Part Four

Part IV: Wandering

And the figurative ball is back in Brant's metaphorical court. Happily, this section provides matters of biblical interpretation to criticize.

Chapter 16 Hog Time starts with a "folksy story." It's punchline is "Time ain't nothing to a hog!"  Jamie and I agree that there isn't much point to this story. Daniel suggests that God is like the farmer, but it occurs to me that "Time ain't nothing to" the eternal God. What sense do you make of this chapter? Did it speak to you?

Chapter 17 Speaking in Tongues contains the sentence: "On Pentecost the followers of Jesus suddenly understood one another's languages." (Emphasis mine). What actually occurred on Pentecost is that Jews from all over the known world heard the followers of Jesus speaking  the Gospel in their own languages. Some of them then became followers of Jesus.

Other than that, this chapter suggests that we should learn each other's languages, at least in a metaphorical sense, and hear one another's stories. Authenticity is more important than (lip-syncing) glitz, I hear Daniel say. Do you have a story of learning another language?

Have you found shared humanity with someone with whom you thought you had nothing in common? (Jamie, please note how carefully I avoided ending that sentence with a preposition).

How does your faith community empower you to witness to your faith?

Chapter 18 The Poor Are Not Lucky describes Daniel's encounter with a self-serving woman who thinks the "poor are the lucky ones." Oy! What well-meaning theological statements set your teeth on edge? (Personally I cringe when I hear someone say "God never gives us more than we can handle.") Can we ever do good from pure motives? According to Daniel  "'Generosity begets generosity,' Jesus assures us." She would have to quote me chapter and verse on that.  She ends the chapter with a pointed Benedictine prayer. Do you have a prayer to share for those who are in need, and for those who work to alleviate need?

Chapter 19 Please Stop Boring Me is basically a reprise of chapter 1. Daniel writes, "What is interesting is doing this work in community, where other people might call you on stuff or, heaven forbid, disagree with you." Jamie and I regularly attend a Tuesday morning pastors' text study where the participants often disagree and correct one another. I couldn't help but think that, if Lillian Daniel were a part of that group, we would take her to task for saying things like "Paul was a tax collector." Do you have a community that "calls you on stuff?" Is it your church?

Has the "spiritual but not religious" mindset made its way into your congregation?

Chapter 20 Animals in the Airport is about our human relations with animals. I was reminded of  an African exchange student who thought Americans were more in touch with nature than the people of his country because we have animals--pets--in our homes. The Scriptures tell us that all of creation is being redeemed by God. Do you have any experience with animal blessing services? How does Daniel's seeing God at work in dogs, cats, birds and giraffes differ from teh "spiritual but not religious" mindset she criticizes? (Thanks, Jamie, for that question). Does your vision of the Kingdom of God include animals?

Finally, Chapter 21 Immigrants Like Us offers some pointed criticisms of the plight of immigrants and "our" attitudes toward "them." What language do you hear in the immigration debates? What difference does that language make? Is there a way to move forward? Does your faith inform your position on immigration reform?

Are there flags in your church? Why are they there? Should they be there? What do you think would happen if they were re/moved?

I hope that these observations and questions will stimulate conversation. What other issues or questions did this section of the book raise for you? What observations or stories do you have to offer?