THE VINE A JournAl of ChristiAn thought At Middlebury

“WhAt does fAith MeAn to you?” Voices of Middlebury students pg. 18

“Jesus: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?” Is it plausible to rationally have faith in Jesus Christ? pg. 8

“reckLess Faith” Why take risks in God’s name? pg. 28

VoL. 1 no. 1 The Vine

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” John 15:5

To have faith in someone suggests an awareness of their necessity and added value. To have faith in God means acknowledging him as the source of life, metaphorically “a gardener,” who tends to and nurtures a vineyard. Entering into a relationship with this God includes surrendering to him the right to prune, to replant, to reorder, trusting his wisdom and ability to bring forth the greatest harvest of fruit.

This idea is what the scripture John 15:5 speaks of – it implies that humanity was made for a relationship with God and that closeness to him yields abundance. It implies transformation is imminent when we draw close to him, and consequences arise if we pull away.

This logically follows if God is indeed “love” itself, as the bible describes him, then remaining in “the vine” means, in fact, to remain in love:

“I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 14:11-13

This love has inspired us, convicted us, and changed the way we think about the world. We therefore hope to share our faith through The Vine with the Middlebury community. We desire to convey why we’ve found Christianity worthwhile, valuable, essential… it’s why we’ve spent time putting together this journal. We believe the love we’ve found will beneft others as well on the indispensible, life-long journey of searching out mysteries, seeking answers to challenging questions, and having conversations where the two parties involved do not see eye to eye. May we share a closer bond through our tough discussions and come away with fresh revelation on all sides.

As a place of discovery, Middlebury serves as a platform for us to engage each other and the world. The invitation is open to us all.

We want to send many thanks to The Augustine Collective and Cecil B. Day Foundation for their continued support. Contents

Nativity 4 What Does Faith Mean to You? 18

My Beginner Bible 6 Coffee Grounds 20

Discovering Jesus: Lord, Liar, or Lunatic? 8 Not That Kind of Christian 24

Choosing to Believe 12 Audrey Assad - A Music Review 26

What Does It Sound Like? 15 Reckless Faith 28

Translations of The Bible 16 Christian Communities at Middlebury 29

A Collection of Resources 17 The Editorial Vision of The Vine 30

Vine staFF

Editorial Board Layout Editor & Special Thanks Emma McDonald `16 Photographer Tank you to the many Jamie Hand `16.5 Liz Stasior `17.5 contributors to Liz Stasior `17.5 “What Does Faith Matthew Blake `17 Contributors Mean To You?” p.18 Blake Harper `15 including Middlebury Faculty Advisor David Park `15 students and alums Maria Hatjigeorgiou

Purpose in The Process

We here at The Vine come from a range of Christian backgrounds. In our group, there have been and continue to be Christians that identify with Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Charismatic, and Presbyterian traditions. Even within denominations, there is great variety in perspectives. While this diversity of views has resulted in time discussing important issues in Christianity, it has led to a product that we hope refects a diversity of thought and perspective in the Christian world. For us, the process has been just as important as the product. Over time, we have all learned more about our faith and the importance of listening with love. One of our main goals at the outset was to create a journal that represents, in part, the multidimensionality of Christianity and shows that faith is not one thing. We hope this diversity makes the experience of reading more rich and enjoyable. For this frst issue of The Vine, we asked members of the journal and the Christian community on campus, “What does faith mean to you?” You will fnd in the following pages a variety of answers to that question.

The Middlebury Vine 3 Nativity

Matthew Blake `17 Curtains of snow and sand blow in shafts of dwindling sunlight. As Earth nestles in night, angels hum in the ears of the shepherds who lead their focks across the plains of Palestine. Dark faces cloaked in pashmina follow these same whisperings to the city under the star where husband and wife, huddled together, wander through packed alleys. Drunken no’s and doors slammed again and again lead the couple to seek refuge in a barn on the edge of town. While oil anointed kings, appeased by feasting, freplaces, and foreign wine, stumble off to silken sheets and smooth pillows, the Sculptor of Suns comes clothed in cold, swaddled in shadow. In this holy of holies, a candle casts the baby in twilight. Ten fngers. Two brown eyes. One mouth. Begotten in obscurity, God sleeps. w

4 The Middlebury Vine

-- My Beginne Bible -- Why Keeping it Simple Makes an Impact

Emma McDonald `16

Being a reLigion maJor and a practicing ies of Christianity – when I came across the Bible I had Catholic has given me newfound insight into religion as as a kid – “The Beginner’s Bible.” Flipping through it, I well as facets of Christianity. The more classes on Chris- began to realize that the illustrations in this book, which tianity I take, the more I realize how much I still do not I had read as a child, were often present in my imagin- know or understand - and how no matter how much I ings of Bible stories, even in my academic study of them study religion, I will always have so much more to learn. in college. The cartoon characters of this children’s book Though I’m starting to accept this fact, it makes had become a tool for me to understand these stories me wonder – if I, a privileged college student who is and their basic frameworks. spending years of her life studying Christianity, am In revisiting this book, I recognized the beau- coming to this realization, how must those who don’t ty of narrative in the Bible. Of course the details are have the opportunity to engage in an in-depth study of important: the change in meaning due to translation, the Christianity and its texts feel about the ostensibly daunt- historical context of each story, etc. But I was reminded ing task the Bible presents? that for me, and perhaps for many other Christians, the Recently, I was feeling overwhelmed by this stories themselves are what I remember best, what helps realization – that my whole lifetime, no matter how long, to guide me as I confront challenges and make decisions. is not enough time to wrap my head around the myster- Sometimes focusing on the simplicity of Jesus’

6 The Middlebury Vine Artist Anonymous

These illustrations depict the story of Jesuus on earth, beginning with the night of his birth when a star appears in the sky to guide the wisemen to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-12). Jesus recieves his baptism and sees the Holy Spirit descend on him from above (Matthew 3:13-17). On the cross, Jesus suffers a painful death; the sky turns dark for three hours (Matthew 27:27-66). Three days later, an angel comes to roll back the stone from the tomb and to anncounce “He is Risen” (Matthew 28:1-10).

message is best – it helps me to avoid excuses, to avoid theological questions. Anyone can love, and everyone putting off what might be hard to do even though it’s needs to be loved. Though this message is simple and right. Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God does not release us from the necessary task of Biblical with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all and ethical scholarship to address the complex problems your mind.’ This is the greatest and frst commandment. of our time, it’s a good place to start. Going back to the And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as Beginner’s Bible reminds me of what was so obvious yourself ”’ (Matthew 22:37-39). to me in childhood: that we are called to love and to be This passage, though short, is so powerful in loved. As St. Therese of Lisieux said, “Jesus has shown conveying what we are called to do, and when I feel me the only way that leads to the fre of divine love: it is bogged down by the arguments among intellectuals or that of a little child who, full of trust, falls asleep in its theologians, I come back to this passage and remember father’s arms.” This is what faith means to me. w that love should always guide how we think about

I come back to thIs passage and remember that love should always guIde how we thInk about theologIcal questIons. anyone can love, and everyone needs to be loved.

The Middlebury Vine 7 Discovering Jesus “Lord, Liar, or Lunatic?”

Liz Stasior `17.5

“‘But what aBout you?’ he asked. masterpieces like Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.1 ‘who do you say i am?’” matthew 16:15. Certainly, and in many other ways, Christianity has left its mark on history. Moreover, the question that begs to be asked is: “Are the claims of Christianity true? And, oVer the past Few years, i haVe arriVed upon why does it matter?” forks in the road – so to speak – in terms of what I Finding answers to these questions requires believe about Jesus Christ. I have read books, listened to studying the life of Jesus, a frst century Jew and the cat- sermons, taken classes about Christianity at Middlebury alyst of Christianity. The claims of Christianity center College, and have conducted research on my own. I on claims about this man, and the Bible provides readers hoped to share parts of this journey with you… with a picture of what Jesus said about himself and his In my study of Christianity, I discovered that identity. In the 16th chapter of the Book of Matthew, this set of beliefs has played a pivotal role in world his- Jesus conversed with his disciples: “When Jesus came to tory over the past two thousand years. Despite persecu- the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, tion, the early Church fourished, as seeds of faith were ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, transported to nations around the world and live on ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still today. Christianity has infuenced governments, revolu- others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ tions, and movements like Martin Luther King’s dream ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say of freedom in the United States and Nelson Mandela’s I am?’ hope of justice for South Africa. Christianity has in- 1. “Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680).” The Met’s Heilbrunn Timeline of Art spired writers like C.S. Lewis, artists like Bernini, and History. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, n.d. Web.

8 The Middlebury Vine Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the claims about his identity affect the signifcance of Chris- Son of the living God.’ tianity and the rationality of its viewpoint.2 Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jo- In my process of learning more about the nah, for this was not revealed to you by fesh and blood, identity of Jesus, I found the writing of several authors but by my Father in heaven”’ Matthew 16:13-17. signifcantly relevant. C.S. Lewis, the author of The Indeed, Jesus said he was God, born as a man, Chronicles of Narnia, wrote a series of well-known books, in myriad parts of The Gospels in the Bible: the books including The Weight of Glory, The Four Loves, The Problem Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus said that he existed of Pain, and Mere Christianity. This last book particularly before Abraham: “‘Very truly I tell you,’ Jesus answered, expounds on Jesus’ claims about himself.3 ‘before Abraham was born I am’” John 8:58. Jesus also taught that he had the power to forgive sins and grant From Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis: people eternal life: “‘I know them, and they follow me. I “There suddenly turns up a man who goes about give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one talking as if He was God. He claims to forgive sins. He will snatch them out of my hand’” John 10:27-28. says He has always existed. He says He is coming to Some of Jesus’ opponents at the time reacted judge the world at the end of time. Now let us get this in anger to his words, attempting to stone Jesus, and clear… God, in their language, meant the Being outside said, “‘We are not stoning you for any good work,’ they the world, who had made it and was infnitely different replied, ‘but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, from anything else. And when you have grasped that, claim to be God’” John 10:33. Jesus also called himself you will see that what this man said was, quite simply, “Lord of the Sabbath” in the Book of Mark Chapter 2 the most shocking thing that has ever been uttered by in relation to the 10 Commandments God gave Moses human lips. for the people of Israel in the Old Testament. In ad- One part of the claim tends to slip past us unnoticed because we have heard it so often that we no longer see what it amounts to. I mean the claim to forgive sins: any sins. Now unless the speaker is God, are the cLaims oF christianity true? this is really so preposterous as to be comic. We can all and, why does it matter? understand how a man forgives offenses against himself. You tread on my toes and I forgive you, you steal my money and I forgive you. But what should we make of a dition, Jesus called himself “Son of Man” continually. man, himself unrobbed and untrodden on, who an- On trial, authorities questioned Jesus about his identity: nounced that he forgave you for treading on other men’s “Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, toes and stealing other men’s money? Asinine fatuity is the Son of the Blessed one?’ the kind of description we should give of his conduct. ‘I am,’ said Jesus. ‘And you will see the Son of Yet this is what Jesus did. He told people that their sins Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other coming on the clouds of heaven”’ Mark 14:61-62. people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He This title “Son of Man” connected to a prophe- unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefy cy from the Old Testament prophet Daniel, who re- concerned, the person chiefy offended in all offenses. corded an experience he had with God: “In my vision This makes sense only if He really was the God whose at night I looked, and there before me was one like a laws are broken and whose love is wounded in every son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He sin. In the mouth of any speaker who is not God, these approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his words would imply what I can only regard as silliness presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign and conceit unrivaled by any other character in history. power; all peoples, nations and men of every language Yet (and this is the strange, signifcant thing) worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting domin- even His enemies, when they read the Gospels, do not ion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that 2. Wright, N. T. “Stories of the Kingdom (3): Judgment and Vindication.” Jesus and will never be destroyed” Daniel 7:13-14 the Victory of God. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1996. N. pag. Print. In addition, Jesus did not object, when people called him God or worshipped him as divine. Jesus’ 3. Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Print.

The Middlebury Vine 9 usually get the impressions of silliness and conceit. discoveries from old Egypt, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor, Still less do unprejudiced readers. Christ says that He is Syria, and Palestine, including The Rosetta Stone, The ‘humble and meek’ and we believe Him; not noticing Ras Shamra Tablets, The Obelisk of On, The Moabite that, if He were really a man, humility and meekness are Stone, The Tyler Prism, and many, many more.4 the very last characteristics we could attribute to some In 1947, a young shepherd unearthed the Dead of His sayings. Sea Scrolls in the Judean Desert, east of Jerusalem.5 In I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: ‘a man who was mereLy a man and ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.’ That is the one thing said the sort oF things Jesus said we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said wouLd not Be a great moraL teacher’ the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would the site called Qumran, eleven caves were found with be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either ancient religious writings in Hebrew, Aramaic, and this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman Greek dating from the third century BC to the frst cen- or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, tury before 70 AD. Biblical scrolls make up 230 of the you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can manuscripts - among which include complete or partial fall at His feel and call Him Lord and God. But let us texts of every Old Testament book with the exception not come up with any patronizing nonsense about His of the Book of Esther.6 These scrolls represent the being a great human teacher. He has not left that open most ancient copies of biblical work discovered to date to us. He did not intend to. and important evidence regarding the preservation of We are faced, then, with a frightening alternative. Biblical texts’ purity over time.7 This man we are talking about either was (and is) just These places and artifacts have unique histories what He said or else a lunatic, or something worse. Now worthy of research with books written on archeolog- it seems to me obvious that He was neither a lunatic or a ical fndings. Although this evidence does not prove fend: and consequently, however strange or terrifying or the claims of Christianity, it indicates that the history unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He recorded in the Bible did indeed take place. was and is God.” (end quote) In terms of the validity of Jesus’ life, numer- ous eyewitnesses penned accounts of their experiences The writing of C.S. Lewis, accompanied with the archeological evidence supporting the historicity 4. Adams, J. McKee, Ph.D. Ancient Records and the Bible. Nashville, TN: Broadman, of the Bible, creates a sort of fork in the road in terms 1946. Print. of understanding Christianity. Archeologists continue 5. “Discovery and Publication.” The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Library. to discover places and artifacts that verify Bible history Israel Antiquities Authority, n.d. Web. occurred; fndings include cities mentioned in the Bible, 6. “Introduction.” The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Library. Israel Antiquities Au- according to description, such as Jericho, Taanach, He- thority, n.d. Web. bron, Megiddo, Bethshean, Babylon, Jerusalem, and nu- 7. “Scrolls Content.” The Leon Levy Dead Sea Scrolls Library. Israel Antiquities merous others. Archeologists have uncovered signifcant Authority, n.d. Web. 10 The Middlebury Vine with Jesus. But are these manuscripts reliable? The New crucifcation of Jesus; belief in the resurrection and Testament passes three essential tests for the historical empty tomb; and Jesus’ brother James. Indeed, further reliability of documents: the bibliographical test, the textual evidence also confrms the historicity of biblical internal evidence test, and the external evidence test. events. Indeed, much greater source material has been Learning about the decisions of Jesus’ frst found for Biblical texts than any other ancient text in disciples, in the face of persecution, contributes to this history, proving the original eyewitness stories have evidence. After choosing to travel with Jesus during his been preserved throughout time to this day. Modern day life on earth, the disciples watched Jesus suffer crucifx- evidence shows that New Testament authors wrote their ion. According to the gospels, they interacted with him book between the timespan of 40 AD and 90 AD. More after his resurrection and watched him ascend into heav- than 5,600 known copies of the Greek New Testament en before waiting forty days for the Holy Spirit to come exist from the past 2,000 years. Professor Blomberg, at Pentecost. From the disciples’ experiences on that day a New Testament scholar from Denver Seminary, has and with Jesus during his life, each disciple found their commented that New Testament texts “have been pre- faith worth suffering for. served in far greater number and with much more care Indeed, they must have been convinced of the than have any other ancient documents… [and] 97-99% truth of Jesus’ claims in order to make life-risking choic- of the New Testament can be reconstructed beyond any es. Ten of Jesus’ frst disciples died as martyrs: Matthew reasonable doubt.” In comparison, 49 known copies of was speared to death; James and Thomas died by the Aristotle’s poetics exist - written around 343 BC with the sword. Andrew was crucifed as well as Philip, Simon, earliest known copy from 1,400 years later in 1,100 AD. Bartholomew, and the other James; Peter was crucifed The Iliad, with greater manuscript authority, has only upside down. Thaddeus died by arrow. John was exiled 643 known copies. and died of old age. Each man had a decision to pro- In terms of internal evidence, the authors of the claim Jesus as Lord and face death or turn away and the New Testament documents give testimony to events avoid persecution. Yet, what the disciples had seen, that occurred within centuries of their writing - experienced, and believed, they counted worthy of their a remarkably close timespan. Many other independent lives. Their decisions confrmed their faith in Jesus as eyewitnesses also wrote testimony about the life of God.9 Jesus. The writers of the New Testament include vul- Since that era, numerous other people have nerable but meaningful parts of stories with Jesus, like reached forks in the road. Many have taken unimag- Peter’s denial of Christ and Jesus’ fnal cry in crucifxion, inable risks and given up much for the sake of others that one making up a testimony about Jesus would likely based on their belief in Jesus. As a result, if a person not write.8 believes that the events in the Bible did take place, then For external evidence, manuscripts of Greek, a natural step is to decide what they believe about the Jewish, and Roman origin document the historical exis- identity of Jesus. Indeed, as his claims are so bold they tence of people worshipping Jesus as God; the Roman’s deserve careful research and personal decision. w

8. McDowell, Josh. More Than a Carpenter. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009. 9. McDowell, Josh. More Than a Carpenter. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House, 2009. Print. Print.

The Middlebury Vine 11 Choosing to Believe Venture into the Mysterious

Jamie Hand `16.5

why did i BeLieVe in a god that i couLdn’t questions to all those around me: when I was in the US, prove existed? If God was real and all-powerful and I asked my parents, relatives, sisters, and friends. When good, why did bad things happen? I was in Brazil, I asked my host parents, host siblings, These were two of the questions my good friend classmates, and friends that I met at church. And I read asked me one day in the middle of my senior year of books: mostly the Bible, as well as several books by ada- high school. Growing up in a Christian family, I had mant atheist-turned-Christian C.S. Lewis. And though I attended church every Sunday, prayed before every meal, tried to “give up” prayer, I couldn’t help but continue to participated in Christian summer camps since elemen- pray. I began to preface my prayers saying, “Dear God, tary school, and joined youth group when I became old if You exist…” enough. But I couldn’t answer his questions. I was at a I considered trying other religions, but the task loss. And it would have been fne if I had been able to was overwhelming: How could I choose which to try? answer them for myself and simply unable to explain And even if I could choose, how could I see things from my answers to my friend. But I realized that I actually the point of view of followers of those religions if most couldn’t answer these questions for myself. My mind, of them grew up in those traditions just as I grew up instead of producing the “right” answers, was swarmed in Christianity? I wished that I had grown up atheist or with more questions: If God doesn’t exist, who am I agnostic so that I would have a “fresh” view on things. praying to? What have I been basing my life on? And (I realized later that no one grows up with a “fresh” or now that I don’t know whether God exists, how can I unbiased perspective on religion or worldviews. Every- live? How can I face this faith crisis if I can’t pray, which one grows up with experiences that we can’t change, and has been my frst reaction in every other crisis? those things affect how we see the world.) So I consid- With all of these questions running through my ered being atheist. But it didn’t make any more sense to mind I felt broken and confused, like a glass shattered on the foor. The moment I started questioning God’s existence, my existence was turned upside-down. Caed- came to a reaLization iF we go mon’s Call (a Christian band) sings, “Prove Me Wrong,” i : in which they “fear maybe [Christianity] is all just a game down deep enough, aLL worLdViews / our friends and our families all play to / harness the are at some point Founded on Faith young and give some comfort to the old.” I started to wonder the same thing. How did my parents have such strong faith (to the point, by the way, that they were mis- me that God would not exist than that He would.1 With sionaries for 10 years)? And my grandparents? And my all this confusion, I left Brazil a very different person, sisters? How could we believe in a God that we couldn’t but I still didn’t feel like I had reached any conclusions prove existed? In their song, Caedmon’s Call continues, in my faith by the time I returned to the US. “Don’t let my doubts prove true…” and that was my Then, I arrived at Middlebury. Not sure if I was prayer as I struggled through my confusion. I took these questions with me throughout the rest of my senior year in high school and into my gap year, which I spent in Brazil, attending high school and 1. I refer to God as He/Him out of convention, but I don’t actually believe that God living with a host family. Throughout this time, I asked is a male being – I think God is indefneable.

12 The Middlebury Vine Christian or not, I began to attend Middlebury Inter- Varsity Christian Fellowship (Midd-IV) meetings. I was welcomed warmly, and the people in Midd-IV encour- aged me to ask my questions, and they sought answers with me.2 The social culture that I (and likely many of you) grew up in tends to believe that if we cannot test some- thing scientifcally and fnd evidence for it, it cannot be true. But think about that. Does that belief not take a lot of faith? The things that I most deeply value are my relationships, people I have helped or who have helped me, those I have loved. And conversations with others have led me to believe that many feel the same way. But if we are only taking science into account, can we test love and fnd evidence for it? And what about beauty? Why do we dance, play music, and put on theatrical shows – why do we love to see good triumph over evil – why do we thrill at the accomplishment of a complex assignment? All of these things are beautiful! But do they matter? In a Christian worldview, they do! Beauty exists because God is a God of beauty – He loves beauty and created it to be enjoyed.3 But if all that matters is the propagation of our species, does beauty even exist? Does love? I would argue that by nature we know that love and beauty are important, but a worldview that centers only on prop- agation of species does not account for their inherent importance.4 These are a few of the things that I thought about as I questioned, and I came to a realization: if we go down deep enough, all worldviews are at some point founded on faith. For example, to disregard all ideas that cannot be tested scientifcally, I must choose to believe that truth can only be found when something can be tested scientifcally. Or if I choose not to “believe” any- thing, that decision might be based on a belief that the truest way to experience the world is to not “believe” anything because nothing can be proven. (As Neil Peart wrote, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice!”)5 And so no matter what I decided to do, I

2. I have since left InterVarsity due to their stance on same-sex relationships, while recognizing that not all students in Midd-IV share InterVarsity’s stance. 3. See Ecclesiastes 3:11; Genesis 1:31; Song of Songs (or Song of Solomon) 4:1,7; Psalm 27:4; Psalm 96:5-6; Psalm 139:14; and Mark 14:6. 3. I frst thought about this when Tim Keller brought it up in his book The Reason for God (2009). 5. Rush. “Freewill.” Permanent Waves. Mercury, 1980. Vinyl record. “Requiem foR Pianos” by GloRia bReck `18 a Piece in coloRed Pencil, linked to PRoveRbs 3:5-6 The Middlebury Vine 7 would have to choose to believe something in order to Christian meaning of believing is more like “acting as if have a foundation for my worldview. it is true” – even when we don’t understand it. In fact, Around the time that all of this was going even Jesus’s closest friends and followers often didn’t through my mind, I went on a spring break trip to New understand the things He said and did! Yet He was Orleans with Midd-IV. There, I met a Christian student compelling – somehow by virtue of who He was and from MIT. I thought, Great! A Christian from MIT! the little that they had seen of Him and knew of Him, Surely he’ll be able to convince me of why I can logi- they began to trust Him. And as they followed Him, cally accept Christianity. So I asked him: How can you their trust grew. When I decided to recommit to being be Christian in a world full of other religions, when Christian, I was doing a similar thing to what Jesus’s frst you can’t nearly “test” them all and choose which one followers did – deciding to follow Jesus even though I seems the “most correct?” I don’t remember his answer, didn’t know everything about Him. After this recommit- ment, my faith was decidedly different. For one thing, I had previously not thought of myself as choosing to be- though i did not see a Burning Bush Like lieve. Until senior year of high school, it had been easy to believe in God – it felt natural for me; it “only made moses or hear a Voice From heaVen Like pauL, sense.” Now, I am choosing to believe, despite wheth- i chose to recommit to Being christian er I feel that God is “there,” despite the things I don’t understand. I would also like to say, though, that while logic and reason are a big part of my faith, there is also a except that it was much more vague than I was hoping longing inside me (and, it seems to me, inside everyone) for. (Turns out he was human like the rest of us.) But for something outside myself – something to satisfy my one thing he said was that, in his experience, we often deepest desires. And I think that that longing draws me have to choose to believe something before we know it to faith as much as, if not more than, logic and desiring is true. He went on to say that he had seen enough in his to explain the world. life to believe that Christianity was true, even though he Still, I eagerly invite others’ questions, and I ask didn’t have “undeniable proof ” of God that he could my own questions and seek answers to them. And the hold up to convince others of His existence. more I seek answers, the more questions I fnd. But I Mulling this over, I started to remember all of have come to realize that that is often how life is. When the times that I had thought I’d seen God’s faithfulness we take an intro class, we think we know almost every- in my life. And I thought of all the things that seemed thing there is to know about a subject. But the deeper to make more sense in a Christian worldview than in we delve into whatever it is, the more ambiguous we an atheistic worldview (like love and beauty, as stated realize things are. Or, as Professor Andrea Olsen told above). me during my frst semester at Middlebury, if we read And so, three years ago, though I did not see a two books about a subject, we think we know every- burning bush like Moses or hear a voice from heaven thing about it – but if we pick up a third book we realize like Paul, I chose to recommit to being Christian. I did there’s so much more to learn. so because I realized that in living out my life through I know far from all there is to know about the a Christian worldview, prayer and Jesus and God had world, or about religions, or even about my own life, but actually never failed me. Sure, there was so much I didn’t based on my experiences so far, I have chosen to believe. understand. But everything I decided to do through And we’ll see where it goes from here… But meanwhile, prayer had brought good into my life. And beyond that, I am wondering: what about you? What are the founda- things seemed to make more sense when I thought of tions of the lens through which you see the world? What the world as created and sustained by a loving God than assumptions are you making? How does your lens make when I thought of the world as “just here” by chance. sense of things like struggle, beauty, and love? Would A while ago, I was talking with another Chris- you like to change anything about your lens?6 w tian about faith, and he mentioned that Western society often has the idea that “belief ” means we know with 6. Seriously, I would love to hear your thoughts on these things! Email me at certainty that something is true. On the other hand, the [email protected] if you would like to talk.

14 The Middlebury Vine What Does It Sound Like? Chart-topping Bands & Artists

With the emergence of several bands and ensembles on the Christian music scene, artists have shaken up the world of worship, redefning musical adoration before God. Many bands and artists center their work, music, and lyrics around the presence of God, awareness of his character, and excellence as musi- cians. In many ways, they erase the line between “secular” and “sacred” by making worship not as an alternative form of music but as music fulflling an intended purpose. Singles or albums from the following groups can be found on YouTube and iTunes. An extensive selection of live worship can be found online as well as footage from concerts - Hillsong does love smoke and technicolored lights. Ultimately, all musicians touch on a need of hu- manity to encounter God through song and experience him in a way that no other medium can ofer.

Archangel Voices betHel music “Archangel Voices is a professional-level vocal ensem- Bethel Music is a collective of worship artists based ble whose goal is to create high-quality recordings of out of Bethel Church in Redding, California. They Orthodox liturgical music in the English language, and tend towards a modern worship style with a full band giving special emphasis to the creations of contempo- set. At the 2016 Dove Awards, members of the collec- rary composers and arrangers, both living and recently tive received ten nominations, winning Album of the deceased.” Recent Album: The Orthodox Liturgy: Year, Woship Song of the Year, and two other awards. Master, Bless! [archangelvoices.com] Recent album: Have It All [bethelmusic.com]

HillsonG Hillsong is a band from Hillsong Church in Sydney Australia, frst producing live worship albums in 1992. Five of their albums released since 2007, including Aftermath, Zion, and Empires reached the #1 position on U.S. Christian Albums charts. “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” won the US Platinum award for sales and made it to No. 83 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Recent album: Let There Be Light [hillsong.com/music]

Heiligenkreuz Cistercian Monks united PuRsuit “The Heiligenkreuz Abbey, in Southern Austria, is United Pursuit started with a group of friends pur- the oldest continuously-occupied Cistercian abbey in chasing a house in 2006 to live together and devote the world, and currently one of the largest and most time to worship. A long-lasting community of song- infuential, and the monks there have been singing writers and musicians joined force to form a band. plainchant for as long as they’ve existed. Praised by They’ve produced over 8 albums to date, and their Pope Benedict XVI himself, they perform a particular- 2015 album Simple Gospel reached No. 2 for Christian ly beautiful interpretation of plainchant.” Albums and No. 85 on The Billboard 200. Recent album: Chant Music for the Soul Recent album: Looking for a Savior [unitedpursuit.com]

The Middlebury Vine 15 Translations of The Bible How are they different and how to choose?

iF you’Ve studied another Language Besides your natiVe tongue, you aLready haVe a sense oF the process of translation. Often you can readily translate a phrase to convey accurate meaning and intention. However, other times a direct translation of a sentence in one language has no context in another language and listeners miss the intention of words. This tension between word-for-word translation and meaning is one Bible-translators are familiar with. The Bible is written in three different languages (Biblical Hebrew, Biblical Aramaic, and Greek) with text from a time-span of thousands of years (covering the Old and the New Testaments). Thus, many translations of the Bible have been created in hundreds of languages, as scholars update, modernize, or rework the language to best convey the meaning of the text. The four versions below of John 15:10-12 offer a varied reading experience. If you prefer a more stylized, dated scriptural language, then the KJV is the one for you. The Message offers a very different, unique translation of The Bible. Both the NIV and ESV are highly regarded for their excellent translations and feature accessible lan- guage for a modern reader in understanding scripture.

King James Version English Standard Version “The KJV is the frst version of Scripture “The ESV Bible is a relatively new Bible authorized by the Protestant church and translation that combines word-for-word precision commissioned by England’s King James I.” and accuracy with literary excellence, beauty, and “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved readability.” you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my command- “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved ments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept you. If you keep my commandments, you will abide my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s command- These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy ments and abide in his love. These things I have spo- might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. ken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your This is my commandment, That ye love one another, joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you as I have loved you.” love one another as I have loved you.”

New International Version The Message “The NIV offers a balance between word- “The Message is a paraphrase from the for-word and thought-for-thought translation and original languages written by Eugene, H. Peter- is considered by many as a highly accurate and son. The Message provides a fresh and unique smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern Bible-reading experience.” English.” “I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my com- my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in mands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have commands and made myself at home in his love. I’ve told you this so that my joy may be in you and that told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my each other as I have loved you.” command: Love one another the way I loved you.”

16 The Middlebury Vine Translation descriptions from biblestudytools.com More Than a Carpenter “It’s crazy, if you think about it. Crazy Love by Josh McDowell The God of the universe -- the by Francis Chan Creator of nitrogen and pine nee- dles, galaxies and E-minor -- loves “But I accepted my friends’ challenge, us with a radical, unconditional, mostly out of spite to prove them self-sacrificing love. God is calling wrong. I was convinced the Christian you to a passionate love relationship story would not stand up to evidence. with Himself. Because the answer to I was a prelaw student, and I knew religious complacency isn’t working something about evidence. I would harder at a list of dos and don’ts investigate the claims of Christian- -- it’s falling in love with God. And ity thoroughly and come back and once you encounter His love...you knock the props out from under their will never be the same.” sham religion. I decided to start with the Bible. I knew that if I could uncover indisputable evidence that the Bible is an unreliable record, the whole of Christianity would crumble. Sure, Christians could show me that The Reason for God their own book said Christ was born of a virgin, that he by Timothy Keller performed miracles, and that he rose from the dead. But what good was that?” “But even as believers should learn to look for reasons behind their faith, skeptics must learn to look for a type of faith hidden within their reason- ing. All doubts, however skeptical and Mere Christianity cynical they may seem, are really a by C.S. Lewis set of alternative beliefs. You cannot doubt Belief A except from a position “For Christianity…thinks God made of faith in Belief B… Some people say, the world - that space and time, heat “I don’t believe in Christianity because I can’t accept the and cold, and all the colours and existence of moral absolutes. Everyone should deter- tastes, and all the animals and vege- mine moral truth for him-or herself.” Is that a statement tables, are things that God ‘made up they can prove to someone who doesn’t share it? No, it is out of His head’ as a man makes up a a leap of faith… There is no empirical proof for such a story. But it also thinks that a great many things have position. So the doubt (of moral absolutes) is a leap.” gone wrong with the world that God made and that God insists, and insists very loudly, on our putting them right again. And, of course, that raises a very big question. If a good God made the world why has it gone wrong? And for many years I simply refused to listen to the Christian answers to this question, be- A Collection of Resources cause I kept on feeling ‘whatever you say, and however clever your arguments are, isn’t it much simpler and These books focus on the topic of faith and easier to say that the world was not made by an intelli- answer a variety of questions, ranging from evidence gent power?’ about the existence of God to “why do bad things hap- ...Thus in the very act of trying to prove that God did pen to good people?” and more. The books also further not exist - in other words, that the whole of reality unpack what the Bible says about God’s character and was senseless - I found I was forced to assume that nature - as well as his intended purpose for humanity. one part of reality - namely my idea of justice - was Several members of The Vine have found these resources full of sense. If the whole universe has no meaning, to be of value. They are widely available at many book- we should never have found out that it has no mean- stores and online. {List compiled by Liz Stasior} ing: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know The Middlebury Vine 17 it was dark. Dark would be a word without meaning.” What Does Faith Mean to You? voIces of mIddlebury college students & alums

Faith to me is not believing that God can, it Faith means the freedom to be my best self. is knowing that God will. -Jin -Anonymous

To me, faith is asking the tough questions, My faith gives me joy no matter what mood honestly searching for the true answers, and I am in or what is happening around me. It trusting that God knows what he’s doing. is something that teaches me to be a better -Ellie person and guides me through life’s trials and decisions. I love my faith community and the The beautiful gift to believe in what I cannot love and support that it fosters! -Lucy even comprehend! -Gilbert Faith moves us to clearly see God and to a Trusting that when times are tough, a higher reality where a Jesus that once was peripheral power is looking down on me and giving me becomes the center of our universe. -Armel strength to continue (also believing in the power and love of community to hold me Faith is actively following God and sharing up). -Anonymous his love with everyone around me. This inspires me to be loving and kind in my life, Faith means that my life is nothing without touching the lives of as many as I can. Christ. -David -Anonymous

Faith is truth. And to know the truth is to Faith is trust. -Blake have faith. Without faith, I don’t know what is true. To be true is to have faith. And to Faith is not the supposition that something have faith is to be able to love another. To might be true, but the assurance that some- love another is to change a life. -Stephen one is always there. -Anonymous

18 The Middlebury Vine Faith gives me the power to love. As a Chris- If Jesus is who He says He is, I am a restored tian, I have the potential to be a vessel for child of the one true God, so faith is living God’s love in this world. -Will in accordance with this revelation. -Christian

Trusting that God has a plan. -Deborah Faith is asking questions but believing there will be answers. -Virginia For me, faith and community depend on one another. Belief and trust are always greater Faith is the inward belief that tells me ev- when people are together and can support erything is going to be alright if I let God one another. Communities are more strongly intervene in my affairs - you know, that feel- held together with people who trust. ing you have when you know God’s got your -Katherine back. -Anne

Faith - a quiet, gentle belief in myself and in Peace of heart. -Kevin a power greater than myself. -Heather Faith is the most beautiful allowance and the Christian faith is a central part of my identity hardest thing I have asked myself to do. that infuences my day to day life and deci- -Anonymous sions, but I am still in the process of deter- mining what I believe and what that means I can let go of things telling me to act in a to me. -Jonathan certain way. -Anonymous

Faith allows me to look up, smile, and con- To me faith means being eager and willing to tinue walking though life seems foggy. call upon the Lord in times of distress and -Oriyomi times of success. -Maleka

The Middlebury Vine 19 Coffee Grounds

askIng questIons from generatIon to generatIon

Matthew Blake `17

i am sitting in dunkin’ donuts waiting For my younger sister to arrive on the 8:08 p.m. train from Bos- ton. The train is delayed due to heavy snowstorms, and so I have been here for over an hour. I am already on my second cup of coffee. The styrofoam cup is warm in my hands. The heat from the drink is a relief on such a cold, windy December night. As I fnish up the coffee and look down at my watch, the black bits of coffee grounds sliding down the sides of the cup catch my attention. Something about this sight stirs my memory. I close my eyes as if to remember with greater force. From the hazy, caffeinated blackness, the lines and shades of the past slowly come into focus. It is early September. I am with my Grandpa. The amber patches on the leaves of the elms already forecast autumn’s imminence. The crisp air too pre-fgures Earth’s waning. As the sun begins her fre- works in the West, my Grandpa and I sit down at the end of the long, teak table on my back porch. Conversa- nean: the coasts of Capri, the long beaches of Prove- tions with Grandpa (or Mr. Blake) almost always circu- nance, the wax limbs at Fatima, the nasty monkeys of late around the more heady themes of existence. It is my Gibraltar. own curiosity and his frankness that permit this nature Candles are lit and Boston crème pie, strawberry of discussion. I am only twenty, he was born in 1920. buckle, and lemon squares pack the table. As I scoop I want to believe that some-where behind his wrinkled out some vanilla ice cream for Mr. Blake, I casually put complexion and those big, blue Polish eyes exist the answers to all the hard questions of life. The table before us glows with grilled pork i haVe Been on this earth For aLmost a centu- chops and baked sweet potatoes. Wine glasses glimmer ry. and what haVe i got to show For it?... gold and crimson. After fghting a piece of pork with his fork and knife, Mr. Blake tells me that he does not want you see, i am aLmost a hundred, and sheesh, to die. “I have food in my refrigerator, a house, run- i don’t know who the heLL i am ning water, and a new pair of pants,” he says, “I bought ‘em up today at Macy’s for $26.99. Why would I want to leave? I like it here. Earth is good enough for me. I the question to him: “So Grandpa, what then do you like my feet here on the ground. I can do without the think of this whole business of God? What if death trumpets and the pearly wings.” But his last few words means just spending more time with Him?” He takes are consumed by the other paraphernalia of dinnertime a spoonful of ice cream, mixed with some of the goo conversation and soon we are listening to my aunt and from the lemon bar, and lets it luxuriate in his mouth uncle describe their cruise vacation in the Mediterra- for a few minutes. After a sip of water, he says, “Nine-

20 The Middlebury Vine Photographer Anonymous ty-four years old. That’s pretty old. Man, that’s really old. don’t get me wrong. Religion is a fne thing. It makes You live through wars, depressions, four kids, a wife, people good and gives ‘em rules. It’s a plus, it is. You and here you are. I have been on this earth for almost a have the hospitals and the homeless shelters and the century. And what have I got to show for it? Well, the food pantries and all those old parish women knitting people at this table. Some money in the bank. A few mittens and scarves. But God? Is he up there lounging newspaper clippings and a house full of old trophies in the clouds? I don’t know.” He picks his spoon again and photo albums. But, you see, I am almost a hundred, and carefully slurps the melting ice cream. and sheesh, I don’t know who the hell I am.” He takes After a second offer from my mom for more another sip of wine. “You know, I was reading Catholi- dessert, Mr. Blake declines politely, takes a deep breath, cism for Dummies the other night, and it says that Jesus and begins again, “You know I was at the 5:00pm mass was made in the image and likeness of God. So God at St. Paul’s on Saturday night, and I asked an old Pol- was a man? Like me? A creature with a brain the size of ish woman if she believed Christ was the Savior of a football? You know I do not like being bamboozled. the world. She responded in a thick Eastern European I am a businessman. I was in the hardware business for accent: ‘Accept or not. Your choice. You choose.’ And over 60 years. I know a con man when I see him. You what if I choose wrong? You know, before I fall asleep can see the sheen in his eyes. His tongue is as slippery as at night I think, hey, I might end up in Hell. One second a catfsh. Okay, so you have this carpenter from Gali- I am sitting here, talking to my grandson, and the next. lee who goes around shaking things up with the lepers. Whaam. A boiling furnace room for eternity.” He push- What if Jesus was just some slick salesman? And you es the white bowl away from him and pours himself know I bet those 12 disciples weren’t the sharpest tools some more white wine. in the shed. They were just a bunch of fshermen. But “Wait!” my mind shouts. These are the questions

The Middlebury Vine 21 and the doubts I am supposed to be aiming at him! Old age is the ticket to wisdom…right? Once the body’s desires die, the soul in its pure wisdom appears out of the wilderness of ignorance and there it is like a white dove in the ether…right? I am the twenty-year-old who teeters between Sartre and Saint Paul. I am supposed to be the one with the existential itch. Not him. Not at ninety-four. The sun’s last fngers of light disappear, and darkness encloses the table. There is no moon in the sky, and clouds obscure the constellations. Red wax from the

Jesus was made in the image and Likeness oF god. so god was a man? Like me? candles falls gently in tiny spirals down the old, copper candlesticks. As the words, “I don’t know who the hell I am” echo again in my brain, I notice the coffee cup in my hands. As I glance down at the black messy remains of the grounds, I pick up my spoon and stir the last inch of coffee in tiny circles. What was the line…. ‘I have measured out my life with coffee spoons.’ Is my Grand- pa just another Prufrock, an old man with a bald spot and white fannel trousers? But who was I to question his confusion? Was I any closer to truth? Was Christ any more in my midst than in his? I felt like Mr. Blake and I were Gogo and Didi sitting there in the dry September air. Gogo and Didi from New Jersey. Gogo and Didi waiting for a miracle. Waiting for answers, waiting, wait- ing. After a few minutes of listening to my older sister and my Uncle Tommy debate whether or not to bid on an old wicker chair from Yogi Bera’s estate sale, Grandpa remarks, “Your sister is named after my moth- er. Julia. I remember waking up when I was eight or nine to the sound of her weeping in the kitchen. I would wander downstairs and fnd her crying over the kitch- en sink. Amidst her tears, she would stutter, ‘Get ready for school hun…Clean…teeth …your lunch box…in the fridge.’ She didn’t even try to hide her crying from my brothers and me. She was a troubled woman with a sick soul. Eventually, she found Christ. Christ was her bread and butter. She died with her steel rosary in her hands at the age of 87. She was tough, but man, was she troubled.” Again, he takes a deep breath and pushes his he has sent me to bInd up the brokenhearted, to proclaIm freedom to the captIves and release from darkness for the prIsoners, to proclaIm the year of the lord’s favor... to bestow on them a crown of beauty Instead of ashes, the oIl of joy Instead of mournIng, and a garment of praIse Instead of a spIrIt of despaIr. IsaIah 61:1,3

metal-framed glasses up to a more comfortable position and wave goodbye. on his nose. My parents and sisters head back inside. I remain “You know,” he whispers in a soft voice, “Life for a few more minutes in the darkness. I can still feel is good. There is always some suffering and anguish my Grandpa’s thin arms in my hands. I see his big, blue stuffed into closets, but for the most part it is good. You eyes. I take a deep breath and gaze up at the sky. I can get born, you grow up, you marry, you take out a mort- make out most of Orion’s belt and half of Pegasus’ gage, you have a couple kids, you go to work every day, wing. A breeze comes up from the south and stirs the and then you grow old. And once 90 hits you, well, then heavy arms of the apple trees. The air is cold and slight- you cannot hear half of what anyone is saying to you ly tinged with the smell of the fallen, dying apples. I take and food loses its taste. But while your body crumbles, nature still leaves you with your wits. That’s the rub. You are given front row seats to watch everything around you know... LiFe is good. you turn to dust. Including yourself. Try not to grow old. Also, don’t be made the fool. Don’t let life sell you there is aLways some suFFering and defective merchandise. When you are in the hardware business for sixty years, you get sold a lot of defective anguish stuFFed into cLosets, merchandise. Life is about strategy. Have a game plan. Everything should be a plus.” He takes one last sip of But For the most part it is good the remaining wine left in his glass, surveys the table, and concludes, “I have always been afraid of candles. I have never been a fan of ‘em. Always make sure you another breath and my whole body relaxes. I fall on my blow ‘em out before bed. You don’t want to wake up knees. I have nothing more to think or say. I close my with fre under your sheets.” eyes and let my forehead touch the earth. Ten minutes later, I accompany Grandpa, the The intercom blares in the station and for a rest of my aunts, uncles, and cousins outside. The stars second I think it is God’s trumpeting voice raining down are fnally peeping through the clouds and there is from heaven. But it is only a tired voice reminding me moonlight on metal shells of the cars. I help Mr. Blake that my sister’s train has fnally arrived on track 2. I clean down the steps and into my uncle’s old station wagon. up my mess and throw the stained napkins away in the His body is frail and light, especially after the second dented, metal trashcan. When I go to toss my coffee fall last Thanksgiving. I can ft my fngers around his cup away, I hesitate. The cup seems now like a relic from forearms. Once I fnally get both his feet into the car, that evening with Grandpa, a reminder of what we are I buckle his seat belt, pat him on the shoulder, and say before God: dust and ashes and coffee grounds. Naked goodbye. He gives a thumb’s up and says, “Shoot ‘em we come, naked we go. May we only have the courage, straight and lots of luck. Make everything a plus.” As the like Job, to kneel and proclaim, “May the name of the car pulls away over the gravel driveway, I raise my hand Lord be praised.” w

The Middlebury Vine 23 ‘Not That Kind of Christian’ Broadening Perspective About Communities of Faith

Blake Harper `15

i grew up in the episcopaL church. that spiritual buzz at the end of their week. Most want to means that in my house, what it meant to be Christian have their lifestyles affrmed in Church and chafe when- was always defned over and against what ‘those other ever it gets questioned in anything other than an indirect Christians’ believed. When ‘those other Christians’ are and completely PC manner. We want our spiritual tastes mentioned — but never explicitly, that would be too to be supplemented by the right amount of ‘good cause’ forward — in a homily or even casual discussion in the — but don’t embarrass us by turning over tables in the Episcopal Church, we usually mean to compare our- temple! My dad, the now-retired vicar of the church, selves to conservative Catholics and uppity Evangelicals once complained to me that for many of his privileged (fundamentalists were so far off the radar that they were parishioners, his homilies and the space he created for not even candidates for comparison). When young families in the church was “the cherry on top of the Episcopalians introduce themselves or start talking icing of their suburban weekend.” That was deeply about their church, you almost always here them say ‘not disappointing for us both. It meant that many folks that kind of Christian.’ While I grew up a Christian, I coming to our church, and many potential members, had was never ‘that kind of Christian.’ I still don’t want to be a conception of church as something transactional — a ‘that kind of Christian,’ but at least now I know a few relationship that they control, not as something that more of them personally and have had the pleasure of places demands on them. They might view church in working with them throughout my time at Middlebury. the same way that they view their gym membership — And I feel a lot more comfortable interacting with ‘that in exchange for a fee, they get a whole lot of ‘services.’ kind of Christian’ — more comfortable in the space that opens up in a curious disagreement. It was not obvi- ous to me at frst, but I think I’ve learned that fear can so church Becomes another way to FuLFiLL their keep us away from receiving one another into the gift ‘spirituaLity quota’—as iF LiFe were the kind oF of dialogue. So in that spirit, I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends from so many varieties thing one couLd spLit into regions with quotas of Christianity for bringing their backgrounds out so courageously in this journal for us to share together in discovery. Church, along with a steady diet of the latest and great- To give you a sense of just how ‘liberal’ my est neuroscience-y self-helps lit just becomes another church back home is, consider this: we have re-written way to fulfll a ‘spirituality quota’ — as if life were the the standard creeds to suit the poetics of our congrega- kind of thing one could split into regions with quotas! tion; we sing songs by Alexi Murdoch and the Beatles Even in a wealthy town like the one I grew up during the liturgy; we host up-and-coming Seattle folk in, annual budgets are hard to keep up when a younger bands; and our youth group feels more like a flm studies generation treats church-pledges like they treat their New class crossed with a retreat center than a bible study. York Times subscriptions. The risk with this attitude is That’s all pretty cool, and I would only change a little of that church becomes something you pay for, not some- it (less fexibility with the creeds probably). thing to which you pledge. (Ironically, the word ‘pledge’ But there are downsides to the Episcopal is a no more illuminating for a crowd whose primary Church, particularly in an upper-middle-class congre- familiarity with that word comes from acquaintance with gation. Many parishioners are simply looking for a little the NPR fundraising events that they probably listen

24 The Middlebury Vine to on their way to church!) This mentality can be diff- get from either.) Finally, ask us what we like best about cult to overcome when the Episcopal Church primarily going to Church and you will almost certainly not get attracts those who defect from other churches and want an answer that mentions any of the hard things about to be in a more liberal environment. For better or for Christianity—confession, sin, repentance, loving ene- worse, these are often the folks fortunate enough to mies or healing the sick. You’ll probably get more of the come to church not in need of healing, but simply be- wishy-washy, ‘I come for the spiritual experience’ load cause they want to add something to their life. The risk and probably an insistence on distinguishing said spiritu- is that this extra something be thought of along the lines al experience from ‘the dogmas’ and ‘the ritual.’ of other ‘goods and services’ for which they pay month- Temptations to evade the diffculty of authentic ly fees elsewhere. Christian practice exist within all of our churches. (I If Episcopalians are sometimes guilty of be- should say that not all Episcopal Church’s are like what ing ‘that kind of Christian’ when it comes to fnances, I have described: for instance, my current Episcopal we are guiltier of it when it comes to theology. Ask an church in Berkeley asks members to pledge a percentage Episcopalian to tell you anything about Christology and of their annual income and provides more opportunities we’ll probably look puzzled until you explain the term to to organize for social justice than I had as a student at us, then we’ll reply, ‘well I think Jesus was a really good Midd.) And still, in spite of the bummerish tendencies role model, like an ethical teacher you know?’ A Catholic shared by myself and by many Episcopalians, I also friend once said to me that the best part about being deeply believe that the Episcopal Church institutionaliz- Episcopalian isn’t that you can be a Catholic without es the right response to the Gospel message. the guilt as is often said, but that you can be a Christian Part of our Christian mission demands that we without actually believing any of it. For some vintages see what we can pull out of the depths of our shared of myself he was right, and for many Episcopalians that tradition together—Evangelical or mainline; privileged I know that is not far off the mark. Ask an Episcopalian or marginal—and see what we cannot. Then we get to a less targeted question about our favorite theologians go encounter ‘the world.’ That’s what The Vine hopes to and we’ll probably change the subject to talk about the set up: a space not only for Christian thought to engage latest pop-neuroscience book we just read that helps us with thought beyond it, but also for Christian thought see why ‘all this spirituality is so important.’ Then count and practice to be more rigorous, careful and attentive to how many times we insist on a distinction between spir- what it itself is. Getting that right is just as important as ituality and religion. (I think it’s a safe bet that the more inviting others into the fold. w someone insists on that distinction, the farther they’ll Audrey Assad - A Music Review honest, ConteMplatiVe, & releVant

Emma McDonald`16

audrey assad, an american singer and song- and make it truly Thine,” refecting her purpose for the writer, recently independently released her third studio album as music “for the church.” Her honest and simple album, Fortunate Fall. Assad raised the funds for the statement, “in the silence of the heart, you speak” on album’s production through Kickstarter. The album has the fnal track of the album provides a poignant and a decidedly different tone when compared to her album motivational end to the album, inspiring those listening The House You’re Building: as noted by critic Roger Gel- to remain in contemplative and silent prayer, waiting for wicks, Fortunate Fall involves mostly piano and vocals, God to speak. with light instrumentation occasionally rounding out the In an interview, Audrey provides her take on sound. This technique is used throughout the album, Christian music as a genre: “My vision quite honestly making the individual songs somewhat indistinguishable, is that all religious music would be either church music, perhaps intentionally: the songs seem to blend togeth- meaning sacred for use in liturgy or just music and not er to form a cohesive and united theme and prayer of have a religious label at all.” praise. Audrey goes on to say that “all music is music.” Assad, born in New Jersey and eventually mak- This statement is powerful because it does away with ing her way to Nashville by way of Florida, deviates the labels of religious and secular music and instead from typical, contemporary Christian music in that she puts forth the idea that music as an art form involves generally sings directly to God, rather than singing about an interaction between the listener and the art itself, and God. This decision opens a window into the faith, belief and religious experience of Audrey herself and facili- tates the listener’s personal refection on faith. In this we can take comFort in the grace and power way, the songs become a connection between Audrey, the listener, and God; the communal aspect of worship oF god to aFFect our LiVes For the Better is reformed in this personal and human connection of belief. Assad’s purpose for Fortunate Fall was to make whether religious themes can be extracted from a song music “for the church.” The liturgical style and coax- or not seems to be more up to the listener than iTunes ing nature of Fortunate Fall makes it clear that she has or the fling system at the library. With that spirit in succeeded. The seemingly simple instrumentation on mind, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite songs Fortune Fall’s eleven tracks makes room for the honest, that also carry a message (intentional or not) of God. contemplative, and meaningful lyrics found in each song. The order of this list refects a sort of narrative – in life Some tracks provide direction for prayer and meditation: we may encounter moments of doubt or hopelessness, in “Help My Unbelief,” Assad addresses the struggle panic and fear. The frst songs on this list refect that of keeping faith with its insistent “I know, I know, and God is able to shine light on the darkness in our lives – I believe, that you are the Lord” followed by the plea faith can save us. Once we realize that, we can take com- “Help my unbelief.” “I Shall Not Want” allows the fort in the grace and power of God to affect our lives listener to refect on what it is that separates him or her for the better. We can share that sentiment with others from God and to ask God to help us to detach from our in the community of the faithful and help those with- worldly desires in our pursuit of Him. In “Spirit of the out hope to rely on God. The songs on this list refect Living God,” Assad offers a prayer for the “Spirit of the the transformation from hopelessness to hope, joy, and living God” to “descend upon Thy church once more willingness to guide others. w

26 The Middlebury Vine Audrey Assad - A Music Review

Album Art from “The House You’re Building” (2010) and “Fortunate Fall” (2013)

1. “Blue Beard” – Band of Horses “What if we die, no 10. “Hold On To What You Believe” – Mumford & end and no conclusion. How could you smile, just walk Sons “But hold on to what you believe in the light. away. Well I don’t know. I don’t know.” When the darkness has robbed you of all your sight.” 2. “Myth” – Beach House “Can’t keep hanging on to 11. “Love” – Sugarland “Is it more than faith? Is it more what is dead and gone.” than hope? Is it waiting for us at the end of our rope? I 3. “The Promised Land” – Bruce Springsteen “I’ve done say, it’s love.” my best to live the right way, I get up every morning and 12. “Life” – The Avett Brothers “Faith and promise, go to work each day. But your eyes go blind and your keep me honest, When starvation falls upon us; Daylight blood runs cold. Sometimes I feel so weak, I just want told me he would be.” to explode.” 13. “Alive Again” – Matt Maher “You shattered my 4. “Helplessness Blues” – Fleet Foxes “If I know only darkness, washed away my blindness – now I’m breath- one thing, it’s that everything that I see, Of the world ing in and breathing out, I’m alive again.” outside is so inconceivable often I barely can speak. 14. “Chasing The Light” – Mat Kearney Yeah I’m tongue-tied and dizzy and I can’t keep it to 15. “Light Up The Sky” – The Afters “You light up the myself. What good is it to sing helplessness blues, why sky to show me you are with me.” should I wait for anyone else?” 16. “City On Our Knees” – Toby Mac “It’s all love 5. “Where Is My Mind” – Maxence Cyrin tonight when we step across the line; We can sail across 6. “The Once and Future Carpenter” – The Avett the sea to a city with one king.” Brothers “Forever I will move like the world that turns 17. “God of This City” – Chris Tomlin “You’re the beneath me and when I lose my direction I’ll look up to Light in this darkness, You’re the Hope to the hopeless, the sky.” You’re the Peace to the restless.” 7. “Into The Wild” – L.P. “Are we so lost in the dark of 18. “For Those Below” – Mumford & Sons “You told our hearts, That there’s no light of day.” me life was long but now that it’s gone. You fnd your- 8. “Better Days” – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Ze- self on top...called to be a rock for those below.” ros “I seen better ways, some won’t believe But I don’t 19. “February Seven” – The Avett Brothers need much more than faith.” 20. “Badlands” – Bruce Springsteen “I believe in the 9. “Stitch By Stitch” – Javier Colon “And I’ll give you all love that you gave me, I believe in the hope that can save my pieces broken, In your hands, there’s nothing that me, I believe in the faith, and I pray, that someday it may you can’t fx.” raise me.”

The Middlebury Vine 27 ny Cost Reckless Faithod At A ursuing g P David Park `15

during my FinaL year at middLeBury, i was people, and for the walls of Jericho to fall down not by asked by Professor Gebarowski-Shafer to give a brief human means of battle and war. Faith, therefore, leads presentation on Pentecostalism in Korea and hold a to a radical transformation of oneself to risk all safety question and answer session for her Global Pentecostal- and comfort for the sake of obedience to God, and ism class. My talk was centered on Korean megachurch- herein lies the greatest faw of the prosperity gospel. If es and the recent controversy over fnancial corruption faith indeed promises only worldly blessings, how then and pastoral misconduct. The discussion soon turned to can the persecution and death of the great men of faith the prosperity gospel, the view that a Christian will be in the early church like Peter and Paul be explained? blessed with material wealth, health, and prosperity due to one’s faith. I had taken Professor Gebarowski-Shafer’s class during my sophomore year and knew that the pros- heBrews 11:1 giVes the most direct perity gospel was a major topic, so I had prepared to talk deFinition oF Faith By saying it about what it looked like in Korea and how many of its followers did not take their faith seriously, only treating ‘is the assurance oF things hoped For, it as a means to obtain the things they desired. Howev- the conViction oF things not seen’ er, I did not expect someone to ask me to defne what a sincere faith was if the faith of the followers of the prosperity gospel must be viewed with skepticism. I gave How then can the death of Jim Elliot, who was killed an answer to the best of my abilities, but I don’t think before he could even preach a word of the gospel with it completely conveyed my view on the authenticity of four other missionaries in Ecuador be justifed? The bib- someone’s faith. Given that the topic for this journal lical understanding of faith is able to account for these issue relates to the meaning of faith, I fnd this occasion stories because a sincere faith accepts God as the ruler to be a great opportunity to give a full explanation of of this world and is thus sovereign even over suffering. my thoughts on genuine faith. The gospel is the ultimate expression of this The best place to start in our attempt to defne sovereignty. All pain pales in comparison to the glorious faith, or any theological concept for that matter, is the victory that God has granted to mankind through the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 gives the most direct defnition of death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ, which led faith by saying it “is the assurance of things hoped for, to the defeat of humanity’s greatest foes, sin and death. the conviction of things not seen.” Through faith, we God is the God of restoration and redemption, and “understand that the universe was created by the word he is more precious than my career, grades, family, and of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things friends. that are visible.” In other words, faith consists of hav- It is also what allows for me to agree with Paul ing an absolute trust not only in the existence of God, and say, “I count everything as loss because of the but also in the fact that God, being the creator of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. universe, is the ruler of all things in it. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and This kind of faith does not simply stop at as- count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” suring us of an afterlife so that we may escape the fear Through faith, I am able to recognize who indeed creat- of death. The writer of Hebrews goes on to say that ed and rules this world with justice, love, and mercy, and faith made it possible for Abraham to offer up Isaac to it makes no logical sense for me to abandon him and not God, for Moses to stand up against the Pharaoh for his follow him, whatever the cost may be. w

28 The Middlebury Vine Some Christian Communities at Middlebury

The Newman CLub InterVarsity Through our various social events, retreats, weekly mass, Christian Fellowship and participation in the local parish community, the MiddIV is a multi-ethnic community of sceptics, Middlebury Newman Club provides an opportunity for seekers, and followers of Jesus looking to explore the Catholics on campus to grow together in faith. Masses nature of God. Our desire is to see our lives and our are regularly held on Sunday evenings in the Mitchell friends’ lives transformed by Jesus, growing deeper Green Lounge in McCullough Student Center. in relationship with God, closer in fellowship with [email protected] each other, and wider in gospel impact. To this end, we have a variety of weekly events and can also help Gather you get connected with a local church community if you’re interested. [email protected] Gather is a community of progressive Christians and friends grounded in tradition but hoping to break cycles of oppression and injustice by promoting the values of AthletesIV Huddle compassion, justice, mercy, tolerance, and radical inclu- Our vision on campus is to Encouter God, Strength- sivity as Jesus taught. Our goal is to explore multiple ex- en Teams, and Impact Community. Our weekly pressions of faith in community by holding student-led meeting, The Huddle, is a setting for both athletes worship services; providing opportunities for personal and non-athletes to meet and have deeper, spiritual refection, service, and activism; and facilitating discus- conversation. As a result, we hope this will strengthen sions of modern Christian life, social issues, and more. teams on and off the feld. Also, we’ll have opportu- [email protected] nities to serve in the local community and do other fun events on campus throughout the year. No mat- Joyful Noise ter where you are in your thoughts about spirituality, you’re welcome to join. Joyful Noise is a warm and inclusive environment where [email protected] students come together on Sunday evenings in order to center themselves before the week by focusing on God with worship and prayer. [email protected]

The Middlebury Vine 29 - The Editorial Vision of The Vine -

The Vine is organized, written, and created by students of Middlebury College. Neither the College nor its affliates are responsible for the content of the journal. As an overarching point of view, The Vine upholds the Nicene Creed as its editorial vision, understanding that members of the journal identify with a range of church backgrounds, not necessarily the Catholic Church. This creed represents a historical thread through the tradition of Christianity.

the nIcene creed We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucifed for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorifed; who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

interested in Learning more or getting inVoLVed? contact us at [email protected].

30 The Middlebury Vine a prayer for mIddlebury...

Our prayer for Middlebury is that we may have peace and hope, trusting that all will be well in time. May we fnd our identity not primarily in our grades, social life, appearance, extracurricular involvement, or what others think of us, but in knowing and remembering that our value is infnite because we are perfectly loved by God. May we pursue our studies and other activities boldly and with joy, while remaining open to and accepting the unexpected changes - the good and the painful - that we encounter. And may we seek love in all that we do, contin- ually growing in care for ourselves, each other, and creation. We pray for hope to bring light to any dark places and for justice to spring forth. For the realization of the fulflling plans and purpose that are in store for every person. For every hurt to be brought to the healer and for every broken heart to fnd solace. For courage to triumph over fear and for friendship to replace loneliness. For faith communities to prosper and love well, and for every individual to experience the fullness of the open invita- tion to life. And for each community to be strengthened in friendship and compassion, as we lay down our lives for others and care for the hearts of those who feel unseen. Thank you for your prayers and support of The Vine! We pray a blessing over your season. We close each of our meetings with Jesus’s prayer from the Sermon on the Mount and invite you to pray it with us.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9-13

The Middlebury Vine 31 “To have Faith in Christ means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in saying you trusted a person if you would not take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to SAVE YOU already. Not hoping to get to Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you.”

-C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity