Tonight, Lauren Winner shared some of her material from Girl Meets God. Again, there were many aspects of her story that resonate with my own, facets that will stay with me for some time.
Picking a few too highlight is like picking the best two or three songs from a U2 album. Nevertheless...
Lauren noted that she does not have a definitive moment of conversion. “I cannot say that I became a Christian (like the Apostle Paul for instance) at 8:40 a.m. on a Tuesday. My conversion to Christ has been a series of events; with many ruptures in the narrative,” (my paraphrase). "There are moments when God called me and I accepted--but it's been a process."
She also confessed to being a “yellow-dog Democrat”—which was brave considering she was in a room of 80% Republicans 15% Democrats 4% Anabaptists and 1% Libertarian (that’s for you Patrick).
My wife, the true judge of all things, appreciated “Lauren’s humor mixed with her engaging theology”—I suppose she’s not used to funny thinkers for she's married to me. Kara also noted that she admired Lauren’s ability to be “who she is”—unapologetically honest (see reference above to yellow-dog Democrat).
Perhaps the element that will stay with me in the coming months is Lauren's embodied reminder that Christianity comes out of Judaism. Baptism and Lord’s Supper, for instance, find their roots and meaning in the Jewish story. Of course, I’m not a Universalist Unitarian—I believe Jesus is the way. But I also remember that Paul was Jewish. Jesus was Jewish (he was not a Christian as it were). Many of the first Christians were Jewish who believed Jesus was the Jewish Messiah.
This movement called Christianity, is birthed out of Israel. That we have virtually ignored Israel’s Scripture (The proverbial Old Testament), approach to scripture, and spiritual disciplines—is something that truncates and flattens our faith.
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12 comments:
she was great, honest, funny, intelligent; so much more than what i imagined her while i read "girl meets god" -- i picked up "mudhouse sabbath" tonight, i am looking forward to reading it...
thanks for having her come out to the roc.
She was cracking me up. I nearly died when she said she had become a Christian so that she could once again attend pig roasts. hahaha
Courtney,
It is interesting meeting a person after reading their story...I wonder what it would be like to meet Mark, or John--writers from the NT.
Emily,
That was a great line.
There were many great lines!
"She also confessed to being a 'yellow-dog Democrat'—which was brave considering she was in a room of 80% Republicans 15% Democrats 4% Anabaptists and 1% Libertarian (that’s for you Patrick)."
Josh,
I sincerely doubt that the ratio is that high. If I had to guess, it would be more like 40%Democrat, 40%Republican, 10% independent(conservative and liberal), and 10% apathetic.
Honestly, I don't think politics relates in anyway to the book "Girl Meets God". I wasn't there to hear her speak.
The one thing that bugged me about Rochester assemblies is that when someone talks about something politically on stage, it seems like it is almost always a liberal.
It appears that the college is afraid to invite someone like Charles Swindoll,John Macarthur, and other lesser known conservative theologians.
Many of us conservatives were offended when you said in chapel several times(and I'm paraphrasing), "we only care about issues below the waist". I know that many conservative independents(like myself) and Republicans care deeply about volunteering to help the poor and lead them to Christ. We would rather give the money than have it removed from our paycheck (amen Patrick?).
Conservatives care very much about protecting our borders in these post-9/11 times, euthanasia, and (shock of all shocks) some of us actually want to find alternative energy sources to strengthen our economic future.
David,
Thanks for your comments. You are passionate!
First, I think I know our church pretty well--that's what I the context I had in mind...not the college. Lauren spoke in chapel but the two posts regarding Lauren were from my experiences with her speaking to our faith community.
Second, I did not ever intend to insinuate that conservatives should convert to liberal ideology for I do not believe the left to be any closer to the Gospel than the right. The below "the waist" comment was directed towards a particular group of people of whom I love, share life with, go to Tigers games with. But I still disagree...I'm glad to know you are not in that camp.
I welcome your challenging and authentic comments.
I wasn't offended by Lauren nor by Josh's comments about "below the waist." There is much truth there. While I am passionate about my beliefs -- and that includes my political ones -- I have to, as Paul might say, beat my body daily so that I retain some measure of kindness and humility towards those with whom I disagree.
And, along the road, I can learn a lot from them. Sometimes I learn I was wrong, sometimes I learn I was right, but at least I give myself a chance to learn something!
Thanks for bringing Lauren here.
hey josh!!
i completely agree with your statement that to ignore the disciplines and scriptures so important to the jewish faith flattens our own!! that is why she was such an encouragement to me when i started at Jewish Family Service. I felt that complete disconnect and started to realize just how un-complete my faith was. i wrote something the other day about all the jewish holidays coming up. at the end i said that their traditions, belief, and perserverance puts me to shame. i am not anywhere near where i need to be with disciplines but i have a very strong example to look toward in my jewish friends. i have been teased that i am too excited about their faith and their following it to this day but i also still believe the Messiah has already come and that does not waver. but whoa- they have something on the christian faith when it comes to discipline. something i don't know if i will ever be able to match.
Jenny,
First, thanks for taking Lauren to the airport.
Second, How has your work changed your understanding of the relationship between Judaism and Christianity? You have a fascinating job in that respect.
PMiddy learning from a yellow-dog Democrat--that's what I'm talking about.
Your views, along with Eric Ebeling, have also challenged me on some assumptions I've held for a long time.
Hey Josh-
No problem!! I was thrilled!
Sorry this is really long but you got me a subject I really like to talk about…
When I first started working for Jewish Family Services one of the most immediate and obvious differences were the holidays. I know that probably sounds kind of silly but the Jewish holidays are one of the biggest parts of working here. Whether you are orthodox or reform you celebrate the holidays. It is a BIG deal- especially those we are currently in the midst of… the high holy days of Tishri. One of the things that I very much appreciated about Lauren’s books is something she also mentioned on Tuesday night. She was talking about how she found herself still longing for some of those former disciplines and such. So in both Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath she finds ways of involving those into her new life in Christ. This is what I loved. This is why I love the holidays and disciplines of the Jewish Faith. I think I have told you before that it is a personal conviction of my own to somehow involve myself and celebrate the holidays with them. There is something very deepening to ones faith to celebrate a holiday that has been celebrated for such a long time. To sit among others and celebrate the Passover really connects you to and deepens your faith in Christ. This is the same holiday He celebrated before He went to the cross for my sake. It takes you so far beyond yourself. You finally realize that for thousands of years people have been doing the same thing you are doing in that moment. You realize all this isn’t about you. You understand that if all this life and faith was about you and your opinions… it would be very short-lived, unfulfilling, and definitely not as deeply rooted. You can’t help but leave those moments changed. One other thing that I have appreciated about their holidays is WHAT they celebrate. They celebrate the Word of God like NOTHING I have ever seen in any Christian church. In the Churches of Christ we really pride ourselves on knowing the Bible. That’s great. I am proud of that fact. But none of that compares to celebrating the actual Word of God. I could memorize every word in the Bible but if I don’t celebrate the fact that God gave that to me… to serve as a connection to Him that’s just sad. Every year they celebrate receiving the Torah and every year they celebrate the fact that they get to start reading it again!! Holy wow. I don’t do that. And I don’t know any Christian church to really celebrate the fact that God actually gave us His word to know Him better. That is just amazing to me. Those are just a few ways I have learned to deepen my faith by examining theirs.
I can honestly say I am pleased to hear "Lauren noted that she does not have a definitive moment of conversion. “I cannot say that I became a Christian (like the Apostle Paul for instance) at 8:40 a.m. on a Tuesday. My conversion to Christ has been a series of events; with many ruptures in the narrative,” (my paraphrase). "There are moments when God called me and I accepted--but it's been a process.""
I have always felt that I am in the same boat and often made to believe through others that there was some kind of shame in that. It's a blessing to know my experience coming over time is not a singular one. I am thankful that God calls us each in different ways and we don't all have to come to him at 8:40 on a Tuesday morning!
Jenny,
Great perspective on the Jewish mind and world. I'm sure you will continue to learn more in your work. Please share!
Kirsten,
I wonder how many people of faith feel bad that they don't have a spectacular story of faith (ala Paul) but that there's has been a slower, more subtle move toward God. Thanks for the post...good thoughts.
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