I'm still doing some reading, but I've also begun some writing. The book I'm reading right now is The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon Wood, and while I can skim some parts, there are some parts of the book that are very interesting and powerful and helpful.
I don't know how much I will end up writing, but this will probably be the longest project I've ever done. In my senior year in seminary, I had a final project that I think was about 20 pages. That will easily be surpassed by what I am doing now. I'm probably looking at something more along the lines of at least 50 pages, and it could be much longer than that. It's hard for me to think in these terms, but it could even possibly turn into a book. I don't know if anyone would publish it, but I would hope some of you would be willing to read it.
As I reflect on what the goals were for the sabbatical, I realize that almost all of it has been dealing with history and the Founding Fathers and the colonial period. There were other themes that I had considered - the irrelevance of the church, grace, the purpose of the church - and I will not specifically be writing about those themes. I do think, however, that what I am working on will contain many of those issues.
Much of this will also speak to some very contemporary issues as well, though not in specific terms. We've heard a lot about religious freedom in the news recently, in regards to the possibility of building that mosque near Ground Zero (we did go to Ground Zero in New York City on July 28th, and it was powerful being there). We've heard references to the Founding Fathers also, as this was mentioned in the news reports about Glenn Beck's rally at the Lincoln Memorial yesterday (I do find his comment that "I really didn't think about the fact that it was the exact same day as when Martin Luther King, Jr. made his famous 'I have a dream' speech" very hard to believe). There's a lot about the Founding Fathers that we must remember and to which we must pay attention; there's also a lot about the Founding Fathers that is myth and story but not necessarily fact. So as I am dwelling in the Revolutionary period, I am finding that it is speaking very loudly and clearly to the present situation.
I'm looking forward to what will be written in these next three weeks.
On another note - we've been attending different churches on Sundays, and it has been a good experience for us. Locally, we've been to 6 Presbyterian churches, and one Methodist church this summer. I've been pleased with what I have seen in those churches, and we local Presbyterians have some good things taking place. It's also been a good experience being the "visitor" also. I can say we do a lot of things right at Forest Hills. I would also say (and I know that summer is not the best time to judge this) that as far as music in the church goes, no one has yet come close to Forest Hills.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
I've just finished another book (number 15, I think), and I started one more, which I should finish in just a couple of days. I have tried to read not only books by historians, but also by Christian authors who are indicating that the US is a Christian nation and needs to get back to its origins. In the next couple of days, I will start writing, trying to indicate what I have learned about the Founding Fathers and Christian faith and the Constitution.
It has been a fascinating study, and I sure know a whole lot more than I did 2 months ago. I also realize that there is a lot more I have yet to learn. Still, I think I have a decent understanding of some of what was going on, and I'm starting to get some ideas as to what I'm going to write.
One thing I have noticed about the Christian authors is that they all tend to have a kind of conspiracy theory approach to their writing. Much of what is wrong with the country is because the secular humanists have taken over the courts and the educational system. In the video "America's Godly Heritage," David Barton seems to indicate that the basic cause for all the ills in our society is that the Supreme Court in 1962 and 1963 took Bible reading and prayer out of our schools. That has led to all the social problems we face today. I tend to think there were other factors involved - whether they be all the civil rights issues of that time, the Vietnam War, Watergate - to say nothing about sin. Sin doesn't seem to have much to do with those ills. Interesting.
The issues I'll be looking at, and writing about, include the time from the Pilgrims and Puritans (two different and distinct groups) in Massachusetts in 1620 and 1630, as well as the Jamestown settlement, through the time of the Great Awakening, and what happened to those communities and their understanding of "religious freedom." There will be issues of the establishment of churches, and, I think, how the establishment of those state churches were a major factor in the Revolution and the Constitution. I'll look at some of the things we believe about our Founding Fathers, and how we have elevated some of them to god-like status. In fact, on the ceiling in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, is a painting called "The Apotheosis of George Washington," which is essentially about making him a god. There are some myths that we have about the founders, and some authors indicating some things about them that maybe didn't happen the way they say they did. Were Washington and Adams really evangelistic Christians? Was Jefferson an atheist, as so many in the election of 1800, and many today, were and are saying? What does the First Amendment mean? And what does it mean (in words that Jefferson first said in 1801) to have this "wall of separation between church and state"?
I really thought this study would deal more with the faith of the founders, and be more of a study in history - and it has been that. But as I proceed, I think it will be far more about theology, especially as it deals with such questions as "what kind of God do we have?" Does God simply want us to live moral lives, or is there more to it than that?
It's been challenging; it's been fun - and now I get to do the hard part, which is trying to indicate on paper what I have learned.
It has been a fascinating study, and I sure know a whole lot more than I did 2 months ago. I also realize that there is a lot more I have yet to learn. Still, I think I have a decent understanding of some of what was going on, and I'm starting to get some ideas as to what I'm going to write.
One thing I have noticed about the Christian authors is that they all tend to have a kind of conspiracy theory approach to their writing. Much of what is wrong with the country is because the secular humanists have taken over the courts and the educational system. In the video "America's Godly Heritage," David Barton seems to indicate that the basic cause for all the ills in our society is that the Supreme Court in 1962 and 1963 took Bible reading and prayer out of our schools. That has led to all the social problems we face today. I tend to think there were other factors involved - whether they be all the civil rights issues of that time, the Vietnam War, Watergate - to say nothing about sin. Sin doesn't seem to have much to do with those ills. Interesting.
The issues I'll be looking at, and writing about, include the time from the Pilgrims and Puritans (two different and distinct groups) in Massachusetts in 1620 and 1630, as well as the Jamestown settlement, through the time of the Great Awakening, and what happened to those communities and their understanding of "religious freedom." There will be issues of the establishment of churches, and, I think, how the establishment of those state churches were a major factor in the Revolution and the Constitution. I'll look at some of the things we believe about our Founding Fathers, and how we have elevated some of them to god-like status. In fact, on the ceiling in the Rotunda of the US Capitol, is a painting called "The Apotheosis of George Washington," which is essentially about making him a god. There are some myths that we have about the founders, and some authors indicating some things about them that maybe didn't happen the way they say they did. Were Washington and Adams really evangelistic Christians? Was Jefferson an atheist, as so many in the election of 1800, and many today, were and are saying? What does the First Amendment mean? And what does it mean (in words that Jefferson first said in 1801) to have this "wall of separation between church and state"?
I really thought this study would deal more with the faith of the founders, and be more of a study in history - and it has been that. But as I proceed, I think it will be far more about theology, especially as it deals with such questions as "what kind of God do we have?" Does God simply want us to live moral lives, or is there more to it than that?
It's been challenging; it's been fun - and now I get to do the hard part, which is trying to indicate on paper what I have learned.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
I am learning that when one is reading history, one cannot simply take all things at face value. One of the books I read contains what I believe to be a number of factual inaccuracies, as well as many opinions stated as fact without any referencing or proof of why those statements should be considered to be factual.
While my study has been on the Colonial period, and the Founding Fathers, I am fairly well-read (not as well-read as some others in the church) on Abraham Lincoln. I've read at least 6 books on Lincoln (as I just looked at the bookshelf to be sure). In a book I just finished, there is a statement made that says the following: "Shortly before his death an Illinois clergyman asked Lincoln, 'Do you love Jesus?' Mr. Lincoln solemnly replied, 'When I left Springfield I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. Yes, I do love Jesus.'" This is quoted from a book called Abraham Lincoln, the Christian. That story was used in a sermon some years ago by The Rev. D. James Kennedy.
From my reading about Lincoln, I was not aware of this statement. So I looked at the bibliography included in two of the best books on Lincoln's life: Abraham Lincoln, Redeemer President, by Allen Guelzo, a professor at Gettysburg College, and A. Lincoln, by Ronald C. White, Jr. (whom I heard speak last year at Princeton Seminary). Those books are not included in their bibliographies. I looked at Internet sites, and found some references to this, but they seemed to be of uncertain origin. So I decided to ask an authority, and I sent an e-mail message to Dr. Guelzo at Gettysburg, and I asked him about this statement. I received a message in response, that indicated that my thoughts about it being of uncertain origin were correct, and that there is no hard evidence that any Illinois clergyman ever received that kind of statement from Mr. Lincoln. (I am very appreciative of Dr. Guelzo taking the time to respond to my question.)
Is it possible that Lincoln did, indeed, make that statement? Yes, it is possible. But it seems as though many historians are at best skeptical about that.
I think we need to be careful about how we interpret what we read. It certainly is going to make me more diligent as I think about what I am reading.
While my study has been on the Colonial period, and the Founding Fathers, I am fairly well-read (not as well-read as some others in the church) on Abraham Lincoln. I've read at least 6 books on Lincoln (as I just looked at the bookshelf to be sure). In a book I just finished, there is a statement made that says the following: "Shortly before his death an Illinois clergyman asked Lincoln, 'Do you love Jesus?' Mr. Lincoln solemnly replied, 'When I left Springfield I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. Yes, I do love Jesus.'" This is quoted from a book called Abraham Lincoln, the Christian. That story was used in a sermon some years ago by The Rev. D. James Kennedy.
From my reading about Lincoln, I was not aware of this statement. So I looked at the bibliography included in two of the best books on Lincoln's life: Abraham Lincoln, Redeemer President, by Allen Guelzo, a professor at Gettysburg College, and A. Lincoln, by Ronald C. White, Jr. (whom I heard speak last year at Princeton Seminary). Those books are not included in their bibliographies. I looked at Internet sites, and found some references to this, but they seemed to be of uncertain origin. So I decided to ask an authority, and I sent an e-mail message to Dr. Guelzo at Gettysburg, and I asked him about this statement. I received a message in response, that indicated that my thoughts about it being of uncertain origin were correct, and that there is no hard evidence that any Illinois clergyman ever received that kind of statement from Mr. Lincoln. (I am very appreciative of Dr. Guelzo taking the time to respond to my question.)
Is it possible that Lincoln did, indeed, make that statement? Yes, it is possible. But it seems as though many historians are at best skeptical about that.
I think we need to be careful about how we interpret what we read. It certainly is going to make me more diligent as I think about what I am reading.
Monday, August 16, 2010
A number of years ago I heard someone begin a sermon with this story. He said he was doing some Christmas shopping, and he noticed a little boy who was not wonderfully behaved. His mother was getting angry with him. Finally the mother said to the little boy, "if you don't behave yourself, mommy will stop loving you."
Isn't that a terrible thing to say to a child? I know there are times we get frustrated and tired and angry with our children, but who among us would be willing to make that kind of statement? Maybe we would think that kind of thought (maybe) but most of us would not verbalize that thought.
Why is it, then, that we often think, believe, and live, that God will stop loving us if we misbehave, if we do things that ought not do, and not do things we ought to do? I am amazed at some of the things I have been reading from Christian authors who seem to indicate that America is God's country (to the exclusion of all others; I wonder why God doesn't seem to like other countries, and why it is that England was so terrible to God that God considered King George to be like Pharaoh), but if we don't shape ourselves up morally and ethically, God will have nothing to do with us, or will abandon us.
Is that the promise of God? What do we do with the promise in Isaiah, that "even if your mother were to forget you, I will not forget you or forsake you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." Did Jesus go to a cross in order that we might become morally pure people? I thought it was because we were sinners, that we were not morally pure. Does Jesus say to us, "the cross is about grace, but if your behavior doesn't measure up, then that grace is taken away from you?" I don't think so.
Yet that appears to be a subtle message in some of what I have been reading, and I find that to be disappointing and disturbing. God's grace is given to us despite our failings and shortcomings. God's grace is given precisely to those who do not deserve it, who do not measure up to all the moral standards. And I believe that nothing - nothing - can ever separate us from that love of God in Jesus Christ.
It has been said that the best argument for Christian faith is Christians, and that the worst argument for Christian faith is Christians. Sometimes we are very narrow in our thinking, and narrow in the way we share God's gift of grace. I think that grace opens us up to life, and through that grace we are called to live as followers of Jesus, which includes such things as compassion and love for all, including those who do not think the same way we do, or who do not look the way we do, or who do not worship the way we do.
Let us not forget compassion and justice and mercy and grace as we move forward as a church, as a nation, as a people.
Isn't that a terrible thing to say to a child? I know there are times we get frustrated and tired and angry with our children, but who among us would be willing to make that kind of statement? Maybe we would think that kind of thought (maybe) but most of us would not verbalize that thought.
Why is it, then, that we often think, believe, and live, that God will stop loving us if we misbehave, if we do things that ought not do, and not do things we ought to do? I am amazed at some of the things I have been reading from Christian authors who seem to indicate that America is God's country (to the exclusion of all others; I wonder why God doesn't seem to like other countries, and why it is that England was so terrible to God that God considered King George to be like Pharaoh), but if we don't shape ourselves up morally and ethically, God will have nothing to do with us, or will abandon us.
Is that the promise of God? What do we do with the promise in Isaiah, that "even if your mother were to forget you, I will not forget you or forsake you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands." Did Jesus go to a cross in order that we might become morally pure people? I thought it was because we were sinners, that we were not morally pure. Does Jesus say to us, "the cross is about grace, but if your behavior doesn't measure up, then that grace is taken away from you?" I don't think so.
Yet that appears to be a subtle message in some of what I have been reading, and I find that to be disappointing and disturbing. God's grace is given to us despite our failings and shortcomings. God's grace is given precisely to those who do not deserve it, who do not measure up to all the moral standards. And I believe that nothing - nothing - can ever separate us from that love of God in Jesus Christ.
It has been said that the best argument for Christian faith is Christians, and that the worst argument for Christian faith is Christians. Sometimes we are very narrow in our thinking, and narrow in the way we share God's gift of grace. I think that grace opens us up to life, and through that grace we are called to live as followers of Jesus, which includes such things as compassion and love for all, including those who do not think the same way we do, or who do not look the way we do, or who do not worship the way we do.
Let us not forget compassion and justice and mercy and grace as we move forward as a church, as a nation, as a people.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
We got home today, Aug. 5, at about 2:30. In all, we were in 11 states, and took almost every form of transportation we could take short of a helicopter. We flew to DC, took the Metro, a bus to Mt. Vernon, a light rail/trolley in Baltimore to see the Rays win, a boat to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, subways in NYC, and rented a car in the Boston area before flying home out of Providence, RI today.
Along the way, we visited with my parents in Phila, saw some high school friends; went to Ocean City NJ to see my brother and sister-in-law (boy was it hot walking the boardwalk at 11 a.m) visited with, and stayed with, Donna's sister in CT while her other sister and niece visited from upstate NY; attended Donna's high school reunion near Medfield, MA; visited with Donna's nephew and family in Dover, NH; visited another nephew and family in Providence, RI; and saw Tim a couple of days in NYC. By the way, we managed to get in some historical sites as well.
Lots of highlights on the history front. In Boston, we went to Lexington and Concord; walked part of the Freedom Trail, where we saw the site of the Boston Massacre, the gravesites of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere; went to Old North Church; and went to the birthplace of John Adams - we also saw where John and Abigail, and John Quincy and his wife are buried. Lots of great history on the trip. I had never been to the Boston area before, and it was worth it.
At least for the history. Several days ago as we were going to dinner and found that directional signs are lacking in Massachusetts, I said to Donna, "we are never, never going to live in Massachusetts." Besides that, there are a lot of aggressive drivers there. Tampa really is tame by comparison.
We have lots of pictures, and I'll get back to the reading and research in a couple of days. But it was a very good, and very worthwhile, trip, both for family reasons and study reasons.
Along the way, we visited with my parents in Phila, saw some high school friends; went to Ocean City NJ to see my brother and sister-in-law (boy was it hot walking the boardwalk at 11 a.m) visited with, and stayed with, Donna's sister in CT while her other sister and niece visited from upstate NY; attended Donna's high school reunion near Medfield, MA; visited with Donna's nephew and family in Dover, NH; visited another nephew and family in Providence, RI; and saw Tim a couple of days in NYC. By the way, we managed to get in some historical sites as well.
Lots of highlights on the history front. In Boston, we went to Lexington and Concord; walked part of the Freedom Trail, where we saw the site of the Boston Massacre, the gravesites of John Hancock, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere; went to Old North Church; and went to the birthplace of John Adams - we also saw where John and Abigail, and John Quincy and his wife are buried. Lots of great history on the trip. I had never been to the Boston area before, and it was worth it.
At least for the history. Several days ago as we were going to dinner and found that directional signs are lacking in Massachusetts, I said to Donna, "we are never, never going to live in Massachusetts." Besides that, there are a lot of aggressive drivers there. Tampa really is tame by comparison.
We have lots of pictures, and I'll get back to the reading and research in a couple of days. But it was a very good, and very worthwhile, trip, both for family reasons and study reasons.
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