Paul writes – My good friend Maggi Dawn recently quoted, on her blog, outstanding theologian and writer Robert Farrar Capon, from his book The Astonished Heart (p. 120).
“We are in a war between dullness and astonishment…”
"… The most critical issue facing Christians is not abortion, pornography, the disintegration of the family, moral absolutes, MTV, drugs, racism, sexuality, or school prayer. The critical issue today is dullness. We have lost our astonishment. The Good News is no longer good news, it is okay news. Christianity is no longer life changing, it is life enhancing. Jesus doesn't change people into wild-eyed radicals anymore; He changes them into "nice people…"
I remembered buying this book back in 1996 when I sensed I’d lost my wonder and astonishment, my experience of gospel as “good news.” I was looking for warmth of heart – my own firstly. I hoped Capon would help me and he did. Gospel became an invitation to live, to really live – something I’ve grasped in part, but am still learning to do ten years later. Thanks for that memory Maggi.
In reading Maggi’s post I was both reminded of my own encounter with this book, and reminded of another more recent conversation centred on Jesus’ statement “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly…” (NKJV John 10:10 / this is a time I wish I had my Greek dictionary to hand; unfortunately it’s packed in a box somewhere. “Life” is an interesting word to research and reflect on).
What might it look, sound, taste, smell, and feel like to embody “abundant life” as an alternative to, say, what marketers tell is life is? Why do churches struggle to embody the kind of abundant life that Jesus was pointing to? Further, an article in a weekend newspaper about reclusive Wellington artist, Martin Thompson, reminded me that this “life” is not necessarily about having more and doing more; there’s something about “becoming” and “being” involved.
Anyway, I guess Capon captures well something of what we were talking about.
For a dictionary definition of dullness click here. For a movie that illustrates this well, and offers and alternative, watch Pleasantville.
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