One of the challenges I find is to retain what I have read, learned and perhaps meditated on in my devotional reading in the morning, so that it influences the rest of the day. For example, just now I’m reading through Psalm 19, especially vv 7-11 about the merits of the ‘law of the Lord’. I’m often most impacted most by scripture early morning, a little reflection helping me see the explosive impact of ‘familiar’ verses afresh eg v 8b ‘the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes’. A surprise; we tend to think of a command as burdensome, but it - presumably not just hearing but doing it - is actually described as enhancing your earthly and spiritual vision…
This afternoon I visited Bradford University ‘Freshers Fayre’ to chat with folk at the Christian Union stall with a view to attracting new folk into the soon to be re-launched ‘Whistling Frog Radio Group’. Struck - though of course hardly surprised - by the numbers of Asian and Muslim students. And by the range of religious stalls in the fair. It’s something my arrival in Bradford has made me think about more, particularly regarding the Muslim community. The religious and cultural fabric of the community is so strong, so entrenched. How does this make me feel as a Western Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian in relation to the Muslim community?
A few questions to begin to pursue. Hope to write this ol’ blog a bit more ‘little and often‘, it’s been a tad too occasional of late…
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9 comments:
Burdensome commands ?
I remember reading an article by the catholic bishop of liverpool. He said god didnt command as much as seduce - racey language for a celibate....
Nice. By the way, I'm still reading comments from the last post. Up to 2 Sept I think. Intriguing stuff, a real rabbit warren, I may return to some of those issues. Without wishing to sound too back-slapping, you do have a gift for the telling metaphor, keep it up. The one about shelves and trolleys and you as some kind of Holden Caulfield store assistant especially sticks in my mind. Poetry, metaphor as doorways to truth. It ain't just about logic.
A rabbit warren ? if you find even a couple of carrots it will be worth it. Iver just ordered a book by Polkinghorne about science and theology - I'll let you know if anything interesting comes out of it...
Did you read the Mcgrath reply to dawkins book ? I've found it very hard to get into...
Just been scouring wikipedia to pass the time...Thought the following quote might be interesting to set against the backdrop of the rabbit warren :
Inquirer: `What one man terms 'truth' another says is 'false', and so they go on. How is it that these people cannot agree and all say the same?"
Buddha: "There is but one truth, and so the wise find nothing to debate. But since each of these disputants has his own version of the truth, their arguments are never ending."
Inquirer: "But how is it that each one of these 'experts' sees his version of truth as the Truth? Can it be. said that their truth was ever truth? or do 'they merely invent their theories9"
Buddha: "No truth exists at all apart from what sense perception offers. So soon as you hold the view that this is 'true', friction crises, because the opposite view must be termed 'false'.
" He, who allows himself to be led by things seen and heard, by virtue and achievement, becomes fixed in his ideas and criticizes others. In criticizing others his egotism swells, and seeing himself as an expert, his critical faculty becomes still more exaggerated. Then overflowing with his own importance, he prides himself upon being a 'sage', and imagines his views to be irrefragable. If anyone calls him dim-witted, he retorts: 'Dim-witted yourself'. Though according to each himself he is a 'sage'. Each expert will be heard to state that those who follow a philosophy different from this must fall short of purity and perfection. 'My method loads to perfection; it is infallible' boasts every one of those self-appoint ed 'sages'. Such remarks lay him open to attacks from other experts and to further disputes. And so these people, each of them attached to his pet theory, continue to wrangle all life long. Therefore, keep free of all theorizing and its attendant strife
I did read McGrath's book Rob, not popular with atheist friends from what I've read. Yes keep us posted about the Polkinghorne. And thanks for the truth quote.
Did you read the Mcgrath reply to dawkins book ? I've found it very hard to get into...
Is that because he is rather vague and you cant really pin him down on what god is.
Who says buddah is right? Is he setting himself up as a knower of the truth anf how to get to it here? He was an atheist you know.
"What does it mean to be a Christian in relation to the Muslim community" Bruce...
Interesting question ! I've just got back from a school govenors meeting we've proudly written a mandate that we will not only welcome other faiths within our church school but we will offer to " nurture them as appropriate". Everybody agreed but nobody actually knew how exactly this would happen !
Have just watched the "Richard Dawkins and Alister McGrath" on google video - its an uncut debate - no fancy camera work - it has quite a poetic feel - lots of echoes - and off camera sniggers - makes a nice late night trance out in front of the laptop.
Their debate does cover a lot of ground - but I found it relatively interesting and yes Mcgrath did quote CSLewis and Tolkein so he has gone up in my estimation - he is by nature rather a reticent debater but I think their are some good points there - if only in embryo..
Thanks Rob... by the way, when are you going to re-open access to your blog?
The dole brothers must have been signing on - they are back in the house now :)
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