Just Down the Road

In The Wild Olive's first stab at guest commentary, we have a story from TC in Tea, South Dakota, just outside of Sioux Falls. As TC's account demonstrates, Biblical principles often appear clear on the page -- but in practice, moral choices on how best to further the Kingdom of Heaven are often difficult to discern. Read the account below and tell me -- what would you do in this situation, and on what basis?

Earlier this summer, an adult store, make that "super" store, was opened just a short mile outside of Tea on the way to Interstate 29. Much protest ensued from the locals over Olivia's, which touted itself as a good, upstanding, reputable business that would be beneficial to the local economy. It's actually a sister store to its Sioux Falls counterpart, Annabelle's.

A lot of people were making uneducated, emotional statements about how the store would ruin the community, hurt their children, and among other things, encourage drunken driving (apparently from the potential customers who would drive to the 24-hour store while 3 sheets to the wind during odd hours of the night). Lincoln county, and the city of Tea, currently have no restrictions or regulations on these types of adult businesses, so legally, everything has been done by the book, and the owner/manager has been fairly accommodating to local suggestions (he voluntarily changed the building color from bright purple to egg shell white, and changed his sign out front to display "Olivia's" in large letters, instead of "Adult").

Now, before you think I'm promoting places of this nature, let me just say that I am not personally in favor of a store like this opening anywhere, anytime. While it is a free country and people can do what they like within the confines of the law, verifiable studies have shown that these SOB's (that's Sexual Oriented Businesses, not Sons of... well, you know the rest) have secondary effects on a community such as increased criminal activity, property devaluation and urban blight. Even if all the evidence pointed the opposite direction (that such a store was actually good for the community), I would still, because of my own personal faith and convictions, not want a store like this open in my, or anyone else's, community.

Olivia’s is one of those “bold” types of businesses. But a few weeks ago, something equally bold appeared in the same vicinity. Olivia's is on the north side of 271st St, and on the south side of the road is a corn field. Directly across from Olivia's, on the south side of the road, just between the corn field and the ditch, popped up what appeared to be a large, 12-foot wooden cross (which is conveniently the very first thing Olivia’s customers see as they exit the store). At first I thought it might have been something to do with the electrical or telephone lines, but after driving by again during my lunch break, it was unquestionably the instrument used by the Romans to crucify Jesus Christ.

A number of thoughts crossed my mind, but here are two that stuck out...1) "What is the point? That cross is only going to add fuel to the fire for store advocates that think Christians are closed-minded, legalistic hypocrites." The other thought on the opposite end of the spectrum was...2) "Now that is encouraging to see someone taking a firm stand against such a deceptive and destructive business."

Unfortunately, thought number 1 may have been confirmed. A couple days after the cross was erected, it lay flat on the ground. Someone had apparently come by and taken it down. Not just pushed it down, no, this was a clean, chain-saw looking cut that left the cross lying in the dirt below with a 2 foot section still stuck in the ground. It lay there for about a week. It was almost depressing to see this symbol of hope and redemption lying there defeated, but at the same time I thought to myself, "Congratulations to whomever put that thing up because now you have someone that much farther from wanting to know Jesus."

Later in the week, as I drove by Olivia's on my way to work, I noticed that a skid loader and 3-4 workers were out messing around with the fallen cross and a second, deeper hole had been dug in between the power lines. I thought they must be getting ready to lay some wire, or do some other type of public utility work. But, when I came back for lunch, there stood the old rugged cross. Only this time it was a couple feet shorter with reinforced steel at the base and metal strips covering the center beam and cross-beam. No chain saw was going to bring this bad boy down! So, for now, there it stands, unless someone comes up with another clever way to bring it down, vandalize it, or who knows what else.

I don't know exactly what the person's original intentions were for putting up the cross or who it was directed towards (the owner, the customers, the drivers who pass by, etc.), but I do know this...

When I drive by the two symbols I thank God that I live in a country of free enterprise, and free speech. I thank God that I have another (better) option to look at besides the glaring adult superstore. I'm thankful as I drive through the middle of two very bold signs; one reminds me how fallen I am, along with the rest of mankind, and the other reminds me of how gracious God is, allowing me to be a member & participant in His eternal kingdom.

So, if you are a fellow disciple of Jesus, what are we to do with something like this? I think we ought to start by praying. Pray for the owner, workers and customers of the store, that they would encounter the one, true living God and be changed forever. Pray for those who put up the cross, the churches & Christians of this community, that they would be effective (not deflective) witnesses for the Prince of Peace. And lastly, pray for my safety as I drive by the two landmarks, deep in thought contemplating the meaning of it all, that I would pay attention to the road in front of me and the cars around me. I'm 10+ years removed from my last fender bender and I certainly don't need a new one on my record!

TC
A Local Update: This last weekend a neighbor reported there was a man with his wife and children standing together by the cross, facing Olivia’s in silence as the husband/father held a Bible outwards and upwards towards the store. Repelling the darkness, or repelling those who need the light? You decide and let me know.

The (Orthodox) Gladiator

Russell Crowe, welcome to the Body of Christ. The Eastern part, specifically.

BC

Faith in the Flesh

Today over our post-church bagels I read an interesting article in Commentary Magazine that resonated with some experiences I've had at work. The article, entitled Faith in the Flesh, was written by R.R. Reno, a devout Christian and professor of theology at Creighton University. (Unfortunately the online version is subscriber only so I can't link to it here.)

Reno reflects on the complexity of outward faith as his observant Jewish daughter comes of age. Many of his thoughts are raw as he writes of watching his wife and children apply their Jewish faith to their physical bodies -- through circumcision and kosher lifestyles. He wonders at his own Christianity and his ability to apply his faith so tangibly to his life. He wonders if, in the Christian faith, nothing needs to be submitted to God "other than the fine sentiments of the heart."

"My daughter... however, could not eat cheeseburgers, and her friends found this remarkable. Her very mouth was trained and set apart, day by day. And me? Jesus teaches that what goes into the mouth is not important; what matters is what comes out. And yet what came out of my mouth seemed so generic, so easily molded into the progressive platitudes of our age."

Reno's observations got me thinking about a recent exchange with one of my superiors at work, who is Jewish. Over dinner on a business trip we were describing our religious backgrounds, and she told us about the tight community she has through her Jewish temple. Judaism, she pointed out, is based on community and is not focused on proselytizing. This made sense to me, and I told her so. After all, I said, the Jewish people simple are: they are God's chosen people. There is no going out to bring in more chosen people. As Christians, we are also sons and daughters of God, but we each have to ask to become adopted into that family, and we believe that anyone can ask. I understood the silent skepticism at the table. Indeed, Christianity is simple sounding. It is simple, says C.S. Lewis, but it is not easy. Or at least, it's not supposed to be.

Reno asks: "Has modern Christianity rejected the very idea that God's commandments can shape or control how we use our bodies?"

He quotes a passage from a book written by an Orthodox Jewish rabbi during the Holocaust:

"How many noblemen bowed down before the cross in a spirit of abject submission and self-denial, confessed their sins with scalding tears and bitter cries, and in the very same breath, as soon as they left the dim precincts of the cathedral, ordered that innocent people be cruelly slain."

If our Christian faith is as easy as confessing our sins with "scalding tears and bitter cries" and then marching out and proceeding to gratify the desires of our flesh... I cannot blame my Jewish colleague for her skepticism over "simple Christianity."

My Jewish colleagues are marked and known by their outward expressions of faith -- through circumcision and kosher lifestyles. People know they are Jewish because their lives literally look different. Reflecting on this has made "circumcision of the heart" a very interesting analogy. Yes, it sounds nice. But circumcision hurts. It leaves a scar.

And in the end, shouldn't it also make me look different?

-EC

What's your Walkscore?

Our capacity in America to simply "move down the street" (or to the next subdivision) if we dislike our current neighborhood is limitless. Yet I have never heard complaints from anyone who lives or has lived in a community that is both safe and walkable -- that is, a neighborhood with wider than average sidewalks, clean and safe walking/bike trails, and accesible-by-foot-or-bike amenities, such as grocery stores, schools, restaurants and parks.

How walkable is your locale? Plug in your address at http://www.walkscore.com/.

Our neighborhood here in west Alexandria, Virginia registered a measily 45 out of 100, while our previous address in uptown/downtown Denver, Colorado scored an 89.

I would probably dispute the low rating for our place in Alexandria: we live adjacent to a clean, safe bike/walking path with easy access points to a library, pharmacy, large park, weekly farmers market, grocery store, restaurants, a gas station, dry cleaners and other services all within a 10-20 minute walk or 5 minute bike ride down a tree-lined path.

Most people think downtowns when they think walkability. But making new suburban developments pedestrian-friendly is a trend gaining momentum, says Joel Kotkin in his latest essay, The Suburban Archipelago, which calls for a "smart sprawl" strategy in future suburban and exurban (and beyond) development.

BC

BC Becoming Catholic: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

As many of you know, I am planning to join the Roman Catholic Church, and am taking RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults) classes once a week at St. Rita church here in Alexandria. I know -- questions arise - and believe me that I am working through them myself. But here are a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and some preliminary responses. I suspect I'll be writing more about this topic in the future, and what follows is far from the summation of my thoughts on the subject. But please read on for an appetizer.

1. Why are you rejecting Protestant/ELCA/Evangelical/Charismatic Christianity? I'm not. I grew up as an Evangelical Lutheran Christian, and later migrated to a more non-denominational and Charismatic Protestant Christianity. I can personally attest that God is moving in a powerful way though many of these churches. And guess what? There is good news. I can be a Catholic without ceasing to be an Evangelical and a Charismatic - I am "Evangelical," in emphasizing the need for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the need to be "born again" in his image, and an emphasis on spreading the Gospel, in both word and deed. "Charismatic" in pursuing and embracing real manifestations of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, including prophesy, wisdom, knowledge, discernment, administration, tongues, interpretation of tongues, teaching, and so on. Many Catholics describe themselves as Evangelicals in the former sense, and of course the Charismatic Catholics have been around for a few decades now. So I do not reject my spiritual past. I reaffirm my desire for an Evangelical and Charismatic walk with Christ, in addition to integrating the contemplative beauty of the millenia-old Catholic Liturgy and Sacraments. In many ways I feel as though I am adding to my Christian faith by joining the Roman Catholic Church, not subtracting from it. EC and I love Church at the Gate, New Life Church, Power Invasion, Pathways Church -- how could we ever say we reject these churches? Never. At my Grandma Nelson's funeral last winter, I talked about the need for us, the grandchildren, to carry on the spiritual heritage Grandma Nelson helped pass to us - a deposit of faith rooted in the Bible, prayer and worship. I reaffirm that statement, even (and especially) as I join the Roman Catholic Church, an indisputabley significant piece of Christ's Body on earth.

2. What about all that Catholic-bashing you used to revel in? Many of my thoughts and statements about Catholic Christianity were repulsive and, most of all, ignorant. I've had to repent of backbighting and critical thoughts/words against Christians of all stripes. That I will call myself a Catholic Christian by next year is proof that the God we serve has an ironic sense of humor.

3. What about reverencing Mary and Saints, Purgatory and other "creative" theological concepts? They are not so creative as they initially seem. Even if you disagree with many of the concepts, you have to recognize that many of them are as old as any in Christianity, dating to the earliest days of the Church in the decades and centuries after the Apostles. Rumors swirl in Protestant communitites about "what the Catholic Church teaches". I recommend reading the Church's Catechism (a guide for clergy in teaching their local parishes) and the writings of the current Pope Bendict. Peter Kreeft (see sidebar), George Weigel and Scott Hahn are also exceptionally clear and reputaple sources. It's always better to hear from the horse's mouth than to "Google it" and hope for the best.

4. Are you really ready to submit to the Pope, and all that rigid hierarchy? It is true that the Roman Catholic Church is not a democracy. Submission to a Church has always been something I thought I would chafe under. However, I have to ask: "What am I actually submitting to?" The best way to accomplish this, again, is to go to the horse's mouth: the Catechism, the Pope (derived from the Italian word for father, "papa"). Many non-Catholic Christians looking for a Mary-worshipping, indulgence-peddling Pope are sorely disappointed by the current Pope Benedict, because he embodies Christo-centric Christianity (is there any other legitimate kind?). For a dose, check out his first book as Pope, Jesus of Nazerath, and his first encyclical, "God is Love."

5. Why are you embracing mindless, repetitive rituals? Don't you HATE the Liturgy? I remember disliking liturgy growing up. It seemed just that -- repetitive. But I've found the full Liturgy of the Catholic Church to be an enormously rich mode of worship. "Ritual" is a word that needs to be saved -- at the current rate, it could be disparaged out of existence in many Christian circles. Ritual is as old as the Body of Christ -- even older, as Jewish life has been fused with ritual-as-worship since its inception thousands of years ago. Surely there is a balance between ritual and the more spontateous acts of worship and prayer? I think so.

6. Is this because of Ted Haggard? No, we love New Life Church, and Pastor Ted - who clearly has some sin issues to work through in his life. God has used New Life in a powerful way, and is continuing to do so.

7. Is this because you are being pressured by EC's family/EC herself? Nope. In fact, EC didn't even know I was even considering this until about two months before telling other family and friends. The decision was made out of personal, private, secret prayer. I can't emphasize that enough.

8. You must be becoming a Catholic because you want family unity. Family unity will be a consequence, but is not the cause of me becoming Catholic. Don't confuse an effect with a cause.

9. Do you think ALL Christians should become Catholic? Only if God is leading you to do so - and this is discerned in prayer. If not, I wouldn't recommend it. Becoming Catholic for any flippant reason, even for the sake of marrying someone who is Catholic, is dangerous if it is not done in obedience to God. Obedience in all things, and above all things, folks.

10. Ok, so you are becoming a Catholic Christian. What do you have in common anymore with me, an Evangelical/Charismatic/Pentecostal/Protestant/Non-denominational Christian? We are priveledged to be members of the Body of Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We have the same Head, and the same Bridegroom: Jesus Christ! What an incredible, unbreakable bond! Therefore: the only thing that would fully sever us from each would be if we choose to reject Christ, God made Flesh -- our very Head in Common. Theological differences will remain, and I would encourage debates amongst believers, so long as they are done in love with a common agenda for apprehending the Truth. Otherwise - are we to quarrel about opinions? NO. Body of Christ, pray for Unity!

I'd love to see comments posted, but if you don't feel comfortable doing that, feel free to e-mail me here.

BC

And now for something completely different

From a good ol' band called Wilco, and a good ol' song.

BC

Another one...

Ok, I need to stop reading the newspaper.

Any news columns out there about how nice, noble and decent Washington, D.C. is? Any at all?

BC