In the Belly of the Beast
I don't know what made me look over to the parked van as I walked up the hill toward campus. It was rather non-descript, nothing much to look at. But something on the dashboard caught my eye. There were two "Bobble-heads" placed next to each other: Jesus and Buddha, both staring straight ahead.
"What a great picture of the modern university!", I thought. Relativism, pluralism, humanism all encapsulated beneath a dirty windshield. As I continued walking, I thought more about this place where I work.
I doubt you could find a more hostile environment in regards to biblical Christianity. First, Utah State University is overwhelmingly Mormon, according to it's own figures (89%). Most of them are interested in just two things: getting a degree and getting married (not necessarily in that order.) The campus is known for student apathy-church activities and dating keep them pretty busy and the vast majority are uninterested in exploring their own "faith", let alone the beliefs of others.
Chances are they will go to class where the professor is an atheist, agnostic, or a fellow Latter
Day Saint. Plenty of them are unafraid to espouse their views and regularly blast traditional values and Christianity. At lunch in the "Hub" or dining area, they'll be treated to loud and frequent profanity from the tables of Greeks or atheletes that hang out there. The student across from me reading her Book of Mormon finally got up and left. As I walked down the hall to an appointment I noticed the" book of the semester" in the bookstore is the "The DaVinci Code", the famous historically absurd and feminist novel. Behind it are walls of books published by the LDS church ("Isaiah for Idiots" sounds interesting). Across the way is a table for the Gay and Transgender Alliance.
Later, as I walked back to my car, I was treated to the sight of a giant snow sculpture of the male sexual organ in front of one of the few remaining fraternities, as they blasted rap music about doing something illegal to lots of girls. Two Mormon missionaries walk by, heads down and looking grim.
Just another day at work in the belly of the beast.
It's a good thing we, who try to reach this lost sea of young people ,walk by faith.
Walking by sight would be pretty discouraging.
"What a great picture of the modern university!", I thought. Relativism, pluralism, humanism all encapsulated beneath a dirty windshield. As I continued walking, I thought more about this place where I work.
I doubt you could find a more hostile environment in regards to biblical Christianity. First, Utah State University is overwhelmingly Mormon, according to it's own figures (89%). Most of them are interested in just two things: getting a degree and getting married (not necessarily in that order.) The campus is known for student apathy-church activities and dating keep them pretty busy and the vast majority are uninterested in exploring their own "faith", let alone the beliefs of others.
Chances are they will go to class where the professor is an atheist, agnostic, or a fellow Latter
Day Saint. Plenty of them are unafraid to espouse their views and regularly blast traditional values and Christianity. At lunch in the "Hub" or dining area, they'll be treated to loud and frequent profanity from the tables of Greeks or atheletes that hang out there. The student across from me reading her Book of Mormon finally got up and left. As I walked down the hall to an appointment I noticed the" book of the semester" in the bookstore is the "The DaVinci Code", the famous historically absurd and feminist novel. Behind it are walls of books published by the LDS church ("Isaiah for Idiots" sounds interesting). Across the way is a table for the Gay and Transgender Alliance.
Later, as I walked back to my car, I was treated to the sight of a giant snow sculpture of the male sexual organ in front of one of the few remaining fraternities, as they blasted rap music about doing something illegal to lots of girls. Two Mormon missionaries walk by, heads down and looking grim.
Just another day at work in the belly of the beast.
It's a good thing we, who try to reach this lost sea of young people ,walk by faith.
Walking by sight would be pretty discouraging.
posted by Rob | 10:00 AM
17 Comments:
Well, Rob, if inside the belly of the beast is bad... imagine what outside is like. There is a degree of shelter when you're inside the beasts stomach peering out. Maybe outside of the beasts belly isn't much better.
Ditto, anonymous. I always think back to my time at USU as being fairly "sheltered". At least in Utah most people accept/respect some type of religious belief. Here in Ithaca, NY, any type of "religion" (other than Unitarian) is regularly mocked, and immoral and alternative lifestyles are much more blatantly obvious than in Logan.
Wherever I am (and I've been many places for the past few years), I just try to view characteristics of the corrupt world as constant reminders of where my values should be coming from, and live so that others can see a stark contrast between my lifestyle and that of the majority. When I keep that perspective, the challenge makes life much more fun and interesting.
I would interpret the 2 bobble-heads very differently. My guess would be that this driver respects Christianity but finds something lacking in the version that we have presented him with… maybe it seems too isolated from creation, narrow and fragmented rather than holistic, and rigidly rational rather than open to the mystical… So rather than a repudiation of Christianity, I see sitting on the dashboard a diagnosis and perhaps the hint of a prescription for us Christians. The two items sitting below the mirror could be a figurative mirror to help us see ourselves and recognize that our modern version of the faith is missing something important and maybe even needed.
As far as the 89% apathetic Mormon population… I sympathize my friend...
It almost sounds like Mr. McLaren is trying to compromise of the Gospel by blending Buddhism with Christianity, but I think his point is simply to look at our intent as Christians. Are we trying to get people to believe in the saving love of Jesus or are we trying to get people to think like us? Are we promoting and expanding the Kingdom of God or another Focus on the Family think-tank?
I’m more asking this about myself than anyone else. I’m not sure what I try to do first - get people to think like me or understand who the person of Jesus is… Thanks for the discussion Rob.
For those of you in Utah and interested in this conversation:
On February 22 Salt Lake Theological Seminary will host a free public lecture featuring distinguished author and speaker, Dr. Terry C. Muck, Professor of Mission and World Religion from Asbury Theological Seminary. In this first lecture of a three-part series on Christian Mission and the World Religions, Dr. Muck will address the questions “What is ‘missional’ religious studies?” and “Where does it fit in as 21st-century Christians prepare for and carry out mission work?” While engaging these questions he will explore changes prompted by globalization and other complex factors, especially in the training and sending of today’s mission workers.
An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Dr. Muck speaks regularly and participates in numerous denominational and interfaith discussions. He has authored nine books, including A Pocket Guide to American Religion, Buddhists Talk about Jesus, Christians Talk About the Buddha, and Ministry and Theology in Global Perspective: Contemporary Challenges for the Church. His articles have appeared in periodicals such as Missiology, Books and Culture, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Buddhist-Christian Studies, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, and The Washington Post.
The lecture will take place between 7 and 8:30 p.m. in the seminary chapel (3rd floor). A reception will follow for guests to interact with Professor Muck and the Salt Lake Theological Seminary community.
Dear Brian-
Mmmmm interesting point. I always marvel at how you think! But your comment sounds suspiciously familiar...are you recycling material from your books?
Rob
Jesse-if we believe that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, than OF COURSE we are trying to get them to think like us (sorry-I guess caps are yelling, but this comment box doesn't have italics).
That is the whole point - and why we are called evangelicals-isn't it?
This applies to only the foundational truths of course, not worship styles or if you like Andrew Peterson v.s. Bill Gaither...
Hey-do you know where I can get bobble heads of those guys for my car?
rob
1. I think the entire world is inside the beast's digestive tract. It just depends what part you live in.
2. It's fine to use the bobblehead as an introspective tool. But also realize that people place bumberstickers and bobbles that reflect their belief system. So it's also fair to use it as a view of the 'world'.
3. Is it better to say "get them to think like us" or "expand the kingdom of God"? I leave that to you guys to define. But, isn't it better to do all things through genuine love rather than with a salesman's attitude?
p.s. Does this blog provider give you e-mail notification when a new comment has been posted?
Jeff-yes it does
Rob,
I guess my problem is saying things like “they should think LIKE us.” I think it is ok to say “they should think about the same things as us” but I think the world would be a very bland (to put it kindly) place if we had a bunch of people that all reason and think like typical American Evangelicals. Christianity is unique among world religions for its translatability. It has the ability to take on new languages and fresh imagery each time it enters a new culture. An example would be how the message of the gospel has been communicated - Jesus used parables and actions, 20th century Campus Crusade used the 4 spiritual laws, certain tribes in Africa use painting… To me, these are all different ways of thinking about the same thing and I think it would be wrong for American Evangelicals to push their WAY of thinking as part of the Gospel.
nice Rob... cool post. Jesus and Buddha bobbleheads...
Brian... excellent to see you here... I love your comment. I'm still wrestling with The Secret Message of Jesus... I've lost count of how many times I've had to reread parts that my mind couldn't wrap around the first time around. I'm not complaining... it's a good thing! Keep it up.
You too Rob.... keep up the posting... and are you serious about wondering where to get a bobble-head? Where would you put it?
Rob,
I agree with you that you truly in the belly of the beast. You made me think about my own fears about seeing and confronting the beast. I know I am pursuing a tangent here, but I thought I'd share the connection you helped me make.
I am slowly realizing that God allows us to experience discouragement, pain, temptation and other encroachments of the beast as part of His great love for us. It made me think about a story one of my para-educators was telling me. She told me about a little girl who was always falling. Everytime she fell, an adult would run to catch her. An occupational/physical therapist provider trained the adults working with her and her family to stop catching her so that she could learn to catch herself. It was a developmental need for her to learn to do this. She fell, a lot, but as a result of this terrible request she learned to catch herself. She grew and discovered new muscles.
Jesus has lead us into the same wilderness he went into, to encounter the beast, to better develop in His image. We are fulfilling a developmental need when we look the beast in the eye and fiercely pronounce truth and love - as you have done for nearly two decades. The shadow cast across that campus is not small.
Anyway, thank you for your honest blog and for giving me something to chew on.
What kind of religion do you represent that causes you to look down your nose so much at people?
I read your blog and sense more hate than love.
Sorry.
Dear anonymous:
I am sincerely puzzled by your comment. Exactly what have I written that comes off as looking down my nose at others? How do I seem to express hate? Pleas quote me!
rob
"What kind of religion do you represent that causes you to look down your nose so much at people?
I read your blog and sense more hate than love."
It's hard to express an opposite point of view with out being seen as hatred, IF the person reading the opposite point of view is already defensive. Also it is important to remember that while many people live in the belly of the beast, few understand why its a beast to begin with. So of course it would come across as being arrogant or closed minded.
The buddha and Jesus do in fact, in my opinion, represent our culture today. Actually as I was reading I was anticipating the other figure being bart simpson... since he is such a prominent figure of christian thought today.. note- sarcasm-
In truth it shows how deeply todays culture or "world" is searching for spirituality, but defining it within the confines of the media, and a person limited perception of what differing beliefs believe...
Emily- I loved what you said, that is the truth an amazing insight into why you are able to remain so loving instead of allowing satan to woo you with bitterness as he did with me!
Rob- Can I say I am so blessed by this site. I love my son but he is seriously lacking in spiritual or intellectual conversation and/or thought processes! Now pooping, spitting up, laughing, and crawling... he excells at better than noone else!!
anonymous
Your previous question “What kind of religion do you represent that causes you…” sounds awfully familiar in certain northern Utah circles. First, you are assuming that Rob, and possibly everyone else you come into contact with, is representing a formalized religion. Second, you are assuming that the representation of, or simply “belonging” to that religion is causing him to act a certain way.
Both assumptions could only come from someone who is both representing a formalized religion themselves and is being controlled or at the least coerced by it. Why did you find it necessary to ask this question and thereby placing these assumptions before you made your primary statement of sensing more hate than love? Could it be that you were offended by Rob giving his honest, open, and free opinion of what he sees as he walks around the place he lives and that you possibly inhabit as well?
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