Just Practicing

Participants of the last writers vocation group took upon the task of a writing exercise that responded to an excerpt from Jonathan Edwards’ The Spirit of Charity the Opposite of a Selfish Spirit. The aim was to engage in theologically reflection through the process of writing. We examined the fall of man from his “exalted, and noble, and generous” rank to that of being “debased, and ignoble, and selfish” and how “Christianity restores an excellent enlargement, and extensiveness, and liberality to the soul, and again possesses it with that divine love or charity.”

The following responses were written within the time limitation of fifteen minutes. I’d like to thank each person for sharing the product of this experiment and for leaving behind a creative reminder of our time our together. The creating and sharing of art in community should be one of the hallmarks of the church. These actions can become corporate practices that would not only illuminate the different ways we see God working in the world, but also exercise the rusty creative muscles of believers. Let’s strive to be more imaginative, inventive, and inspiring.

--Maria

From Raymond Chao:

He is called the First Man. He steps firmly with his naked foot upon the black, rich soil. He breathes deeply and releases a meaningful "Ahh" - a sigh, that is not of relief, but satisfaction. "Go forth," is the command given him which he remembers, cemented in the folds of mind.

"Come before me!" he bellows from the cliff overseeing the luscious land. The sun is beating down with liquid energy, breezes transporting the sweet, sharp smells of nectared flowers. Soon, he hears the trample of hooves, the shaking of tree branches, the calling horns and screeches of his dominion. The First Man smiles.

He begins to name them, so they will know when they are called upon. He orates until dusk, and soon the community of beings prepare for night's rest. Then, the First Man turns as he feels the gentle rumble and approach of Majesty. Here is the great I AM. "Sleep Adam," and he lays on the soft grasses almost woven and imperceptible. The Holy Father thrusts with great might and momentum into the First Man's torso, but he does not even flinch in his shut rest. A single bone is removed and floats vertically upright. It slowly turns in presentation, beautiful depiction. Soon, it has gradually begun spinning faster, glowing, growing like a prolonged elliptic orb.

Woman spins.

From Christian Costeines:

We had it all,

paradise and warmth
exposed and unashamed
adventure and bliss, rolled together
not at odds

We lost it all
safe warm acceptance
eternal companionship
the eye of favor
by the loving Father

Replaced by pride
the endless toil
to justify our just deserts
sprung forth from minds
abased, deluded
twisted illusion
of self sufficience.
The isolation and competition...

Yet steps in the midst
Faithful rescuer
Loving brother
To show the way
To be the way
Restored the way
Will we abide
His loving woo?
A path returned to
The living pool.

From Anna Letton:

prompt -> "ubermensch, the Fall, the rich transformation of redemption"

Sometimes God makes me feel like an athlete. Like a swimmer or long-distance runner - someone who could take a deep breath and exhale, and you'd feel the sunlight tremble with her vitality. On these days, I still know that if I have to run for the bus, I'm going to get palpitations and lie gasping at last on the molded orange seat like a hooked tuna... but I feel the inner power in me. I remember someone I have not yet been - a superwoman, a tree-climbing, confident-limbed Eve. She fears not. She believes. She was, she will be, made sound.