I must be a glutton for punishment. I did a Google search of Seabury-Western, and, of course, the sites on top happened to be Anglican news blogs. The news was usually stated in a fairly straight forward manner. The comments, however, were quite volatile. There were so many comments which suggested that somehow this is God’s providence that, we “heretics” are going down. This discussion, quite frankly, saddens me at a deep, deep level. One would think that anger would be my first response (and anger is there). However, my first emotion is one of sadness.
Maybe this is the difference between the type of Christian that I am and the types that tend to post on these Anglican news blogs. I know that I continue to pray for both sides of the Episcopal/Anglican divide (and I'm not even an Episcopalian!). I would never ever associate another seminary’s downfall (of Nashotah House, for example) with God’s providence or with that seminary’s orthodoxy, standards of righteousness, morality, etc. God works in ways that are so beyond are human constructions of right and wrong. In the midst of our death and eventual rebirth, I have nothing but prayers for those who wish for Seabury’s downfall. I pray for God’s work in all of our lives, because ultimately this is not my church, or Seabury’s church, or the church of the orthodox. This is God’s church.
When I think of my more conservative brothers and sisters, I actually think about the times when we were able to break through our differences to share something in common. For example, though there were many instances in past Lavabo Bowls (the annual football game between Nashotah and Seabury), where it was heated… too heated… on both the theological and competitive fronts, I can also recall many moments where the communities sought to out-do each other in displays of hospitality. While there were often chants of “down with the heretics,” I also found many moments of shared respect between the Saints and the Black Monks. I know this may sound silly, but one of the things that I worry about as Seabury goes forward into a different future, is the potential loss of this odd, fall ritual, in which two polar opposite seminaries from the same tradition get together, put aside their differences for one day, and enjoy a good old fashioned game of football (flag football of course, but football nevertheless).
Now I know that theological differences are not so easy to settle. However, I do find it compelling that the easiest way for us to find common ground may actually be outside of the bounds of theologically persuasive arguments, appeals to tradition, culture, or the “right,” or conformity to different representations of the gospel. It may be as simple as sharing a common game and a common meal—to show hospitality to a stranger and to receive it thankfully with appreciation.
So for now, I pray for my enemies, because Jesus’ wisdom stretches beyond my own; and actually hope that those who wish for my downfall do not consider themselves as my enemies but as my friends.
Posted by Frank Yamada at March 15, 2008 02:21 AM