daily life as life goes on . . .

The founder of the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination (a Canadian) died on October 29, 1919.  He was born in 1843 – making him a mere 76 years old when he died.  I’m not many birthdays away from Simpson’s expiry date age.

Why does that strike me? 

Well, I have spent a number of years studying the history of the Alliance church which Simpson founded.  I was paid to research the written articles of A.B. Simpson for a book called “Birth of a Vision”, a year of paid research which I thoroughly enjoyed.  During that year the story of AB Simpson became a daily life-drama I was allowed to see unfold word by word and page by page.  Right up to his death.

If I’ve learned anything from Simpson’s life . . . Live life fully for Jesus’ sake.  Live a deeper life.  Right to death!

So today I’ve asked myself about myself:  Where am I at?  What indications of a full life can I see?  Have I stalled as though my best before date has expired?  Is there anything holding me back from going deeper? 

In the early 1990’s I was researching and exploring the whole area of spiritual formation.  I soon realized that you needed an additional adjective – Christian.  We all have spirits that are being formed, but is that formation following Jesus?

The wave of Spiritual Formation has been called the next wave of the Christian church – particularly in Western Society.  We have taken on Pentecostalism/charismatic, church growth and seeker sensitive approaches to outreach and even now are dealing with “deconstructionism”. 

While I can see the need for discipleship as a priority there is a need to remind ourselves that there is a heart to the matter along with steps to be taken.  But, forming our spirits (often prioritized by disciplines) can have a dark side.  Ian Harber (whom I have just recently run across) makes the following observation:

“In the spiritual formation wave, it’s far too easy:

• for the gospel to be assumed instead of explicit
• for Scripture to take a backseat to experience and
• for the church to become a sideshow to one’s individual journey.”

In those early years I encountered Robert Webber.  As he spoke to a class I was teaching we ventured into the topic of worship (a passion of his).  Further discussion revealed that his emphasis was really on corporate spiritual formation.  Perhaps this is an antidote to the very individualistic “my truth” adventure that many go on as they seek spiritual formation.

A most interesting read (which I read) has been suggested by my sister-in-law, increased in importance by my father’s experience, and cogently argued by a concerned academic/authour.

The article (and here my library background kicks in):  Guretzki, David.  Three Dimensional Conscience:  A Theo-Legal Proposal for Testing Conscience Clams.  The Supreme Court Law Review, Second Series:  Volume 113, 2023, pp. 38-52.  I understand that the Judges on the Supreme Court of Canada all receive a copy of this series.

In summary, David makes a case for legal conscience cases needing to provide evidences of three areas:  1)  a sincerely and visibly practiced belief, 2) A community of conviction (from which a sincerely held belief may have originated), and 3) A transcendent Norm (a universal moral reality).

A slight divergence here to explain my interest in these areas. 

My father was a “conchie” (conscientious objector) in World War II.  Guretzki touches on the whole pacifist phenomenon of breaking conscription law as a matter of conscience.  As a child, my father’s conversations with friends about moral decline still stick with me – often generated around a moral conscience that he held – and which was currently being assailed by a more lenient society.

A good friend of mine served as a surgeon – in the 1990’s our coffee times were both personal and professional.  The matter of surgeons being required to perform abortions (and the spectre of MAiD) occupied our chats as we discussed how even conscience guarantees in law might not be of much consequence.  

As a bit of a research nerd, a theology buff and a philosophy dabbler this area has become even more complicated as we have entered an age of self-spirituality, individual moral agents who claim only self-revelation to guide their conscience, and relativism’s strongly occurring head.  These and other factors have raised a spectre of moral opportunism, radical autonomism and fanaticism, and communal relativism and legal tribalism (Thanks, David, for those categories).

All that to say, Guretzki lays out a good case to help the law (lawyers and judges included in that broad term) to adjudicate conscience cases. 

Just as a teaser as you look over Guretzki’s three dimensional conscience article – is the whole area of freedom in our Canadian society somehow related to conscience?  OOPS, I just gave away the first paragraph of the article!

Upon retirement from decades of Christian ministry work I was given an “inukshuk carving” – an image in the likeness of a human.  You may have seen some of these creations.  Most notable are rock formations that are highlighted in sparse surroundings. 

The accompanying plaque referenced I Thessalonians 1:3.  Indeed (and truly this speaks of doing, not just being human) these are aspirational goals I have had over the years.  In humility, my hope is that I have been able to truly live up to these standards.

Your work produced by faith

Your labour prompted by love

You endurance inspired by hope

in our Lord Jesus Christ