the full monty (…of discipleship)

Not forgetting Orthodoxy: Having noted that orthodoxy (right belief) is not enough, I am not suggesting that it is not important. Far from it! Right belief is an irreplaceable element of any discipleship in the way of Jesus. However the church nearly always sees orthodoxy narrowly, as a commitment to propositional truth, assuming that the knowledge of God is received through purely the cognitive functions. I am convinced that if we are to come to a full appreciation of God, our thinking about him must be right, but it must be complimented by othopraxy and orthopathy if we are to come to a full-orbed, biblical, engagement with (and knowledge of) God. This can be depicted in the following way:

As can be seen above, it is in the nexus between orthopraxy, orthopathy and orthodoxy that that a true and full appreciation of God is to be found. Indeed, in the place where all three intersect we are less likely to make the mistakes that occur when we favour one over the others. If we adopt a commitment to orthopraxy alone at our worst we become tireless (and tired) activists, burning ourselves, and others, out and relying on our own efforts to please God. If we foster orthopathy to the exclusion of the others, we can end up as impractical mystics, so focused on contemplation and personal spiritual experience that we become no use in the kingdom of God. But as we well know, if our primary or exclusive interest is in orthodoxy (as is the case in many churches today), at our worst we are arrogant bibliophiles, no different to the Pharisees, worshipping our doctrine and our theological formulations over a genuine encounter with the Jesus revealed in scripture. It is in the place where the ways of head, the heart and the hand overlap that we find our way to Jesus. This is exactly what the shema (Dt.6:4-9) aims at, and what Jesus directly affirms as being at the heart of discipleship and knowledge of God (Mk.12:28-34). We are to love God with all our heart, mind, will, and strength.

November 6, 2007 | Filed Under discipleship, following jesus, the forgotten ways |

Comments

17 Responses to “the full monty (…of discipleship)”

Penney Winiarski on November 6th, 2007 5:49 am

I was just reading these passages along with meditating on Psalm 1 today. It was deeply moving in that after asking Jesus to teach me His ways….The answer I came away with is that Jesus is the living word of the law. Suddenly a reverence for God, Yahweeh, took root. I realized that I was looking at The Heart of The Father when I looked up to the cross. The weird thing is this journey began with the shema and ended with Matt.28:18-20.

What happened in between is that I was studying the doctrine of the Lutheran Missouri Synod, and becoming completely confused. Not to answer questions of right or wrong, simply a quest for truth. I like your illustration, and love the idea of balance.
Janet on November 6th, 2007 8:34 am

“What happened in between is that I was studying the doctrine of the Lutheran Missouri Synod, and becoming completely confused”

Doctrinal statements strike me as very “Greek - philosophical” attempts to understand God… rather than “Hebraic - devotional” attempts to honour Yahweh.

They’ve historically had their place in guarding against some of the heresies circulating in the first centuries of the church, but an over-emphasis on these can be idolatorous.

I was reading this yesterday from “The Emerging Laity” by Whitehead and Whitehead (page 186):

“A conviction of Jesus is wrapped in a story, then distilled into an official dogma. Gradually this protective sanctuary comes to represent the original experiences (of presence or conversion or forgiveness) and even to replace them. Designed to safeguard and “showcase” our deepest values, doctrine and dogma can tend gradually to replace the need for a direct experience….

“Institutions first protect and then replace values; laws first safeguard and then replace religous experience. The clarity of the catechism substitutes for the confusing parable of Jesus life. Metaphors of religious power, such as conversion, eucharist, or a creed, are enshrined and gradually become idols”
Peggy on November 6th, 2007 10:55 am

So true, Alan! May we “target” the “sweet spot” as the Hasidim of Christ.

Thanks, Penney and Janet, for sharing and illuminating.
Peggy on November 6th, 2007 12:51 pm

Oh no…The Abbess is challenging the definition of orthopathy…

http://abisomeone.blogspot.com/2007/11/color-orthopathy-purple.html
brad on November 6th, 2007 3:57 pm

Hi Alan. I finally started up blogging again, as a way to keep up with processing stuff with those who attended the Allelon “Missional Order” formation summit last month.

I think you’ve offered a helpful diagram in this post, and I totally resonate with how we all need to go for the overlap area among all our “ortho’s.” However, I would also like to offer both a “pushback” and a “pushforward” to what you’ve suggested. There’s a medium length post on the subject at:

http://futuristguy.wordpress.com/2007/11/05/pushback-and-pushforward-on-ortho-vennography/

(Been blogging for less than two weeks, and someone has already termed me a “marathon blogger” instead of a sprinter. Hmm … wonder why that could be?!)

Anyway, Alan, thanks as always for stimulating not just our thinking, but always in a more holistic trajectory than we might have otherwise …
james petticrew on November 6th, 2007 5:48 pm

amen
Penney Winiarski on November 7th, 2007 3:12 am

Janet I agree with your statement. If we truley have the proper balance that Alan’s illustration shows we can judge each matter based upon it’s own merits. Yet, that’s a big IF. Even with the new emerging christian communities, this lack of balance simply creates rebellion because we sit in one camp for to long.
Peggy on November 7th, 2007 4:21 am

I hope you all go over to read Brad’s stuff (link in #5 above)…I’m going back to my place to continue processing…this will be an important conversation as I move forward.
Celtic Son on November 7th, 2007 1:11 pm

Hullo-o-o Alan and others…

I believe there is a real root issue coming into the light in this discussion. I had a glimpse of it when I dropped in on futuristguy Brad’s blog and made a comment late last night.

(I just read what I wrote and had a revelation that I shouldn’t try to write comments on transcendental concepts when I’m tired, unless I’m happy to have a discussion in a circle of one!)

The core issues are so nuanced that it can be difficult to “see” the reality of it in this two dimensional space - I appreciated Brad’s efforts to get me thinking in greater dimensions. I’m hopeful I can make a little more sense in what I’m trying to express…

A key factor from my perspective is that it is not simply that discipleship takes place in the balance of the three spheres, but that humanity - in God’s image - was created to live in the centre. My contention would be that what sits at the centre is the core of what makes us truly human - the heart, the soul and the spirit of our being. In holistic terms these are inseparable elements of humanity - you cannot have one without the other they cannot be taken apart… like dissecting the frog you have all the bits but the frog is dead!

Using this metaphor then, what happened in Genesis 3 could be described as the serpent moving humanity from the centre out into the spheres – taking an element of truth, but pushing it out of balance, beyond the tipping point. First the shift is in thinking - “did God really say?” - then the shift is in feelings, and it concludes in a shift in action - but it all takes place removed from the balance in the centre. The consequence of this is the tearing apart of the core, what was whole and inseparable has been ripped apart. We have become broken-hearted, oppressed, in bondage, prisoners, blinded to the truth.

God’s mission is to restore – to free humanity from this corrupt bondage to broken thinking, to restore the capacity to see correctly, to repair the heart that had been broken, to recreate the impulse to act in freedom rather than as prisoners. This He prophesied through Isaiah and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

The holistic core/centre is created with the capacity to “know” truth, in the intimate, interconnected, intercourse metaphor of Hebrew thought – which involves thinking, feeling and acting simultaneously. Broken humanity lacks the imagination, or the intellectual capacity, to accurately articulate what it is that is going on within us, we lack the capacity to truly express our thoughts, our feelings or to express what motivates our actions.

Rather than see the core of the diagram you’ve posted as the result of the overlap of the circles, I see the circles as emanating out from the core. I see it as human nature seeking to articulate truth from the core, in different dimensions of our human experience - thoughts, feelings and actions. The danger as Penney points out is that we can end up operating away from the centre, in one of the spheres and think we have the truth, when in fact we are in rebellion, because we are not located in the centre - not true to who we are created to be.

When we are centred we have the capacity to operate in all of the three realms, we can emphasise an aspect with a focussed awareness of the other two and so keep everything in balance. Truth is at the core - (as the Spirit of God, who is the Spirit of Truth, communes with the human spirit)- and this emanates outwards, as we begin the process of trying to articulate that truth in our thoughts, in our feelings and in our actions.

Paul calls Jesus’ followers to renew our minds to a place of orthodoxy by lining our thoughts up with what is true at the core… In Christ we have been relocated to the centre… seated with Christ in heavenly places - so to speak. We develop orthopraxy as we do what Jesus would do, by lining our actions up to be consistent with the truth that is at the core… and orthopathy is a consequence of outworking the truth in our passions - feelings led by truth, rather than truth clouded by feelings. Jesus Christ planted His cross back in the centre and recovered the central ground for humanity.

The centre is the eye of the storm, the place of peace, the place where in the midst of the storms of life we can remain centred, as Jesus Christ remained centred. The storms are all around, but we have the comfort of knowing that our God is with us in the centre… or rather that we are with God in the centre. As long as we follow His leading we remain in the centre, if we try to push ahead or lag behind was can get caught in the whirlwind… which apparently is not where His voice is to be heard!

In that sense discipleship is not so much leading people to the centre ground, but leading people to discover the centre ground that is already within. The centre is the place of “the way, the truth and the life,” and we go out “into all the world” from there…

I’m struggling for language to express what I sense is important, and for time to develop a framework more fully. I hope at least some part of this resonates for someone and adds value to the discussion

Slainte

A Celtic Son

P.S. I’d never have believed I’d find myself as an advocate for the central ground!
Peggy on November 7th, 2007 2:32 pm

Hello, friends!

Well, the great advantage to you all here, now that Brad and I have our own blogs, is that we are no longer the big blog-hogs…and if folks want to know what we have to say, they can just follow our links

http://abisomeone.blogspot.com/2007/11/i-think-we-could-use-wee-bit-of.html

Of course, I am not in the same league as CS, Brad and Alan when it comes to mega and meta processing, but I have to believe that the simple Abbess has a simple view to offer in a simple way to contribute to our getting our heads around this mystery a bit more!

…I am, however, a bit of a sesquipedalian…and as a result, I have coined another in the line of “orthos”…we’ll see what it looks like tomorrow, eh?

Definitely still processing….
Peggy on November 7th, 2007 2:36 pm

…and CS, I always resonate with you brother… even last night’s post over at FuturistGuy! But I am still working on how I might visualize this and have too many things swirling (including three boys )

luvyerwork!
Celtic Son on November 7th, 2007 3:07 pm

Vulnerable Abbess…

being in a different league from others is neither related to capacity nor status… the simple view is a blessed one, not simply simplistic. I for one are glad we are not all the same…

luvYERwurk2!!
Peggy on November 8th, 2007 3:23 am

Thanks, CS…I do try not to be simplistic..and I am glad we all have a different perspective to add!
Alan Hirsch on November 8th, 2007 5:36 am

CS, what can I say…wow! Great insights.
Penney Winiarski on November 9th, 2007 3:12 am

CS, I add a hearty, AMEN! Both of your replys here and on Brad’s blog gave clarity with balance.

Have you ever read, “The Sheperd of Hermas?” One of the angels is called simplicity, she is a virtue, the daughter of Faith, but also guarded on four corners, the other three being Restraint, Power, & Endurance. In the building of the tower it states that those who bear these names and the name of the Son of God will enter the reign.

What beautiful imagery of the building of the kingdom. A releasing and harmony of heaven upon earth. You certainly have a gift for words and I appreciate your simplicity. And No, I’m not calling you a girl. Maybe a cross-dresser but that would be a good thing.
Celtic Son on November 10th, 2007 6:45 am

Hullo-o-o Penney…

It’s a blessing to have the opportunity to express thoughts that might be considered heretical in some circles… It’s a long time since I read the Shepherd of Hermas – related to a report for a college assignment over 10 years ago! I did have some vague recollection and pulled it down from my shelf to check how precise my memory was – not so great I’m afraid! Strangely I do recall thinking back then of the Shepherd of Hermas as a source for the idea, common in popular cartoons 15 or 20 years ago, of having a good angel on one shoulder and a wicked angel on the other!

One of the interesting factors related to the “tower” you mention (which is the Church) is that it is “supported by the Lord’s command” by seven women… not a man in sight supporting the foundations, so I guess I’ll settle for being called a girl!

As for cross-dressing we Celts are practiced in the art… we call it the kilt.

Slainte

A Celtic Son
Drew on November 13th, 2007 1:35 pm

I had a realization reading John 8 recently. A verse I would traditionally posit to defend the notion of orthodoxy based Christianity is “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.” But for some reason I honestly had never read the verse in its entirety. “If you hold to my teachings, you are REALLY my disciples. THEN you will know the truth, and the truth will see you free.” (John 8:31-32 , emphasis added) Here Jesus clearly links the concepts of orthodoxy and orthopraxy- it is when we commit to a lifestyle of obeying the teachings of Jesus that we fully comprehend the truth concerning Jesus.