dp/0986381853/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1549307753&sr=1-1&keywords=andi+ashworth">Andi</a> <a href="https://www.arthouseamerica.com/about/">Ashworth</a>, <a href="http://www.sandramccracken.com/">Sandra McCracken</a> </b>and my wife <a href="http://www.phaedrataylor.com/"><b>Phaedra</b></a>; possibly others too.<br />
<br />
If you're an artist and a mother at any stage in the life and calling of a mother, we welcome you to join us this summer. You'll probably want to sign up soon because places will fill it up fast. We're excited to see what God will do in such a gathering of remarkable mom-artists.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXrb7QYlON1fWMCfCApx_iLxP44nrSx1y2-djHEewhqkGXCavcXM0nTdDUnVpii3qybjMkoKmRIX3cVjPczWvm7_luZYzpNJCXHQ7kZrC5P0y_lm19dCPdX8p71cS8P35U5Jrgg/s1600/LLR.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="1165" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheXrb7QYlON1fWMCfCApx_iLxP44nrSx1y2-djHEewhqkGXCavcXM0nTdDUnVpii3qybjMkoKmRIX3cVjPczWvm7_luZYzpNJCXHQ7kZrC5P0y_lm19dCPdX8p71cS8P35U5Jrgg/s640/LLR.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoTC-WEuwhoHcgjxGpJ-UAqZaVGGq0KNrseD58-6ayFtjHhG1ra9tMaym_WzpAPk4-x4aCSaT8LxYC3DPPXY43v84ODlSIcjnjwz8AI4B0H9wm4RGTXHmazqEpHd-4XGpOJm2IQ/s1600/With+Gladness+%2526+Singleness+of+Heart+%2528Watercolor%252C+Pencil%252C+Paint+Pen+%257C+6+x+20+%257C+2009%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoTC-WEuwhoHcgjxGpJ-UAqZaVGGq0KNrseD58-6ayFtjHhG1ra9tMaym_WzpAPk4-x4aCSaT8LxYC3DPPXY43v84ODlSIcjnjwz8AI4B0H9wm4RGTXHmazqEpHd-4XGpOJm2IQ/s640/With+Gladness+%2526+Singleness+of+Heart+%2528Watercolor%252C+Pencil%252C+Paint+Pen+%257C+6+x+20+%257C+2009%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phaedra Taylor, "With Gladness & Singleness of Heart" (Watercolor, Pencil, Paint Pen | 6 x 20 | 2009)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-81399247610570212712018-10-24T10:27:00.000-07:002018-11-05T07:56:11.708-08:00In Memory of Eugene Peterson (1932-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq2KfrCnUZvPLOIQVSFKdt-4wVdvdsvKceQHZ1gqM1q2WBtM42s28ueClL2pZO-OGQ27bpkxsDDu5GJatLke6BahEir3dcub4bzHjozhQphuMARQ4pAzGZhmAO5Q4BtvySVyJOg/s1600/PJ+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="938" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfq2KfrCnUZvPLOIQVSFKdt-4wVdvdsvKceQHZ1gqM1q2WBtM42s28ueClL2pZO-OGQ27bpkxsDDu5GJatLke6BahEir3dcub4bzHjozhQphuMARQ4pAzGZhmAO5Q4BtvySVyJOg/s640/PJ+art.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.phaedrataylor.com/work/index.php?/category/16">Phaedra Taylor</a>, "Pentecost Project," for Christ Church, Austin, Texas (detail)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
“Let’s go.” -- <b>Eugene Peterson's final words (2018)</b><br />
<br />
"I find myself wrapping things up. The continuity of my life now has to do with people of my own age. We're all looking forward to death, or maybe it's just me. Maybe I should say, anticipating death." -- <b>Eugene Peterson on his mortality (2015)</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_li2Y4U3U9hGW3XNJdsHi4fIP5Fq7IdJ9x4Kk5tDBvxxKHewB688OjTumAzbwnqkzpPdY4QY7vzoU67zxqZYcA8rVS4dF0zlm00zLA5v_v8CFauJTA7-mCJuo3yMxqiwPXifAg/s1600/EHP+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB_li2Y4U3U9hGW3XNJdsHi4fIP5Fq7IdJ9x4Kk5tDBvxxKHewB688OjTumAzbwnqkzpPdY4QY7vzoU67zxqZYcA8rVS4dF0zlm00zLA5v_v8CFauJTA7-mCJuo3yMxqiwPXifAg/s640/EHP+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A collection of crosses in the Peterson home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b>Peterson and Dostoevsky</b><br />
I first met Eugene through an essay that he’d written on Fyodor Dostoevsky. I read it at some point in the early ‘90s while I was still in college at the University of Texas. Being a Humanities major, something about his essay stirred a sense of excitement in me. I had read Dostoevsky, I had written essays on him, I had felt a kinship with his melancholy vision of the world (in a way that made me more insufferably melancholic), but I had never read anything by a Christian who’d attempted to make a link between Dostoevsky’s novels and what it meant to be a human being, let alone a Christian. As he explained to me his interest in Dostoevsky in April of 2015:<br />
<br />
<b>"I just love the way he's able to carve out a Christian ethic in a culture which is antithetical to it, and his ability to probe the spiritual depths of things, not just the psychological. I've learned more from him that way than anybody else."</b><br />
<br />
When I asked him which 2 or 3 novelists he would take with him to the proverbial isolated island, he answered: "That's pretty easy. Dostoevsky, Charles Dickens, and probably Wallace Stegner."<br />
<br />
After reading his essay on Dostoevsky, I became curious about other things that Eugene had written. Eventually I discovered that he taught spiritual theology at <b><a href="https://www.regent-college.edu/about-us/news/2016/bringing-a-dream-to-life--alumnus-david-taylor-on-bono--eugene-peterson--and-the-psalms">Regent College</a>,</b> in Vancouver, British Columbia. At the time I had no interest in studying at a seminary. I had no interest in working in a church or teaching theology. My interests lay with the Foreign Service. But, much to my surprise, I found myself filling out an application in May of 1995 to study at a seminary in Canada where Eugene was training students to love the Bible--as if for the first time.<br />
<br />
In his lectures he used the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins and the literature of George Eliot, Karl Barth’s theology and Frederick Buechner’s novels, Greek mythology and stories from his Pentecostal childhood as a way to help his students understand who God was and what God was on about it in this expansive vision of Holy Scripture. All of it felt immensely exhilarating to me; it still does.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0vfwSQbIwlkZVy6i2cn04kvoXXefvFz_csum3C97-QijUpk-NV1eX2bsczRhmGQZXnVnCR_WKzBPooNfYsmFyxFpbR6p9vFzUnd9A_7ImE-uOaYdhNbaRL0kbpw4V1Cjmp0_Hg/s1600/EHP+%2526+Bono+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0vfwSQbIwlkZVy6i2cn04kvoXXefvFz_csum3C97-QijUpk-NV1eX2bsczRhmGQZXnVnCR_WKzBPooNfYsmFyxFpbR6p9vFzUnd9A_7ImE-uOaYdhNbaRL0kbpw4V1Cjmp0_Hg/s640/EHP+%2526+Bono+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moment of spontaneous laughter between Eugene and Bono.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Silence and Saint Patrick</b><br />
I remember, however, how disconcerting the beginning of his classes felt. He’d invite us to pray with him, but then he’d wait an interminably long time before he actually said any words. It was likely only a minute or two of silence. But in the moment it felt like the silence would never end; it engulfed us, weighed down on us, discomfited us and was utterly ambivalent to our feelings. Our feelings never came into the picture.<br />
<br />
After praying, he’d make us sing St. Patrick’s hymn, “I Bind Unto Myself.” He insisted that we sing the whole thing, all 7 or 8 verses of it. It was a never-ending, melodically impossible, vocally gymnastic, lyrically dense, theologically demanding song. At the start of the term, it only irritated me to waste so much time singing. I was anxious for him to get on with his lecture notes. But for him, the silence, the praying, the singing, the listening, the waiting, the being present <i>were</i> the teaching A certain form of learning was requisite to form us rightly.<br />
<br />
<b>The Love of Learning and the Desire for God</b><br />
As he reminded me in an independent study that I did with him along with two friends, the further along we went in our schooling, the more dangerous the form of our schooling might become to our sense of self and the shape of our spiritual life. As he put it in a letter to us in 1997:<br />
<br />
<b>“But what do you do when you are part of a system that is diabolical? Boycott it? Subvert it? Do the best you can to survive privately through the process? I'm thinking primarily of the PhD process which seems to me to be truly diabolical--knowledge acquired with no rootage in the prayerful, the local and the personal, and at such a strenuous level that virtually no one has any enjoyment/play in the process. Will there come a time when all the saint-intellectuals refuse to continue in higher education becuse they love learning and God too much? Has the time already arrived when the school is no longer a congenial or safe or holy place to cultivate the life of the mind?”</b><br />
<br />
Some twenty years later I began work on a doctoral program at Duke Divinity School and his words haunted me all the way through. They haunt me still today. At the time, he encouraged me to read Jean Leclercq's book, <i>The Love of Learning and The Desire for God: A Study of Monastic Culture</i>. He believed it might send me in the right direction, and it did.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yxWyBasZKNRIrFxlrtlzf7DG9-u4YIZeET2fZILZLqIZWx16YglS93rfjQrXxUl0iHP17tFS5YmqDyiSaPyBS8EViH_IwGIqB5-o-DJ6ROJwL60x1iNcS8ZtmAC2FkcFZldcNQ/s1600/DT+%2526+EP+reading+juntos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yxWyBasZKNRIrFxlrtlzf7DG9-u4YIZeET2fZILZLqIZWx16YglS93rfjQrXxUl0iHP17tFS5YmqDyiSaPyBS8EViH_IwGIqB5-o-DJ6ROJwL60x1iNcS8ZtmAC2FkcFZldcNQ/s640/DT+%2526+EP+reading+juntos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eugene, reading one of his own books, while I finished up the list of questions I'd ask him on camera.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>"You're not a scholar, David"</b><br />
At some point in the spring of 1997 I visited Eugene in his office at Regent College. I was hoping he might help me figure out my life. At 25, I no longer knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had no plan, no vision. I didn't want to be pastor and I was scared of being an academic. I only knew that God was slowly deconstructing my INTJ, Enneagram 3, achievement-oriented, performance-driven, inefficiency-loathing, highly calculated identity.<br />
<br />
Little did I know at the time that he would, first, speak a hard word to me, then name me. Sitting across from him, as he rocked in his rocking chair, I said, "Dr. Peterson, I don't know what I'm supposed to be. I only know that I want to be a shepherd of ideas and a shepherd of people."<br />
<br />
At first, he didn't look at me. He only listened, looking instead out the window at the North Shore Mountains. Nor did he answer me immediately. He only rocked back and forth, waiting. Then he said, looking at me now, "David, you're not a scholar." That's the first thing he said and, in the moment, I thought that might be the only thing he'd say. My immediate reaction was to feel hurt. It's not what I wanted to hear. I wanted him to say something that would comfort me, to make me not feel adrift and disoriented and so helpless, despite this feeling that I should know better at twenty-five. I found myself becoming upset.<br />
<br />
But then he said, "David, only God knows what you will become. Be patient with yourself. But if you end up in the academy, you will probably be a pastoraly-teacher, and if you end up in the church, you will probably be a teacherly-pastor. I will pray for you."<br />
<br />
At the time I didn't fully understand his words. Looking back on that conversation years later, however, I realized that he had named me. I don't think anyone had ever named me before. I'm not sure anyone has named me in that way ever since. What he meant, I think, by saying that I was not a scholar is that there wasn't only one way to be a scholar. All scholars were not like Barth or Westermann or Pannenberg or Brown–Driver–Briggs. There was space for all sorts of callings to a scholarly life, and for that word of encouragement, I remain grateful to this day.<br />
<br />
I stayed in seminary for five years. At the end of that time, after two degrees in hand, I found myself working at a small church called <b><a href="https://hope.org/">Hope Chapel</a>,</b> in Austin, Texas. Initially I felt uncomfortable when people called me "Pastor David." It sounded decidedly weird to my ears and I felt a slight embarrassment at the title. Eventually, though, I realized that people were calling me by my true name, a name that Eugene had prophesied, as it were. For better and for worse, I was a teacherly-pastor: a pastor who loved to teach.<br />
<br />
And when I found myself, by God's grace, teaching at <a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-eugene-peterson-psalms/"><b>Fuller Seminary</b></a> years later, I couldn't be anything else except a pastoraly-teacher: a teacher who loved to pastor his students.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3TV22HLzi83JzNrUlExd_ONiRFPq7uap_0NMnpv59zAH1459cw4zFZDSYszVLey0JCJIEBVkXWRK_2eVPuCJsUElv7TcexCnOgNgmVpiW7fr6td06tdOhswlsESf-G7WY9Id3A/s1600/IMG_1392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3TV22HLzi83JzNrUlExd_ONiRFPq7uap_0NMnpv59zAH1459cw4zFZDSYszVLey0JCJIEBVkXWRK_2eVPuCJsUElv7TcexCnOgNgmVpiW7fr6td06tdOhswlsESf-G7WY9Id3A/s640/IMG_1392.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glacier National Park, which is near the Peterson's home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>A Smile with a Bite</b><br />
Eugene’s million-dollar smile is as warm and friendly and kindly as you would imagine by looking at photographs of him. It’s almost like a MARVEL super-power. In person he’s wholly present to you, even if he’s looking away, thinking, listening, waiting. But while one might easily become mesmerized by his smile, and by his gravelly voice and laconic style of speaking, one should not think that Eugene lacks a bite.<br />
<br />
He hates certain things with a zealous fire—like the consumerist, individualist, feelings-centered, suffering-free faith that he felt had captivated so many Christians in North America. Nor does he easily tolerate self-aggrandizing pastors who only want to “make it big” and get “big numbers” in the church.<br />
<br />
In conversation with him once, I saw him become suddenly, even if only momentarily, angry, and it scared me. I thought, "I better watch what I say. I don't want to be on the receiving end of that anger."<br />
<br />
As plenty of his friends could testify firsthand, Eugene was always Eugene, but never in a way that was predictable ("He endorsed <i>The Shack</i>? Really?!"), never pigeon-hole-able ("That title comes from Nietzsche? That God-hating atheist? Really?!"), never conventional ("He dropped out of a Ph.D. program at Johns Hopkins and he plays the banjo? Really?!"), never merely "one of the crowd" ("Was he ever?!"), and never one to withhold his opinion about things that matter to him, like the time in class that I tried to defend the desire of my Pentecostal friends to seek the miraculous and healing power of God in their lives and he simply told me that this desire too quickly turned into a desire for escape from the earthiness of their lives.<br />
<br />
I think it's fair to say that I had a sweet friendship with Eugene, but I don't think that I'd ever call it a cozy friendship. He smiled a lot, and his crinkly smiley eyes were Jesus-y in their warmth, but there was always a fire just beneath the surface.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN8e2AkKuuIQuRb_H0VVR8xOO0RdRfqzLrVPtUg4ebwMHxHqLP0v4bWn4LdKgXdLYb0y3uTFsr50g7v5Siz_MOD7GOiZqCCo49f31BmQFHRG7QtNjhOFmgAsIAu4WfOdT9_dDtw/s1600/DT+%2526+EP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN8e2AkKuuIQuRb_H0VVR8xOO0RdRfqzLrVPtUg4ebwMHxHqLP0v4bWn4LdKgXdLYb0y3uTFsr50g7v5Siz_MOD7GOiZqCCo49f31BmQFHRG7QtNjhOFmgAsIAu4WfOdT9_dDtw/s640/DT+%2526+EP.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A moment of listening.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>"Learn to stay with your crummy church"</b><br />
At another visit to Eugene's office I bemoaned the crummy condition of my church in Vancouver. Everything about it seemed poorly done--the preaching, the singing, the organization, the mission, the all-too-reserved hospitality and the utter lack of vision. To me, it felt sickly and dispiriting. And it bored me to death. What I wanted was for Eugene to give me permission to leave. But what I really wanted was for somebody else to make the decision for me. He refused to do either. Instead he told me to stick it out. "Stay with your crummy church, David. Learn to love the people. Don't give up so easily." He said this firmly, with a hint of rebuke, not gently.<br />
<br />
I stayed at that church through the end of my seminary years, four years' worth. And while it remained crummy in some ways--it never grew in numbers, the singing stayed un-even, the community never cohered, and the pastor from England who traveled across the Pond with exciting ideas about how to revive the church in Canada eventually returned home across the Pond, leaving us in no better condition than when he'd found us four years prior--I learned to love the people of God in the way that Eugene had hoped I would. As he said to me in my conversation with him once:<br />
<br />
<b>"The church is not a good place, the church is not an ideal place, it's a lot of trouble, and you've got lot of people to forgive and put up with, but where else are you going to find anything better?"</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
While one is tempted to turn Eugene's observation into an inviolable Law of the Medes and the Persians, he wasn't dogmatic about his conviction (as you'll see in the last part of this post), despite the fact that he kept saying the same thing year after year. Largely his conviction about staying put in a church grew out of a companion conviction to stay put in a place. In his own words:<br />
<br />
<b>"I guess what I would like to convey through my writings, mostly, and through relationships, is that creation is a huge thing, and that our faith has to reflect the basicness of creation to what we're doing. The minute you leave the place, the contingency of place, you lose the story. You're thinking about mystical things, or dogmatic things, or religious things, but this is where it all happens." </b><br />
<br />
How can I love the church if I don't love the place in which a particular member of Christ's body finds itself? How can I say that I love the church if I don't love <i>these particular people, </i>as rotten or obnoxious or dull or provincial as they may be? As Eugene saw it, it's with <i>these</i> people, in <i>this</i> place, that God's salvation actually happens. For me, during most of my twenties, I kept looking for a better deal: a more interesting group of people in a more exciting congregation. It's what Eugene might have called a fool's errand, a fool in the psalmic sense, which is not the kind you want to be.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLTakPEIPD1RcGHP-ftQtclnbMbRa3Wj-_VxG9yKtbJDmuDGE_QiyTc57UtHrUCgCrii9-h8AhrQrACocfJCYF7WzVmuOzguCe-fYXhsI443A_AnK20SAuCPDa3CDkCx__G4pgw/s1600/EHP+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLTakPEIPD1RcGHP-ftQtclnbMbRa3Wj-_VxG9yKtbJDmuDGE_QiyTc57UtHrUCgCrii9-h8AhrQrACocfJCYF7WzVmuOzguCe-fYXhsI443A_AnK20SAuCPDa3CDkCx__G4pgw/s640/EHP+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eugene's Bible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Feeling the Multi-Sensory Texture of the Biblical Text</b><br />
I regularly read <i>The Message. </i>I read it devotionally. I read it to my students in class. I read from it when I preach. I read it because Eugene makes the biblical text come alive. Rather than remaining flat on the page, he makes the words crackle with life. He grabs the reader by the jugular, arrests our attention. He wants readers to feel in their guts the rhythms of the biblical text. He wants them to feel with the ear the kinetic and lyrical power of words as they would have sounded to the original hearers. He wants them to laugh where the text deserves a good laugh. He wants them to feel awe where the text arouses awe.<br />
<br />
He wants them to stop and listen where the text demands that we stop everything that we’re doing and really listen, really look. He wants readers to feel all the emotions that the psalms invite us to feel.<br />
<br />
He wants readers to see the humanity of the saints throughout Scripture, the strangeness and loneliness of the prophet’s vocation, the drama of Jesus’ ministry, the pathos of St. Paul’s travels, the terrifying vision of St. John’s apocalypse. He wants readers to see all these things as a way to re-see themselves: that they, too, experience strange, lonely lives, that they too have lives marked by drama, that their comings and goings are also characterized by pathos, that they too have seen terrifying things, and that, most importantly, God is with them in the midst of all these things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtVrDD9nYyDIYQo0i8iGT3bLlIrRBGiPK0eK6KL1x3VBfUa5AxPfKUX2b3yxIfcdnv4SE2GtrFnroDnYsv_pykPF4n1G2p_rokseIk5pAWoyRnoo3hUb5bXUY__pknTE_-iyOgw/s1600/DT+%2526+EP+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGtVrDD9nYyDIYQo0i8iGT3bLlIrRBGiPK0eK6KL1x3VBfUa5AxPfKUX2b3yxIfcdnv4SE2GtrFnroDnYsv_pykPF4n1G2p_rokseIk5pAWoyRnoo3hUb5bXUY__pknTE_-iyOgw/s640/DT+%2526+EP+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Not just Permission, but Encouragement to love the Arts</b><br />
It's one thing to be given permission to do a thing. It's quite another to be encouraged, and supported, and patronized, and inspired, and resourced to do a thing. Eugene's one of those key people in my life who encouraged me to pursue the arts. <a href="https://vimeo.com/83557356">In his lecture at the dedication</a> of the "Eugene and Jan Peterson Chair in Theology and the Arts" at Regent College, Eugene remarked: “Theology is the North Pole and art the South Pole of the Christian Life. Theology is the study of what God does and says; art is what people say and do in the entire context of what God says and does…. You can’t have one without the other…’”<br />
<br />
I feel tremendously lucky to do what I do professionally, to work in the field of theology and the arts. I teach theology and I teach a theology of the arts, among other things. It's the two great scholarly loves of my life. Driving Eugene Peterson and Jeremy Begbie to their hotel after one of the evening events at the <a href="http://www.transformingculture.org/"><b>Transforming Culture</b></a> symposium that I'd organized in Austin in 2008, I kept pinching myself. "I've got two of my favorite people in the world in my car. Don't blow it, David. Don't say something stupid. Don't fawn. Be cool. Be completely cool. Whatever you do, don't embarrass yourself--like the first time you met Eugene, and, Jeremy, too."<br />
<br />
But I so loved the way he began his talk at the conference (which rolled over into the chapter that he wrote for the book I edited,<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Church-Casting-Vision-Arts/dp/0801071917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1540315528&sr=8-1&keywords=for+the+beauty+of+the+church&dpID=41eUnqDOkuL&preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch">For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts</a>)</i>. It's so perfectly Eugene, and so much what we as artists need to hear:<br />
<br />
<b>"After I accepted the invitation to be at the symposium in Austin, I wondered, “Why Me? I’m not an artist; I’m a pastor. A pretty conventional pastor at that. I study and preach the Scriptures. I lead a congregation in worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. I listen to and pray with men and women who, whether they know it or not, are called to follow Jesus in the way of the cross.” </b><b>I know I would be honored to have all of you artists in my congregation. But I don’t know what I’m doing here in your congregation or why you would want me here. But after thinking along those lines for a while, it didn’t take me long to realize why I might be here. I’m here to be a witness. I am here to give witness to the decisive and critical influence that artists have had in my life as a pastor in a Christian church."</b><br />
<br />
I'm deeply grateful for his encouragement <i>as </i>a pastor to me as an artist and to so many artists around the world. It informed how I saw <a href="http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2007/07/">my own work as a pastor to artists</a>, with <a href="http://www.hopearts.org/">the arts ministry</a> at our church and with artists around the city of Austin.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2U0Li04799MVDLHxQdHjvOq5RbEMvXbdhVfT3vDW0Q2TIzGbhmuEWNzbFMhDJr41dhowdD0G8vY5y-i_Ra2GXmByiexQ3PHDdEYW16gfLjAVANwM2I6y4BWBvVmRyiD1YZfciw/s1600/EHP+praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2U0Li04799MVDLHxQdHjvOq5RbEMvXbdhVfT3vDW0Q2TIzGbhmuEWNzbFMhDJr41dhowdD0G8vY5y-i_Ra2GXmByiexQ3PHDdEYW16gfLjAVANwM2I6y4BWBvVmRyiD1YZfciw/s640/EHP+praying.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eugene blessing the audience full of pastors, artists, scholars, and lay people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>It's the People, not the Plans, the Programs, the Productivity</b><br />
I say nothing new here when I say that Eugene's message to pastors over the years is to make relationships matter more than projects, to make staying put in one place far more important than looking for more exciting opportunities, to make friendship with other pastors a priority, rather than trying to do it better than them.<br />
<br />
Don’t confuse numbers in a congregation with maturity in a congregation. Don’t treat your people like dittos; treat them like the infinitely extraordinary, magnificently particular human beings that God has made them to be. Be content to be yourself, rather than wishing you were somebody else.<br />
<br />
That's what he has said and written for years. And, I confess, it's far easier for me to write these things down than to actually do them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9sMDlBA75-524UtrHSZCI2pRisS4OPUnQAj_XmEatwgXOGuIAqKNmwX2jQHXsMyWIcFiMM8moU0gJNBpjTwryrmCq1tlhKiH1tb_PTJB9SW_jzotPjLiutfVSVDX-yJdswQZ3A/s1600/EHP+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9sMDlBA75-524UtrHSZCI2pRisS4OPUnQAj_XmEatwgXOGuIAqKNmwX2jQHXsMyWIcFiMM8moU0gJNBpjTwryrmCq1tlhKiH1tb_PTJB9SW_jzotPjLiutfVSVDX-yJdswQZ3A/s640/EHP+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eugene's writing desk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>The Legacy of his Life and Work</b><br />
As I see it, Eugene will have encouraged an entire generation of pastors to slow down and to be present to their lives so that they can, in turn, help their people slow down in order to be present to their own, mostly-ordinary lives, as a space in which God might make them more deeply human. His life’s goal has been to change the pastoral imagination of pastors today and I believe he's been successful in that goal for some sectors of the North American church.<br />
<br />
For lay people, he’ll have been the one who showed them most vividly, through sermons and letters, books and conversations, how the imagination was a way to get inside the truth, how metaphor was a way through to the true knowledge of God, that praying isn’t being nice before God, and that the good news of Jesus is for everybody, no matter who you may be. Eugene will have been one of the few pastors and authors (one of the few "famous people") who will have told them that their small-scale, small-fry acts of faithfulness within the context of their rather ordinary lives mattered a great deal to God.<br />
<br />
For me, while I knew that the news of his death would come eventually, it still hit me in a deep, sorrowful, visceral way. I found myself crying throughout the day, on Monday, when I first heard from my friend Steven that Eugene had died. It's been hard for me to reckon with the fact that he's no longer with us. Like others, I won't get to hear his voice any more, or touch his hands, or see him smile this side of our earthly pilgrimage. And it makes me think that that's perhaps what the author of 1 John felt, too, about Jesus, that it's the tactility of the flesh that means so much about knowing someone personally.<br />
<br />
<b>What Phaedra wrote on her Instagram page made me weep again, when I read it:</b><br />
<br />
<i>"I was taking a walk earlier when I heard the news that Eugene had passed through the veil this morning, and I had the clearest thought of something I'd read just a few nights before to Blythe at bedtime. We are finishing C. S. Lewis' novel, </i>The Last Battle<i>, and I'm drawing it out as long as possible because I love every bit of the end. All the Kings and Queens of Narnia are standing on the other side of the door with Aslan, and suddenly all the people they thought had died are running towards them through the door. Roonwit the Centaur rushes past crying "further in and higher up" and gallops off into the new country. It says, "though they did not understand him, the words somehow set them tingling all over." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>"<b>This is what I imagined happening for Eugene. That he would be rushing in to taste his true home..."thundering away in a gallop to the west."</b> When I got home I read an email from Jan where I saw that some of Eugene's last words were "Let's go," and I just sat on the floor and cried. Friends, what lies ahead is more beautiful and rich and enchanting than anything we can begin to imagine. Sometimes I get a glimpse and it sets me tingling all over, even thought I don't understand it, and I think my heart might burst from both the longing and joy."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i><b>"One day we will see our beloved ones rushing towards us, "their eyes brighter and brighter," and everything that is wrong will be made untrue, and we will wonder at how little we knew, and how much there is ahead to explore." </b></i><br />
<br />
Among all the gifts that he has given me over the past twenty-plus year, it’s Eugene's joy that will remain the gift that shapes me most deeply. Even now, as I think about it again, I find myself a little weepy, not just with sadness, but with joy, because I know that his joy is being made full and he would want us to share in it, too.<br />
<br />
For Phaedra and me, we count it a grace to have been friended by Eugene and Jan Peterson. And we're deeply grateful for the things that Jan shared with Phaedra in this <a href="https://www.arthouseamerica.com/blog/that-would-be-it-a-conversation-with-jan-peterson.html"><b>interview</b></a> at the Art House America Blog, in particular this moment of candid confession:<br />
<br />
<b>PHAEDRA</b>: In one of Eugene's books he says: “The holy is found in unexpected places.” Which I love. In what unexpected place have you found the holy?<br />
<br />
<b>JAN</b>: Gene wrote that?<br />
<br />
<b>PHAEDRA</b>: Yes, somewhere. I don't remember where.<br />
<br />
<b>JAN</b>: (Laughs.) I haven't memorized everything he wrote.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgJZJl8hgvtZ0Qr84E3R9mbaYeoxdqp4T4v7ijTiZAPQWx6m6J8iD2VAq3oiuJxc_zAcorNEVP8QfTW8vRJnVOlFLUBWIzLHSQKJB5HJQMHw3suctuP-BrZxuv_AQbTu6E5jneA/s1600/EHP+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgJZJl8hgvtZ0Qr84E3R9mbaYeoxdqp4T4v7ijTiZAPQWx6m6J8iD2VAq3oiuJxc_zAcorNEVP8QfTW8vRJnVOlFLUBWIzLHSQKJB5HJQMHw3suctuP-BrZxuv_AQbTu6E5jneA/s640/EHP+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A poem carved on one of the stones in the Peterson's yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>A Postscript Where Eugene Says "Uncle"</b><br />
I end here with a comment that Eugene made to me when I visited his home in 2015. It's so quintessentially Eugene, and so funny, too. While I had personally believed Eugene's exhortation to stay put with a church that may not satisfy all your desires and needs, I knew plenty of young people, and perhaps middle-aged and old people too, who found it hard to keep that advice perfectly. So I asked him the following question. I guess you can say that I just wanted to hear him say "uncle" once in his life. And he did.<br />
<br />
<b>DAVID</b>: "That sounds like a good idea, Eugene, to stick it out no matter what, but I can hear somebody saying in response, "The church I'm part of has poorly crafted sermons, songs with dodgy music and cliché lyrics, the building is ugly, and the people are dysfunctional. All the things that make something aesthetically worthwhile, or aesthetically linked to the incarnation, this idea of being rooted, it seems to me that there really are quite a number of young folks who feel like they're giving it their best, but everywhere they look, sermons, prayers, songs, space, it's just a cause for despair. It's like, go here, go to Montana, take a break from the church, from people." What would you say to a person who responded that way?"<br />
<br />
<b>EUGENE: "Make friends with the people where you are. Forget about the music. Forget about the sermon. Make friends. There are people there who are good people, maybe they're saints, who knows? But start where you are, and if it doesn't work, find someplace else. Become a Roman Catholic, become a Greek Orthodox." I don't have any problem with people that do that. My friends have done it and tried to get me to do it."</b><br />
<br />
I'll feel lucky till the day I die that I got to work with Eugene and <a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-and-david-taylor-beyond-the-psalms/">Bono</a> with <a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-eugene-peterson-psalms/">this project on the psalms</a>. Thank God for everybody--especially <a href="https://www.laitylodge.org/about/">Steven Purcell</a>, director of Laity Lodge, <a href="http://www.fourth-line.com/">Nate Clarke</a>, the director of the short film, and Taylor Martyn, whose photographs are included in this post--who made it possible. May it serve as a living testimony to Eugene's life and calling. (And it's touching that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dWyycVLvp0">Bono dedicated the song "There Is A Light" to Eugene</a> at the U2 concert in London, on October 23, 2018.)<br />
<br />
We love you, EHP. We love you, too, Jan. Thank you.<br />
<br />
Let's go.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aDSU1C0xPYJ_76-h9yr2zhssa9JH4_kdu4-CMxoBxTxGroqQmHp_WXsuw24BurzDKC6ZeFW__gT86AGeCaxkkAgW3ek1DUlxUiV1_lON88_YJJMq8r7NZW4e-M1CShmHl_uOUg/s1600/EHP+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aDSU1C0xPYJ_76-h9yr2zhssa9JH4_kdu4-CMxoBxTxGroqQmHp_WXsuw24BurzDKC6ZeFW__gT86AGeCaxkkAgW3ek1DUlxUiV1_lON88_YJJMq8r7NZW4e-M1CShmHl_uOUg/s640/EHP+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eugene's reading chair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIPNL8qG37S0h4iCoYGAEOrv8CnIJ5_ena1Jtb5WFKtkhIFlCtVWs5d65arC98_zIZl9ThcfpQS6hWI6AhYLQDbnUCGJTRTdmjUI_3d5647KRqPMLacWof12B44ysPn6kkbkY3A/s1600/Peterson+plays+the+banjo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="519" data-original-width="720" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglIPNL8qG37S0h4iCoYGAEOrv8CnIJ5_ena1Jtb5WFKtkhIFlCtVWs5d65arC98_zIZl9ThcfpQS6hWI6AhYLQDbnUCGJTRTdmjUI_3d5647KRqPMLacWof12B44ysPn6kkbkY3A/s640/Peterson+plays+the+banjo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, that's a banjo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-l40S5e90KY" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LaMgIvbXqSk" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hq6_h50ADRs" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-91486413624989886452018-05-01T10:24:00.001-07:002021-06-23T09:35:22.612-07:00On God's Reckless Love and Other Divine Adjectival Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGAYULKBJ-8Jcfd89-RPtVjwNUQwYnULx5hZ_tnjgQpyX5WMOktuehRMDkMgbTxvYYiTYFInWWShofgQIvGV0BB0m9ZV2KVW_m5Rm7llaZVrW_7fO30gTNFDL7ib0C7fdnUEjPQ/s1600/Reckless+love+of+God.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="530" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlGAYULKBJ-8Jcfd89-RPtVjwNUQwYnULx5hZ_tnjgQpyX5WMOktuehRMDkMgbTxvYYiTYFInWWShofgQIvGV0BB0m9ZV2KVW_m5Rm7llaZVrW_7fO30gTNFDL7ib0C7fdnUEjPQ/s640/Reckless+love+of+God.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I sang Bethel's "Reckless Love" for the first time this past Sunday. I'd only read about the controversies surrounding the adjective "reckless," <a href="https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/april-web-only/reckless-love-cory-asbury-bethel-music-and-justin-bieber.html?share=gjAcVvEg11E68KaJ%2bVQ55j1Gpno3SyuN">summarized in this CT article</a>; and I hadn't even heard the song all the way through. So it was a curious experience to find myself on the inside of the song, singing exuberantly, even forcefully, along with the congregation at <a href="https://christchurchofaustin.org/">Christ Church</a> in Austin. A few thoughts came to mind while I sang it, and a few thoughts came to me afterwards.<br />
<br />
<b>1. I could only know what this song was on about "from the inside."</b><br />
<br />
As I argue in my book, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theater-Gods-Glory-Liturgical-Institute/dp/0802874487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525193473&sr=8-1&keywords=the+theater+of+God%27s+glory">The Theater of God’s Glory</a>,</i> the arts, like the poetry of the psalms or the narrativity of Jesus' parables, engender a way to grasp the world through our physical senses, give us a feel for things that we might not be able otherwise to articulate, and enable us to perceive what, at first glance, may seem improbable or even impossible.<br />
<br />
The arts invite us to immerse ourselves in richly sensory territory: of smelling, tasting, feeling, seeing, hearing. If we wish to know how a song means, then, we need to sing it out loud. We cannot simply read about it or analyze it, as we academics tend to do. A song's fullest meaning occurs <i>through</i> sensory means, and it is this characteristic of music that has made philosophers nervous, from Plato onward.<br />
<br />
While singing "Reckless Love," I thought to myself, "Oh. Now I see. I get it. I get the 'reckless' part." If it is through our various embodied activities that we come to have “a grasp of the world,” then the arts simply intensify this grasp of things.<br />
<br />
While it's frightening to allow oneself to become vulnerable to a work of music, to experience it "on the inside," I don't think we can fully understand this particular song as a musical work of art by standing on the outside of it. We can only properly understand it on its own terms (in its whole form, not in its discrete parts) and within its ideally intended context (as a communal act of singing).<br />
<br />
Put otherwise, although plenty of good work occurs in our study and analysis of works of art--and I thank God for thoughtful scholarly and lay labors--how a song <i>means</i> is akin to how basketball or baking <i>mean</i>:<i> </i>our understanding of its meaning occurs through a know-how rather than a know-about experience of it.<br />
<br />
<b>2. While the term "reckless" makes me theologically anxious, it works to name the character of God faithfully.</b><br />
<br />
Researchers have shown how both disaffected teenagers and Alzheimer’s patients “get a feel” for their place in the world by listening to particular kinds of music. Emotions are “identified,” loneliness gets “named,” knowledge is “uncovered,” and identity is "established." Listening to a host of musical works, the emotions become a way for human beings to name reality.<br />
<br />
They “are a primary means for our being in touch with our world,” as Jeremy Begbie puts it.<br />
<br />
On denotative terms, the adjective "reckless" fails to describe the character of God in a strictly accurate way. The God to whom Scripture bears witness is hardly heedless of the consequences of his actions. Jesus may be audacious in his love for the world but he isn't impetuous. The Holy Spirit may plumb the depths of the human condition but the work of the Third Person of the Trinity is far from thoughtless or careless.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://bethelmusic.com/chords-and-lyrics/reckless-love/">Could the author of "Reckless Love"</a> have chosen a term close enough to "reckless" to get at the same idea? I think so. "Furious" could have done the job just as well, it seems to me. Is the term heretical, as some might worry? No, I wouldn't argue that.<br />
<br />
Do words matter? Of course they do, and I don't think Bethel's songwriters would disagree on this point. But I also think that the church's songwriters should remember that, like the church's preachers and teachers, they are doing singularly important theological work. This means, among other things, that they take their theological responsibility seriously--deadly seriously.<br />
<br />
That being said, on connotative terms the word "reckless" works, I suggest. As Bethel's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sri6F9ZH0uk">Cory Asbury states</a>: “I see the love of God as something wild, insane, crazy. The way that he pursues, chases us down, loves, I believe, is reckless. We were going after that really furious, violent language to speak of the nature of the love of God.”<br />
<br />
When he says that the phrase "dropped in his heart," I would argue that he identifies a kind of emotional center for humanity's <i>sense</i> of God's love. I would likewise argue (unoriginally) that language is always contextual and that both the denotative and connotative senses of words must be taken into account in our assessment of faithful language for God.<br />
<br />
On Sunday, as I put the words of the song on my lips, I found my heart yearning for something that my brain couldn't yet identify. By the end of the song, with tears stinging at the edge of my eyes, I finally figured it out. I, too, wanted to know that God would "chase me down, fight ‘til I was found." I too wanted to know that "there was no shadow that God wouldn't light up or mountain that God wouldn't climb up to come after me."<br />
<br />
It's terrifying to admit that need because there's the realistic chance that I'll be disappointed. It's happened before, and I don't doubt it'll happen again, and that's me speaking from my real-time experience of God, not God's experience of me. But the song "carried me along" to this place of encounter with God, in a way that felt gentle rather than forced.<br />
<br />
It's not that the term "reckless" ceased to matter to me as a professional theologian. It's that the term "reckless," within this context of congregational singing, somehow named the heart of the matter in a way that remained truthful to the love of God.<br />
<br />
It's <i>as if</i> the love of God is reckless, I thought.<br />
<br />
<b>3. The song "Reckless Love" is a musical metaphor for the love of the Good Shepherd and of the prodigal son's Father.</b><br />
<br />
The writer Ray Bradbury once remarked that metaphors, for artists, were the “breakfast of champions.” For the American composer Leonard Bernstein music was a “totally metaphorical language.” The literary critic T. R. Wright argues that the whole point of reading literature, and by association the experience of any work of art, “is that it says something about life which cannot be said in any other way.”<br />
<br />
As I explain in the book I'm currently writing for Eerdmans, <i>Worship and the Arts: Singular Powers and the Formation of a Human Life, </i>the arts marshal metaphors in a way that orients our sense of self in the world. To say that the love of God is reckless, I suggest, is a way of discovering something true about the nature of God's love--through the metaphor, not despite the metaphor.<br />
<br />
This applies not just to the poetry of the song but also to its musical composition.<br />
<br />
One might also say that all art is engaged in an exercise of "What if, As if, and Why not." <i>What if </i>God's love is reckless, like the kind of love that leaves the 99 sheep in order to find the one? What if God's love is <i>as if </i>reckless, like a father who runs after a prodigal child? <i>Why not </i>see God's love as reckless, so to speak, as something that, for some, is a stumbling block, and, for others, a cause for embarrassment, but to the faithful a sign of the character of God?<br />
<br />
<b>4. Do I dare let myself feel this need for God's love?</b><br />
<br />
As I sang the song this past Sunday, I found myself thinking, <i>Would God love me in this way, too? Do I dare let myself feel this need? Have I ever felt God loving me in this Good Shepherd way?</i> By the end of the song, having repeated the chorus several times, I found myself understanding something about the character of God, through the metaphor of the song's lyrics and music, that I had forgotten somehow: that God in fact <i>does </i>love me in this manner.<br />
<br />
Humming the song throughout the day, I still felt the tension of a term that could have been (easily) substituted for "wild," with its Lewisian-pre-approved standing in certain Christian circles, but I also thought that the song's critics might spend their energies inviting and paying their own songwriters to write a hymn that captured the emotional potency of God's "father-of-prodigal-son-like" love.<br />
<br />
God knows we need those kind of hymns.<br />
<br />
Instead of nagging only or merely bemoaning the state of radio-friendly worship songs, then, why not patronize the songwriters in our communities so that they can give musical and poetic voice to the whole scope of God's love in all its gospel particularity.<br />
<br />
The church sorely needs theologically sound songs of the love of God. But it also, I thought, needs songs that will enable us to <i>feel</i> the love of God and to <i>want</i> to live our lives in light of that love.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguivVCUtxBE4ZmULR5ZhLsVpO-0g0uDIwVj_agvWkgCVVn0lwpmBuMo-x-bxOn1z_wRUotdOlLWxpqVesYahL8t3GrmHcNhXEJTlK-Z24wz7_Lx_mm8N-FPVOV41qZ-tvKgCcbZw/s1600/Steve+Prince+-+The+Prodigal+Return-+Your+Past+may+be+Stained%252C+but+your+Future%2527s+Untouched.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="294" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguivVCUtxBE4ZmULR5ZhLsVpO-0g0uDIwVj_agvWkgCVVn0lwpmBuMo-x-bxOn1z_wRUotdOlLWxpqVesYahL8t3GrmHcNhXEJTlK-Z24wz7_Lx_mm8N-FPVOV41qZ-tvKgCcbZw/s640/Steve+Prince+-+The+Prodigal+Return-+Your+Past+may+be+Stained%252C+but+your+Future%2527s+Untouched.jpg" width="470" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steve Prince, "The Prodigal Return: Your Past may be Stained, but your Future's Untouched"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSs7oZjEuRSkdIjaOLnEsgWDs3-DP1DcNXF35l5ianp5JyqRfRu2zv0O5WCnCm_rb1VRW4C2gm33X-hgj3S2xWnTUp11NuSRu5nuzgj1lyqojB5P7yEvApw4tEmf5CdFPhQVhWA/s1600/Forgiving+Father+%25E2%2580%2593+Oil+on+Canvas%252C+183+x+61cm%252C+Hiroshima+Girls+School%252C+Japan%252C+%25C2%25A9+Family+Wesley%252C+2014..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="370" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSs7oZjEuRSkdIjaOLnEsgWDs3-DP1DcNXF35l5ianp5JyqRfRu2zv0O5WCnCm_rb1VRW4C2gm33X-hgj3S2xWnTUp11NuSRu5nuzgj1lyqojB5P7yEvApw4tEmf5CdFPhQVhWA/s640/Forgiving+Father+%25E2%2580%2593+Oil+on+Canvas%252C+183+x+61cm%252C+Hiroshima+Girls+School%252C+Japan%252C+%25C2%25A9+Family+Wesley%252C+2014..jpg" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frank Wesley, "Forgiving Father" (Oil on Canvas, 183 x 61cm, Hiroshima Girls School, Japan).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG3-ukqQbCuidPBfbTL_Bdli-Ph6d_Z94oEr2sXgxXrz222Rl8iZjJgkxohV4COYaTw5fOJ0gnjvODohkT1k8f0eKopxeciEjnvFVg-X-vLS5GasZg_nUvuiqZMBtvK2H3EZ2SA/s1600/John-August-Swanson+-+The-Prodigal-Son.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="640" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG3-ukqQbCuidPBfbTL_Bdli-Ph6d_Z94oEr2sXgxXrz222Rl8iZjJgkxohV4COYaTw5fOJ0gnjvODohkT1k8f0eKopxeciEjnvFVg-X-vLS5GasZg_nUvuiqZMBtvK2H3EZ2SA/s640/John-August-Swanson+-+The-Prodigal-Son.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John August Swanson, "The Prodigal Son"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-38680607885028499692018-03-16T12:46:00.000-07:002018-03-17T18:36:36.733-07:00Writing a Psalm of Lament: An Exercise<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1065</o:Words>
<o:Characters>6076</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Fuller Theological Seminary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>50</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>14</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>7127</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;
color:#1A1A1A;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxOpLih7_yuwd5XHtFRzear1gXod04fXtMMufW2lCFFCCTmi9H5wr2FSFsnCdLToSMNDaSmXwd7T7YpikYOqimC36k1eyfWAygTA1BeJZIKYFqHgh_7IimwqAyX1QmH2qvI7gew/s1600/Mending+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxOpLih7_yuwd5XHtFRzear1gXod04fXtMMufW2lCFFCCTmi9H5wr2FSFsnCdLToSMNDaSmXwd7T7YpikYOqimC36k1eyfWAygTA1BeJZIKYFqHgh_7IimwqAyX1QmH2qvI7gew/s640/Mending+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Mending" (Phaedra Taylor)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">I’ve had
two experiences recently where folks have crafted their own lament psalm. At
<a href="https://www.fuller.edu/faculty/david-taylor/">Fuller Seminary</a> I teach a course on worship annually. I cover topics like
prayer, confession, the Lord’s Supper, Sabbath-keeping, the liturgical
calendar, and so on. It’s one of the funnest courses I get to teach—and I teach
a lot of fun courses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">This year I
did something new. In our session on the Psalter, I not only taught them about
the psalms of lament, I also gave them a chance to write their own psalm of
lament. After giving them a crash course in Hebrew poetry and introducing them
to the “singular powers” of poetry in general, I provided them with a frame for typical
psalms of lament and invited them to write their own. The results were deeply
encouraging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">A few days
later I found myself at the <a href="http://www.laitylodge.org/retreats/artists-vocation-prayer/">Laity Lodge retreat</a> center. <a href="http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2016/08/retreat-for-ministers-to-artists.html">Sharing the speaking responsibilities with Kathleen Norris</a>, the author of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Quotidian Mysteries </i>and<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">
The Cloister Walk, </i>among others, we both spoke on the psalms. Needless to
say, it too was super fun. In our fourth session I gave folks an opportunity
to craft a psalm that gave expression to their own experiences of grief,
suffering, loss, loneliness, doubt, tragedy, death, and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">After 45 minutes working alone, I gathered everyone back to together and invited people
to share the final results, if they wished. Listening to the ten to twelve
people share their poems of lament, I was astonished. People not only
exhibited an extraordinary vulnerability, they had also managed to craft remarkable poems in a really short amount of time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">I had
reminded them earlier of what both John Calvin and Ellen Davis had said about
the psalms. </span><span style="font-family: "arial";">In the psalms, Calvin wrote, “we have permission given us to lay open before [God] our infirmities,
which we would be ashamed to confess before men.” Davis remarks similarly, that the
psalms “enable us to bring into our conversation with God feelings and thoughts
most of us think we need to get rid of before God will be interested in hearing
from us.”<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">As we approach Holy Week and
the conclusion of the season of Lent, I thought I'd share here the handout that
I had originally produced. There’s nothing so powerful as being able to name
the reality of one’s lament at all that’s gone wrong in one’s life and in the
world. There’s nothing so cleansing and healing as being able to share one’s
lament with others. This is the gift of Lent. This is the gift of the psalms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Two final notes. I’m
including here a sample psalm of lament written by Amber Noel while at the
Laity Lodge retreat, and I thank her for the permission to do so. Also, the material here represents matter that I will treat
at length in my forthcoming book with Thomas Nelson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Honest to God: The Psalms and the Life of Faith</i> (due out 2019). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">My hope is that individuals,
small groups, church staff and entire communities might take advantage of this resource (<a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/resources-exploring-psalms/">and others like it</a>) as an opportunity to
craft a psalm of lament and to share it with one another as together we partake of the sufferings of Christ and in the power of his resurrection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">THE SINGULAR POWERS OF POETRY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry is a language that says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more</i> and says it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">more
intensely, more densely, </i>than does ordinary language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry accents the musical textures of human
language.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry brings us into metaphor-rich, imagery-rich territory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry draws our attention to the particularity of
things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry invites us to slow down as a way to pay
careful attention.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Poetry brings to our awareness the “more than just”
quality of things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">THE SINGULAR POWERS OF HEBREW POETRY<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Shorter
sentences than in prose: one line = 6 Hebrew words divided in two halves/cola,
or 9 words in a tri-cola. EX: Ps. 2:1 + 2:2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Default
rhythmic arrangement is 3 Hebrew words or 3 stresses per half line. EX: Ps.
2:2, 7 and 8. The second most common is the 3-2: Pss. 14 and 27.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Its language
is terse. Things are said in the most economic way possible; it is not a
flowery style of poetry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">It relies on
the following devices:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Strophe</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Stanza</b>: Ps. 13 and 19.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Rhyme</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">:
5:1-2; 18:46; 26:11; 35:23; 44:5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Paranomasia</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
(play on words): 6:10; 28:5; 37:2.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Alliteration</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Assonance</b>: Ps. 127:1 and Ps.
102:6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Alphabetical</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
psalms: Pss. 9-10; 25; 35; 37; 111; 112; 145; 119.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Chiasms</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
(abba): Ps. 29.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Refrains</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">:
42:43; 67; 80.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "calibri"; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Parallelism</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">
(“stereophonic complementariness”). Three of the most common types of
parallelism include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">a)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Synonymous</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (Ps. 77:11)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">b)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Antithetic</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (Ps. 30:5)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">c)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">Synthetic</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";"> (a heightening or specifying of first line: Ps.
33:8; 6:5). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Its language
is suggestive rather than discursive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Its powers
reside in its use of metaphor and imagery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">THE BASIC SHAPE OF LAMENT PSALMS <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">With individual and communal
psalms of lament, there is a recognizable pattern. Psalm 13 is typical of this pattern. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">A
Complaint (vv. 1-2)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">How long, O</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">Lord</span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">? Will you forget me
forever?</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">How
long will you hide your face from me?</span><br />
<span class="text">How long must I bear pain</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">in my soul,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">and
have sorrow in my heart all day long?</span><br />
<span class="text">How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">A
Petition (vv. 3-4)<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">Consider and answer me, O</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">my God!</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">Give
light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,</span><br />
<span class="text">and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">my
foes will rejoice because I am shaken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">A
Resolution (vv. 5-6)</span></b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="line" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span class="text"><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">But I trusted in your steadfast love;</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";"><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">my
heart shall rejoice in your salvation.</span><br />
<span class="text">I will sing to the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps">Lord</span><span class="text">,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text">because
he has dealt bountifully with me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">While there are plenty of
variations on this pattern, the complaints are directed chiefly to God. (Psalm
3:1, “Oh Lord, how many are my foes!” Psalm 10:2,“<span style="background: white;">Arise,
O </span>Lord<span style="background: white;">; O God, lift up Your hand. Do
not forget the </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">afflicted</span><span style="background: white;">.”) What are the complaints about? They may be about
God, or about one’s life, or about a presumed enemy. (</span>Psalm 22:1, “My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalm 38:3, “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial";">There is no health in my bones because of
my sin.” </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial";">Psalm 72:4,
“Save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor.”) The kinds of
petitions that the psalmists make of God range widely. They include requests
for healing, deliverance, vindication, provision and protection, and, in the
cases of confession of sin, forgiveness. The final resolution of a psalm of
lament may involve a confession of trust; it may involve a resolve to praise or
a promise to obey; or it may involve a confident affirmation of God’s own
faithfulness, even if there is no empirical data to prove it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial";">WRITING YOUR OWN PSALM OF LAMENT:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Taking the basic shape of a lament psalm as your
pattern, write your own lament psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Choose whether you wish to write an individual lament
or a communal lament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Keep your phrases/lines succinct; no long sentences,
no wordy phrasings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Be specific and concrete in your statements, rather
than abstract and idiosyncratic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Choose evocative imagery or metaphors that will help
you see what you’re praying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Take advantage of the unique devices of Hebrew
poetry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "arial";">Title your psalm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">8. Share it with a friend (if you feel comfortable).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1010</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5763</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Fuller Theological Seminary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>48</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>13</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6760</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;
color:#1A1A1A;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">God heals the
broken-hearted,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">and binds up
all their wounds,</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">God fixes the
number of the stars;</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="Body">
<i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">and calls
each one by its name</span></i><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">“Psalm 147</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">,” by Amber Noel<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">God of Israel,
listen! Let me wag a bitter tongue.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">How my desires
cling to the dust! Would you</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">call it lame? Do
you blame me for eating too much,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">or for watching
Netflix instead of your numbered stars?</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Why do good, why
licitly, innocently amuse </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">myself, without
shared memory, progeny --</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">when people who
don’t even bother</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">to seek you seem
to do just fine? Oy!</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Damn it. You
don’t even treat animals </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">this way, ask
for patience, proper ceremony,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">unbroken
covenant from birds in pair,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">from monkey
troops grooming each other </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">in zoos, from
does, each year their new fawn.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Or two!</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Your are not far
off, O LORD. That is not</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">my problem. I
make my complaint of the farness</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">of flesh, the
inability to look your sweet eye </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">in the eye, in
the eye of another, a human gaze.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">You command not
the deprivation of the senses,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">O LORD, and we
desire it not. I’ve said save me</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">from the lying tongue,
the violent hand,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the turned-aside
foot, the hopeless belly.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">But for the
hungers you have ordained,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">which your very
presence does not dampen</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">but stoke, not
fair! What shall I ask? You give</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the wine, the
bread, the priestly hand</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">on palm and
hair, the oil, the ash, the tears</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Of saints
falling, from me, (I think) from statues;</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the friendship
of children, too, animal comfort,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">friendly
embrace, my body bounding still free</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">through air or
water on a summer’s day. Hooray!</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Are these
enough? If I am honest with you </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">(petulance not
having yet undone your love </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">some-thousand
years and counting, I risk), </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">then no. No,
your gifts are not enough...</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">My God,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">have mercy.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Let those whom
the generations yet unborn </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">praise, saying,
“This will be my mother, and this </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">shall be my
father,” stand in the gates and praise me also, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">saying, “This is
she who loved and loved, who prayed</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">For me on my
sickbed, and I arose, who took</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the LORD for her
abode.” O LORD, comfort</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the single, the
childless woman! The one-bedroom</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">apartment, O
God, I know you do not despise.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">I look at the
stars and see you have fixed </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">the number of
the clusters, yet set between</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">each the expanse
of your presence, like open</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">hands. It is in
their aloneness you name them.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">It is in their
gatherings we do. Return, O God,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">To count your
modern does among the blessed, </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">maybe even the
blessed few who wait with no proof</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">that your will
will please. You do not reject the lonely,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">nor cast out
those who rule a small house.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Hallelujah!
Bearing your name, I say,</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">let the Name of
the LORD be praised.</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>390</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2229</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Fuller Theological Seminary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>18</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2614</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
border:none;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="Body">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Amber Noel, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
<!--EndFragment-->w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-48086083776740184802017-10-23T14:05:00.001-07:002017-10-26T07:16:20.490-07:00On Inter-Disciplinary Studies: 12 Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW1mcmJ2bAwi1tQIkRG529zE0I0S_ZLQoOKw-w4A6FDOXTacpte84ufgLlqtebQS52eZi0OVc3GRVcec14iKThFCFodK7B08-LlmASdXMG9DK8V2QL4v6AF7MastlhEhqJEp1Wg/s1600/Bezalel+and+Oholiab.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="875" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVW1mcmJ2bAwi1tQIkRG529zE0I0S_ZLQoOKw-w4A6FDOXTacpte84ufgLlqtebQS52eZi0OVc3GRVcec14iKThFCFodK7B08-LlmASdXMG9DK8V2QL4v6AF7MastlhEhqJEp1Wg/s640/Bezalel+and+Oholiab.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As a matter of personal and professional interest, I shuttle back and forth between different fields of study. This includes, for example, worship studies in general and liturgical theology in particular, the discipline of systematic theology, and both theological aesthetics and aesthetic theology, along with the arts in their broadest sense.<br />
<br />
During my early years as a pastor, in Austin, Texas, fifteen-some years ago, I frequently enjoyed talking about these subjects. I talked about them at length and with no want of enthusiasm. As I look back on my preaching notes and the adult education materials that I had developed, however, I see evidence that my enthusiasm lacked a measure of care in what I now understand to be rather complicated business.<br />
<br />
As Saint Paul might have said, if he'd written a letter to the Christians in Austin, and he'd included a personal aside to me, which would be extraordinarily flattering: "I can testify about David that he is zealous for worship, theology and the arts, but his zeal is not always based on knowledge."<br />
<br />
Point taken.<br />
<br />
The desire to be careful should not of course lead to complete paralysis, where one says nothing in a public venue for fear of saying the wrong or embarrassing thing, unless one had spent a billion years editing and re-editing, which in the end resulted in saying nothing whatsoever. Risks must be taken. But a good dose of humility always helps and a scrupulous attention to the peculiar logic and landscape of each discipline is essential.<br />
<br />
Over the past three years I've noticed certain patterns of speech and writing in my students that concern me. I've noticed how students will use terms, for example, that are assumed to be self-evident or they will rush headlong into superlatives—<i>Art is spiritual! It ushers the transcendent! It makes the invisible, visible! </i>That may be so, and I am perfectly happy for art to fulfill all these functions, but it begs the question: How so? In what sense uniquely? For what contexts exactly? And so on.<br />
<br />
Clear communication, among other things, is essential for genuine communion.<br />
<br />
Because I want to give my students a fighting chance to succeed in these fields of worship, theology and the arts, I wrote a handout to help them think through the specific skills and virtues that, to my mind, are necessary to do the work of inter-disciplinary studies well. I'm including that handout here in case it's helpful to anybody else engaged in similarly inter-disciplinary activities.<br />
<br />
<b>12 THOUGHTS ON THE PRACTICE OF INTER-DISCIPLINARY STUDIES</b><br />
<b>(WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON WORSHIP, THEOLOGY AND THE ARTS)</b><br />
<br />
<b>1.</b> The virtues of an interdisciplinary practitioner are clarity, charity and humility. The vices are hastiness, prejudice and presumptuousness. The virtues are hard-won, while the vices are gained without effort.<br />
<br />
<b>2.</b> It is hard work doing interdisciplinary studies well. The hard work is worth the doing.<br />
<br />
<b>3. </b>Inasmuch as we are engaged in an inter-disciplinary exercise, we are doing the work of diplomats. This means that we are shuttling back-and-forth between two or more worlds about which we do well to become patient students if we seek to understand and to serve them well.<br />
<br />
<b>4.</b> It is not simply a foreign language that we are learning; it is a foreign culture. This requires an immersive experience over time rather than a slapdash engagement in order to learn how things work in a foreign culture and how we may flourish within that culture.<br />
<br />
<b>5. </b>If we wish to know what authors are after, we need to pay attention to their assumptions, methods, terms and primary conversation partners, not just their stated aims and arguments.<br />
<br />
<b>6a</b>. In order to discern the meaning of a tradition, we need to attend carefully to thought-patterns, linguistic tendencies, favored conceptualities, and specific departure points that open up and close down horizons of possibility for the discipline of worship, theology or the arts.<br />
<br />
<b>6b.</b> This means that the confession of God as Triune should, in some definite, concrete fashion, inform our work of interdisciplinary studies.<br />
<br />
<b>7. </b>We need to keep clear the distinction between a descriptive and a normative. People will say all sorts of things about their field, but that does not necessarily mean that their statements have to be taken as absolute or final, let alone as true. This is to state the obvious. But the obvious sometimes needs stating.<br />
<br />
<b>8.</b> Each of us occupies a tradition of thought and practice that involves a number of things that we assume without question. We use terms, for instance, that seem self-evident to us but which remain ambiguous to outsiders. Reading outside our tradition not only helps us to see ourselves more accurately, it also helps to rescue us from the worst parts of our own tradition. It helps us to see the best parts, too.<br />
<br />
<b>9.</b> Just because we use theology words does not mean that we are actually doing theology. Just because we worship regularly does not mean that we know why we worship this way. Just because we make art does not mean that we know everything that art ought to be on about in the world. An assertion about any of these things does not amount to an argument.<br />
<br />
<b>10.</b> Being a beginner means that we are ignorant of a whole host of things. It means that we get to ask a lot of questions about which we may feel foolish or embarrassed. The virtue of humility enables us to overcome the fear of how others will perceive us and it positions us to succeed rather than to fail.
<br />
<br />
<b>11.</b> Not knowing things means we need the help of others. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not of weakness. Learning in community is ten times better than learning in (self-absorbed) isolation.<br />
<br />
<b>12.</b> It really does not matter how far along in the field we have progressed, there are always new things to learn. The virtue of humility enables us to remain in a childlike place of wonder and curiosity, eager to learn new things, again and again, as if for the first time. It also makes us, as often as not, a pleasure to be around.
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFC_PkQv6LHJeFlHUJqSDJGrkiulFsaFq-CC5g3sigRqOv68Tj-xe_2nTwqi-ubRA378TVHnWNu_5S4O8gKg8zGMjawphQUcVtutTWwYYhL8jaZAw-aVBGKr_-H_m6npP28-CPiA/s1600/DT+teaching.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="555" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFC_PkQv6LHJeFlHUJqSDJGrkiulFsaFq-CC5g3sigRqOv68Tj-xe_2nTwqi-ubRA378TVHnWNu_5S4O8gKg8zGMjawphQUcVtutTWwYYhL8jaZAw-aVBGKr_-H_m6npP28-CPiA/s640/DT+teaching.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screenshot from video lecture, "On the Meanings of Art" (October 18, 2017)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-1993151568588737672017-09-26T07:10:00.001-07:002017-09-27T06:59:39.855-07:00Worship, Theology and the Arts: A Syllabus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpj1Eh18bv7IuviyvV0XrOKWkYT0JWpzaKChgEcXDl7m4yxeeGdYhRz_a8NNpAa7CUFJRpcT_GnBEp8UujFmzQxkZaNxi0V1dcFMboI_9bgJq2hxq6747lvn8r-7_oSVdWI0o_g/s1600/Psalms.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="578" data-original-width="1136" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpj1Eh18bv7IuviyvV0XrOKWkYT0JWpzaKChgEcXDl7m4yxeeGdYhRz_a8NNpAa7CUFJRpcT_GnBEp8UujFmzQxkZaNxi0V1dcFMboI_9bgJq2hxq6747lvn8r-7_oSVdWI0o_g/s640/Psalms.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The following is a portion of the syllabus for the course that I teach at <a href="http://fuller.edu/academics/faculty/faculty-profiles/taylor,-david/">Fuller Seminary</a> on worship, theology and the arts. It's the introductory course for students who wish to dive a little more deeply into this interdisciplinary field; many of the students, in point of face, will be connected to the interests of the <a href="http://Carmen de Lavallade and Alvin Ailey at the Jacob’s Pillow ( Credit John Lindquist/Harvard Theater Collection)">Brehm Center</a> in some fashion</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. As with all courses of this nature, so many possible resources are left on the cutting room floor. It's a shame, really. The hope of course is that the next time around you'll be able to mix and match a different set of readings. So that's a grace, at least. For now, I'm excited to take students through this material and to see what we discover together.</span><br />
<div class="MsoFooter" style="tab-stops: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">WORSHIP, THEOLOGY, AND THE ARTS</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">: <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">THE TOUCHSTONE COURSE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; tab-stops: 28.0pt 56.0pt 84.0pt 112.0pt 140.0pt 168.0pt 196.0pt 224.0pt 3.5in 280.0pt 308.0pt 336.0pt; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">COURSE DESCRIPTION<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">This course
is the introductory course for all students entering Worship, Theology, and the
Arts (WTA) concentrations at the master’s level. This course introduces the
students to a methodology that will undergird their
theological study of both Christian worship and the arts. That methodology
involves the exegesis of “works of art” both within the context of
the church and the context of the public square. Beginning with the question of terms and starting points for such a
complex topic, this course explores each subject in turn: 1) worship and the
arts; 2) theology and the arts; 3) the arts and aesthetics; 4) the arts and the
vocation of artists; 5) the exegesis of works of art; and 6) the mission of the
church in light of the study of worship, theology and the arts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">LEARNING OUTCOMES<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt;">A student
successfully completing this course will (1) be able to articulate a clear
understanding of worship, theology and the arts; (2) obtain the beginning of a
biblical, historical and contemporary perspective on worship, theology and the
arts; (3) discern the ways in which context orients our understanding of
worship, theology and the arts; (4) demonstrate an understanding of the
course’s hermeneutical model; and (5) complete an in-depth application of this
hermeneutic model to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian
worship in a specific cultural context.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u style="text-underline: double;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">COURSE OUTLINE<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 1: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK31" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: The Psalms as Case Study of Worship, Theology and the Arts.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK31;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK32;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Walter Brueggemann, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Whom No Secrets Are Hid, </i>ch. 2,
“The Counter-World of the Psalms”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK31;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK32;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Eugene Peterson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Answering God </i>(chs. 4 + 6)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK31;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK32;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">David Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Honest to God, </i>“Psalms of Lament” (ch. 7)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK31;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK32;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">John Witvliet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Biblical Psalms in Christian Worship: A Brief Introduction &
Guide to Resources, </i>pp. 3-44. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK31;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK32;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Selections to be read in class: from
Ann Weems, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalms of Lament; </i>Laurance
Wieder, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Words to God’s Music; </i>Jim
Cotter, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Psalms for a Pilgrim; </i>Nicholas
Samaras, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">American Psalm, World Psalm</i>.
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 2: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK33" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: The Meanings of Worship.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK33;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK34;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Constance Cherry, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Worship Architect, </i>chs. 1-2 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK33;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK34;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ruth Duck, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship for the Whole People of God, </i>ch. 1 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK33;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK34;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">James Torrance, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace, </i>Intro + chs. 1-2 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 3: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK35" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Theology: Creator and Creation.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK35;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK36;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Andy Crouch, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Culture Making, </i>chs. 1 + 4 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK35;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK36;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Robert K. Johnston, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God’s Wider Presence, </i>ch. 4, “Broadening
Our Biblical Focus: Part 1” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK35;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK36;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Theater of God’s Glory, </i>chs. 2, 4-5 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK35;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK36;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kathryn Tanner, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Theories of Culture: A New Agenda for Theology,</i> pp. 25-29 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 4: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK37" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Theology: Creature and Culture.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK37;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK38;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Begbie, Jeremy, ed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beholding the Glory: Incarnation Through the
Arts.</i> [150 pp]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 5: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK39" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Art and Metaphor</span></b></a><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“8 Characteristics of a Work of Art”
(Taylor handout)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jeremy S. Begbie, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Voicing Creation’s Praise: Towards a
Theology of the Arts</i> (Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1991), 233-255, “Art &
Metaphor” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Kutter Callaway with Dean Batali, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Watching TV Religiously: Television and
Theology in Dialogue, </i>ch. 1, “The Pilot Episode: What is TV?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Todd E. Johnson, “Liturgy: Too Deep
for Words” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">George Lakoff and Mark Johnson, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Metaphors We Live By, </i>chs. 1-5 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK39;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK40;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jeannette Winterson, “What is Art
For?” In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The World Split Open: Great
Authors on How and Why We Write </i>(Portland, OR: Tin House Books, 2014),
173-188 <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 6: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK41" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Art and the Physical.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK41;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK42;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Steven Guthrie, “Temples of the
Spirit: Worship as Embodied Performance,” in <i>Faithful Performances </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK41;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK42;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">James K. A. Smith, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works, </i>ch.
1 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK41;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK42;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Theater of God’s Glory</i>, chs. 6-7 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 7: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK43" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Art and the Imagination.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">James K. A. Smith, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works, </i>ch.
3, pp. 103-124, “We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Trevor Hart, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Making Good: Creation, Creativity, and Artistry</i>, ch. 2, “Creation,
Imagination, and Artistry” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Makoto Fujimura, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Culture Care, </i>ch. 19, “What If?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Mary Shelley, “The Genesis of
Frankenstein,” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Creators on Creation:
Awakening and Cultivating the Imaginative Mind, </i>ch. 13 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, “12 Features of a Scriptural
Imagination,” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Comment </i>magazine <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK43;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK44;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">J. K. Rowling, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of
Imagination </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 8: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK47" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Art and the Emotions.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK47;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK48;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Eleonora Belfiore and Oliver
Bennett, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Social Impact of the Arts:
An Intellectual History, </i>ch. 3, “Catharsis” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK47;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK48;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jenefer Robinson, “The Emotions in
Art,” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Blackwell Guide to
Aesthetics </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK47;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK48;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">James K. A. Smith, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Imagining the Kingdom: How Worship Works, </i>ch.
3, pp. 124-150, “We Tell Ourselves Stories in Order to Live” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK47;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK48;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Image Journal, </i>issue #93, “The Film the World Needs Now: A
Roundtable Discussion” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK47;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK48;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Watch TED talk, “RSA ANIMATE: The
Divided Brain” via psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist’s book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Master and his Emissary</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 9: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK49" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: The Vocation of Artists.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo11; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the Beauty of the Church</i>, ch. 5, “The Artist” (Nicolosi) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the Beauty of the Church</i>, ch. 6, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Practitioner” (Banner) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Excerpts from Manjula Martin, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Scratch: Writers, Money, and the Art of
Making a Living </i>(New York: Simon & Schuster, 2017): <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Selling Out: Austin Kleon in conversation
with Manjula Martin”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“A Sort of Fairy Tale: Malindo Lo”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Growing Up: Nick Hornby in
conversation with Manjula Martin” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Artists of faith reflecting on their
faith and their craft via <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mystery and
Manners </i>[14 pp] and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shouts and
Whispers</i>: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Flannery O’Connor, “Novelist and
Believer” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Frederick Buechner, “The Eyes of the
Heart” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Elizabeth Dewberry, “Writing as an
Act of Worship”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Paul Schrader: An Interview with
Gary Wills” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Jan Karon, “The Miracle and the Myth”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Joy Kogawa: An Interview by Henry
Baron” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level5 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK49;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK50;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Betty
Smartt Carter, “Tired of Victory, Bored by Defeat: Restoring Proper Sadness to
Christian Art” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WEEK 10: </span></b><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="OLE_LINK51" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Theme: Worship, Theology and the Arts and the Mission of the Church.</span></b></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 1.25in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">William A. Dyrness, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poetic Theology: God and the Poetics of Everyday
Life, </i>ch. 9, “Aesthetics and Social Transformation” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">I-to Loh, “Ways of Contextualizing
Church Music: Some Asian Examples,” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship
and Mission For the Global Church: An Ethnodoxology Handbook</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Ruth Meyers, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Missional Worship, Worshipful Mission: Gathering as God’s People, Going
Out in God’s Name, </i>pp. 29-45, “Imagining Missional Worship” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lesslie Newbigin, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and
Western Culture, </i>ch. 6, “What Must We Be? The Call to the Church” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Taylor, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the Beauty of the Church</i> (ch. 8): “Looking to the Future: A
Hopeful Subversion” (Begbie) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK51;"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK52;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“The Nairobi Statement on Worship
and Culture,” in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Worship and Culture:
Foreign Country or Homeland?,</i> ed. By Gláucia Vasconcelos Wilkey<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 1.5in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>1008</o:Words>
<o:Characters>5747</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Fuller Theological Seminary</o:Company>
<o:Lines>47</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>13</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>6742</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false"
QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"New York","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<!--EndFragment--></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoPOC5YXrvnjXTlXVIwhVC99hPes8Diysy963uXFb3b6-N3L0b2SVN8D9Vi8o5ya2IK8BSVMC_d-WztzV0waU5GTqdo4pVtG43cdVaEhhqUaMJu_NVX2gjSzmoxz7dfm8asdCnw/s1600/ailey-jacobs-pillow-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="674" data-original-width="1050" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoPOC5YXrvnjXTlXVIwhVC99hPes8Diysy963uXFb3b6-N3L0b2SVN8D9Vi8o5ya2IK8BSVMC_d-WztzV0waU5GTqdo4pVtG43cdVaEhhqUaMJu_NVX2gjSzmoxz7dfm8asdCnw/s640/ailey-jacobs-pillow-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Carmen de Lavallade and Alvin Ailey at the Jacob’s Pillow (Credit John Lindquist/Harvard Theater)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-48874510390524776842017-09-06T10:17:00.000-07:002017-09-06T10:19:02.519-07:00The Psalm of Nothing (by Nicholas Samaras)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLT6IBoSd55x-Uj3HYMSI3ZdUJ6QsPDEPYaRs7wG67ato8GWGitmiB9QR93DwhO32aF8_Ft8SFd65DuJi_hB3e0nQjsRhUufYOPEoyVYqNWVGmRIrhX0_0rpr29co7cN8T2wHow/s1600/Pennies+%2526+Youth+%2528Phaedra+Taylor%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="601" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFLT6IBoSd55x-Uj3HYMSI3ZdUJ6QsPDEPYaRs7wG67ato8GWGitmiB9QR93DwhO32aF8_Ft8SFd65DuJi_hB3e0nQjsRhUufYOPEoyVYqNWVGmRIrhX0_0rpr29co7cN8T2wHow/s640/Pennies+%2526+Youth+%2528Phaedra+Taylor%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Pennies and Youth" (Phaedra Taylor)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>I've just gotten my hands on a copy of Nicholas Samaras' book of poems, </b><i><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/American-Psalm-World-Nicholas-Samaras/dp/0912592761/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504717377&sr=8-3&keywords=american+psalm+world+psalm">American Psalm, World Psalm</a>. </b></i>It's a collection of 150 poems. Unlike the creative renderings of the Psalter by Jim Cotter and Laurance Wieder, Samaras imagines how the biblical psalms might be transposed in contemporary times. As he puts it:<br />
<br />
"I view it an excellent approach to think of contemporary psalms in terms of the experimental nature of modal Jazz--the arrangement extending outward in improvisation, but always returning to its base form. In this, I regarded the extension of imagined modern psalms as likewise tending outward--yet always returning to the Biblical psalms in measure of base structure, theme, content, literary device, and lyrical expression, illuminating what may be constant in human struggle--social, political, and artistic."<br />
<br />
He summarizes his thinking this way: "Every form of artistry (including prayer) begins in rhythm, cadence, music, and relationships."<br />
<br />
There are few better précis on the nature of art, one could argue, than this one. I copy out below one of Samaras' "psalms" that has stayed with me throughout the day.<br />
<br />
<b>THE PSALM OF NOTHING</b><br />
<br />
Lord, I start with nothing.<br />
<br />
I start with only your spark on my breath,<br />
the exhalation of feeble desire.<br />
<br />
I start with nothing.<br />
<br />
I first meet the Lord as my creator.<br />
I live in the center.<br />
I emanate when I breathe.<br />
I speak with my breath.<br />
What I exhale, I bring<br />
back within.<br />
<br />
Without the Lord, I remain<br />
nothing in my own devices.<br />
I become a grown man<br />
without purpose, without relation or identity.<br />
There is nothing real without identity and relation.<br />
<br />
Even the monk holds relation with his prayer.<br />
Even the hermit holds<br />
dialogue with his heartbeat.<br />
<br />
Lord, my feeble song is this human need<br />
to write it down and make it real.<br />
<br />
Even a grown man may breathe out a prayer.<br />
Even a grown man may remain a child inside.<br />
<br />
As a child, I thought a man's chest<br />
was invincible. I marveled at my father's<br />
massive chest and mane, his Alexandrian breathing.<br />
<br />
Now grown, I question everything of myself.<br />
My own lion chest becomes no shield<br />
but the thing, one day, to betray my breath.<br />
<br />
Now mature enough to pray, I say,<br />
Lord, let me speak with my breath<br />
while I have breath.<br />
Let me come from healing and go to healing.<br />
Lord, soften my calloused heart.<br />
<br />
Let me venerate my start<br />
by hallowing the passage of my ending.<br />
<br />
I was brought from<br />
nothing into something--<br />
a soul, a spark to honor<br />
the breath of my father.<br />
<br />
Mature now to know I have not been the center.<br />
Mature now to know how to cleanse by breathing.<br />
Aspire the Lord and exhale myself.<br />
Aspire the Lord and exhale myself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wnOLP2EERMtUCII78DqmWxrGCrymOyJtcPNvtJBEensDzJka3S_S-jKxJIqf_auoEF5q41CjUC6PlHmm-6HuaSYpu7KcML0HaZ7zLAEJ1ZBPpMxt3PfezKYrTe0EgkSsX___QQ/s1600/Chassis+Waiting+%2528Phaedra+Taylor%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="398" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wnOLP2EERMtUCII78DqmWxrGCrymOyJtcPNvtJBEensDzJka3S_S-jKxJIqf_auoEF5q41CjUC6PlHmm-6HuaSYpu7KcML0HaZ7zLAEJ1ZBPpMxt3PfezKYrTe0EgkSsX___QQ/s640/Chassis+Waiting+%2528Phaedra+Taylor%2529.png" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Chassis Waiting" (Phaedra Taylor)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-21710998068648333862017-09-04T10:06:00.000-07:002017-09-04T12:05:54.454-07:00When Jesus Doesn't Calm the Storm: A Photographic Diary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPh3xcB9bnwbue8iGzSB8DLZME6tcqNQbTkxolyuG5Mx6fbwjW9uV5UEVD2hyphenhyphen8iim26HfCwkOCzIW6Mw_08cdF8M4ziSxKQSu94IBNevDRAOjrVFpTIAAYLGYgKeWjoaYh9Dgmg/s1600/IMG_7789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="750" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZPh3xcB9bnwbue8iGzSB8DLZME6tcqNQbTkxolyuG5Mx6fbwjW9uV5UEVD2hyphenhyphen8iim26HfCwkOCzIW6Mw_08cdF8M4ziSxKQSu94IBNevDRAOjrVFpTIAAYLGYgKeWjoaYh9Dgmg/s640/IMG_7789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/august-web-only/when-jesus-doesnt-calm-storm-hurricane-harvey-houston-flood.html"><b>I wrote an essay</b></a> for <i>Christianity Today</i> hoping to make sense of our experience of Hurricane Harvey. You can read it <b><a href="http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/august-web-only/when-jesus-doesnt-calm-storm-hurricane-harvey-houston-flood.html">here</a></b>. What I failed to mention there was the water that leaked out of the front windows of our house. There was the stress of watching the water seep out of the plaster in the wall--and the feeling of helplessness because there was nothing we could do to stop it until the rain stopped, which seemed like never.<br />
<br />
There were tornado and flash flood warnings that the National Weather Service sent to our phones every thirty minutes, blaringly loud. There was the last-minute run to the local grocery store to buy an extra dozen eggs. There was the line that I stood in at the store which snaked to the very back of the store, with scores of neighbors buying up what remained on the shelves.<br />
<br />
There was the eerie sight of cars floating down the street. There was the second time that I rode my mountain bike through the rain, a mile and a half down Plantation Drive, in order to determine whether we could in fact leave our neighborhood.<br />
<br />
It's one thing to write about it. It's another thing to see it unfold hour to hour. That was the stressful part. And then there were all the other stressful parts.<br />
<br />
I'm including here a photographic record of our experience. It doesn't come anywhere close, of course, to the disaster that many people in Houston experienced. But it's certainly an experience that our family won't ever forget--and would rather not experience again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi37VTzEWj4_m7rBaOAVX0gQyz2ZymXMra35xvA_jZ5QHbRNWTNb6fBYXY2fUBi4-PMDDaQHGNH84mHMIWXIYNmEuohyMjqwaebujpaTz03b24z2ud68ap6SYBdKfcUND-svYjA/s1600/IMG_7852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibi37VTzEWj4_m7rBaOAVX0gQyz2ZymXMra35xvA_jZ5QHbRNWTNb6fBYXY2fUBi4-PMDDaQHGNH84mHMIWXIYNmEuohyMjqwaebujpaTz03b24z2ud68ap6SYBdKfcUND-svYjA/s640/IMG_7852.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeKbwRiAk_X9q4m76JQxiclNGL2DO2P9u9mSD_o4aupB8MwnWORUpO29JyH7gLTGErlTbFR39mBv9dsY7s-6wjKZtI_en4yKX6B8acdaU1s9agww7Pk16-JtDb1CIX-vR3hxxjQ/s1600/IMG_7918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeKbwRiAk_X9q4m76JQxiclNGL2DO2P9u9mSD_o4aupB8MwnWORUpO29JyH7gLTGErlTbFR39mBv9dsY7s-6wjKZtI_en4yKX6B8acdaU1s9agww7Pk16-JtDb1CIX-vR3hxxjQ/s640/IMG_7918.JPG" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnvWCpxRSbq22gIjaQL_4AGit0r3GXyFJOUez-UT0953EyTir6bgZXojd43DlSdGJwS5wRN7D_6Ffp8DnNUbNvUk8ORO6YRJY0Nsmp8H10cR9K7-qYQl6ne2TKVkFDOyaa1l1Ng/s1600/Pecan+Grove+flood.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="640" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnvWCpxRSbq22gIjaQL_4AGit0r3GXyFJOUez-UT0953EyTir6bgZXojd43DlSdGJwS5wRN7D_6Ffp8DnNUbNvUk8ORO6YRJY0Nsmp8H10cR9K7-qYQl6ne2TKVkFDOyaa1l1Ng/s640/Pecan+Grove+flood.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcU6iD7pShSDYrT_ChfCI9G7w63u-7fWe6dAkApLq-zMnhCk2sIdVV5RzuImAdXfY-BX7jsIeX8Xp5-Yu451xOCdB7F0k4C_gfTICfudR08JoXf4GlBrghJ9OQ1e2RGzFx9sGug/s1600/IMG_6559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcU6iD7pShSDYrT_ChfCI9G7w63u-7fWe6dAkApLq-zMnhCk2sIdVV5RzuImAdXfY-BX7jsIeX8Xp5-Yu451xOCdB7F0k4C_gfTICfudR08JoXf4GlBrghJ9OQ1e2RGzFx9sGug/s640/IMG_6559.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5kbGDW-sTxA18gduUP-gkSiiQzT5eNdeD9oTalSZDGUqLSvoAK3rzKJL4O1D9PzgKObeMKTXjkH6MK_AAa5Qe0spP55QyUINySyl3CQCDrNE-NP11vM7BaSkiozmrjeHwuBSXg/s1600/IMG_6563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5kbGDW-sTxA18gduUP-gkSiiQzT5eNdeD9oTalSZDGUqLSvoAK3rzKJL4O1D9PzgKObeMKTXjkH6MK_AAa5Qe0spP55QyUINySyl3CQCDrNE-NP11vM7BaSkiozmrjeHwuBSXg/s640/IMG_6563.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSGap6_KTUHodmci3OgVxLfRJkWJDS35eUkovRqFrQdSLz9iMC2TPFSwnmLqIJom8h2eZ5Aw_jc6UNAKKeh4ob7Wtf5UhQMC7cvnXl7jK9ABGe7e5HP36wAESseBVs7uwTFYiuA/s1600/IMG_6566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSGap6_KTUHodmci3OgVxLfRJkWJDS35eUkovRqFrQdSLz9iMC2TPFSwnmLqIJom8h2eZ5Aw_jc6UNAKKeh4ob7Wtf5UhQMC7cvnXl7jK9ABGe7e5HP36wAESseBVs7uwTFYiuA/s640/IMG_6566.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4ejHvEcTLgoa6tzZKuhdYLAq1z7O-eE2oITnjgDVS_-TKexOpGfTJRojOGzo9Alp4lPMbKieYZbr3V0Zyd_XPOfNfYVjLkj7eyFXxiO2Wer68rAQFQyrsa1ynDR_qwOKoAmZIg/s1600/IMG_6572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4ejHvEcTLgoa6tzZKuhdYLAq1z7O-eE2oITnjgDVS_-TKexOpGfTJRojOGzo9Alp4lPMbKieYZbr3V0Zyd_XPOfNfYVjLkj7eyFXxiO2Wer68rAQFQyrsa1ynDR_qwOKoAmZIg/s640/IMG_6572.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOYd8879ANF6adHxpKy1Z89OEinE3jujPipr9pCd-B8SWMxfhPGyJLam5Bfl70vB8Jjyto2kz8O2zzQAi-S63jyEWhFGEHwpnwru373lFhju9IVKxunVbb6MWShea0dDzGcxYTw/s1600/IMG_6576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOYd8879ANF6adHxpKy1Z89OEinE3jujPipr9pCd-B8SWMxfhPGyJLam5Bfl70vB8Jjyto2kz8O2zzQAi-S63jyEWhFGEHwpnwru373lFhju9IVKxunVbb6MWShea0dDzGcxYTw/s640/IMG_6576.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXjKx5SH9L9OE3T_XCDxL_G7-5i8G1rCPBd-V24kg3lkF_FkeZBTQNBBpxai6l519CnooqXEpzVoVKXlkz9EeG-JyqG-zood_1M4IWjsonXML38le66UimAfE0Wd8tbM2F5DrXA/s1600/IMG_6583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXjKx5SH9L9OE3T_XCDxL_G7-5i8G1rCPBd-V24kg3lkF_FkeZBTQNBBpxai6l519CnooqXEpzVoVKXlkz9EeG-JyqG-zood_1M4IWjsonXML38le66UimAfE0Wd8tbM2F5DrXA/s640/IMG_6583.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNniPCN3Bqoh1YJYczKIMFaNHP4qe9awtomKHiV_kirk1f5FinVxyoMxxyXQvn0HuPdlFVXuHsaDWQQfTUBlHNROQZosDd9AjWOOxGAfe4yoDyD7yC-K-yGd9KRIgImMot-UWUPA/s1600/IMG_7790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNniPCN3Bqoh1YJYczKIMFaNHP4qe9awtomKHiV_kirk1f5FinVxyoMxxyXQvn0HuPdlFVXuHsaDWQQfTUBlHNROQZosDd9AjWOOxGAfe4yoDyD7yC-K-yGd9KRIgImMot-UWUPA/s640/IMG_7790.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k9Yln0ZAMuaSeiHV7iqhv1z1sW0m2ABCAd_y265xm0DlG6mWDTMY_ghY3S82ypKFZkl2Ch-EmKmk49btPwbcv0No-D0M8PmXx0eEmsJPxkyFWFLxVEFC1Lyiu0U-pI0hvywxMA/s1600/IMG_7796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4k9Yln0ZAMuaSeiHV7iqhv1z1sW0m2ABCAd_y265xm0DlG6mWDTMY_ghY3S82ypKFZkl2Ch-EmKmk49btPwbcv0No-D0M8PmXx0eEmsJPxkyFWFLxVEFC1Lyiu0U-pI0hvywxMA/s640/IMG_7796.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz1fmD3hPDF7qex395fnbpAM-ocz3vS8vCd40PXoFcThedmIgyYqZYrZp06hlihDnXSTBgao7HqGd6kI9UxCxhJe69Wi0Lhi81A0n1kxx1A0w2s4G1UiLudIKa4yEbXpFZkNh5w/s1600/IMG_7808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWz1fmD3hPDF7qex395fnbpAM-ocz3vS8vCd40PXoFcThedmIgyYqZYrZp06hlihDnXSTBgao7HqGd6kI9UxCxhJe69Wi0Lhi81A0n1kxx1A0w2s4G1UiLudIKa4yEbXpFZkNh5w/s640/IMG_7808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-IyIE5xZSjIU4qHYDADrzbaplBL_eYF3PpRYQgkHVQSLX4tTbl0x-wMrLETnPSup7N_E7bSfUuyE0YF7dfu51gqlgpKFC-R2OhrK8v6Yz_0_RybzDMaWe1gY-RJMg1YPcOB_Xg/s1600/IMG_7812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-IyIE5xZSjIU4qHYDADrzbaplBL_eYF3PpRYQgkHVQSLX4tTbl0x-wMrLETnPSup7N_E7bSfUuyE0YF7dfu51gqlgpKFC-R2OhrK8v6Yz_0_RybzDMaWe1gY-RJMg1YPcOB_Xg/s640/IMG_7812.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg087o1I_SDaa7KWYyVOcmnn2UqIScDHt5FVXisJiy5PIsUDdJy0bgMB7MZNldlhIBYz52oZXWtTK9jMfv_Nnx5Daz7wSQ2XDbq1AWM8QxcuxvbdGNBjsFBrI3JpFIejelNnzdShQ/s1600/IMG_7822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg087o1I_SDaa7KWYyVOcmnn2UqIScDHt5FVXisJiy5PIsUDdJy0bgMB7MZNldlhIBYz52oZXWtTK9jMfv_Nnx5Daz7wSQ2XDbq1AWM8QxcuxvbdGNBjsFBrI3JpFIejelNnzdShQ/s640/IMG_7822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WVOJ6a7U_t99YKQxeAecHHdVkyqi2mdRv2JMN5HN_mMiA2VgvuF7r1CiNfYeYtpY9nxcs6Ub-XUcOP7-wART8szTwjOgnPWIM2Zzu8bbyZ4-zAQ4XKdFdVow8bPKZmZJL9VLJA/s1600/IMG_7833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WVOJ6a7U_t99YKQxeAecHHdVkyqi2mdRv2JMN5HN_mMiA2VgvuF7r1CiNfYeYtpY9nxcs6Ub-XUcOP7-wART8szTwjOgnPWIM2Zzu8bbyZ4-zAQ4XKdFdVow8bPKZmZJL9VLJA/s640/IMG_7833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZzbYkE7HRI8" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-1788700615593063192017-08-21T19:15:00.001-07:002017-08-21T19:24:33.308-07:00Calvin Against Calvin for the sake of Calvin and of the Arts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwEt88Z7maRg8-tSMU-TbW5A87tCxXZ5h7UrWXJvmgBdFuQsbFHOY5dQbcECTp5SMj-wcW8nL1GR879Ct6v34UGoQiKspKyLczGJhrG37ra8NUjz3I4KVqHbVpGn_9uVUhOSTOQ/s1600/The+Theater+of+God%2527s+Glory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwEt88Z7maRg8-tSMU-TbW5A87tCxXZ5h7UrWXJvmgBdFuQsbFHOY5dQbcECTp5SMj-wcW8nL1GR879Ct6v34UGoQiKspKyLczGJhrG37ra8NUjz3I4KVqHbVpGn_9uVUhOSTOQ/s640/The+Theater+of+God%2527s+Glory.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theater-Gods-Glory-Liturgical-Institute/dp/0802874487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503354094&sr=8-1&keywords=the+theater+of+God%27s+glory">My book on Calvin's theology of creation is out</a></b>. It's a book about the arts. It's also, more particularly, a book about the arts in worship. And thank God for all those things. Thank God also for all <a href="https://www.eerdmans.com/Products/7448/the-theater-of-god39s-glory.aspx">the good people</a> that enabled it to see the light of day. What's the book about? Why should anybody care what it's about? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The following is an excerpt from the introduction, which offers a context for the book and a reason why you might wish to purchase it (<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theater-Gods-Glory-Liturgical-Institute/dp/0802874487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503353265&sr=8-1&keywords=the+theater+of+god%27s+glory">here</a>), to read it (not only use it as a fine coffee table adornment), to digest it (rather than only to flip through it in non-providential fashion), to write a review of it (again, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Theater-Gods-Glory-Liturgical-Institute/dp/0802874487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1503353265&sr=8-1&keywords=the+theater+of+god%27s+glory">here</a>), and perhaps even to recommend it to others (because you actually think it might do good in the world, as I do).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">You might also wish to buy ten copies of it as stocking stuffers on account of the wonderfully subdued Christmas colors that adorn the front cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">For those who wish to skip to a picture-book version of the project, please see photographs below.</span><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">CALVIN AGAINST CALVIN FOR THE SAKE
CALVIN AND THE ARTS</span></span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a paper
delivered at Wheaton College in 2011, titled “<b>The Future of Theology Amid the
Arts: Some Reformed Reflections</b>,” Jeremy Begbie observes that<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">as the theology and arts conversation continues to unfold
apace, resources from the Reformed world – so often buried beneath an
understandable but exaggerated shame – have considerably more to offer than is
often supposed, especially if we are seeking to delve more deeply into the
plotlines and harmonies of a scripturally rooted and vibrant trinitarian faith.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
question is: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Which Reformed resources
are those? And might those same resources be helpful to theological reflection
on the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">liturgical</i> arts?</b> The wager
of this book is that John Calvin, standing at the headwaters of the Reformed
tradition, represents such a resource, even if not in the ways one might
initially suppose. For both supporters and critics of the Frenchman, such a
conclusion will likely be regarded with a measure of skepticism. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Voltaire,
not surprisingly, held Calvin responsible for the dour artistic life of Geneva,
while Orentin Douen believed that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Calvin
was the “enemy of all pleasure and distraction, as well as of the arts and
music.”</b> Philip Benedict blames Calvin’s heirs for a kind of “visual
anorexia,” even as Peter Auksi argues that “Calvin’s systematic removal of the
regenerate Christian away from … over-sensuous involvement in the earthly arts
receives its seminal inspiration from a reading and interpretation of several
key scriptural models.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To these
observations must be added the fact that Calvin’s ambivalence towards the
liturgical arts is undergirded by a persistently negative view of materiality,
and that the fate of the former hinges, as it were, on the fate of the latter. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dorothy Sayers, in fact, regards</b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> “hatred of the flesh” as one of the “four
certain marks” of Calvin’s legacy</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. In <i>Calvin Against Himself, </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Suzanne </span>Selinger insists that<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> “</span>Abstraction in Calvin the
introverted intellectual was above all a dephysicalizing.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Such a conclusion is comparable to the one which Carlos Eire draws in
his seminal work, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">War Against the Idols</i>.
In the oft-quoted comment by Eire: </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“Calvin forcefully asserted God’s transcendence through the
principle <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finitum non est capax infiniti</i></b> [<b>the finite is incapable of
containing the Infinite</b>] and His omnipotence through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">soli Deo gloria</i>.”</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Calvin, it needs to be conceded, supplies plenty of evidence
in his own writings to corroborate the above judgments.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">CALVIN’S SELF-IMPLICATION?</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>In his
commentary on the psalms</b>, Calvin maintains that musical instruments not only </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">prompt
the faithful to cling to “earthly” things, they also contravene God’s
requirement for a simple, spiritual and articulate worship. Now that </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Christ has appeared, he writes, for
the church to persist in the use of musical instruments is “to bury the light
of the Gospel” and to “introduce the shadows of a departed dispensation.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">With respect to the visual shape of worship, Calvin believes that </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It would be a too ridiculous and inept imitation of papistry to
decorate the churches and to believe oneself to be offering God a more noble
service in using organs and the many other amusements of that kind</b>.” Calvin
insists that to include images in public worship, as Rome does, arises out of
avarice<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">,</i> which is a far cry from the
pleasure which God allows in the enjoyment of paintings of things imagined<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More
bluntly, <b>he dismisses the whole affair with icons as “sheer madness.”</b> He states
his theological conviction this way:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">God’s majesty is sullied by an unfitting and absurd fiction,
when the incorporeal is made to resemble corporeal matter, the invisible a
visible likeness, the spirit an inanimate object, the immeasurable a puny bit
of wood, stone, or gold.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In comments such as this we begin to perceive the close link between Calvin’s
worry over the liturgical arts and his worry over the material realm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>While Calvin
concedes that certain embodied “exercises of godliness” are needed in public
worship, they are offered, to his mind, as accommodations to human weakness.</b> As
he remarks in book four of the 1559 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Institutes</i>,
since “in our ignorance and sloth (to which I add fickleness of disposition) we
need outward helps to beget and increase faith within us, and advance it to its
goal, God has also added these aids that he may provide for our weakness.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Calvin consistently
considers it a regrettable thing that Scripture and preaching are not enough
for the faithful. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">If Christians were
“wholly spiritual,” like angels, they would not have need of material symbols
of worship.</b> And when he exclaims,</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“How great is the distance between the spiritual
glory of the Word of God and the stinking filth of our flesh!”, it is not
difficult to imagine why both friend and foe have deemed Calvin to be an enemy of
the physical body, a pessimist towards creation, and a negative influence on the
liturgical arts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">To imagine this, however, is to
imagine only half the story, through a glass darkly.</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> For even if Calvin is hardly the
first place we go to discover a vision for the flourishing of the liturgical arts,
the above comments do not tell the whole story. As I propose in this book, that
story is both far more complicated and far more interesting than commentators
have often allowed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">THE ARGUMENT OF THE BOOK<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In this book
I examine Calvin’s trinitarian theology as it intersects his theology of
materiality in order to argue for a positive theological account of the
liturgical arts. I do so believing that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Calvin’s
theology of the physical creation offers itself—perhaps surprisingly—as a rich
resource for the practice of Christian worship, and opens up a trinitarian
grammar by which we might understand the theological purposes of the arts in
public worship</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Using
Calvin’s commentary on musical instruments as a case study, generally representative
of his thinking on all the liturgical arts, I identify four emphases that mark
his thinking: that the church’s worship should be (i) devoid of the “figures
and shadows” which marked Israel’s praise, and should emphasize instead a (ii)
“spiritual,” (iii) “simple,” and (iv) “articulate” worship, suitable to a new
covenantal era. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">A common
feature of these emphases, I suggest, is an anxiety over the capacity of physical
things to mislead the worship of the faithful in idolatrous or superstitious
ways. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">As it concerns public worship, Calvin’s account of materiality is quite
frankly a largely pessimistic one. Here the material creation is seen as an
especial temptation to distort the true worship of God and as a lesser vehicle
by which the faithful offer their praises to God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Calvin’s
account of the physical creation outside of the liturgical context, however, is
distinctly optimistic</span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. A close reading of his views on </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">creation, the resurrected body of
Christ, the material symbols of worship, and the material elements of the
Lord’s Supper points to a more integral role for materiality in the economy of
God.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">And while a
nearly exclusive appeal to God’s “essential” nature may dominate Calvin’s
thinking on the physical shape of public worship, I suggest that his arguments in
these particular doctrinal <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">loci</i> are
marked by a distinctly trinitarian frame of mind. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Here
the physical creation is seen not as especially problematic, nor “merely
there,” but rather <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">for</i> something, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">headed</i> somewhere,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>caught up in the activities of the Two Hands of God, </b></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>to use Irenaeus’ language.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">While
setting aside his concern for “articulate” worship as an issue more directly
related to the question of metaphor rather than of materiality, I focus this study
on the first three emphases: “shadows,” “spiritual,” and “simple.” In a careful
investigation of each of these domains of thought in Calvin, <b>I discover a
trinitarian reading of the physical creation which, in turn, opens up the possibility
of a trinitarian reading of the physical creation in public worship. </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though I
follow the logic of Calvin’s theology to conclusions which he himself did not
imagine, I believe they remain sympathetic to his best instincts and that a
robust theological account of the liturgical arts is hereby brought to light.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>THE GOSPEL OF GOD'S CREATION ACCORDING TO JOHN CALVIN</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Even, then,
as Calvin perceives that God appropriates physical things, such as the
Eucharistic bread or the “affluence, sweetness, variety and beauty” of creation,
to form and feed the church, so </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">this book
argues, sometimes with and beyond Calvin, sometimes against Calvin, that God takes
the liturgical arts as intensively kinaesthetic artifacts to form and also feed
the Church</b>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">PS: On a recent visit to Guatemala, I got to visit the theater of God's Guatemalanesque glory.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9Ja6OwXH1UlRcs46p-dYLcjp9ijQZmNBZp887e595mbbw2kZPIOvsNTQUJSvN3XhwOQhyuQB2qDlZFqqqZ02JnUxj8buE6yMo3FH3QZzu1e-v-RCQGAzFhpjBZD0854_nCP4Gg/s1600/A+bright+light.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9Ja6OwXH1UlRcs46p-dYLcjp9ijQZmNBZp887e595mbbw2kZPIOvsNTQUJSvN3XhwOQhyuQB2qDlZFqqqZ02JnUxj8buE6yMo3FH3QZzu1e-v-RCQGAzFhpjBZD0854_nCP4Gg/s640/A+bright+light.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually a picture of the 67% solar eclipse in Houston, TX, on August 21, 2017. Not Guatemala, but glorious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj21vi3gWONI1jfCqkuHwwvS4svtGOfwXAhduS-W6GdI1cqJBsuEZMXG_4X-47DhQj3ar7nu7RuHzDPfWnyjoD8TnQ8t33CcBAO9N9G7AC7h56AL1TXB7XaJNKj8aDeHfAdgBVGA/s1600/IMG_5900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj21vi3gWONI1jfCqkuHwwvS4svtGOfwXAhduS-W6GdI1cqJBsuEZMXG_4X-47DhQj3ar7nu7RuHzDPfWnyjoD8TnQ8t33CcBAO9N9G7AC7h56AL1TXB7XaJNKj8aDeHfAdgBVGA/s640/IMG_5900.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Blythe and a decidedly small tree.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzg9_vNOKj2BDZ18r00y1txc-KrHahMoH8xdt41Abw6ib9A4Uodjg-BZ3V2cC2acstvTAfsvrF5X5S5zr2kheVYxQTfAPqhJHY21kzHLB9YSZG98u9OFzwJJxic8tsqkcJLuEgQ/s1600/IMG_6248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzg9_vNOKj2BDZ18r00y1txc-KrHahMoH8xdt41Abw6ib9A4Uodjg-BZ3V2cC2acstvTAfsvrF5X5S5zr2kheVYxQTfAPqhJHY21kzHLB9YSZG98u9OFzwJJxic8tsqkcJLuEgQ/s640/IMG_6248.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a moment flying back in our prop-plane to Guatemala City from our venture to Tikal.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWr8WqcYwcv3KLWVOKWv_TFgmRGYaWT_QXEEFPUvc52w95EgUHGBqpz6dE2Ub2eRaFTKJq4UTYp-HN7wdJ-Ex8MrOBBaRABEu1Mp9Bc9z0fhvZRz2TNUO64gS6kI58qpqC3Xi3g/s1600/IMG_6355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWr8WqcYwcv3KLWVOKWv_TFgmRGYaWT_QXEEFPUvc52w95EgUHGBqpz6dE2Ub2eRaFTKJq4UTYp-HN7wdJ-Ex8MrOBBaRABEu1Mp9Bc9z0fhvZRz2TNUO64gS6kI58qpqC3Xi3g/s640/IMG_6355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a really good dessert, also glorious.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa50erINeiVQcj_r8g5_Meig3z3dXbp0ZvfV0cUO-ODYwHEYiH7eoGcyjgTAHIUmLRWWpr-T5xP-wjiTuOqigOrIlKsRuD9MBnSrY_xfv9ySgkabSH2BxGRlsIU9h1WV1rHPPgA/s1600/IMG_6359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1280" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa50erINeiVQcj_r8g5_Meig3z3dXbp0ZvfV0cUO-ODYwHEYiH7eoGcyjgTAHIUmLRWWpr-T5xP-wjiTuOqigOrIlKsRuD9MBnSrY_xfv9ySgkabSH2BxGRlsIU9h1WV1rHPPgA/s640/IMG_6359.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is artwork that Phaedra and I came upon at Hotel Santo Domingo. Gorgeous stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinigU9qxS4YligKQUSXrVehXpXZjNtQIwxm36WNSh9KGHlhlepnhC4mX7v-Ha4Cqrla4fY7RUjhMdcs1a-zrxXJpV-fvKxgqNijJ3kjGt5qZUzuaZvuM4lfcwE4UEXi-C-gJWvwg/s1600/IMG_6363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinigU9qxS4YligKQUSXrVehXpXZjNtQIwxm36WNSh9KGHlhlepnhC4mX7v-Ha4Cqrla4fY7RUjhMdcs1a-zrxXJpV-fvKxgqNijJ3kjGt5qZUzuaZvuM4lfcwE4UEXi-C-gJWvwg/s640/IMG_6363.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a volcano. It smoked on the first morning of our visit to Antigua. Then an earthquake happened. The usual.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3Ibu8mkXKqURK9DQd41D_HXmJ9x4Z6Hnn0jCqKNR5eSG8timrxOojiFzo419oDCX61spdQ5kiUEAfhAIFHI1atyfZ4HdAGB6oJWu67AAuyqIXjCeUTnqnADQxO3LrBt9owdZ1g/s1600/St+John%2527s+beehive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3Ibu8mkXKqURK9DQd41D_HXmJ9x4Z6Hnn0jCqKNR5eSG8timrxOojiFzo419oDCX61spdQ5kiUEAfhAIFHI1atyfZ4HdAGB6oJWu67AAuyqIXjCeUTnqnADQxO3LrBt9owdZ1g/s640/St+John%2527s+beehive.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This isn't anything from Guatemala. It's from my visit to St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN, but I liked it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-20982561375830699532017-07-11T08:09:00.001-07:002017-07-12T09:00:13.054-07:00An Artist's Prayer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY8zfH3pxhrqjXY6pqPjZASitkSqBf0NkOJlvdEPIFs7z1ZXRTzhkdRH8Cv1ZtDG43IkS0V_kUqULk6b2kSXE6x347cH-N2o2qD_VK4Pf1H9lRe8_DAp4Z-eq3kPLu59AF-HXCw/s1600/U2+Joshua+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY8zfH3pxhrqjXY6pqPjZASitkSqBf0NkOJlvdEPIFs7z1ZXRTzhkdRH8Cv1ZtDG43IkS0V_kUqULk6b2kSXE6x347cH-N2o2qD_VK4Pf1H9lRe8_DAp4Z-eq3kPLu59AF-HXCw/s640/U2+Joshua+Tree.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video still from U2 "Joshua Tree" anniversary tour concert, Houston, Texas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I found the prayer below in a box full of knickknacks from my <a href="http://hope.org/">Hope Chapel</a> days.<br />
<br />
This summer my wife has tasked me with the job of processing 30 years' worth of memorabilia. Each afternoon, for one hour max, it's two boxes: boxes full of cassette tapes (featuring bands like Petra, Angelica, John Michael Talbot, Idle Cure, Out of the Grey, Keith Green); hand-written letters from my high school pen-pal in Austria, on onion-thin, blue airmail; photographs of plays I'd performed in; a bumper sticker with a quote by Che Guevara; copies of <i>The New York Times </i>and <i>The Dallas Morning News, </i>dated September 12, 2001, the day after "9/11"; a Scantron test from a biology course I took at the University of Texas; a Kodak slide carousel full of images of Jesus throughout the centuries; a medal I won in the Mount Nebo 10k race in Dardanelle, Arkansas, at age 17.<br />
<br />
I’m not quite sure where the following "Artist's Prayer" comes from, nor who wrote it. I searched on Google but nothing came up. It might have been something that a member of <a href="http://www.hopearts.org/">HopeArts</a>, where I pastored for nine years, had written; or perhaps it was given to me by somebody I can no longer recall. I like the rhythm of the prayer, though, with its "Remember, O Lord" refrain. I like the concrete imagery as well as the active verbs. And the dogged quality of the requests stands out. It's an ecclesially and theologically specific prayer, to be sure. I imagine certain Christians might take issue with particular terms or ways of addressing God. Either way, and with whatever idiosyncrasies accompany the rhetoric, it’s a prayer worth praying, I think.<br />
<br />
If you know who wrote it, please do let me know. I'm happy to give credit to whom credit is due. Here is a <a href="http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2015/01/prayers-of-artists-prayers-for-artists.html">link</a> to another collection of <b><a href="http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2015/01/prayers-of-artists-prayers-for-artists.html">prayers for artists and prayers of artists.</a></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i3uLLCo9mtBpBgfLrf19xe0eZYJuWXFgoiaCNyfJ3iUYqSEN1kbP89d5YGCICc9_-blMRMPdcIRRlvG2vmgEXud14p0rX_m-jTdYKXngYzTS7EM8erTvavq7fG1SVXsAICk7MQ/s1600/Old+cassette+tapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i3uLLCo9mtBpBgfLrf19xe0eZYJuWXFgoiaCNyfJ3iUYqSEN1kbP89d5YGCICc9_-blMRMPdcIRRlvG2vmgEXud14p0rX_m-jTdYKXngYzTS7EM8erTvavq7fG1SVXsAICk7MQ/s640/Old+cassette+tapes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The music I listened to my senior year of high school and freshman year of college</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">ARTIST’S PRAYER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">O Creator God, you have
filled the world with beauty: your divine presence can be seen in all your
works. Open our eyes to behold and experience life with the richness and
fullness intended for each one of us by you; that by rejoicing in your whole
creation, we may learn to serve you with thanksgiving and gladness, for the
sake of him through whom all things were made.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">O Lord Jesus Christ our God:
be ever present with your servants here who seek, through gifts of art which
you have generously bestowed, to perfect the praises offered by your people on
earth. Empower us by your Holy Spirit to work the works of conceptual
innovators, visual theologians, and skilled technicians; help us to be humbly
mindful of your continual help and manifold grace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, those
artists among us who suffer in the midst of distressing circumstances. Comfort,
defend and surround them with your peace. Guide them through these present
uncertainties with the confidence that you will never fail or forsake them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, those
artists among us who are struggling with spiritual doubts and frustrations;
remember those who are ready to abandon the church and institutional religion.
Reveal yourself to them anew. Draw their hearts close to you. Rekindle dying
passions and a once vibrant faith that they may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated
unto you now and forever more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, those
artists among us who are creatively depleted, burned out, and stuck. Grant them
a fresh vision, renewed inspiration, holy wisdom and plentiful opportunities
for continual success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, those
friends and patrons of the arts. Grant that their numbers, support and encouragement
may multiply; that the work of our hands may continue uninterrupted. Save each
one of us from selfish use of what you have given, that together we may
accomplish those things to which we have been called.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, the secular
art community. Increase its reverence for the mysteries of life. Break down
barriers of hostility, soften hardened hearts, give the gatekeepers of culture
new insights into your purposes and desires. Raise up, in this and every land,
evangelists and heralds of your kingdom, to minister to those creative souls
who know you now; grant insightful sensitivity to Christians proclaiming the
unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Remember, O Lord, our
brothers and sisters in Christ who have misjudged and unknowingly mistreated us
because we are artists. Life the veil from their covered eyes to understand and
discern the rightful place of art both within and outside the church. Remove
hatred and prejudice from our hearts that we may lead a godly life of concord,
always mindful of the grace and patience you continually bestow upon us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">O, Eternal God: grant us to
be faithful unto death with the talents and gifts you have entrusted to us. May
we live our lives in fervent service to you. May we rejoice with those who
rejoice, and weep with those who weep. May we patiently run the race that is
set before us until that day when we cast our works of art at your feet, and we
hear you say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the reward I
have prepared for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In the name of Jesus Christ, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Amen.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXrmVA0cC4LeRTOnEOJkeAI5rSCANiK_GdBTb7WNPYmMr1wv2mlLemrtn7fIT7OH6ZJr5F2XyUOTzSyPi76uxQCkkYD_qgnYBgiQmHPRk9w5Lin2TvwMamw0n5xe7BMwEdr3K7w/s1600/David+Ordo%25CC%2581n%25CC%2583ez+Lacayo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1280" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXrmVA0cC4LeRTOnEOJkeAI5rSCANiK_GdBTb7WNPYmMr1wv2mlLemrtn7fIT7OH6ZJr5F2XyUOTzSyPi76uxQCkkYD_qgnYBgiQmHPRk9w5Lin2TvwMamw0n5xe7BMwEdr3K7w/s640/David+Ordo%25CC%2581n%25CC%2583ez+Lacayo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The art of David Ordóñez Lacayo, Casa Santo Domingo, La Antigua, Guatemala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMjI0ixPIUF7uvZZ7WUDWetkFFEVwrXjmJ-X83PVkbFgNEsMbB1lLgspTXEdbqJGQs7FrX3149sWW6KO_ByrICUQjHFYGCkl6-n8O0ABg6A0fQthJV5M3GDjqk_rdgh4QgzJglw/s1600/U2+Joshua+Tree+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMjI0ixPIUF7uvZZ7WUDWetkFFEVwrXjmJ-X83PVkbFgNEsMbB1lLgspTXEdbqJGQs7FrX3149sWW6KO_ByrICUQjHFYGCkl6-n8O0ABg6A0fQthJV5M3GDjqk_rdgh4QgzJglw/s640/U2+Joshua+Tree+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video still from U2 "Joshua Tree" anniversary tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22105457.post-44947341246083770112017-05-23T16:38:00.000-07:002017-05-24T03:10:56.973-07:00That time Bono dedicated "40" to you (and you freaked out)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcs_b0_RuFKBXxihiXxnnSanR6A6TRR2x5FvohdtluA78FP9m4FYBtAVo_5l3RXaqCRMFJ6AVrMS44JvH_NJPSds1SJDMRZdTZAmP-3qiFw9hrcf5xL98DkzW9x6btBAE1eQkPg/s1600/IMG_2070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihcs_b0_RuFKBXxihiXxnnSanR6A6TRR2x5FvohdtluA78FP9m4FYBtAVo_5l3RXaqCRMFJ6AVrMS44JvH_NJPSds1SJDMRZdTZAmP-3qiFw9hrcf5xL98DkzW9x6btBAE1eQkPg/s640/IMG_2070.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was July 10, 2015.<br />
<br />
It was late in the night, much later than our usual "old people" bedtime. Phaedra and I had flown in to Boston from Houston, Texas. Among other reasons, we had come to see our first U2 concert. It's embarrassing to admit that we had never witnessed U2 live, but there you go. We were latecomers. But like the rest of the concertgoers standing near us, who happened to be mostly men in their 50s, we were sweaty and exhilarated. We had sung our lungs out for the past two hours.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.brehmcenter.com/initiatives/texas/projects/the-psalms/">I had spent the past year researching the band</a>. I'd read everything I could on their early years. <a href="https://www.atu2.com/news/behind-the-scenes-more-from-bono--friends-on-the-psalms.html">I'd pored over magazine articles</a>, album reviews, long-form essays, <a href="http://www.atu2blog.com/50572-2/50572/">fan forums</a>. <a href="http://www.regent-college.edu/about-us/news/2016/bringing-a-dream-to-life--alumnus-david-taylor-on-bono--eugene-peterson--and-the-psalms">I'd watched interviews on YouTube about Bono and his faith</a>. I'd corresponded with representatives of the One Campaign. <a href="http://artspastor.blogspot.com/2016/05/resources-on-psalms-for-pastors-artists.html?view=timeslide&m=1">And I'd spent an afternoon with Bono and Eugene Peterson in Lakeside, Montana</a>, three months back, on April 19. With a view of Flathead Lake behind us, <a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-eugene-peterson-psalms/">we had filmed a conversation</a> around <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l40S5e90KY">their shared interest in the psalms</a>.<br />
<br />
Coming to the end of the concert, Phaedra and I felt like we had missed out on an entire lifetime of good old fashioned rock and roll. We hadn't, however, expected the concert to feel worshipy, but that's how it turned out: worshipy. And liturgically ecstatic and totally righteous. After a handful of encores, we thought we'd come to the end. If we'd known better, or if we'd bothered to ask the brawny middle-aged men around us, we would have known that, like the vision of St. John of Patmos, the best was yet to come.<br />
<br />
Bono comes to the mic. He starts telling a story about their band manager, Dennis Sheehan. Dennis, who had been their manager for 30 years, had <a href="http://variety.com/2015/music/news/u2-manager-dennis-sheehan-dead-los-angeles-1201506434/">died</a> on May 27, 2015. Jack Heaslip, <a href="https://www.atu2.com/news/our-north-star-tribute-to-rev-jack-heaslip.html">the band's unofficial chaplain</a>, going back to their years as teenagers in the '70s, had died three months prior, on February 21. Too much death, it seems, in too short of a time had left the band members sober of spirit. Bono tells the crowd that Dennis had long-been associated in his mind with the song "40."<br />
<br />
"It is imperative that we play it for you now."<br />
<br />
At this point the Edge begins strumming the opening notes. The crowd goes bonkers; dopamine levels surge. Middle-aged men begin leaping, high-fiving, pumping their fists in the air. Tears stream down their faces. I kid you not.<br />
<br />
Originally released as a commercial single in Germany, in order to promote U2's appearance at the Loreley Festival in 1983, "40" has become <i>the</i> iconic U2 song. The text is, of course, drawn from <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+40&version=KJV">Psalm 40</a>. And much like the hymn "Amazing Grace," it is the one song that all humanity, no matter what their creed, whether religious or irreligious, wants<i> </i>to sing at a U2 concert.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-and-david-taylor-beyond-the-psalms/">Because who doesn't ask the question, "How long?"</a><br />
<br />
How long, O Lord, until justice rolls down like water? How long until the eyes of the blind are opened? How long until lovingkindness and truth have met together? How long until righteousness and peace have kissed each other? How long until the earth is healed? And, in light of the <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-40008389">Manchester attack</a> this past Monday, how long until the brokenness that marks the human heart is wholly mended?<br />
<br />
How long [I fill in the blank]? How long [you fill in the blank]?<br />
<br />
Ten seconds into the song, Bono steps up to the mic again. "David, this is for you." I don't hear him, of course, because I have men in their 50s hugging each other as if it were their last night on planet earth, howling as they anticipate the theme song of saints and angels. In music, as in life, it's all about anticipation. Bono steps away from the mic.<br />
<br />
Then just to make sure, I guess, that it was clear whom he had in mind, of all the thousands upon thousands upon thousands of Davids in the world, the innumerable host of Davids who might occupy an Irish Catholic city, Bono leans into the mic and says: "David Taylor."<br />
<br />
It's not that this narrows the field all that much, but a little shiver goes down my spine.<br />
<br />
I look at Phaedra. Phaedra looks at me. <i>Did he just say my name?</i> I mouth to her. She mouths back, <i>Yes. </i>I freak out. <i>What? </i><br />
<br />
Then, like the good middle-aged gentlemen that surround me, I get a little misty-eyed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bZoKSLJm4LA?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
Here is another view of the events:<br />
<br />
<div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RUazb94-Vlo?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLSfZ1_732znHq-aCIOFkwemOYJNZUznn0hk9udmWlh05TTuLLSJjl9Q5TgPH5IBbfzxjBTiGYNENtfG1oBEiIzEfNVhZyqxfawVnC7piL8dGPOuBcGHT0kea6miFq2Bh8DTE1Q/s1600/IMG_2079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLSfZ1_732znHq-aCIOFkwemOYJNZUznn0hk9udmWlh05TTuLLSJjl9Q5TgPH5IBbfzxjBTiGYNENtfG1oBEiIzEfNVhZyqxfawVnC7piL8dGPOuBcGHT0kea6miFq2Bh8DTE1Q/s640/IMG_2079.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppDHWkeN-UwqGmdek7LUHU9bCr1kBb2LaSq6Mk6b6oG-B95sBZuuPTKrg1xUwow2aP8vNl2KxNq6DsMJ_p9H9MrrEdGZbbShaXVnBFlDajnVz-wzasIaKYldOZYu79Pd9Upwbdw/s1600/IMG_2091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhppDHWkeN-UwqGmdek7LUHU9bCr1kBb2LaSq6Mk6b6oG-B95sBZuuPTKrg1xUwow2aP8vNl2KxNq6DsMJ_p9H9MrrEdGZbbShaXVnBFlDajnVz-wzasIaKYldOZYu79Pd9Upwbdw/s640/IMG_2091.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHVLbcxUBTBU794UvypIY0Vmup3b68V9Rk4kHTkcdFTt6REE_Dn_g-VImhyS5GCNQtwApMsi_OT4MfaCfOqvk-bGg6jqC0AqCWE-t323nqZxaUuRjWKQhHENWYvZOSgs3iCDqAA/s1600/IMG_2074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHVLbcxUBTBU794UvypIY0Vmup3b68V9Rk4kHTkcdFTt6REE_Dn_g-VImhyS5GCNQtwApMsi_OT4MfaCfOqvk-bGg6jqC0AqCWE-t323nqZxaUuRjWKQhHENWYvZOSgs3iCDqAA/s640/IMG_2074.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbJ8qIN64B7VlwoCtMXJQSNt5T38dO7VOsIrFyZwTo1wnToupVp0lR1Opn9rKkCYVT00eMBzTlYapwhOkOtXWY6Z2IMjAPij2rvXZCLbz7BPDNrV9YAaQLiwHIp-K_KTN7Gn-SA/s1600/IMG_2050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBbJ8qIN64B7VlwoCtMXJQSNt5T38dO7VOsIrFyZwTo1wnToupVp0lR1Opn9rKkCYVT00eMBzTlYapwhOkOtXWY6Z2IMjAPij2rvXZCLbz7BPDNrV9YAaQLiwHIp-K_KTN7Gn-SA/s640/IMG_2050.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
(You can find all relevant info about the project <a href="https://fullerstudio.fuller.edu/bono-eugene-peterson-psalms/">here at the Fuller Studio website</a>. You can read about the background to the project <a href="http://www.brehmcenter.com/initiatives/texas/projects/the-psalms/">here at the Brehm Center website</a>.)<br />
<br />
<div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-l40S5e90KY?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y-UtNhbq7wc?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="height: 0; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8V0QiX8zJmQ?ecver=2" style="height: 100%; left: 0; position: absolute; width: 100%;" width="640"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />w. david o. taylorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08048604209388355706noreply@blogger.com7