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One of the up and coming New Testament scholars in the United States was asked in a Facebook profile to name the most influential mentor or teacher he encountered. The name he gave was Luke Timothy Johnson, one of the more prolific scholars on early Christianity. One of the most important lessons learned from Johnson is that he is a man of wide reading and consciously nurtured engagement with other areas of literature beyond his professional interests. His student mentioned especially his immersion in poetry and novels.

That resonates with me at the moment. The humanities in general are undervalued by almost all the leading criteria in Higher Education. History, languages, literature, art, music, are all very well but what contribution would graduates in these subjects make to overall employability, or how would they advance our technological prowess, how do they compare with science and engineering and business management in making our country better prepared to compete in the global marketplace? These are not irrelevant questions, and employability, advances in science and technology, and being competitive in the global market are important criteria when deciding how to allocate public funding to Universities.

But life is about more than work; and human wisdom and knowledge reaches beyond science, technology and business; and competing globally in the marketplace will not of itself make for the good life, the common good, or the furtherance and deepening of human culture, communication and symbiotic exchanges of ideas and life perspectives. For that we need fertilised imagination, creative expression, intellectual agility, verbal facility and in all of this a deepening of human curiosity about what all this other activity and productivity is for.

The humanities are at least one bulwark against the bulldozer of utilitarian ruthlessness that measures every idea and artefact by its material benefit, its economic return, and by how far it increases our sense of security through possession. To go back to where I started. A New Testament professor revels in poetry and in varieties of fiction, and in books exposing the world's brokenness and exploring the world's goodness.

That suggests a mind that maintains high levels of active curiosity about the world, human behaviour, and that inner world of the personal with which we are all more or less familiar. In other words attending to the humanities helps to replenish the storehouses of imagination, empathy, wisdom and yes, humility. And each of these sustains our own humanity, and makes for personal flourishing. 

Human beings are not machines; human life does not flourish through restrictive systems however efficient; our everyday human experience cannot merely be managed, by ourselves or by governments, as if we ever could control all contingencies and outcomes. A human life well lived is one which enriches humanity, our own and others. That takes more than level of income, possessions, work status, and ability to feed the machinery of an economy. The cultural loam out of which the rich fruits of humanity emerge is made up of diverse essential ingredients. Yes science, technology, engineering, business and trade, management and strategic development of earth's resources.

But there is also the work of developing who we are, and who we are is collectively humanity, and individually human beings. And one way or another we have to get on with each other on this planet! So. What develops our humanity? What indeed defines a human life well lived? Are we primarily economic productivity units, fitted to purpose in the economic machine? Are we primarily competing societies committed to maximising possession of wealth, goods and power? Are we intelligent creatures to be trained towards employability, or persons to be educated? And in what specific sense are these two last options different?

Because lurking behind the demise of the humanities and their falling capital in University curricula, is a now contested view of what it means to educate a person. Yes, as we grow and develop our potential it will be essential to prepare for employment; but is education as an end in itself still a thing? As education becomes more specialised in school, college and university and on into employment, at what point does education morph into training, skill set development, and life goal aspiration focused on the material outcomes to be expected from that knowledge, skill set and training?

The place of the humanities in our earliest and middle years of education remains an essential of growing up. But what about schools now cutting out music tuition, art classes, and the slow erosion of even English as an essential prerequisite, not only for the job market, but as a key that unlocks so much else that nourishes us towards full humanity. It is the humanities that give us our best clues to self-understanding. It is story and poem, song and painting, that guide us into some of our deepest emotions, and through some of our most profound and life-changing experiences. 

What am I trying to say, and why do I feel the need to say this? Once again in Scotland we are hearing of Education authorities cutting back on creative arts – that deprives our children and young adults of so much potential enrichment of life now and later. Then there is the absence in recent social and political debate, of a shared agreement on the importance of history and historical perspective; added to this a felt and at times frightening absence of agreed values as to what kind of society and culture we want. The most penetrating critiques of what is going wrong in human culture are often found in the writings of the poets, the novelists, the screenplay writers, the musicians, that is, those whose workplace is the human soul, the human mind, the human conscience, and whose remit is to expose untruth and compel reflection.

 Two years ago my Bible was the worse for wear so I replaced it with an as new still in its box identical one, which unexpectedly turned up in the Oxfam shop.
So I started using the new one.

Last week I inadvertently left said replacement Bible in Montrose (40 miles from my desk!).

So I looked out the old one, which actually still works!

Then, just in case I was mistaken and my Bible wasn't in Montrose, I took the old one for the service today.
Result, Preacher had two Bibles – a twin engine preacher?

And despite using the new one for nearly two years, and despite them being identical, I found myself more familiar with the old one, which I've had since 1993, a gift from my friend Bob Maccini, and which has a reserved space on my desk.

Like wear and tear, and scratches and repairs on an old musical instrument, the glue, and stitches and Duct tape that holds it together are now part of the fabric and character of this particular retired, now semi-retired Bible.

No, you didn't need to know all that, but maybe I needed to write it!

    Whimsical Haiku

1
Who needs two Bibles
if the content is the same,
old yet ever new?

2
From this old Bible
has come food for the journey,
and light on the road. 

Thought for the Day.

Monday

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

You’ll notice there is no text reference. That’s because everyone knows where to find Psalm 23! We sing this Psalm at worship and at funerals, at weddings and State occasions. Its words run in our veins. There are several texts that we learn to live with, and from which we learn to live. This week we will wander through Psalm 23 in the company of the Good Shepherd. Whatever you’re facing this week, pray that first line in your heart, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.”

Tuesday

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.”

Sometimes we face mountains not meadows, and white waters not still waters, and our souls are in turmoil. Say that first line again. Eventually we come to easier ground, still waters, and God renews our faith, hope and love. Till then the Good Shepherd watches over us, walks with us, and provides for us. When we are low in faith, anxious beyond peace, weary of all that’s going on, “He restores my soul.”

Wednesday

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

We’ve all been there. That place where we are uncertain; the place where we have to make a big decision; or the routine everyday place of home or work when it’s all getting a bit much. What do we do? Who can advise? Just as the shepherd leads the sheep and guides them in the right direction, so the Goods Shepherd leads us, goes before us, will guide us if we hear his voice and follow. Oh, and if we wander and get it wrong, the Good Shepherd will come looking for us, till he finds us. (Luke 15.4-7)

Thursday

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

There it is. The most important preposition in the life of faith. Right in the middle of this Psalm, and just after we have to think about the worst that might happen – I will fear no evil, for you are with me…” With you, in the darkest place. With you when most afraid. With you. God is our protector and the one who nourishes and refreshes, guides and provides, and no matter what, God is with us. Evil is real, fear is natural, but the Good Shepherd knows us by name and our comfort and confidence is in Him.

Friday

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”

The cost of living crisis is reminding us nothing is forever, life has no guarantees, and a lot of folk are struggling to have enough to eat and enough to cook or stay warm. What God provides for us requires two responses – gratitude and generosity. Sharing, giving and having compassion are the marks of the community of Jesus, the barcode activities of the Kingdom of God. As Jesus said, “Other sheep I have who are not of this fold, these also you must bring.” Indeed. I can just hear Jesus saying, “Love your enemies, invite them to your table, to share what God has provided for you!”

Saturday  

“You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Two brief phrases of acknowledgement and wonder. Anointing is a sign of God’s favour and that God is for us, with us, and within us by the anointing of his Spirit. Not only that, but like all God’s blessings there is more than enough. Whether it’s water turned into wine at the wedding, twelve baskets full after 5000 are fully fed, or a cup that overflows, God’s blessings just keep coming. As well as line 1 from Monday, say this one too, because it’s the distilled essence of gratitude for all God’s mercies!

Sunday

“Surely goodness and faithful love shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

So not only does the Good Shepherd go ahead of us to guide, provide, and protect, but behind us and around us is the goodness and faithful love of the Lord, who is our Shepherd. The older familiar translation, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me”, works best when we remember that ‘mercy’ translates that lovely Hebrew word (hesed). This is a covenant word, a promise that can’t be broken; as surely as God is God, his goodness and faithful love are there for us, with us, around us, and yes behind us. In other words, God has our back!

Our Response to Psalm 23

What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord.

 I will fulfil my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

                                                                                                         (Psalm 116. 12-14)

A gate, with no path to or from. When was it last opened? Like Frost's poem about building walls, it's worth asking who the gate is to keep out, or let in.

I see this gate as an invitation to what lies beyond, an opportunity for newness, a way of access to who knows where, a gate of possibility. It has hinges and a handle, it's meant to be opened, then closed – only to be closed once we have passed through.

Not unlike some of the decisions we make, which are also invitations to what lies beyond, opportunities for newness, ways of access to who knows where, gateways of possibility.

Three brief encounters while in the city this morning.

1   Walking along the pavement and a dad with a toddler on his shoulders coming off the pedestrian crossing. I stopped and smiled and gave way – except he stopped and smiled and gave way and gestured with a sweep of his hand and said, "No please – you go first." I tried again but was interrupted by the toddler making a sweeping gesture with his hand – so we smiled, and went our ways. Sometimes there's no mystery in why we feel happy.

2   Walking through M&S looking for Sheila. Radar tells me there's an incoming pedestrian to my right. Sure enough, a silver haired lady with a tweed suit was marching like a marine making for customer service. No need to offer to give way – she assumed no one would dare cross her path. She was right. I smiled – there's no mystery in why we sometimes feel happy.

3   At Pret a Manger to buy a takeaway sandwich and had my card hovering over the contactless unit. "That's OK sir, your sandwich is free today," from behind the counter. "Why?", I asked. "Someone already paid for it." I've no idea who, why or when – but it's the first time I've had someone pay forward for me. I smiled – there's no mystery in why we sometimes feel happy.

By the way – the flower above is also smiling! 

Over this week, 18-24 July, the Book of Proverbs, which often reads like those Reader's Digest snippets of wisdom, is the focus of a daily thought. This book of ancient wisdom has a lot to say about truth, integrity, words, motives and character. So it speaks right into our current cultural malaise about truth-speaking and the corrosive effects of lies on such community essentials as trust, integrity, honesty and relationships within which we love, do business, and live as neighbours

These were first written for our church community in Montrose

Monday

Proverbs 22.1 “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favour is better than silver or gold.

Our reputation matters. I’ve just written to a friend whose dad died recently saying “he was held in deep affection and respect.” He wasn’t rich, but in his life and the way he lived it he enriched many other people. When his name is spoken people smile. “Favour” means esteem, someone who is looked up to as an example.

Tuesday

Proverbs 27.21 “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is judged by his praise.”

What people praise us for is a good measure of who we are. To be known as someone whose words encourage rather than diminish; to have a reputation for being kind and faithful in friendship; when our neighbours are glad we live in their street; when we show a willingness to spend the time of day with folk – these are the precious metals of human community. We’re doing OK if we are praised for such things as loving our neighbour!

Wednesday

Proverbs 19.1 “Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is perverse in his ways.”

Proverbs is unimpressed with money as a way of buying power and influence. The word “integrity”, or lack of it is now headline news. It is essential in those who have power and who lead our public life. It is also one of the barcode identifiers of a Christian life. Integrity is when what we say, think and do are integrated into a character shaped by honest words and just actions. Such a person is the real influencer in our time or any time.

Thursday

Proverbs 25. 14 “Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.”

Long before our modern elections, there are warnings about promises not kept and gifts not given. Promises made to get others to trust us only work if the promise is kept. A promise is a test of our integrity and our faithfulness to our own words. Parents to children, friend to friend, employer to employee, teacher to student, lover to beloved – promises are for keeping, or our words are clouds without rain.

Friday

Proverbs 25.11 “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”

I love this verse! Artist at work! The right words at the right time, spoken to heal or to help, words that are wise and honest, are words fitly spoken. They “fit” the circumstances, and they have a glow of gold that is set off against shining silver. Think of yourself as a jeweller working with words, finding the exactly fitting word for this complicated setting. Now thank God for those in your life whose words are fitly spoken, like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

Saturday

Proverbs 12.25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”

This proverb is about the life enhancing gift of encouragement. Praise not criticism, encouragement not diminishment, lifting up not pulling down, hopeful words not doleful words. The antidote to anxiety can often be encouraging words, and someone who helps us to be more hopeful, positive and trusting of God’s purposes for our lives, is a gift, at the right time, with the right words..

Sunday

Proverbs 4.5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” NIV)

“Put all your trust in the Lord and do not rely on your own understanding. At every step you take keep him in mind and he will direct your path.” (Revised English Bible)

These words are amongst the best known and loved in the Bible – or should be. It isn’t that we are to stop thinking – it’s that we mustn’t stop praying while we’re thinking! Wise Christians seeking to understand God’s leading are strongly advised to pray thoughtfully, and think prayerfully, when decisions have to be made.

A Prayer for the Week

Lord Jesus Christ, the way, the truth and the life!

Do not let us stray from your path, for you are our way.

Do not let us distrust your promises, for you are the truth.

Do not let us rest in anything other than you, for your are our life. Amen

(Erasmus of Rotterdam, 1467-1536)

Every week I do a set of TFTD for our church community. This one seems to have a particular resonance for the times we are living through. I'm posting it in case it's of some help in trying to do some mind decluttering of some of the rubbish that often accumulates without us noticing. 

 

Thought for the Day June 20-26

Text for the Week: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4.8) 

Monday

““Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true…think about such things.”

Our culture is suffering from truth decay. Accusations of lying, dishonesty and deceit are thrown around by our politicians. Gossip and innuendo destroy reputations on social media. The Bible calls us to truthfulness in the inward parts, to integrity, and trust. Those who follow Jesus the Truth are called to think about, practice and speak “whatever is true.”

Tuesday

 “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is noble…think on these things.

Respect. That too is a way of seeing people and thinking about life that can be in short supply in lour abrasive in your face world. The word noble means honourable, worthy of respect. It is a noble thing to speak with kindness and consideration – it’s a way of showing respect. So when you see someone, anyone, take into account that they too are made in God’s image, and their worth and dignity is worthy of –respect.

Wednesday

“Finally, brothers and sisters…whatever is right…think on these things.”

We are citizens of heaven. We are called to live for the common good of all who share life with us. Our words, actions and thoughts are to take account of what is right in God’s sight. What is just, merciful and shows love for our neighbour. Those made righteous in Christ are called to make right what is wrong, and to help repair what is broken. Look around, think about it, is there anything we can make right?

Thursday

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is pure…think on these things.”

“Who can come near to God, those with pure hands” says the Psalmist. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” In Proverbs a pure heart is contrasted with “the thoughts of the wicked”. To think purely is to have singleness of heart about what is right, good and true. “Purity of heart is to will one thing,” wrote the Danish Christian Kierkegaard. So, seek first the Kingdom of God and the rest will follow.

Friday

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is lovely…think on these things.”

It’s hard to look into the soft geometry of a rose and stay in a bad mood. Or to stand looking at a sunset and hang on to our anger. Or to listen to a skylark without feeling there’s something downright right with the world! Or for that matter, to remember those acts of kindness from folk that made all the difference to us when we felt unloved and unnoticed. It’s lovely when these things happen. Think about it…often.

Saturday

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is admirable…think on these things.”

“Whatsoever is of good report” as an earlier translation has it. What do people talk about that they think is good – like Captain Tom’s fundraising walk, or people like E who trains guide dogs to help others, or S who does shopping for a 90 year old recovering from a knee operation, or K who regularly phones to encourage folk who are struggling. None of these folk talk about what they do – but the people who are helped do. Think about that, says Paul, and have a go at doing what is admirable!

Sunday

“Finally brothers and sisters…whatever is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.”

What we think about is a big clue to what goes on in our hearts, what’s important in our lives, and where our priorities, anxieties and hopes are invested. Paul is encouraging us to build our virtues – integrity of character, respect for others, upholding right, purity of motive, time for loveliness, support for goodness. Virtue doesn’t just happen. We make choices often enough they become habits, which become traits of character, and these begin to shape our identity. Fair enough – our identity is that we are citizens of heaven, children of God, followers of Jesus.

But how? Remember Paul’s words at the start of his letter to the Christians in Philippi. God finishes what God starts!

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (1.5- 6)