Two young men of like intent met Mr. Haynes, of Vermont, and said with mock sad faces, “Have you heard the news? the Devil is dead.” Quick came the answer, “Oh, poor, fatherless children! what will become of you?”
– from The Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
“If you are ignorant of Lora Delane Porter’s books that is your affair. Perhaps you are more to be pitied than censured. Nature probably gave you the wrong shape of forehead. Mrs. Porter herself would have put it down to some atavistic tendency or pre-natal influence. She put most things down to that. She blamed nearly all the defects of the modern world, from weak intellects to in-growing toe-nails, on long-dead ladies and gentlemen who, safe in the family vault, imagined that they had established their alibi. She subpoenaed grandfathers and even great-grandfathers to give evidence to show that the reason Twentieth-Century Willie squinted or had to spend his winters in Arizona was their own shocking health ‘way back in the days beyond recall.”
– P.G. Wodehouse in Their Mutual Child
Here is how I’m doing on my Q1 (Jan-Mar 2011) reading goals. Books with a strikethrough are completed and books in bold are at least started.
“The holy men and women of both Testaments of the Bible provide the necessary examples of the good life”
– Bruce Gordon in Calvin on John Calvin’s teaching on Christianity living
“Though [the historical mode of theology] has done some good by revitalizing interest in the Reformed heritage, some have found deficiencies in the theology emerging from this movement. The main issue is sola Scriptura. The Reformed tradition consists, not in merely repeating previous Reformed traditions, but, as with Calvin, in using the Scriptures to criticize tradition. The history-oriented theologians tend to be uncritical of traditions and critical of the contemporary church. But their arguments are often based on their preferences rather than biblical principle and therefore fail to persuade. The Reformed community, in my judgment, needs to return to an explicitly exegetical model of theology, following the example of John Murray. The exegetical approach is also (perhaps paradoxically) the most contemporary approach, for it applies Scripture directly to our lives today. This question is, of course, one of emphasis. We should never ignore our past. But my view is that the pendulum has swung too far in the direction of a historical emphasis.”
– John Frame in Machen’s Warrior Children
“the psalm-book of all French Protestants has been that of Marot and Beza. This French version of the psalms is of special interest to all thoughtful students of the history of Protestantism, because it was the first metrical translation of the psalms ever sung and used by the people; and it was without doubt one of the most powerful influences that assisted in the religious awakening of the Reformation.”
– from The Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
All the cider made by the New England elders did not tend to gloom, and they were celebrated for their fine cider. The best cider in Massachusetts–that which brought the highest price–was known as the Arminian cider, because the minister who furnished it to the market was suspected of having Arminian tendencies.
– from The Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
A very telling compliment to the cider of one of the first New England ministers is thus recorded: “Mr. Whiting had a score of appill-trees from which he made delicious cyder. And it hath been said yt an Indyan once coming to hys house and Mistress Whiting giving him a drink of ye cyder, he did sett down ye pot and smaking his lips say yt Adam and Eve were rightlie damned for eating ye appills in ye garden of Eden, they should have made them into cyder.”
– also from The Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
one honest soul did not hesitate to thank the Lord in the pulpit for the “many barrels of cider vouchsafed to us this year.”
– also from The Sabbath in Puritan New England by Alice Morse Earle
“I’m going out to win the future right now!” – Tabatha Sharkley @ The Onion
The Sacred Sandwich had me rolling on the floor with this spoof-ad:
Completions in this period:
This places the running total for books completed in 2011 at 9.
I’m now finished 26.3% of the books which make up my Q1 (Jan-Mar) goal–and Q1 is 30% done.
The 1960′s were, as we all know, a time of great socio-cultural upheaval. Of course, part of this upheaval was a changing sexual ethic often referred to as “free love”. And yet, it must be said by any honest observer (even if they don’t hold to the Christian sexual ethic) that the rejection of monogamy delivered far less satisfaction than it purported to.
In fact, I believe that from my Christian standpoint, the “free love” impulse delivered a lot of ugliness. And rather than affirming love and beauty, it led to the denigration of it. More love doesn’t make better love, even if we were to understand love as mere physical passion (which I don’t).
In the counterculture there was simultaneously an impulse toward wild, swinging free-love and a strong (although perhaps sometimes suppressed) impulse against it. A perfect example of this tension can be found in the songs of CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young).
One song, David Crosby’s “Triad”, is very dreamy. It was written in 1967 but did not appear on a CSNY album until 1971 (apparently the Byrds thought it was too freaky and wouldn’t put it on their album). It’s tone is pained and prolonged, a sort of agony, although soft and mellow too. It bespeaks a dreary enjoyment. Love is plural (“Both love you “, “I love you too”) and an abstract, non-definable notion. Things are non-concrete and flighty, no setting or concrete location. No grounding. The love is floating, questioning, selfish, and unsatisfied (it begs for something it doesn’t have–each verse is an entreaty). While the wording is catchy and the music is fascinating, there is something scary about the tone of the song. The only external things mentioned are negative (a repressive school, a cold ghost). There is a lot of epistemic uncertainty, even in the main thrust of the song (“I don’t really see, why can’t we go on..”) and shame (“You are afraid, embarrased too”, “Your mother’s ghost stands at you shoulder”, “colder”). And all of the blame seems to be heaped on that person that is afraid. It conveys images and thoughts, but the reality is too flighty to visualize.
Another song is certainly dreamy, but in a different sense. Graham Nash’s “Our House” carries a sober but happy tone, speaking glowingly of a house with two people, where everything is orderly. And the love is giving and exclusive (“only for you”, “only for me”), but yet acknowledges and embraces external things (like the sun, the yard, and the cats). Love can be concretely defined and has concrete manifestations or evidence (like flowers and love songs). Each verse bespeaks a certain confidence and satisfaction. There is structure and a home, a life, and a pattern. Above all, the situation is very concrete and grounded in reality, it has a tether to the earth and a context by which we can visualize it.
Clearly, both Crosby and Nash both subscribed to the ethic of “free love” when they wrote these songs, but these songs show greatly divergent assessments of it and perhaps in Nash there was a strong desire to have the stability and love that couldn’t be found in “free love”.
As much as one may seek “liberation” from Biblical norms, rejecting faithful, loving monogamy leaves one essentially bankrupt. “Free love” sooner or later, leaves one empty and without satisfaction. The intense struggle of those who’ve rejected the ethic of monogamy is even evident in the music of the 1960′s and 1970′s. It didn’t take a few decades for the fruits to come. They came right away, and I believe you can find a representation of the emptiness of “free love” in Graham Nash’s “Our House” (and it is an especially vivid portrait when one compares it to David Crosby’s “Triad”).
In the Biblical scheme, marital love is concrete and grounded, and definable. And it is exclusive. When the gospel pattern of love is inculcated in us and the Biblical pattern of marriage is embodied, we should expect to see the sort of home that Nash sang rather than the “something or other” that Crosby sang about. The husband and wife are comfortable in their home, comfortable with each other, comfortable with their cats (hehe), everything is in place, they are clearly enjoying each other, there isn’t fear, and the overwhelming tone of their relationship is not longing (though there certainly is longing!) but rather satisfaction.
I don’t think Graham Nash had the resources to establish the sort of home that he sang about. But, quite frankly, we don’t either. Only by the grace of God is it possible.
This places the running total for books completed in 2011 at 8.
I’m finished 15.7% of the books which make up my Q1 (Jan-Mar) goal–and Q1 is 21% done.
I enjoy the hymn book that my former church/denomination (Apostolic Christian Church–Nazarene or ACCN) uses. It’s called “The Zion’s Harp”. It’s a collection of hymns, mainly of German lutheran origins. Most of the songs are amazingly deep and richly majestic.
The only complaints against it that I would register is that (a) there is some overtones of baptismal regeneration in it–probably due to the lutheran origins of many of the songs, (b) some of the songs are too enamored with the pietism that had infiltrated the Lutheran church, and (c) there is an unfortunate lack of attribution for the lyrics and melodies.
In appreciation of the hymn book, I will share some of my favorite lines (I admit–I’m picking them quite selectively). Some of these lines are sort of surprising–one wouldn’t expect to find them in a mainstream ACCN hymn book, given the theological convictions of the mainstream ACCN. I think that when I read or sing the Zion’s Harp, I see some elements of a richer doctrine of God and doctrine of grace than I would hear in a typical ACCN sermon. An interesting area of study would be to compare these verses with the renderings found in the sister denomination–the ACCA. I’ve found the varation to be rather interesting at some points. Nick Steffen’s blog has a link posted to the ACCA version of the lyrics in case anyone is interesting in checking that out.
Many thanks to Judah Weinhart for posting the lyrics on a blog of his called Harfe and Heft, that was a great idea and very useful in assembling this post. I was very happy to find that he’s posting the lyrics to the ACCN version of the hymn book.
From #61 — Gracious Lord, to Thee We Hold Us
We have not ourselves elected;
But Thou has us, O Lord, selected,
By grace, decreed eternally.
Lo, our strength is so unstable
That none to do Thy work are able,
Unless Thou strengthen mightily.
So break the stubborn will
That, humbled, we may still
Thy kingdom gain.
From #29 — Jesus, Our Great Mediator
When Thou here in flesh didst sojourn,
And our sins upon Thee lay,
Thou didst turn unto Thy Father,
For the sinners Thou didst pray;
Both with weeping and with sighing,
For the sinners’ pardon crying;
Oh in what humility
Then arose Thy fervent plea!
Now Thy eloquent petitions
Are supported by Thy might,
As Thou in Thy heav’nly glory
Sittest at Thy Father’s right;
Now though Satan may accuse us,
Pardon Thou wilt not refuse us,
For Thy blood for us was spilt
And this blood removed our guilt.
Jesus, our great Mediator,
Whom the heav’nly host obeys,
For the faithfulness Thou showest,
We give honor, thanks and praise;
Grant Thy Spirit, Lord and Savior,
When we ask the Father’s favor;
Lead us steadfast with Thy hand
Till we reach the Fatherland.
From #12, Lord Jesus Thou Art King
Let not a single knee
On earth remain unbended;
Though humbled he may be,
Let no one be offended;
No lips be loath to own
That Jesus is our Lord,
Our Savior-King alone,
True to His Father’s Word.
….The kingdom and the might,
The glory, power, shall be
Our God’s in His own right,
And Christ’s eternally.
His glorious rule of right
Shall ever be unbroken;
The scepter of His might
In peace shall give its token.
Ye peoples, shout for joy,
His praise let all proclaim,
Let earth its power employ
To glorify His Name.
From#38, Blessed Zion Be Contended:
If with anguish thou are shaken,
If men bind and torture thee,
Thou wilt never be forsaken
- Think upon eternity!
Stand in faith and do not fear,
For thy Lord is ever near.
Zion, let His hand direct thee;
He will strengthen and protect thee!
From #16 — How Good to Be a Lamb of Christ the Savior
How good to be a lamb of Christ the Savior,
To stand in grace with Him the faithful Lord!
O earth there is no better, higher favor
Than this: to follow Jesus and His Word.
Far more than all the world can give
Each lamb shall at the hand of Christ the Lord receive.
Each lamb on verdant pastures there is grazing
And finding springs of waters sweet and pure;
No heart can grasp the mercy so amazing
Each lamb doth at the Shepherd’s hand secure.
Eternal life is here revealed
To those who unto Christ the Lord in faith are sealed.
Each lamb is kept by Jesus Christ securely,
Though envious wrath may move the power of hell;
No wolf shall pluck it from His bosom surely;
Almighty is the Lord, and guardeth well;
He daily watcheth o’er it here,
And in the vale of death it shall not fall nor fear.
From #86 — Though Trouble Assail
No strength of our own,
Nor virtue we claim;
Our trust is alone
Upon the Lord’s name.
In this, our strong tower,
For safety we hide;
Therein lies our power:
“The Lord will provide.”
From #35 O Deliv’rer From All Bondage
Let not those whom Thou hast purchased
Be the servants here of men;
For, indeed, Thy great atonement
Cleanseth us from every sin.
Pure, and free of every blemish,
And made more and more like Thee,
Grace for grace from Thee receiving,
Truly blesséd will we be!
From #85 – O Father, Now We Seek Thee
If Satan in his power
Should try to lead astray,
O tread him in that hour
Beneath our feet, we pray.
From evil, Lord, deliver;
With power us sustain,
That we may, like the Savior,
Be victors on the plain!
For Thine, Lord, is the kingdom,
The pow’r and majesty,
The glory and dominion
Through all eternity!
Destroy the realm of Satan
And darkness’ evil reign!
And to restore creation,
Return, Lord, soon again.
From #8 — My Praise to His Throne Now Mount
The strongest foe may not prevail,
For filled with faith no heart shall fail,
That faith well-founded in Christ’s blood,
His sacrifice our highest good. Hallelujah!
For us did He the victory win
O’er world and Satan, death and sin,
And as we serve and love Him well
Our King within each heart doth dwell. Hallelujah!
From #94 — When Our Ship of Faith is Drifting
He is Lord! When He commendeth,
Storms abate; high seas grow still;
Naught His mighty pow’r withstandeth;
All things need must do His will.
He gives rest when woes afflict us,
And doth evermore protect us
That we sink not in dismay,
For His cov’nant stands for aye.
Therefore, rest ye in Him solely,
Lest your light of hope grow dim;
He is near, though hidden wholly,
Set your confidence on Him!
Firmly on this rock relying,
Comfort you and cease your sighing;
Faith at rest in Jesus’ blood
Heedeth neither storm nor flood.
Though the ship of faith would falter
In the storms we must endure,
Nothing e’er its course shall alter,
For its anchor is secure
In the ground our God hath given,
Jesus’ blood, and it shall even,
By our faith upon His grace,
Hold within the Holy Place.
We by faith are bound securely
With that mighty cord of love,
That from earth extendeth surely
To the Fatherland above.
This true love so freely given
Ever draws us on to heaven,
On to glory, home, and rest,
To that City of the Blest.
7. Now Thy eloquent petitions
Are supported by Thy might,
As Thou in Thy heav’nly glory
Sittest at Thy Father’s right;
Now though Satan may accuse us,
Pardon Thou wilt not refuse us,
For Thy blood for us was spilt
And this blood removed our guilt.
8. Jesus, our great Mediator,
Whom the heav’nly host obeys,
For the faithfulness Thou showest,
We give honor, thanks and praise;
Grant Thy Spirit, Lord and Savior,
When we ask the Father’s favor;
Lead us steadfast with Thy hand
Till we reach the Fatherland.
