Study Notes for February 12th Meeting -- Rumors of Another World -- Pages 59 - 95
1. "Our lives form some sort of pattern whether or not we consciously arrange it." (p. 60). "These life patterns grow out of natural desires and longings." (60). "Everyone has such longings, and how we respond to them depends largely on what we believe about why we're here." (60). Ture or not true? Elaborate.
2. Yancey argues that natural human desires are part of God's creation (which God said was "good") and that they are to be fulfilled according to God's plan. To either gratify them "without inhibition" (p. 62) or to squelch them "altogether" (p. 62) is to create a critical imbalance. (I believe he would have us infer that it is a very common imbalance). He states further that he "came back to Christianity because it made the most sense of the world around (him), in part by achieving the necessary balance. But what Christianity does in striking this balance, the churches he knew showed "no such balance."
What is your experience with the church? Do you agree that we have somehow gained the reputation of "being anti-pleasure"?
3. The abuse of pleasure arises when pleasure is viewed "as an end in itself rather than a pointer to something more" (p. 63) -- i.e., a rumor of another world. Thus the title of this chaptger, "God Loveth Adverbs." What does the phrase mean?
4. How does a "sense of calling" enhance our ability to find success in our pursuit of "fulfillment and meaning"? (p. 64). How does this sense help us to maintain the balance discussed earlier (Question #2)?
5. "Societies that have abandoned the sacred, such as in the secular West, exalt sexuality to a new and lofty status." (p. 74). Wow! Ain't it the truth! But, at the same time, Yancey says he knows of "no greater failure among Christians than in presenting a persuasive (healthy I think he means) view on sexuality." (p. 74). Is he right?
6. Yancey describes our (both the church's and the culture's) view of sex as being "schizophrenic." (p. 76). What does he mean?
7. "Society's schizophrenia develops from an attempt to reduce sex between humans to a purely physical act." (Remember last week's discussion of "reductionism"). A popular song asked, "Why does it have to be right or wrong? Why can't it just be?" How does a "rumor from another world" answer? (P. 77 -- "......the real damage in sexuality occurs ________."
8. Remember C.S. Lewis's description of the things which we elevate to sacred status when we forsake that which is truly sacred (God). He calls them the "sweet poison of the false infinite." Then read the final paragraph on p. 77, bearing in mind the emphasis on unrestrained sexuality in the culture (often includinig within the church). Please comment.
9. In summary, Yancey believes sexuality to be "a powerful rumor of transcendence" which the church has silenced by its prudery. Do you think he's right? Or is it possible that sexuality is overrated both by the culture and by people like Yancey, that it is just one part of the entirety of what it means to be human -- and spoken of too much (as in this chapter)?
10. Respond to the following statement: "A life of resisting temptation and pursuing purity involves a loss, yes, but also a gain, the very gain promised by Jesus in the Beatitudes." What is lost? What is gained?
11. What is the "second love" referenced on p. 94?
An online book club hosted by Impact Church of Christ in Houston. Participants in the book club are expected to read one to two chapters a week.
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1 comment:
1. True. "Our bodies desire food, drink, stimulation, pleasure,sex. At another level we long for beauty, love, security, worth,meaning, belonging. Everyone has such longings, and how we respond to them depends largely on what we believe about why we are here." Do we believe in Rumors of another world? If yes then the pattern of our life becomes one that connects to "God's overall plan".
2. Yancey says," They (the churches) looked upon pleasure and desire with a frowning face." Experiences with the church that were voiced:
uptight
rigid
no grace for mess ups
Yes, the church is percieved as anti-pleasure. Yancey mentions christianity "exalts every person as a creature made in the image of God and yet warns that the image has been marred- something I found true of everyone I met. It honors sex, money, and power as good things, God's own gifts, while also recognizing them as powerful forces that must be handled with care, like radioactive material."
3. implies that God cares more about the spirit in which we live than the concrete results. That in all activities you can honor God.
4. The sense of balance comes when we validate that the things we may percieve as mundane and filler activities are recognized as part of our vocation, which also means calling.
5. Yes.
This ties back to question 2 with the discussion of the church being viewed as anti-pleasure. There was also discussion of people leaving the church because of the hypocrisy with even the leaders being caught in scandalous affairs. We agreed that it was not discussed enough in a healthy manner. Even saying that, we agreed we would be relieved when the evenings discussion would be done. Reality sets in.
6. That scientist insist that sex is " a natural expression". Then to not understand when people act out of those animal insticts.
7. The discussion was that sex is not just a physical act. In the animal kingdom yes, there is that disconnect. In humans that is not the case. Rumor from another world would remind you that disconnected sex does not address "deeper needs, a loving environment for children, relieve the ache of loneliness, or fostered intimacy."
8. Even though we turn from God we still have faith in something. Our faith can turn to false gods...we put our faith in money, relationships, jobs, and many other things. "Blocked longings seek new routes" Reference was made to the book Sex God by Rob Bell. Blocked longing will lead to expression in some other way. "Every man who knocks on the door of a brothel is looking for God,"said G.K. Chesterton. Discussion continued about the status given to Hollywood stars. Papparazi and money just to give humans a glimpse of the lives they lead.
9. Some discussion was had here about different views in the church of sex. Is it for pleasure or purely for procreation? The answer was both. " It should be obvious why the church so often falls on the side of repression, rather than celebration, of sexuality: No human longing is more powerful and difficult to reign in." Jesus was the most compassionate in his discussions with those who had failed. He was harshest with those who wagged their finger at them.
10. What is lost is yourself and what is gained is eternity with Him.
11. The second love is a unity sealed by God.
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