A Few thoughts at the Termination of Term

The Michaelmas season has come to an end, and a new church year has begun. Here at Resurrection Lutheran Church, we are enjoying our fellowship as we light the Advent candles in expectation of the coming Christmas. Last week, following an excellent Compline prayer service, we decorated the sanctuary and then partook in a pot-luck. The food was second to none.

I would like to thank everyone that participated in the Westfield community this fall, the students, the faculty, the staff, friends, visitors, and passers by. I appreciate your tacit commitment to dealing with our absurdities. It would be remiss to neglect to extend my gratitude to all those who have supported us from abroad: especially those from my home congregation (St. John's, Ladysmith) and all those at the seminary at Fort Wayne. You know who you are.

One noteworthy highlight from this fall was a forum at which Archbishop Rowan Williams spoke on the topic of New Atheism.

While no conclusions were reached (predictable), I do think that the Archbishop's adroit theological skill had its chance to shine. No, I am not asserting that Willams is by any means 'orthodox.' But I do believe, that he presented the faith in a cogent and well constructed manner. While he as willing to accept the statement of the hard Post-Modernist, " Every intellectual position we hold is a coping mechanism for getting through a complex world," he was critical to respond "This says nothing of a religion's truth-value...what makes religious language so unique is that it invites darkness and is willing to risk all things on search for the truth." Willams aptly exposed the folly of the new-atheists' desire for a religion-less world. "As far as I see it, people have always been religious and don't particularly seem as if they are going to change" [Paraphrase]. Well put Rev'd Father.

Feeling dejected from not enjoying the lecture? I have included it here for your pleasure and enrichment.
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/3048

Stones and the Sublime

And as he came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher, what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!"  And Jesus said to him, "Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down."(Mk 13:1-2 ESV)

One of the great marvels of our Christian God is His character of presence. That is to say, he mediates himself to human beings in time and space. One can trace the Old Testament theology of presence, especially as it is connected to the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and subsequently the great Temple of Solomon. All of these pale in comparison, or in other words are foreshadows of, the temple that “neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Mt 6:20). The Christian life celebrates and embraces Jesus Christ as the eternal temple, the place of mediation between God and man. In fact, he is the personification of God’s presence.

Following His ascension, Christ left his disciples saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mt 28:20). Christ is still with his Church. Believers still touch, receive, and commune with the body of Christ, albeit through the mediated presence of the Word and sacraments. Furthermore, the Word and sacraments find their home within the architecture the church's structure. It is therefore of chief importance for the Christian to be cognizant of their physical surroundings; it is these that teach about the spiritual surroundings that are viewed only through eyes of faith.

Three seminarians, myself included, recently spent a day contemplating great works of architecture: The Stonehedge, Old Sarum ruins, Salisbury Cathedral St. Mary’s, and subsequently the Chapter house of St. Mary’s . While these later locations are distinctly Christian, the Stonehedge remains in clandestine obscurity.

Insofar as we celebrate the true temple of Jesus Christ, it is also edifying to study earthly temples. Stonehedge, for example, informs primarily about humanity. At this point, I would like to evoke Kant’s distinction between the Beautiful and the Sublime. The Beautiful, by way of definition, is that which is pleasing to the eye. It evokes admiration and gives pleasure. The Sublime on the other hand induces “an overwhelming loftiness or vastness” often tantamount to terror (http://csmt.uchicago.edu/glossary2004/beautifulsublime.htm).

Now, I believe that our little adventure appropriately demonstrates the boundaries of the Sublime and the beautiful. Its unknown origins contribute to the arcane character of Stonehedge. Experts are uncertain of its construction, its original architects (it was completed over a number of centuries) and the original purpose of the structure. Yet, thousands of tourists flock to the British country side each year to wallow in the shadows of these stones. For us, the lugubrious and forlorn weather multiplied the Sublime character impressed upon us.

If we had just seen Stonehedge that day, I am sure that we would have been left in quite a melancholy disposition, if not for it its Sublimity then for the mere fact that we were drenched. But, Wes being an adventuraous fellow directed us to the Old Sarum ruins- the archaic site of Salisbury. Serendipitously, and to our astonishment, the weather turned very nice. The swift breezes harmonizing with the sun quickly dried our clothes and warmed out spirits. We took this opportunity to have a bite to eat on the castle ruins.

Reinvigorated by the weather, we traveled to Salisbury Cathedral. This feat of architecture, with its imposing steeple, ominous statues, and Gothic pillars drove the viewer to sublime terror (incidentally, it began to rain again). Simultaneously,  the salvation story told in the stained glass, the music of the Choristers, and the baptismal font all evoked grand expressions of beauty. Attached to the Cathedral is the ‘Chapter House,’   containing yet another great testament to the Human Race: the Magna Carta. This document signed by King John in 1215 marked the beginning of limited monarchy and contains articles defending the church's and individual rights.

Despite frigid temperatures, chilling winds, and voluminous downpours; we persevered and admired these various British architectural endeavors. It is our prayer that the descendants of the same would honour their great heritage, and in turn worship the God that has showered innumerable gifts upon their country.

Blessed Jesus, whose Holy Temple gives eternal rest to our souls, may your Church always testify to the treasures which neither rust nor corrode. Build us as living stones upon your firm foundation fortified against all torrents of the devil and the world. We entreat you for those peoples scattered throughout this land who have wandered outside the protection of thy bulwark. Guide them into thy truth, our only hope and source of mercy.

A Mad Tea Party

A family from Resurrection Lutheran Church hosted a Tea Party this afternoon as a fundraiser event for the handicap outfitting for the parish. The event was themed after Lewis Carol's classic, "The Mad Hatter Tea Party." It was mandatory that all come in a cap, optional was the dress as a character from the Alice in Wonderland story.

"The time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things; of shoes and ships and sealing wax and cabbages and kings."

The Luther Hall residents each represented the major story characters. Samuli, our dear brother from Finland deserves high commendation for his astute performance as the 'Cheshire Cat.' Joe and Wes, although they 'had their cake and ate it two' as Tweetle Dee and Tweetle Dum, really were no different than normal. Finally, we would be remiss to neglect the Queen of Hearts who by her cunning and bolstering of creativity inspired the concerted effort.

A good time was had by all, many of us wished we had worn more thermal clothing!

Big Ten Mascot Goes International

Reports indicate that Wisconsin’s iconic badger, Bucky, was recently spotted in London. Political commentators are baffled by this events incredulity. It is speculated that Wisconsin state gubernatorial candidate, Tom Barrett, dispatched this figurehead in order to garner the support of the British Queen.

Shortly after his arrival in the capital city, escorts hosted the badger on a grand tour of the city.

While the tour included the staples: London Tower, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and the famous eye; he was also led through back streets on the south side of the river Thames. The toured delivered the real Cockney- unaltered Dickensian London: Oliver Twist, Mary Poppins, and Harry Potter were literally dancing in the shadows!

Bucky was pursued by a number of interested theologians. Close on his tail (no joke); they followed him to and fro. Determined to catch up with this super-star, they were glad when the badger took time to hear Even Song (in Wisconsin this is generally called Evening Prayer or Vespers) at the Abbey.

His ambassadorial mission was successful when the Royal Highness welcomed the badger to afternoon tea in the Buckingham palace.

 While the queen declined to take sides in Wisconsin’s political race, she awarded her visitor the highest honour. The royal guard marched in regal procession to the tune of ‘On Wisconsin.’

Way to Go Bucky!

Early Days

Recovering against the MRSA staph, this Lutheran Seminarian traveled toward the English sea-shore in order to find respite and recuperation. Yet, a protract journey lay in front of him. The distance between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport  and Deal, Kent (yes, this is the place we stayed) is not so easily traveled.

Joined by fellow seminarian Timm and his wife Hannah, we took a one-stop flight to London Heathrow via Reykjavik. The Icelanders were hospitable and this was a peaceful place to spend my first 8 hours as an International traveler...yet the day was far from over.

Once landed in Heathrow, and after much investigation we arrived at the Hertz-rent-a-car agency. After a few minor complications (45 min wait), we were on the road. If can call it that. Because driving in England is not comparable to driving in England. To begin with, all the rent-a-cars came with a manual transmission. Automatically, I would be disqualified. Fortunately, Timm (who now possessed an International Drivers License) was competent in this task.

And a formidable task it proved to be! For we had before us a 20 km drive right through the heart of London. I now know that taking to the London streets on a Saturday night is an activity avoided by even the most veteran London residents. Beyond the burgeoning congestion of the streets, we three nascent travelers, were competing with countless pedestrians enjoying the parties of Paddington and Camden.

Three hours later...we arrived at Luther-Tyndale where we stayed in their Hostel for itinerant Lutherans. By this time, my wounds were in desperate need of cleaning and our cohort likewise needed rest. Thanks to the brother of my dear friend Mattias, from South Africa, we were well cared for.

The next morning, the Luther-Tyndale congregation welcomed us to their Divine Service. Following service, they delighted us with a banquet celebrating the congregations youth: complete with dancing. This phenomena is something that I cant ever recall witnessing in the Midwest.

That afternoon, we had to travel to Cambridge (two hours north of London) before we could travel to Deal (two hours south of London). All this was so that we could drop-off a substantial portion of our Luggage. Up until that point, our small car was filled to the brink!

After a warm welcome by the Westfield Staff, we were on the road again. Over the river (Thames) and through the woods (Canterbury), we finally arrived at 2 Capstan Road. France was visible across the channel.

I came seeking respite and recuperation; the beauty of the region certainly afforded these . It was a blessed week that allowed me to prepare for the coming theological studies.