Posted
by David Ryan
December 9, 2005 at 7:56 a.m.
With a Bobolink for a Chorister
From the [Times][1]:_Some of the nation's most prominent megachurches have decided not to hold worship services on the Sunday that coincides with Christmas Day, a move that is generating controversy among evangelical Christians at a time when many conservative groups are battling to "put the Christ back in Christmas...."Megachurches have long been criticized for offering "theology lite," but some critics say that this time the churches have gone too far in the quest to make Christianity accessible to spiritual seekers."I see this in many ways as a capitulation to narcissism, the self-centered, me-first, I'm going to put me and my immediate family first agenda of the larger culture," said Ben Witherington III, professor of New Testament interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. "If Christianity is an evangelistic religion, then what kind of message is this sending to the larger culture - that worship is an optional extra?" _Which reminds me of a poem by Emily Dickinson on the subject of worship, which in turn reminds us that this current controversy, contrived or not, has been around for a long, long time in America:Some keep the Sabbath going to Church I keep it, staying at Home - With a [Bobolink][2] for a [Chorister][3] - And an Orchard, for a Dome - Some keep the Sabbath in [Surplice][4] - I just wear my Wings - And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church, Our little [Sexton][5] sings. God preaches, a noted Clergyman - And the sermon is never long, So instead of getting to Heaven, at last - I'm going, all along. [1]: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/09/national/09church.html?hp&ex=1134190800&en=509baeb5c8085b80&ei=5094&partner=homepage [2]: http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/id/framlst/i4940id.html [3]: http://www.bartleby.com/61/78/C0327800.html [4]: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14343d.htm [5]: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13748a.htm
Comments
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greyhawk (anonymous) says…
Thank you for posting Miss Dickinson's poem. Such a brilliant poet and observer of life. Her richly evident spirituality serves as a much needed balance to the Pharisees of today's religious institutions.
ladylaw (Terry Bush) says…
My favorte Emily poem (one I have memorized and recite often)
I 'M nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there 's a pair of us-don't tell!
They 'd banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
marktrail (anonymous) says…
or better yet --
To tell your name the livelong day
To a lawrence.com blog!
Jester (Nick Spacek) says…
And you can sing them all to the tune of "the Yellow Rose of Texas."