ENGAGING THE SENSES TO OCCASION THIN SPACE AND TRANSFORMATION by REV. KIMBERLYNN MCNABB B.A., Wilfrid Laurier University, 1994 M.Div., Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, 1998 A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Theology, Acadia Divinity College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University Spring Convocation 2014 © by KIMBERLYNN MCNABB, 2014 ii This thesis by KIMBERLYNN MCNABB was defended successfully in an oral examination on 3rd April 2014. The examining committee for the thesis was: Dr. Glenn Wooden, Chair Dr. Bruce Matthews, External Examiner Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Thesis Supervisor Dr. William Brackney, Internal Examiner This thesis is accepted in its present form by Acadia Divinity College, the Faculty of Theology of Acadia University, as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry. iii I, KIMBERLYNN MCNABB hereby grant permission to the Head Librarian at Acadia University to provide copies of this thesis, on request, on a non-profit basis. Kimberlynn McNabb Author Dr. Carol Anne Janzen Supervisor 3 April 2014 Date (This page is blank and unnumbered on purpose) iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract vii Chapter Index viii Acknowledgements x Introduction xi Chapter 1 Betwixt and Between 1 Chapter 2 As Heard in Scripture 11 Hebrew Scripture 11 Genesis 11 Exodus – The Experience of Moses 12 The Prophets 17 Greek Scripture 18 Acts – The Experience of Saul 18 Sensate Senses - A Word Study 22 Experiencing Jesus 24 Chapter 3 Seen in History 29 Senses - Changing Attitudes in the Common Era 30 Sense, Knowledge, and Mysticism 37 Senses in Christian Practice 41 Hearing the Word 44 The Rising Importance of Sensory Experience 51 Present Context 54 Sense in the Present 60 v Accompanying Thought 64 Chapter 4 Ingested in Theology 66 Mystery 68 Incarnational Theology 76 Theolgica Crucis 79 The Boundary 85 Relational Theology 88 Theology Digested 95 Chapter 5 Touched Through Method 97 Rationale for the Two Components 100 Engagement of the Sensate Senses 100 Theological Reflection 105 Research Project and Methodology 110 Chapter 6 Tasted in Experience 117 The Experiences as a Whole 118 Structured Experiences Described Individually 122 Thin Space Via Sound 122 Thin Space Via Smell 124 Thin Space Via Touch 128 Thin Space Via Taste 132 Thin Space Via Sight 135 Themes for Reflection 137 Considerations 137 vi Closing Reflections 142 Tasted in Experience 145 Touched in Method 147 Ingested in Theology 148 Seen in History 151 As Heard in Scripture 153 Betwixt and Between 158 Appendix I Application to Acadia Research Ethics Board: 158 Ethical Review of Research Involving Humans 158 Reflection of Experiential Event - Survey 163 Theological Reflection Facilitation Guide 164 Announcements 165 Consent Form 166 Appendix II Ready to Use Church Resources: 168 Sensing Advent 168 Mid-Week Lent Service 177 Quint-I-Sensual God Space Workshop 179 Appendix III Additional Resources 192 Reference List 194 vii ABSTRACT Congregational life in mainline worshiping communities could be described as comfortable, as worship space is crafted in favoured architecture styles, with likeable decor, liturgies, and hymns. Particularly in Western culture, the thrust of church services is geared to thinking, not feeling or the participation of one’s senses. This paper explores engaging the sensate senses to create moments where barriers are dropped and people can open themselves to an encounter with God. The hope is that the encounter fosters a new way of living and precipitates transformation. Through five sensory events executed during worship, followed up by theological reflection circles, a congregation bears witness to the role that sense and reflection play in encountering thin space and the transformation of one’s perceived thoughts. One will notice that elements of surprise and actions of discomfort led to deeper struggle in meaning-making and reflection -- producing profound ‘Aha’ moments. The experience has left the congregation with a desire to participate in sensory events and reflection circles on a regular basis -- realizing that encountering God is a lifelong affair. Leaders who apply this work will focus on creating space wherein boundaries are broken and individuals or whole communities are presented with the uncomfortable so as to encounter the Holy. viii CHAPTER INDEX CHAPTER 1 This chapter sets the stage for the premise of the paper. It explores and defines the idea of thin space and “the where” of encountering God. It also describes approaches to open one to the discovery of thin space. CHAPTER 2 This chapter engages the biblical narrative, investigating thin-space-God- encounters that led to transformation in the lives of those experiencing them. Particular attention is given to the experiences of Moses and Paul. CHAPTER 3 This chapter discusses the concept of sensory knowing from an historical and scientific perspective. The discussion includes references to Lutheran Reformation documents. CHAPTER 4 This chapter creatively weaves together theological ideas of space/place and God encounter. It explores Mystery, grace, and the theology of art via discussion of cosmology, sin, theology of the cross, Christ on the boundary, and relationship. CHAPTER 5 This chapter presents the rationale for the method and approach applied in the research project. It focuses on two key components: engaging sensate senses and theological reflection. The chapter concludes with how the project research was implemented and data collected. CHAPTER 6 This chapter presents the results of the sensory events of the research project. It paints a picture of each event individually and addresses issues and discoveries shared across the events. It concludes with limitations of the research and further areas of study. ix CLOSING REFLECTIONS The final chapter revisits each chapter moving from research discoveries back to chapter one’s definition of thin space. It names specific responsibilities for worship and church leaders, with ideas for application of the concepts within their own communities. The conclusion gives concrete ways that congregations can engage the senses and integrate thinking and feeling, to offer the possibility of deepened faith, practice, and relationship. APPENDICES APPENDIX I This appendix is the application made to Acadia’s research ethics board which includes the survey distributed to the congregation for each sensory event and the theological reflection circle questions used to gather reflections. APPENDIX II Appendix II is a collection of resources used in a church setting for engaging senses and connecting this to theological reflection. These resources were created as the thesis project was in development. Resources include: an Advent quiet day, a mid-week Lent program, and a workshop with Bible Study focusing on the Burning Bush + a group of quotes for added discussion during the retreat. APPENIDX III The appendices conclude with a few selected resources for further study and practical use within a parish setting. x ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Hugs are given to my husband Tim who was the impetus to have me complete a Doctor of Ministry program -- knowing that this is what my spirit and essence was craving. Thanks is given to my children who needed me around and allowed me to mentor a joy of study. Appreciation is extended to the people of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection who played with me, opened themselves to new experiences, and through an honesty in theological reflection deepened community. Thanks also to Acadia Divinity College, classmates, and my supervisor Dr. Carol Anne Janzen for welcoming a Lutheran into their fold and gracing me with glimpses of the Holy. xi INTRODUCTION Since birth, life has been lived in a sacramental theology where God is incarnate -- present through experience if one should choose to open their senses with curiosity and wonder. Thin space (to be defined in Chapter 1) was not so much believed in but intuitively known to be already present. Life is lived in the presence of God, in a world full of vibrant colours, stimulating smells, tantalizing tastes, sensuous textures, and titillating sounds. Experiential knowing and living has been balanced by living an unapologetically Lutheran way -- with an understanding that ritual and liturgy are embraced in spiritual practices and piety, and that reformation disciplines of asking questions, entering dialogue, and intellectual vigor are of importance. To ask questions is a Lutheran way of following that includes and encourages teaching with theological reflection. As Paul Tillich once said, “I am Lutheran by birth, education, religious experience, and theological reflection (Tillich 1966, 74).” Growing up in the home of artists, both of whom were also teachers, the family observed and interacted with the world differently than some others. Time was spent in art galleries or on nature trails exploring and examining the hope that might be found therein. Time at home was spent reading - touching, seeing, hearing, playing with anything and everything -- then reading more to stay grounded. It was sad to learn that others were unable to intuit the world xii around them, wonder at mysteries, be excited by the smallest discovery, or have the desire to ask questions and search for answers. As a teenager, going to church was living out the drama of God’s story of grace each week. The words of American author, Annie Dillard, captured this teen’s imagination because it rang true to experience, On the whole, I do not find Christians, outside the catacombs, sufficiently sensible of the conditions. Does any-one have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it? The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. It is madness to wear ladies' straw hats and velvet hats to church; we should all be wearing crash helmets. Ushers should issue life preservers and signal flares; they should lash us to our pews.