Issue #6 - 2006 CritiqueA Publication of Ransom Fellowship
Helping Christians Develop Skill in Discernment
04 The Darkend Room David John Seel reviews a horror film, The Exorcism of Emily Rose. It’s designed to raise vital questions, for both Christians and non-Christians.
08 Table Grace In the first of a series, Karen and Stephen Baldwin help us reflect on how a simple 04 meal of corn bread and soup reveals grace. 12
11 Reading the Word The IVP Atlas of Bible History is an excellent new resource, with maps, charts, and artist’s renderings, to have at hand when reading Scripture.
12 Resources Travis Scott finds Donald Miller’s new book, To Own a Dragon, to be an insightful book on a topic of increasing importance in our fragmented world.
02 Editor’s Note 15 Out of Their Minds 03 Dialogue Quotes from Anthony Hoekema, John Stott, Tom Hodgkinson, and the Chief Rabbi 16 On the Web of London.
Layout Paper & Graphics Editor’s Note Two new ong time read- tips—so we can get past theory and into ers of Critique everyday faithfulness. I thought of beginning L might notice this column when Margie and I were speaking something new in in Concord, NC, hosted by our dear friends, this issue. Two new Karen and Stephen Baldwin. They don’t just things important eat for nutrition, but because food is a good enough to mention grace of God and because hospitality is a form here: a new genre of radical Christian faithfulness in our frag- and a new column. mented world. They demonstrate how our The new table can be a grace extended to people who genre appears in live fast-food lives and often come from bro- The Darkened Room, our column on film. ken families where cooking together and eat- Movies have had a prominent emphasis in ing together rarely occurs. Critique. Film is a lively creative art, and Rachel, Stephen and Karen’s daughter, seems to be the visual art which has the great- mentioned that when she was in highschool est reach in, and the greatest impact on, our her friends loved to hang out at the Baldwin globalized world. Some films are merely home. Often they just happened to show up escapist entertainment, many are carefully in time for dinner. They were made welcome, crafted, thoughtful art. Nevertheless, films swept into the meal preparation and a lively both reflect and shape our world. Movies con- conversation which would be allowed to tain the stories of the postmodern generation, unfold naturally, often touching on what was and thus are central to an ongoing conversa- in the hearts of those who were there. The tion in our culture about the hopes, fears, Baldwin’s continue that same practice with ideas, and values that matter most. We want those God naturally brings into their lives, to be part of that conversation. their table and kitchen made into a place The thing that is new is that for the first where people meet grace. Not everyone can time we review a horror film. John Seel asks live like that, day by day, and since we have us to reflect on Scott Derrickson’s The different callings to pursue, we should not try. Exorcism of Emily Rose. He argues that the But meals are a part of everyone’s life, and film identifies an important aspect of the hospitality is a gift we can all offer to friends, Christian world view that most Christians co-workers, and neighbors who may not share have ceased to believe. That we have been so our deepest values and convictions. So, I hope molded by our culture that, contrary to what that Table Grace will help us all to seriously we claim in our creeds, we tend to see and live consider how we can grow ever more faithful life from a secular rather than a supernatural in offering the grace of food, unhurried time, perspective. Seel’s challenge is one I hope and conversation to a hungry and~Denis lonely Haack every reader will take to heart. world. The postmodern generation will not The new column we have decided to call come to church, but it will come to our table. Table Grace. It’s about food, the delight of I’m delighted Steve and Karen have consented cooking, meals, and hospitality. It’s where we to become Contributing Editors. will reflect on these essential aspects of com- ~Denis Haack munity, family, and life, and provide practical insight—like recipes, menus, and cooking
Critique #6 - 2006 2 Dialogue Re: It wasn’t Chesterton, breaths of fresh air, & Narnia o the editor: music you have guided me to has been a won- I noticed in Critique #3-2006 (“Life, derful experience that has helped me get in T Love, Lust & Love: a review of Match touch with my humanity. It is so encouraging Point) that you attributed the quote, “Every to know that you and others have committed man who knocks on the door of a brothel is your lives to faithful, thoughtful, and refreshing looking for God” to G. K. Chesterton. cultural engagement. I look forward to your However, he didn’t write it. It is from the ministry in my life and in the lives of those I author Bruce Marshall in the book The World, meet in the next chapter of my life. Thank you the Flesh, and Father Smith published in 1945. for everything, and may God bless you. The actual line is: “I still prefer to believe that Stacy Kim sex is a substitute for religion and that the Fairfax, VA young man who rings the bell at the brothel is unconsciously looking for God.” I don’t share o the editor: this to nitpick. I know you are concerned for For the past year, I have received accuracy and when I was doing research for one T issues of Critique and Notes from Toad of my books I had planned to use the same Hall and have enjoyed them thoroughly. I par- quote but the President of The Chesterton ticularly find the book and movie reviews help- Society was kind enough to correct me. ful, especially as I am going off to UNC-CH Peace and Prayers, next year. My friends and I will get together, Steven James watch a recommended movie (last week we via email watched Match Point) and usually discuss the movie afterwards. enis Haack responds: In Critique #9-2005, the Editor’s Note Thanks for the correction. I suppose (titled “An Unseemly Cheer”) talked about D one of the reasons this has so often been reactions to the film, The Lion, the Witch and attributed to Chesterton is that it sounds like the Wardrobe. I cannot help but heartily agree something he could have said, complete with with you in letting the film, book, (and gospel) wit and a level of insight into life that comes stand on its own. As a little girl, my mother only with deeply honed wisdom. I’m glad to would read the Narnia books to us, and at the get it right in the future. end I would always ask if Aslan was Jesus—just to be sure. But she would never answer me directly, which was very wise. At that time, I o the editor: could not reconcile the God I found in church I will graduate from Trinity to the God of these (and in these) stories. Years T Evangelical Divinity School next week later, He delighted me with Himself, but only with an MDiv, the fruit of 3+ years of laboring after that point could I love Aslan as I did in God’s word. As I face graduation and my Jesus. first full-time children’s ministry position I real- Thank you for your refreshing and win- ized how Ransom Fellowship has been an some articles. They are a delight. important part of this season of my life. Every Natalie J. Moore time I received Critique it was like a breath of via email fresh air—a reality check in the midst of exegetical and ultra-technical academia. The
3 Critique #6 - 2006 The Darkened Room
A review of The Exorcism of Emily Rose
by David John Seel, Jr.
Confronting the Paradigms of Plausibility hen Jesus says to his disciples, “He who has ears to hear, let W him hear,” he is pointing out the simple but sobering fact that we tend to see what we want to see, hear what we want to hear, understand what we want to understand. Facts don’t speak for themselves. They are only meaningful Credits: within a given framework and the choice The Exorcism of Emily Rose of an interpretive framework will deter-
Starring: mine which facts are important and what Laura Linney (Erin Bruner) they mean. More often than not, inter- Tom Wilkinson (Father Moore) pretive frameworks are culturally derived. Campbell Scott (Ethan Thomas) Jennifer Carpenter (Emily Rose) The zeitgeist dictates the boundaries of Colm Feore (Karl Gunderson) cognitive plausibility—what is thinkable, Joshua Close (Jason) Kenneth Welsh (Dr. Mueller) say-able, and doable. Duncan Fraser (Dr. Cartwright) For example, to be modern is to Mary Beth Hurt (Judge Brewster) Henry Czerny (Dr. Briggs) accept the premise that public life is to Shohreh Aghdashloo (Dr. Adani) be governed by science and reason, not consumerism. They have a point worth Director: by religion or revelation. Religion and
Scott Derrickson acknowledging, even if we disagree with revelation is the province of a supposedly their means and ends. To the extent that Producers: backward medievalism—or worse, we accept the modern dualism that lim- Paul Harris Boardman, Beau Flynn. Islamic fundamentalism. Really? We may its religious conviction to the private and Writers: decry the inherent violence Paul Harris Boardman & personal, we have made reli- of Islamic fundamentalism, Scott Derrickson. gious conviction subjective but we must respect their Cinematographer: and irrelevant—a harmless Tom Stern commitment to viewing all sideshow to things that real- Original Music: of life from within the dic- ly matter. Christopher Young tates of theism. The Runtime: 119 minutes This divide between a Islamic critique of the West (122 minutes unrated version) modern and pre-modern should resonate with reflec- Release: Sony Pictures, U. S. A., 2005. outlook on life is powerfully tive orthodox Christians Rated: PG-13 (for intense disturbing depicted in the 2005 film, Developing Discernment who should also decry the scenes.) The Exorcism of Emily Rose. global crusade of individu- This is a deeply challenging alistic, hedonistic, nihilistic film adapted from an equal-
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 4
ly troubling true story. Few films more successfully pit a modern nat- trol. I think it’s uralistic explanation of reality against its ancient supernatural alter- the genre of native. Few raise honest questions about both more fairly. non-denial…. The film is an adaptation of the book, The Exorcism of Anneliese I didn’t want Michel, written by reli- to make a gious anthropologist Few films more successfully pit morally and Denison University instructive professor Felicitas a modern naturalistic expla- movie, and I Goodman. The story is nation of reality against its didn’t want to about a 19-year-old ancient supernatural alterna- make a movie pious Catholic German tive. Few raise honest ques- that was bent girl who is allegedly on providing possessed by demons. tions about both more fairly. religious answers for the audience, because I am so resistant to that After prolonged med- kind of propaganda myself. But I felt that this was the opportunity ical and psychiatric intervention, Anneliese and her parents turn to to help provoke the audience into asking the right spiritual ques- their local church for help. After receiving permission from the tions.” Catholic bishop, a local priest conducted exorcisms from September Some have questioned the film’s preoccupation with demons. In 1975 to July 1, 1976, the day Anneliese died. Local authorities then the film, Father Moore states, “People say God is dead, but how can arrested the priest and parents and put them on trial for negligent they think that if I show them the Devil?” While it is true that belief homicide. in demons is a long way from belief in God, it is even a longer way Thirty years later, writer Paul Boardman and writer/director from belief in naturalism. For many moderns, the first step toward Scott Derrickson took the essence of this true story and turned it biblical belief is a renewed openness to spiritual reality of whatever into a compelling courtroom drama. The philosophical divide is fur- kind—New Age, Gnostic Gospels, pop Kabala or Neo-paganism. ther heightened in the film by the juxtaposition of a reluctant agnos- Such “re-enchantment” is a step in the right direction. For nothing is tic defense attorney and a determined Protestant churchgoing prose- deader than the stilted mind that reduces reality to scientific proof. cutor. Mick LaSalle writes in the San Francisco Chronicle, “Based on Science has its place, but not as the ultimate arbiter of all reality. a true story, Emily Rose is the thinking person’s demon possession Scientism is not science anymore than pornography is sexuality. movie, which presents a chilling case history that’s In the modern world, seeing is believing hard to explain away.” For many moderns, the first and believing is dependent on empirical proof. Scott Derrickson is an open, articulate step toward biblical belief is a Anything that does not meet these criteria is Christian, a graduate of Biola University’s film pro- deemed irrational or non-existent. This creates, gram. Emily Rose cost $19 million and as of July renewed openness to spiritual in the words of Peter Berger, “a world without 2006 has grossed $144 million worldwide. At a reality of whatever kind. Such windows.” time when the average film costs $96 million and “re-enchantment” is a step in Not so the ancient world. In the medieval is deemed a success if it makes a three-fold return, the right direction. mind, the taken-for-granted assumptions were Emily Rose is a triumph. The release of Derrickson’s just the reverse of the modern mind. The incor- next film, Paradise Lost, is due next year. poreal was more real that the corporeal, the soul of greater impor- In an interview with Response, Derrickson explained the purpose tance than the body, the unseen more significant than the seen. of Emily Rose, “A lot of Hollywood films are escapist in their nature. Historian Carolly Erickson writes, “Medieval perception was charac- They offer the audience a temporary denial of the difficult realities terized by an all-inclusive awareness of simultaneous realities. The of life and the darkness that exists in the world. In the horror genre, bounds of reality were bent to embrace—and often to localize—the the great potential of it is that it forces us to reckon with what we unseen, and determining all perception was a mutually held world are afraid of. It forces us to admit an experience—that there is evil in view which found in religious truths the ultimate logic of existence.” the world, and in ourselves. There’s evil in nature. We’re not in con- It was, in effect, a “windowed world.”
5 Critique #6 - 2006 Darkened Room cont.
of reality. And we slump laundry list of disdain and one that back into those materialis- thoroughly mischaracterizes my tic mythologies of our cul- research.” ture that are automatically This sarcastic critique comes from imparted to us by ‘normal’ the Protestant churchgoing prosecutor. life as what ‘everyone For him and for many Christians like knows.’” him, God is relegated to Sunday school, The priest in Emily but strictly quarantined by naive secu- Rose warns his wary larism from the boardroom, classroom, defense attorney, “Demons or courtroom. In Madness and exist whether you believe Civilization: A History of Insanity in the in them or not.” Film crit- Age of Reason, Michel Foucault suggests Which perspective is more biblical? ic Roger Ebert counters in that madness is a social rather than a Which is the richer understanding of his skeptical review, “Yes, and you medical diagnosis merely reflecting the reality? could also say boundaries of social Many Christians are quasi-natural- that demons do plausibility. No ists in practice. The unseen world has not exist When Christians allow social doubt, Foucault little impact on their daily lives. whether you plausibility to become the per- would see demon Heaven is a distant place, not their believe in them possession in the immediate environment. Demons are a or not because spective by which we interpret same light. metaphor for whatever they dislike, not ‘belief’ by defi- reality, we have become blinded When Christians a personal presence as real as their nition stands by these assumptions and are no allow social plausibili- neighbor. Possession is mental illness, outside of longer biblically minded. ty to become the per- the soul an illusion of DNA. proof. If you spective by which we Naturalism has become the lens can prove it, Insert pull quote interpret reality, we through which they filter all of life. you don’t need to believe it.” have become blinded by these assump- Dallas Willard warns, “We have heard The prosecuting attorneytex int hereEmily. Inserttions and are no longer biblically mind- of psychological ‘projections,’ and our Rose challenges a defense witness,pull quote the texed.t (This is the adult version of “peer heads are full of pseudoscientific views professor who plays the rolehere of the. Insert reli- pupressure.”)ll If a film like Emily Rose can that reject a spiritual world and insist gious anthropologist who later wrote serve to remind us that “We wrestle not that space is empty and matter the only the book on which the filmquote is based, text herewith. flesh and blood, but against the reality. So we are prepared to treat all of “I’m looking at your list ofInsert published pull quoterulers, against the authorities, against this long historical record as a matter of articles doctor. You’ve been ‘visions’ that are ‘only imagination,’ or quite busy, prolific. So, text here. Insert as outright delusions, not as perceptions based on your time spent with holy rollers, snake han- dlers, Voodoo priestesses and Indians tripping on peyote buds, based on your observ- ing these bizarre individuals you’ve concluded that pos- Developing Discernment session is a basic typical human experience?” She retorts, “I must say counselor, that’s quite a
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 6 on human tradition and the Further Reading basic principles of this world Amorth, G. An Exorcist Tells His Story. rather than Christ” (Colos- (Ignatius Press; 1999). sians 1:8). Some may think Chattaway, P. “Horror: The Perfect about demons today, but Christian Genre.” Christianity Today rarely with godly seriousness. (August 30, 2005). They are domesticated by J. Foucault, M. Madness and Civilization: K. Rowling and used as a A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason. marketing ploy by Pirelli (Vintage; 1988). Tires (see www.pirellifilm.com Goodman, F. The Exorcism of Anneliese /thefilm/index.html). We Michel. (Resource Publications; 1981). would be wise to heed the Overstreet, J. “Do You Believe in priest’s warning, “Demons Demons? Response (Summer 2005). exist whether you believe in them or not.” Copyright © 2006 David John Seel, Jr. the powers of this dark world and against ~David John Seel, Jr. spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Ephesians 6:12), then it has provided a John Seel is a writer, educator, and cultural valuable service in awakening us to the analyst. He is currently working as a con- Unseen Real. As Christians we are called to sultant to Walden Media. He lives in challenge the paradigms of plausibility— Cohasset, Massachusetts with is wife, least we be taken “captive through hollow Kathryn. He can be reached at djsjr@earth- and deceptive philosophies, which depend link.net.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION
1. Seel suggests that “The zeistgeist dictates the boundaries of cognitive plausibility.” What is cognitive plausibility? Does plausibility make something true? Does majority opinion make something true? Does majority opinion make something more believable? How does this work in day-to-day life?
2. What are the two world views depicted in Emily Rose? How are they reinforced throughout the film?
3. Derrickson is a Christian, but the other screenwriter, Paul Boardman is not. Is the film successful in maintaining a fair depiction of the two world views portrayed?
4. Does the film successfully raise questions about the possibility of a spiritual world without preaching?
5. What questions were you left with at the end of the film?
7 Critique #6 - 2006 Table Grace
y daughter, Rachel and I sat when I am cooking and feeding people. And yet we are always hungry. down the other night to watch I can appreciate the skill and gifts Hungry to be full, to be satisfied. Just M TV. She had been following of the person who is able to prepare filling our stomachs doesn’t completely The Next Top Chef, so we flipped to the food in such a dramatic way in such a do it for us. We want more, we need channel to see who was still hanging stressful setting. It tantalizes and wows something else—comfort, community, on. the senses but it reduces eating to a fulfillment, and we often trade one for The challenge for the day involved sensual self-serving experience in which another. We think we are cutting cor- black truffles and a Schafer wine. The only a few can participate. One leaves ners for all the right reasons, but what ingredients were introduced as “the the table unsatisfied, looking for the are we sacrificing in the process? food at the top of the food chain;” next, grander experience. Food in this When we don’t understand the expensive truffles to go with a wine instance has become like a drug, and care, for example, that goes into the that is “untouchable at any price.” The only a very small percentage of the growing of produce, the crafting of competing chefs were to prepare a dish population will ever participate in this wines, beers, and cheeses, the raising of that used the truffles and complement- level of gourmandize. livestock, we fail to appreciate that ed the wine. Each was given $250 to And most of there is a person, prepare the dish, which would be us have spent We should bless the God who a craftsperson or judged by world class chefs and Mr. time in that line created the food, rather than artisan, or a wise Schafer himself. They would evaluate for fast food for asking God to bless the food we earthy farmer on taste, presentation, creativity, and all kinds of good cooked. who has put so compatibility with the wine. reasons. We’re much into what Drama and stress followed as the traveling, rushing to or from work, or we only see as a final product. We lose show unfolded. I turned to Rachel at a we’re just too tired to prepare a meal. sight of the fact that there is an indi- commercial and told her that I would But when mealtime becomes a throw- vidual whose life and life’s work are all hate that kind of pressure in the away experience, we lose touch with a wrapped up in what we so quickly con- kitchen. whole host of meaningful encounters sume. Even in losing sight of such sim- We live in a community where fast that seem at first to have little to do ple things as setting the table, and food is abundant. There are few fast with the basic act of eating. teaching our little ones how to do it, food chains not represented within a 5 We have come to believe that there we lose touch with something of our mile radius around our house. The is infinite value in moving quickly humanity. lines at drive-through windows are through every task with as little effort Where and how we eat is impor- backed up each and time as we tant, as well. The back seat of a car, the day. I wonder These two images of food—The possibly can. We couch in front of the TV, a table what children have one-stop stacked with papers, books, and bags, are growing up Next Top Chef and fast-food supermarkets; each speaks of chaos and confusion. thinking as they chains—are a sad reflection of internet/online bill Our children’s first job around the fuel up with where we are as a society today. payments; drive house focused on the proper way to paper wrapped through every- prepare the table for dinner. A table food often eaten in the car on the way thing-under-the-sun. Meal time, too, carefully set speaks of thoughtful somewhere. has become for many just one more preparation, anticipation of a time of These two images of food—The thing to get through with as little trou- shared enjoyment and connecting.
Developing Discernment Next Top Chef and fast-food chains— ble as possible; another task in an They learned that mealtime was a time and the purpose food serves, are a sad already hectic life. that required effort and planning and reflection of where we are as a society I want to challenge this trend in which created an environment where today. They fail to reflect what I love so our culture about how we think about something real and authentic occurred. much, and gain so much joy from, food. Scraped knees, name-calling by neigh-
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 8
borhood kids, and broken toys were rehearsed, laughed over, comfort was given, perspective gained—we created a safe envi- ronment where our kids could begin to slough-off the burdens of the day. We redis- covered our center as a family. As our chil- dren became teenagers this was a vital time and helped them navigate those dangerous years. Preparing food can and should be looked at as a gift we can give to others. God made us to need food and need it several times each and every day. And if you think about it, not only has he given us the ability to taste different flavors but he has created for us a countless variety of foods to eat and enjoy. What a gift. He also made us for fel- lowship; made us connoisseurs of one anoth- er, enjoying one another’s gifts, cultures, facial expressions. All this requires intention- ality. It takes care and thought to feed others, it takes interest and time to pursue relation- Karen makes bread ships. When our children were born I thought You cause the grass to grow for the upon ourselves. But we are drawn to the a lot about what and how I was going to feed livestock God-centeredness of this ancient attitude of them. Breast milk... yeah. That seemed and plants for man to cultivate, blessing God, as the psalmist did. So, it is healthy and natural. When it came to solid that he may bring forth food from good to think about varying our habit by food, Stephen and I resonated with the fact the earth blessing the God who created the food, that what we prepared ourselves was best for and wine to gladden the heart of man, rather than asking God to bless the food we oil to make his face shine our growing babies, so I took care to buy the cooked. best we could afford, seasoned it appropriate- and bread to strengthen man's heart. — Karen Baldwin ly, mashed it for them, and that was how they learned to eat. It was work; it took time The traditional Hebrew blessing for food Copyright © 2006 Karen Baldwin and lots of planning and a commitment from and wine are based on language such as is us—but our children were worth it, and they found in the Psalm: “Blessed are You, God, An addendum (#2): an alluring effect (eventually) knew it. King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of hen Karen was nineteen, she told me the vine.” (Others respond: “Amen”) one night that she would cook for An addendum (#1): Blessing the God of Even if we avoid making an idol of food, W me. She invited me to her mother’s the food we can err in another, subtler way by asking house and prepared a meal. Until then I had e have a tendency to elevate the food God to “bless the food” and us and the mis- only observed her briefly in my own mother’s rather than the Giver of food. But sionaries, rather than blessing God—the kitchen when we had a group of high school W reflect on Psalm 104: 1, 14-15: giver of food and of every grace, and of every students out for the day in the country. Even good. We are not suggesting that we cease to that glimpse afforded an alluring realization Bless the Lord O my soul pray God’s blessing upon missionaries, or that Karen was confident and at home in the O Lord my God you are very great kitchen. My mother was an excellent cook,
9 Critique #6 - 2006 Table Grace cont.
and of the three brothers I guess I showed the most interest in food, so I was given jobs in the kitchen from a young age. My big debut was as a teenager being given the job of prepar- “If you can learn to make soup and bread, you will never starve.” ing the Caesar Salad for a dinner party my parents gave for their friends. And I Most people have potatoes and onions in the house, so this is a simple and loved it. Thus my heightened interest delicious soup that doesn’t require expensive ingredients or a lot of time to pre- when I realized that this young woman pare. While the vegetables are “sweating” there is time to mix up a pan of corn- with the long wavy brown hair liked to bread. cook, too. But I was not prepared for the effect Potato Soup (Serves 4) Old Fashion Southern Cornbread that her cooking would have on me. 1/2 stick butter 1 cup of cornmeal The fare was simple, but it spoke elo- 3 cups peeled diced potatoes 1 teaspoon baking powder quently of the gift and blessing that (Yukon Gold) 1 teaspoon salt making a meal can be. She made a sim- 1 cup diced onions 1/4 teaspoon baking soda ple meal of potato soup and southern 1/2 cup diced celery (optional) 1 cup buttermilk 1 egg cornbread—both from scratch. It was 1 teaspoon salt not fancy, but the care that went into its 1-2 tablespoons of bacon freshly ground pepper grease or olive oil preparation, our enjoyment of the tastes 3 1/2 cups chicken stock and textures was more than just an expe- 1/2 cup half & half or cream Preheat oven to 450°. When the rience of the senses. The food was the 2 tablespoons chopped parsley oven is up to temperature place a 7 to 8 medium of a greater thing: a personal, or thyme inch iron skillet in the oven to heat. human interaction. It was also one of Mix the dry ingredients together in the first in a long succession of times Melt the butter in a medium sized a medium sized bowl. Mix the butter- when we, and our children and friends heavy saucepan. When the butter milk and the egg together in small connect at a table over food. foams, add the potatoes, onions and bowl, then add this mixture to the dry — Stephen Baldwin celery. Toss them in the butter until cornmeal mixture and beat well with a wooden spoon. well coated. Sprinkle with salt and pep- Copyright @ 2006 Stephen Baldwin Add the grease or oil to the hot pan per. Cover and sweat on a gentle heat and swirl to coat the bottom—use a Stephen and Karen Baldwin and for 10 minutes (do not allow the veg- pot holder—the skillet will be really daughter Rachel are living in Concord, etables to color), add the stock and hot. Pour the cornbread batter into the North Carolina where they cook togeth- cook until the vegetables are soft. Puree hot pan and return to the oven. er often and where Stephen is involved the soup with a stick blender, or mash Bake for 20 minutes until nicely in planting a church that aims to with a potato masher. Next add the browned on top and no longer soft in encourage and recover artistry of all chopped herbs. Taste and adjust the the center. Invert on a warm plate, cut into kinds, including food, as an act of wor- seasoning. Thin with half & half or cream to desired consistency. Serve wedges and serve warm. Serve with ship. After years as a pastor/church honey and butter if desired. planter’s wife, Karen received her culi- topped with grated cheddar cheese.
Developing Discernment nary training from the Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork, Ireland. She currently teaches cooking classes for Williams-Sonoma in Huntersville, NC.
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 1010 Reading the Word
he revelation of God in Scripture is not ing from 3100 BC with the beginning of merely a collection of holy sayings, it is writing to the persecution of the church T a story set in history, in real space and under the Roman emperor Domitian in 96 time. So, when we read the story of Abra- AD). ham, for example, we are not face-to-face 3 Almost 100 maps, including the one with the figment of someone’s imagination, reproduced on this page, which traces the but a real man who as a nomad traveled to geography covered by Abraham in his wan- real places. Places like Ur (which God called dering as a nomad. him to leave, which he did), a city called 3 Insight into the latest findings and Haran and then, after a brief unsatisfying theories of historians and archeologists in visit to Egypt, eventually to a place called relation to the biblical story. Kiriath Arba, where his 3 Numerous instructive beloved wife, Sarah, died. charts, such as the one includ- This story—and the Bible— ed here which compares the is full of such detail, which average annual rainfall for four means that unless you know sites in Canaan important in the geography of the ancient the biblical story. world far better than most 3 Information on trade, people, you will want access languages, and campaigns of to a good atlas. warfare. Thankfully, a good atlas 3 is available. The IVP Atlas of Artist’s reconstructions Bible History traces in brief of such things as the city of narrative form an overview Babylon when Daniel lived of the biblical story, provid- there, the city of Capernaum ing a rich set of resources to in Jesus’ day, the Israelite help us make sense of the Tabernacle and Temple, and geographical, chronological, cultural, climat- the one reproduced here, of a ziggurat or ic, commercial, historical, and archeological temple-tower found in Mesopotamia (dating details that are embedded in the Bible’s to 2113-2096 BC). By the way, this ziggurat pages. was a famous landmark in Ur in Abraham’s The IVP Atlas includes: day. Most resource books are good as 3 Photographs of archeological artifacts, resources, for looking up data when you need such as the image on this page, of the it, but dry to read. The IVP Atlas of Bible Chester Beatty Papyrus (dated AD 200) History is an excellent resource, but it is more which is the opening pages of St Paul’s letter than that. When my copy first arrived, I to Ephesus (though the words, “in Ephesus” found myself reading it, fascinated by what I are not included, leading scholars to con- was learning. clude the letter was intended to be sent to a So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we rec- number of churches). ommend The IVP Atlas of Bible History to 3 Chronological charts, including one you. for the various kings of Israel and Judah, and another charting out the major events of Source: The IVP Atlas of Bible History, pp. Scripture and the ancient Near East (stretch- 23, 25, 52, 165. Resources
have a confession to make: I’m not a I receive subdued agreement, but more topic is what finally made me read it. fan of Donald Miller. Many people often people have been mildly outraged. My parents divorced before I was a year I told me I had to read his book Blue I don’t make old and my father Like Jazz. They told me it was a new and this confession Deep relationships with fathers in has been pretty refreshing approach to the subject of to bias you the faith is the salve that God will much a ghost Christian spirituality. I don’t know if it against the works ever since. I was was because of all the hype surrounding of Donald use to heal the insult and wound of curious to find Blue Like Jazz, but I was decidedly Miller. I make it the fatherless. out whether underwhelmed by it. It’s not that the so that when I Miller’s experi- book wasn’t good, it was. It just wasn’t as tell you his latest book, To Own a ence was anything like my own. What I great as I had been told. While Miller Dragon, is one of the best books I’ve read found was that while situations sur- put forth some interesting insights and in recent years, you’ll know I’m not just rounding the absence of our fathers were appealing human stories, it didn’t seem speaking as a member of the Donald different, our experience was shockingly that the book was really saying anything Miller fan club. To Own a Dragon was similar. I say shockingly because there truly new, and written with John were times while reading through Dragon so I didn’t find MacMurray, a that Miller’s words were almost the exact it particularly friend and mentor words I have used to described my expe- refreshing. of Miller’s who rience of fatherlessness. Through his When sev- also served as an prose Miller taps into the heart of aban- eral friends dis- inspiration for the donment. The appeal of the book isn’t covered that I book. Dragon is a limited to guys whose dads left them. A wasn’t collection of friend whose father died when he was a impressed with Miller’s reflections boy told me that he also connected with Blue Like Jazz on growing up much in the book despite the different they told me I without a father. circumstances. Whether Miller is dis- needed to read While Miller cussing the inherent sense of inferiority Miller’s follow touches on the many fatherless men feel when they see up book, subject of his other sons with their fathers, and explor- Searching for absentee father in ing the feeling of being an outsider to God Knows some of his earlier the world of men with their father-son What. They books, this work clubs; or whether he is exploring the assured me it deals exclusively sometimes unknowing search of the was much bet- with the impact fatherless for a surrogate father and dis- ter than Blue growing up with- cussing their unsurprising frustration Like Jazz. So I out his dad has that those surrogates can only ever be tried to read it. had on his life. He surrogates who don’t completely make up Maybe I had a spends time for the real thing; Miller broaches the bad attitude, or maybe I suffered from a exploring the relational, psychological, subject with a rare blend of painful hon- focused flare up of ADD, but I could not emotional, social and spiritual implica- esty and gentle tactfulness. get into Searching for God and put it tions the lack of a father creates in the Miller encourages young men who down after the first few chapters. I life of an adult male. have lost a father not take it out on the Developing Discernment haven’t picked it up since. When people My prior disappointment with men around them: ask me what I think of Donald Miller’s Miller’s work made me a bit reluctant to writing and I answer honestly, sometimes spend time and money on Dragon. The Here is the real truth I am stammering
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 12
toward. John MacMurray isn’t my father. fathers are not like dragons in that fathers not having a father. Instead of spending his My boss isn’t my father. The cop on the actually exist, but I don’t remember feeling time belaboring how much he’s missed out street isn’t my father. My father split, and that a father existed for me. I know they are on in life he takes the time to critique him- that stinks, and none of these guys are going real people. I have seen them on television, self. Miller analyzes his skewed perspective to replace him. And what that means is and sliding their arms around their women on life developed partly due to the absence of that they aren’t responsible to love me in grocery stores, and I have seen them in his father. He spends the bulk of the book unconditionally, and they aren’t responsible malls and in identifying and correcting to tell me I am a man. Any love or affirma- coffee shops, his own erroneous beliefs tion they give is a gift, but holding them but these Conservative Christians decry the and practices. responsible for the insult my father cast were charac- poor state of the family in our socie- Another strength of down is inappropriate. The wound I have ters in other ty. I wonder how many of these Miller’s work is that he isn’t there because of them. people’s sto- same Christians are actively step- moves past the superficial ries, and I Christian responses that Miller calls those of us whose fathers never ping into the midst of the broken- are often heaped upon have left us to move beyond cynicism and stopped to ness to be redemptive agents. those who experience loss bitterness while at the same time revealing question why of any kind. As one who the truth that our society often hides: grow- one of these characters wasn’t living in our has had clichés handed to him instead of real ing up without a father is an insult and a house. I don’t say this out of self-pity, answers, Miller attempts to deal with these wound. These two words encapsulate the because in a way I don’t miss having a issues in a sensitive, winsome and straightfor- experience of the fatherless. father any more than I miss having a drag- ward manner. One of the superficial respons- One of the sections where I heard my on. But in another way, I find myself won- es often heard by people in Miller’s and my own voice in Miller’s words was in his expla- dering if I missed out on something impor- situation is, “Even though your dad left you nation of the title of the book. Miller talks tant. have a heavenly father who cares for you about how the librarian at his elementary more than you can even imagine.” The prob- school used to read stories to his class. These These words are on the second page of the lem isn’t with the truthfulness of such a state- stories would include imaginary creatures second chapter, but have been etched across ment, but rather what it conveys to the per- such as trolls and fairies. Sometimes the the pages of my life for the past thirty years. son on the receiving end. The person making librarian would show the children pictures in From that point on Miller the statement the books. One of the pictures that stood out had me hooked. Miller calls those of us whose isn’t interested to young Donald Miller was one of a little A strength of Miller’s in entering boy riding on the back of a dragon. This pic- book is that he doesn’t waste fathers have left us to move beyond into our life ture caused him to wonder what it would be the reader’s time by wallow- cynicism and bitterness while at the or walking like to have your very own dragon and fly ing in self-pity, which is a same time revealing the truth that with us through the clouds on the back of such a flaw of many works dealing our society often hides: growing up through our wonderful and powerful creature. Miller then with this topic on a personal pain. It is tells us the point of this trip down memory level. While much of Dragon without a father is an insult and a absolutely lane: is a lament, it isn’t a senti- wound. true that God mentalized complaint. Miller is a father to I bring this up because in writing some is more focused on wrestling through the the fatherless, but this in itself does not thoughts about a father, or not having a realities of life without a father and the remove the insult and wound of abandon- father, I feel as though I am writing a book effects it has even on his adult life. His views ment. about a dragon or a troll under a bridge. on work, education, women, sex, integrity, Miller gives another reason why such a For me a father is nothing more than a authority and even basic decision-making are formulaic response, while technically true, is character in a fairy tale. And I know realistically connected to his experience of not ultimately helpful. Trying to grasp the
13 Critique #6 - 2006 Resources cont.
concept of God as father is nearly less homes—20 times the average. To Learn More See the Following: impossible when you have no proper 80% of rapists with anger http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/ paradigm to put that term into. problems come from fatherless http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/own Obviously, everybody knows what a homes—14 times the average. adragon.php father is, but, as mentioned above, the 71% of all high school lived reality of a father for many of us is dropouts come from fatherless The Belmont Foundation is a not-for- about as real as the presence of a dragon. homes—9 times the average. profit organization founded by Donald When this is the case it influences the 75% of all adolescent patients Miller that “exists to provide role models way we view God in his fatherhood. in chemical abuse centers come from for children growing up without fatherless homes—10 times the aver- fathers.” Visit them at www.belmont- To Own a Dragon is one of age. foundation.org. the best books I’ve read in 70% of youth in state-operated recent years. institutions come from fatherless —Travis Scott homes—9 times the average. Miller writes that people whose earthly 85% of all youths in prison Copyright © 2006 Travis Scott fathers have been interested in anything come from fatherless homes—20 but them find it hard to believe that times the average. Book Recommended: To Own a God is truly interested in their life, even These statistics are sobering. I think Dragon: Reflections on Growing Up though they may cognitively know it is they also painfully reveal a failure on the Without a Father by Donald Miller and true. When you grow up experiencing part of the church of Jesus Christ. Many John MacMurray (Colorado Springs, everybody else’s father at a distance it is conservative Christians decry the poor CO: NavPress; 2006) 201 pp. hard to imagine God as a father of your state of the family in our society. I won- very own. “There are times when I don’t der how many of these same Christians Travis Scott is a contributing editor to see God as much different from my are actively stepping into the midst of Critique. He is a graduate of Covenant friends’ fathers when I was a kid,” Miller this brokenness to be redemptive agents. Theological Seminary and a former says. “In the end, He has a family of His The numbers seem to suggest that such intern at the Francis Schaeffer Institute. own to deal with. He’s like a good men- action is not taking place. He and his wife Brooke are currently tor, and I see Him at church.” These Miller dedicates Dragon to men who pursuing full-time Christian service in words are true to my own experience are mentoring younger men. His book New Zealand. and, I think, to the experience of a large tells the story of several men like John number of men living all around us. MacMurray who have been faithful in There is a sore need for a better discipling him. This is the answer that a answer to this situation. Throughout fatherless generation needs. We don’t Dragon Miller gives some statistics con- need more empty statements, no matter cerning fatherless men. These statistics how true they are. We need men in the are compiled in short form at the back church to step up and embody the truth of the book. The stats are as follows: of those statements. Proactive disciple- ship, older men seeking out younger 63% of youth suicides are from men, is a better answer to the situation. fatherless homes—5 times the aver- Deep relationship with fathers in the Developing Discernment age. faith is the salve that God will use to 85% of all children who show heal the insult and wound of the father- behavior disorders come from father- less.
D D D D Deepening Discipleship 14 Out of their Minds
Evangelism’s purpose same introductory statement. But instead of In the midst of a storm at sea, Jonah prayed: “Our concern in evangelizing people is continuing with reference to the Son of God, “Your wrath lies heavily upon me; You have not just to ‘save their souls,’ but to restore the it continues: “If we love one another, God overwhelmed me with all Your waves.” Yet image of God to its proper functioning in all dwells in us.” In other words, the invisible God taught Elijah that He was not in the of life, to the greater glory of God.” God, who once made himself visible in earthquake or the whirlwind that destroys, but Excerpted from Created in God’s Image Christ, now makes himself visible in in the still, small voice that heals. by Anthony A. Hoekema (Grand Rapids, MI: Christians, if we love one another. It is a What distinguished the biblical prophets Eerdmans; 1986) p. 99. breathtaking claim. The local church cannot from their pagan predecessors was their refusal evangelize, proclaiming the gospel of love, if it to see natural catastrophe as an independent Demonstrating God is not itself a community of love. force of evil, proof that at least some of the Q: Do you have concerns about the Excerpted from “Why Don’t They gods are hostile to mankind. In the ancient church in the West? Listen?” an interview with John R. W. Stott Babylonian creation myth, the Enuma Elish, A: My main concern for the church by Gary Barnes in Christianity Today for example, the goddess of the oceans Tiamat everywhere is that we often do not look like (September 2003) p. 52. declares war on the rest of creation and is only what we are talking about. We make great defeated after prolonged struggle by the claims for Christ, but there is often a Napping in paradise younger god, Marduk. Essential to monothe- credibility gap between our words and our I count it as an absolute certainty that in ism is that conflict is not written into the fab- actions. paradise, everyone naps. A nap is a perfect ric of the Universe. That is what redeems For example, consider the implications of pleasure and it’s useful, too. It splits the day tragedy and creates hope. 1 John 4:12: “No one has ever seen God; but into two halves, making each half more The simplest explanation is that of the if we love one another, God lives in us and his manageable and enjoyable. How much easier 12th-century sage, Moses Maimonides. love is made complete in us.” The invisibility it is to work in the morning if we know we Natural disasters, he said, have no explanation of God is a great problem. It was already a have a nap to look forward to after lunch; and other than that God, by placing us in a physi- problem to God’s people in Old Testament how much more pleasant the late afternoon cal world, set life within the parameters of the days. Their pagan neighbors would taunt and evening become after a little sleep. If you physical. Planets are formed, tectonic plates them, saying, “where is now your God?” Their know there is a nap to come later in the day, shift, earthquakes occur, and sometimes inno- gods were visible and tangible, but Israel’s then you can banish for ever that terrible cent people die. To wish it were otherwise is God was neither. Today in our scientific sense of doom one feels at 9 A.M. with eight in essence to wish that we were not physical culture young people are taught not to believe hours of straight toil ahead. beings at all. Then we would not know pleas- in anything which is not open to empirical Excerpted from How to be Idle by Tom ure, desire, achievement, freedom, virtue, cre- investigation. Hodgkinson (HarperCollins; 2005). ativity, vulnerability and love. We would be How then has God solved the problem of angels—God’s computers, programmed to his own invisibility? The first answer is of Thinking Jewishly about tsunami sing His praise. course “in Christ.” Jesus Christ is the visible Earthquakes and tidal waves were known The religious question is, therefore, not: image of the invisible God. John 1:18: “No to the ancients. They spoke of them in awe. “Why did this happen?” But “What then shall one has ever seen God, but God the only Son Job himself said: “The pillars of the heavens we do?” has made him known.” quake, aghast at his rebuke; by His power he Excerpted from “Why does God allow “That's wonderful,” people say, “but it churned up the sea.” David used them as a terrible things to happen to His people?” in was 2,000 years ago. Is there no way by which metaphor for fear itself: “The waves of death The (London) Times (January 1, 2005) by the invisible God makes himself visible swirled about me... The Earth trembled and Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United today?” quaked, the foundations of the heavens Hebrew Congregations of the British There is. We return to 1 John 4:12: “No shook... The valleys of the sea were exposed, Commonwealth of Nations. one has ever seen God.” It is precisely the and the foundations of the Earth laid bare.”
15 Critique #6 - 2006 On the Web
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