Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, September, 1986, DuBois, PA
Meditation Topics: 1. Holy Communion
A poster where I work reads: "Knowledge is a passing from cocksure
ignorance to thoughtful uncertainty."
The purpose of this new column (which I hope will become a regular
feature of the Newsletter) is to raise questions about our Christian beliefs.
Belief is entirely different from faith. Belief is idolatry; it is a
childish, compulsive clinging to a fixed mental image of God. Faith is an
open, trusting attitude toward God's truth and reality--even when we don't
understand His ways. Alan Watts put it this way: "Belief is holding to a
rock; faith is learning how to swim . . . in boundless space."
The question I wish to ask this week is, "Does something special happen
during Holy Communion?" Some people say that your answer to this question
determines whether you are Protestant or Catholic. Most Protestants believe
that Communion is merely a symbolic remembrance of the Last Supper. Most
Catholics believe that the nature and life-force of Christ literally enters
the communicant, allowing him or her to become one with Christ.
I guess most of us are "good Protestants" who believe nothing special
happens during communion. Attendance on communion Sundays is always below
average. That's understandable; after all, we run 15 minutes overtime on
those Sundays, and, besides, who needs communion to remember Christ?
Christ said, "This do in remembrance of me." "Re-member"--literally the
opposite of "dis-member"--means to bring the Body of Christ back together
again. And it's the one thing you cannot get anywhere except within the
church (i.e., the Body of Christ). You can get fellowship at parties and
socials; you can get learning at study groups; you can sing and pray and read
the Bible anywhere you like. I guess this raises an even more important
question: "Why am I attending church service, if not in remembrance of Him?"
The Peace and Knowledge of God be With You
John A. Johnson, Lay Leader
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, October, 1986, DuBois, PA
Meditation Topics: 2. Prayer
Last month I began this meditations column by challenging our beliefs
about Holy Communion. I think it is important to re-evaluate our religious
beliefs periodically to help us keep an open, trusting attitude toward God.
After all, we are to love and worship God, not Presbyterianism or Methodism or
Catholicism.
This month I want to examine our beliefs about prayer. Traditionally we
believe in three kinds of prayer: confession, petition, and praise. We
acknowledge our sins and ask forgiveness, we ask for assistance in times of
trouble, and we (hopefully often) praise God for all of the wonderful things
He has provided. What more is there?
I also believe in these three types of prayer, but I am starting to
think now about another kind of prayer. A silent, formless prayer. I learned
about this kind of praying from a pamphlet entitled "The Way Back," by Abbot
George Burke, O. S. B. Abbot George tells us that #prayer# comes from the
Greek #provsevki#, which means "drawing near." How does one draw near to God?
Not by focusing on our faults (confession), asking for gifts (petition), nor
even putting God on a pedastal (praise). Only a silent, formless prayer will
allow us to enter the presence of God, for "the kingdom of God is within"
(Luke 17:21).
In a nutshell, the silent prayer Abbot George speaks of is accomplished
as follows. (1) Sit quietly. (2) Mentally whisper to yourself, repeatedly
and rhythmically, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." (3) Concentrate in a relaxed way
#only# upon His name. (4) Be indifferent--don't worry about how well you are
doing, just pray.
I have tried this prayer for some time now with interesting results. If
you would like to try this different kind of praying, I will gladly get you a
copy of Abbot George's pamphlet. You can see for yourself whether this kind
of prayer is what gives people the "power to become the sons of God" (John
1:12).
The Peace and Knowledge of God be With You
John A. Johnson, Lay Leader
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion
Newsletter, November, 1986, DuBois, PA
Meditation Topics: 3. Giving, Taking, and Freedom
Most of us believe that when God created us "in his own image" that the
one of the God-like parts of us he created was freedom of choice. God could
have created perfectly obedient machines, but he didn't. The story of Adam
and Eve illustrates that we are capable of going against God's will. Note the
consequences, however, of Adam and Eve's misbehavior!
Do we really have free will? Imagine you are walking in a not-so-nice
part of a big city when a man with a gun jumps in front of you and demands
your wallet or your life. Theoretically, you have free will; you can either
give up your wallet, or refuse and risk your life. Wait a minute, you say.
This is not fair--if you "freely" choose to give up your wallet, you lose
money. If you choose resistance, you might be killed. How different is this
situation from the belief that you can do anything you want, but if you choose
to sin you are in big trouble?
I tend to think that we #are# free to chose what we want to do, but we
are #never# free from the consequences of our actions: "whatever a man sows,
that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7). The more we take, the more we are
obligated to give in return; the more we give, the more we shall receive.
#That# is why "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35)--when
we give we are blessed by receiving!
Consider as a parting thought the portion of the Lord's Prayer that
reads "Give us each day our daily bread" (Luke 11:3, RSV). Careful thought
reveals at least two ways to interpret this passage. Usually we interpret
this line as a request for nourishment from God--we want Him to give us
"bread" (blessings or whatever) every day. But what return shall we make if
we take? Another way to look at this line is to say "Give us this #day#--our
daily bread. The #day itself# is our bread. We ask only for the day, and it
is up to us how to use the day. We can squander it, or use the day to help
establish God's kingdom on earth.
The Peace and Knowledge of God be With You
John A. Johnson, Lay Leader
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion N
ewsletter, December, 1986, DuBois, PA
MEDITATION TOPICS: 4. SCIENCE AND RELIGION
#Science# comes from a Latin word meaning "to know." Scientific
knowledge is built upon logic and observation of the natural world.
#Gnosticism#, an early Christian sect, similarly derives from a Greek word for
knowledge. Rather than build upon logic and observation, the Gnostics sought
immediate knowlege of spiritual truth attainable through faith.
In how many of the following ideas do you believe? (1) People can heal
others simply by calling upon the power of Jesus. (2) People can accurately
prophesy the future. (3) God created the universe in seven days, including
Adam and Eve, the first two human beings. (4) God at one point in time
destroyed the world by flood but allowed Noah to save a pair of every species
on an ark.
My guess is that most Christians will fall into two categories. "True
believers" who read the Bible literally will answer yes to all four beliefs.
"Christian skeptics" will doubt all four. These skeptics, most of whom are
well-educated, will say that miraculous events such as (1) and (2) may have
occured at the time of Jesus, but not today, and that the creation and flood
stories are obviously allegorical parables, not statements of history.
I have problems with both true believers and skeptics. To take the
creation and flood stories literally, one has to ignore overwhelming
scientific evidence that life has been evolving for millions of years. I find
choosing literal Bible readings over scientific reasoning to be
unconscionable. Jesus often spoke in parables, which leads me to believe that
the Old Testament can and should be read allegorically. On the other hand, I
am more apt to take seriously the possibility of miraculous healings and
foretelling the future, because, in my own opinion, science has not yet ruled
out such things.
How do you react to scientific knowledge? Do you ignore it, deny it, or
take it seriously? Science claims to strive for truth, and let us not forget
that Jesus said, "ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"
(John 8:32).
The Peace and Knowledge of God be with You
John A. Johnson, Lay Leader
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, February, 1987, DuBois, PA
MEDITATION TOPICS: 5. THE MYSTERIES
Years ago I read an article on the psychology of mathematics. The
author of that article suggested that the Pythagorean mystery schools of
mathematics served a religious purpose: to get closer to God through the
beauty and order of mathematics. Because God is the original Geometrician of
the universe, His order is manifest in the mysteries of numbers.
Several passages of the Bible suggest the presence of an early Christian
mystery school. Paul, in Romans 16:25, mentions a "mystery which was kept
secret since the world began," and again, in I Corinthians 2:17, says "we
speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, #even# the hidden #wisdom# which God
ordained before the world unto out glory."
Who was the source of the mysterious wisdom? Apparently Christ himself,
who said to his disciples, "It is given unto you to know the mysteries of
heaven, but to them it is not" (Matthew 13:11).
Just #what# is this mysterious wisdom to which the Bible alludes? To
this question, I can only say, seek the source for an answer (Matthew 7:7).
The Peace and Knowledge of God be with You
John A. Johnson
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter,
May, 1987, DuBois, PA
MEDITATION TOPICS: 6. SEASONAL RITUALS
I began this meditation column last year during my tenure as Lay Leader
at Mt. Zion. The first five "meditations" presented unusual--perhaps even
controversial--ideas about communion, prayer, freedom, science and religion,
and the Christian mysteries. I have hoped these unusual ideas would provoke
your thinking by challenging your taken-for-granted beliefs. Why? Because I
sense that strict adherence to doctrinal beliefs (the letter of the law) lulls
the mind to sleep and creates an un-Christlike intolerance of persons holding
beliefs different from ours: "The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life"
(II Corinthians 3: 7).
I've received little feedback on this column, and therefore have no idea
how successful my mission has been. Next month I hope to create more response
by running a contest. I plan to quote several scriptural passages; the
reader's task will be to identify the source of each passage. For every
correct answer I will add an addition $1 to my usual offering.
This month however, I have but one comment. Every Christmas and Easter
I hear snide remarks about the people who show up for these special seasonal
pageants but do not attend church the rest of the year. My response to such
remarks is, "I don't blame them a bit. I think their attendance pattern makes
a lot of sense." Want to know why I say that? Ask me some time.
The Peace and Knowledge of God be with You
John A. Johnson
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, June, 1987, DuBois, PA
SCRIPTURAL FUND RAISER
I promised last month to sponser a "contest." Below are several
scriptural passages; your task is to identify the chapter and verse of each
passage. You can write your answers right on this page and turn them in to
the church secretary. For every correct answer I will add an addition $1 to
my usual offering. I will announce the correct answers next month along with
the names of those persons identifying any passage correctly.
1. Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
2. He takes care of all men and abandons no one. He takes care of all things
and abandons nothing. This is called following the light.
3. One gains by losing and loses by gaining.
4. Become as a little child once more.
5. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome. Yield
and overcome.
6. A violent man will die a violent death.
7. There is no greater sin than desire, no greater curse than discontentment,
no greater misfortune than wanting something for one's self.
Good luck to all of you.
John A. Johnson
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, August, 1987, DuBois, PA
ONE MORE CHANCE FOR SCRIPTURAL FUND RAISER QUIZ
Last month I sponsered a "scriptural quiz." The task for people who
wanted to respond was to identify the chapter and verse of each scriptural
passage below. I promised to put an additional $1 in the offering plate for
each correct answer. Nobody responded!
I'd like to give the congregation of Mt. Zion one more chance. If you'd
like to try this quiz, you can write your answers right on this page and turn
them in to Elaine, the church secretary. The deadline for turning in your
answers is July 6 (I need time to look at the responses before the next
#Newsletter# deadline.) I will announce the correct answers to the quiz next
month along with the names of those persons identifying any passage correctly.
1. Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
2. He takes care of all men and abandons no one. He takes care of all things
and abandons nothing. This is called following the light.
3. One gains by losing and loses by gaining.
4. Become as a little child once more.
5. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome. Yield
and overcome.
6. A violent man will die a violent death.
7. There is no greater sin than desire, no greater curse than discontentment,
no greater misfortune than wanting something for one's self.
Good luck to all of you.
John A. Johnson
Reprinted from the Mt. Zion Newsletter, September, 1987, DuBois, PA
RESULTS OF THE SCRIPTURAL QUIZ
Congratulations go to the "team" of Edith and Bob Prody and Olivette and
Irv Grinnen for correctly identifying passages 3, 4, 6, 7 and to Donna Boring
for correctly identifying passages 3, 4, 5, and 6 in last spring's scriptural
quiz. A number of people, including the contestants, remarked that the quiz
was difficult--the passages seemed so familiar, but were hard to identify.
The seven scriptural passages published last spring were:
1. Surrender yourself humbly; then you can be trusted to care for all things.
Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things.
2. He takes care of all men and abandons no one. He takes care of all things
and abandons nothing. This is called following the light.
3. One gains by losing and loses by gaining.
4. Become as a little child once more.
5. The hard and strong will fall. The soft and weak will overcome. Yield
and overcome.
6. A violent man will die a violent death.
7. There is no greater sin than desire, no greater curse than discontentment,
no greater misfortune than wanting something for one's self.
Why are these familiar scriptural passages difficult to find in the
Bible? Because I took them, not from the Bible, but from the #Tao Teh Ching#,
Chinese scripture written about 500 B.C.! The #Tao Teh Ching#, comprising
roughly 5,000 words in 81 chapters, is attributed to Lao Tsu, founder of one
of the world's great religions, Taoism. Why do these Taoist passages sound
very much like the following Biblical passages?
1. What does the Lord require of you but . . . to walk humbly with your God
(Mic. 6:1). You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mt. 22:39).
2. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He
who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John
8:12)
3. "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his
life for My sake will find it." (Mt. 16:25 or Mk. 8:35 or Lk. 9:24)
4. "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little
children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 18: 3)
5. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Mt. 5:5).
"But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (Mark 10:31)
6. Then Jesus said to him "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the
sword will perish by the sword." (Mt. 26:52; see also Rev. 13:10)
7. The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. He
covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and does not spare.
(Proverbs 21:25-26; see also James 4:1-10 & I John 2:8-17)
The reason for the striking similarities (and these are only a few
examples among many) is that Christianity is not a new religion, but rather a
revival and renewal of religious truths that have been known since the
beginning of time. Paul writes that the Gospel has already been preached "to
every creature under heaven" (Col 1:23; see also verse 6). And in the Second
Epistle to Timothy, 3:16, says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God."
Being infinite, Christ is able to manifest Himself throughout the world
in various names and forms without lessening Himself. As Christians, we
choose to follow Jesus Christ because our hearts respond to Him, not because
we have no other choice. But, as Christians, neither can we reject the other
faces of Christ.
As George Burke put it, "If we cannot love the Lord Jesus Christ while
recognizing the validity of other Names and Forms of the universal Christ,
then we simply cannot love at all and our religion and seeking is vain, for we
are seeking only our egoistic satisfaction, not the freedom He bestows. To
draw water from one well and then to deny that any other wells exist is hardly
intelligence, much less wisdom. To deny Christ in any form is to deny Him in
all. Conversely, to accept Christ in any form is to accept Him in all." Or,
we can look to Jesus Himself, who said, "He who is not against us is on our
side" (Mk 9:40).
The Peace and Knowledge of God be with You
John A. Johnson
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