July 7th, 2004
 

I am busy on a writing deadline so today I will make my comments short and sweet.

Fortunately I can offer you (courtesy of David Buckna, one of your fellow CW readers), a superb point-counterpoint on the cultural & sub-cultural explanations & implication regarding the stunning success of the ‘Left Behind’ series.

First read Amy Sullivan’s “When Hollywood stopped making Bible movies, right-wing Christians took over.”

Second, follow by reading Fred Clark’s response, which is sure to offend just about everybody, meaning it is full of true & painful insights.

Third, finish off by contrasting what Paul Ford observed about C.S. Lewis’s English spirituality with American evangelical activism driven by vision-mission & manic “palm pilots and blackberries.”

“The English style of spirituality is a rhythm of worship, work, reading, and leisure. This is an unfrantic response to God who is, as Lewis insisted, always a courteous Lord. ..Life-style is revealed by the use of time: what is given place and space; what is included and what, therefore, is excluded. What we see in Lewis is the steady place of his parish church; the quiet regularity of his Bible-reading and prayers; the natural large place for his main work of study and writing; the large blocks of time for leisurely conversations with special friends; and the importance of letter writing, especially with those who sought his help in the mater of Christian pilgrimage For all of his immense output of literary work, his life is marked by a spacious, unfrantic rhythm of worship, work, conversation, availability, and intimacy.”

Fourth, flee to the radical Jesus whence cometh your strength.


Yours for the pursuit of God in the company of friends, Dick Staub.

PS. And remember, “these are the best of times and the worst of times, but they are the only times we have.” (For Now).

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