Much has been said and written about Anne Rice's recent announcement, here. Though I have never actually left the church, nor do I think I will, I can relate to what she wrote. I can only guess what prompted it for her. I know what did (and does) prompt 'feeling like that' for me: Some fellow church member's callous or gossipy remark. Some fellow church member yelling at me or my family over a perceived** or actual wrong*. Some scandal within the church or so-called-church. An un-biblical or misconstrued pronouncement from a church leader. Christian friends and relatives that are consistently (not occasionally!) un-Christian in how they interact with others. Fill in the blank. What I can say is that most of us Christians have been there, feeling like she feels. I love what Dave Burchett blogged about Anne Rice here and here. He says what I would say, if I could say it quite that way.
I was a fan of Anne Rice's earlier books until the time I had a spiritual awakening*** in my mid-20s, and felt the need to make a clean break from my former life and pastimes. That included my entertainment choices like adult fairy tales and sexy vampires. (I still think Interview With The Vampire is a classic and puts other, newer Vampire-fare that shall remain un-designated to shame.) I know I've mentioned before, how during that time I was focusing on building my spiritual self and feeding my flesh with fantasy was not productive at that time. So I sort of lost track of Anne Rice for awhile, while God was doing some much needed, heavy duty work on me.
I read Christ The Lord, Out of Egypt a fictionalized account of Jesus' early years, after seeing the sound bytes about Anne Rice's conversion when it first became news. I thought it was really good. It was from a decidedly Roman Catholic perspective. That might bother some people, but it didn't me. She guesstimates that Jesus' brothers and sisters were step-siblings and that Joseph was a widower before he married Mary. Roman Catholic readers, many of whom believe the siblings were cousins, can leave their idea of Mary's perpetual virginity intact. Non-Catholics can say, well, maybe you believe that but we are literally convinced of literal full-blooded brothers and sisters (born after Jesus) but it's an interesting idea. However, none of that impacts our salvation in Christ alone, and it makes for an interesting read.
What impressed me about the book was how through her gift and talent of writing Anne Rice made certain aspects of Jewish culture and history come alive for me. Her description of the Mikveh bath, and other aspects the times and family life during that period gave me a sense and understanding that frankly blessed me and helped me understand better. It was like adding an illustrated picture to a set of directions for greater clarity. I had read and heard about these things before, but she painted a picture for me, but also gave it a practical application. Then there was the testimony part of the book, so beautifully written and explained, I enjoyed that aspect so much.
I can pray that she will continue to follow Christ the Lord (She didn't give up on Him, after all, only "Christian Religion"). She has much offer the body of Christ and it would seem, and much to learn herself. I think if she dedicates herself to unbiased, open-minded scholarship, as she did in the first Christ book she wrote, and prayerful vigilance to God and his Word she can and will overcome her disillusionment with some aspects of Christianity and its followers. There are certainly very difficult and unpalatable facets of the various aspects of our faith, Jesus' Crucifixion is the cornerstone prime example of that.
*We are a ministry family but we are not perfect. If we say or do anything un-biblical, please confront us calmly and in love the way you would like to be confronted, yelling and demeaning us makes us less likely to really hear what you are saying.
**We are a ministry family and therefore called to exhort, if the shoe fits...don't clobber us with it, just repent. ;)
***Commonly called "getting saved" or giving one's heart to the Lord.
2 comments:
Interesting post, E.B. I am not aquainted with Anne Rice, but read your thoughts and followed your links, too. I find it all so sad, really.
One, because it's so difficult for anyone in the public eye to take an inventory of themselves and work out their salvation in fear and trembling...unless they are completely willing to remove themselves from that public eye ...and
Two, because there exists today in America such a chaotic distortion of the Church, as the Apostles knew it. To many it's nothing more than a social gathering of like-minded individuals to hear sermons that tickle their ears.
To others it seems a place of such routine as to be dull and uninspiring...a place where the self-righteous can be fed and justified.
and yet, what I see most beautiful around the world, is that the Church, the Bride of Christ, does also exist for those who are hungry and hurting - who need mended in body, mind and soul. Who need the sin uprooted in their life. It is still a hospital for those who see clearly the state they're in... I pray this for Ms. Rice, that she will see that the Church is the Bride of Christ, that christians are not meant to be an island.
I pray for you, too, E.B., as I can only imagine how challenging it is to be a minister's wife... such high expectations and quick judgments from others.
Peace to you and your house ~
Amy, You make an excellent point about working out salvation in public. What you wrote reminded me of the Apostle Paul (formerly Saul) who after his conversion spent about 3 years being discipled by other "fathers" in the faith before he launched into a public ministry.
I also agree with your 2nd point.
You paint a valid picture of the Church being a Bride. I think we all need to remind ourselves of that! You put it so well. I have been known to tell people (and remind myself) who lament as Ms. Rice has done about people in the church being hypocritical or acting poorly that the best place for such flawed individuals is in the church. That is where they will be introduced to, and taught the Word and the truth that can help them; and they're in the fellowship of those who care. The church is our best hope. When we keep ourselves apart form it, we are like a lone sheep in the wilderness, we need our Good Shepherd to bring us back in the fold where we are safe in the care of the under-shepherds He appoints (see 1 Peter5).
I edited my original post for clarity. I think at first it might have come off as me saying I left the church as well. When what I meant was I have felt like she felt, for reasons perhaps similar to hers.
I don't feel sad, I feel optimistic, actually, because I think that as we cling to Jesus through our disillusionment with the church, life, ourselves others, or whatever, we come out stronger on the other side. I really do believe that God is bigger than these things and He is strong enough to to get us through it. Maybe I'm naive about that, but I don't think so.
Anyway, Amy, I love your comments as always and peace and blessings to you and your house, dear one!
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