Finding Our Shoes

In my recent post on Discalced Diplomacy, I told a personal story about taking off my shoes and how that related to engaging others of different faith traditions. I hinted at how a mental practice of “taking off our shoes” can give us insight into how to engage in relational dialogue with those of diverse faith traditions. In a subsequent paper, I suggested three things. For best results, we should …

1.    Enter slowly to prevent misunderstanding. Discalced diplomacy is not a bayonet charge looking to route an enemy in a moment of confrontation.

2.    Come clean, honoring the sacred space to avoid misbehaving. Discalced diplomacy recognizes engagement as a sacred space and honors it by not polluting it with bitterness and bias.

3.    Stay long enough to delve deeper into our respective convictions so that we are not guilty of misbelieving. Discalced diplomacy doesn’t facilitate a quick tactical retreat when things get uncomfortable or take longer than we expect.

Now, how do we move forward? How do we move from encounter to encounter, from one role or project to another? What kind of “shoes” can we put on that will help us to get traction and provide sole protection for the journey? The good news is that we don't have to find the shoes that we took off.

In addition to all the other outwear we will need for the “wilderness trek” through this life, and all the risks and adventures it contains, God gives us shoes for the journey, the kind that don’t wear out, “And, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15)

If we are going to wear shoes, let’s make sure that it is because we have “put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” so that we might respond quickly and faithfully going where Jesus sends us…into the entire world. Moses was sent to Egypt.

‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and did not dare to look. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.’  (Acts 7:32-34)

Bible Reflections.net

Paul was sent into areas where no one had preached before and ultimately knew he would go to Rome where he and Peter would both die. Thomas went to India. Bartholomew went to India and then to Ethiopia. Philip went to Carthage, in North Africa. Simon the Zealot was killed in Persia. Others died in Syria. In their steps, others like Patrick went to Ireland where he had been a slave. Columba to Scotland, Aiden to England, Boniface to Germany, Cyril & Methodius to the Slavs, and down through history to the current day. Feet made ready by the gospel of peace.

I conclude this post with a shortlist of Bible passages speaking about this “peace”. I think these passages might be printed inside the shoebox. Take the lid off and check!

From the prophecies in the Old Testament, such as,

“For you shall go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
    shall break forth into singing,
    and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)

To the beginning of the Gospels when the old priest Zechariah concludes his prophetic prayer over his infant son John who would become known as “the Baptist”,

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
    for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
    in the forgiveness of their sins,
 because of the tender mercy of our God,
    whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:76-79)

While recognizing the unique role of John the Baptist in preparing for and announcing the presence of the Messiah to Israel, I think there is ample cause to see his role as typical of that of all followers of Jesus. We don’t announce damnation, but the good news of forgiveness and merciful salvation. It is by the light of Christ, the Dayspring of deliverance that we can see and follow “into the way of peace.” This is further described in the Epistles,

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:17-18)

“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14:19)

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus….What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. (Phil. 4:6-7, 9)

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (Colossians 3:14-16)

While we could do with taking off our own shoes to engage others for the common good, I am glad we get to put on something better.

 

Trustworthy (Scout's Honor!)

The following post is an assigned response to a 2013 article by Paul Louis Metzger entitled, Trustworthy Rivals: On an Alternative Path to Multi-Faith Discourse in which he asks the question, “Which would you rather be toward those of other faiths? A trustworthy rival, a mean-spirited and scheming enemy (like a former spouse), or a platonic and possibly even unscrupulous bedfellow? Can you think of other options?” This is an important question to consider…for everyone’s sake.

In our conversation about diplomacy, whether on the international, interpersonal, or inter-faith (or multi-faith) levels, we have considered the importance of listening carefully before speaking. We have talked a lot about the ethical and relational character of the ambassador, specifically, those called “Ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5) who work to adequately communicate God’s message of reconciliation—in fact, that is where we started nearly two years ago. So, how should we respond when talking with members of other faith or anti-faith groups? Let me start with the via negativa or the “should nots” of religious diplomacy.

• First, we should not be ready to rise up from talking at some offense and plunge the hidden dagger of our arrogant agenda into our opponent’s heart.
• Secondly, we should not use relationships as a ruse, in essence, “fattening them with friendship” so we can consume them in a moment of defenselessness like the Sawi tribe did to outsiders in Don Richardson’s biography, Peace Child.
• Finally, we should not merely accommodate their positions like some kind of simpering, cloying, Gríma Wormtongue-esque sycophant always looking out for themselves if they can’t exert power over others.

We can disagree without being disagreeable, as Dr. Metzger wrote, “While the various faith traditions set forth competing truth claims at key points, such competing claims do not lead adherents of the diverse traditions necessarily to discount and demean one another.”

Dr. Metzger suggests that we aim for the title “Trustworthy Rivals” in our multi-faith encounters. The adjective “Trustworthy” is good and might get us invited back for another cup of tea, but "Rival" is not what I am looking for. It seems to place the opposition we are facing on the wrong actor. While I understand his reason for choosing the word “rivals” (for we go through our convictions, not around them) it leaves me hoping for something better.

Other adjectives might include, “Sympathetic” in the sense of “the act or capacity of entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another…” without polluting the sacred space of relationship with our stuff and yet “Sharpening” each other’s understanding (Proverbs 27:17).  “Faithful” might also work very well as a relational anchor that allows us to remain despite resistance from them or pressure from others urging us to disengage and draw back.

So how do we get beyond labeling other religious groups as "enemies" or mildly better "rivals" without compromising our convictions? Might I suggest that Brother or Sister might work, since we share the same genetics, the same needs, and the same condition (mortality) on the same planet? Just because we are related doesn’t mean that we have to agree, but it should move us to their side to problem-solve together. Perhaps we should do as some others have suggested and call them “friends”. Certainly, we can be friends if we identify ourselves honestly from the beginning and we learn to listen. Or, maybe Neighbor might work best.

What do you think?