The church where Mama plays the organ is giving Dairy Queen Blizzards to all the children who attend every day of their Vacation Bible school. Now, Mama doesn’t attend this church as a parishioner; she just plays the organ and directs the choir for a fee; yet, these people never cease to do things that get her worked up. It is kind of her nature to get worked up so that part doesn’t surprise me too much. She was hoppin’ mad though about this Blizzard thing. She thinks that it is a blasphemous bribery; a subtle way of telling children that the best reason to “love the Lord with all your heart and mind and your neighbour as yourself” is to get a tasty corporate treat.
Now, I usually think that my mama is right-on, but she is way off base with this one. To begin with pious behaviour (which for the moment we will assume attendance at Vacation Bible school is) has always been encouraged by means of bribery. The only difference is that these people are offering an award slightly more tangible than heaven. Universal salvation was a common and orthodox teaching in the early Christian Church, championed by luminaries the likes of St. Gregory of Nysaa. The idea that everyone gets to go to heaven didn’t make it into the mainstream of Sunday sermons, however, because the idea of reward and punishment is a very effective way to get people to act a certain way. I am not saying this is right. I am merely saying that it is and there is a history to support it.
But beside all that, I actually think that the Blizzard idea is a good one (DO NOT TELL MY MOTHER!). Here’s why: At its very best the Church (with a capital C as in the vehicle of salvation on Earth, the unwedded bride of Christ, not the Sunday meeting point or any denomination) should strive to meet people where they are. That’s what I like about the motto of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena: “Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself on the journey of faith, there is a place for you here.” Demanding that people change too much is just going to happen. Moreover, I think its incumbent upon all of us to claim Earth for the Kingdom of Heaven. It is going to be here anyway, right? That means making heaven tangible. Jesus offered healing as a tangible symbol of Heaven on Earth. We can’t heal so why not offer a Blizzard?
The thing is I don’t particularly like the idea of Vacation Bible School or Sunday School for that matter. For me real religious instruction occurs in the dirty living of daily life and in the beauty of the Eucharist. But if you are going to have such religious education courses, you might as well get the people to show up. Beside, can you imagine Heaven without Blizzards.
3 responses so far ↓
whytefairy // August 10, 2009 at 7:58 am |
As a *twitch* former attendee of *twitch* Vacation Bible School!, all I can *twitch* say is ‘Where are MY Blizzards?????’ I suppose that shows off just how un-Christian I am. I get the idea of VBS- a bit of time in the summer (ours was a single week, every night, and then a picnic on Saturday or something like that) when you can reconnect with your Church Buddies (as there is no Sunday School in the summer) (and assuming you have any) and continue to celebrate Jesus’ presence in your life and the world- learn how to do good things in his name, etc. If you’ve ever seen the movie Saved- the ideology of the school is sort of what VBS is all about (complete with guitars). Now, as someone who, if she were Christian, would understand the purpose of Sunday School. In the Methodist Church, you learn about the Bible based on what the reading and the sermon will be later (though by middle and high school age, you just hang out on the comfy chairs and whine). I think it’s a fairly decent way of teaching little kids about their religion- it gives them a chance to ask all manner of questions. VBS in my experience was more like Christian summer camp- with your parents. Much less Jesus Died For Our Sins and more Let’s Celebrate That Jesus Loves Us Enough To Give Us This Grassy Field By Having A Picnic On It And Singing Songs! Who Wants The Tambourine??? I dont have anything about the Protestants’ thing with working the Bible out for themselves- but teaching children to be Fishers Of Men will not be accomplished by making them cut fish out of construction paper! Now fork over the Blizzard!
mama // August 11, 2009 at 12:57 pm |
Kate,
You totally missed my point…….I don’t think a person should believe because of any reward system . Even the promise of salvation. YOu should believe because you just do(an undefined reason). I do agree that the Church should and is where people meet together to share fellowship/love no matter where that place is. But it shouldn’t promote on place,situation or thing more than something else. Faith,believe or whatever you want to call it shouldn’t be thought of in terms of specifics or restrictions but should have no boundaries or limits. To equate it with something,no matter what that is, is to destroy its potential and beauty.
James // August 11, 2009 at 1:32 pm |
Do I hear the happy little voice of reason….?