Speaking the Language of Religion

A number of years ago, I attended a book colloquia that helped me to identify something about myself that I hadn’t really noticed before. I don’t recall the book we were discussing but my aha really had nothing to do with the message found within the pages of the book.

One person in the group made a somewhat lengthy comment about an insight she had gained while reading the book. Again, I don’t remember the comment though I do recall the feeling associated behind her comment. It was very touchy-feely with words like ‘connecting with their heart’ and ‘communicating to the inner child’ or ‘gain access to the passions inside the soul’. I may be completely off but I recall it had that type of emotion behind it.

Shortly after, another comment was made but this time the background of the comment came from a religious perspective or angle – such as referencing ‘the true self’ or ‘remembering who they were in the pre-existence’ or ‘have the Holy Ghost speak to their spirit’, etc. Again, I may be way off, however the comment definitely had a spiritual or religious undertone to it.

The irony was as I analyzed those two different comments, they basically had expressed the exact same idea – the only difference being the style in which they presented it. Although I was intrigued by the first comment (touchy-feely) - it had merit and perspective that was worthy of consideration - however, when the second comment was made (religious verbiage), I resonated with it at a much deeper level of understanding. What I discovered about myself …? Similar to the fact that I am a visual learner, an introvert, or a #3 energy type - religion is my preferred language.  

On the same note, revelation is my preferred epistemology. If you talk to me about ‘studies have shown’ (imperisism) or ‘officials state’ (mandarinism) or ‘experts suggest’ (credentialism), I may or may not buy into whatever you are trying to communicate. In fact, I’ve seen these forms of evidence abused so much in comparison to what I view as the ultimate source of truth, that they really carry very little weight in my mind. However, if you tell me you had an impression, or quote one of the general authorities, or mention a scripture – I am much more easily persuaded to believe and act accordingly.

The irony, of course, is we live in a time when religion is under attack, and so my preferred voice may not be well received by others. I do find it interesting that avid anti-religionists shout about how oppressed people have been under the “reign of religion” and how much better they are now that “science” and “reason” have liberated them. I feel just the opposite. I am “offended” that religious expression is taken out of our schools and our government. And since science cannot “prove” anything (it can only disprove), and the interpretation of the ‘disproof’ can be twisted to whatever agenda they are wanting to promote, I question scientific backing. It just isn’t my preferred style of language.

I sometimes wonder how First Foundations Academy, with its emphasis on scriptural backing and defending the exercise of religion in the context of secular knowledge, can ever become a reality. What if I’m the only one who speaks that jargon? I also wonder how to create it without it being considered priestcraft due to the religious undertones and the need to be funded in order to function. There are still lots of questions in regard to my efforts to follow this prompting.

This much I do know. I know that we are experiencing and carrying out the great plan of Happiness. I know the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and eternal (beyond the academic trends of the day). I know that pure gospel has been restored and we live in the fullness right now.  I know I want to have a personal relationship with my Savior and follow the specific guidance I receive through the spirit.

And I know that my preferred vocabulary is the one that supports these truths the best. No disguise or universal generalities needed. No separation of secular truths from spiritual truths. No need to give my allegiance to Babylon when the invitation of Zion is before me. If religious verbiage is good enough for Heavenly Father to establish and promote, it is good enough for me to support in my usage. I speak religion.

It's Always Been Greek to Me . . .

When I first heard the concept of the Greek education versus Hebrew education, I found it extremely fascinating.  There was something almost exhilarating as well as liberating to see outlined how I had been a walking contradiction.  The methodology and results between the two clearly put them as opposing forces and I had been trying in vain to make them compatible.  Some of the points that impressed me are as follows:

 

The Greek is focused on the mastery of knowledge and skills.  The Hebrew is focused on purpose and relationships (where knowledge and skills are a by-product or acquired along the way while building relationships and fulfilling purpose). The Greek philosophy sees the mind as a container that needs to be filled.  The Hebrew sees the mind as clay which needs to be molded into its masterpiece. 

The Greek teacher manipulates its student through behaviorism.  The Hebrew teacher inspires the student to desire to change their behavior.  The Greek approach is to shape the mind.  The Hebrew approach is to shape the heart.  The Greek method is to put knowledge in so they can regurgitate it and know what to think.  The Hebrew method is to draw knowledge out so as they search inwardly and learn how to think. 

The differences continue.  The Greek method is very organized and systematic – compartmentalized subjects and packaged curriculum.  The Hebrew method is messy, where all subjects and concepts are intermingled in a unity or wholeness. 

Greek education is dependent on teacher’s training and tools (curriculum), whereas Hebrew education is dependent upon the teacher’s love for the student and the content.  Greek students attempt to learn what the teacher knows.  Hebrew students attempt to become what the teacher is. The Greek focuses on Content.  The Hebrew focuses on Context.

If the opposing views were looked at with anamosity it might be said that the goal of the Greek education is to create individuals who are “useful idiots” to serve the state.  Whereas the Hebrew strive to create individuals who are “blindly obedient” to serve their creator. 

The Hellenistic objective is ‘knowing’.  The Hebrew objective is ‘BECOMING’ or the practical application.  The Greek is concerned with right thinking.  The Hebrew is concerned with right conduct. The Greek learn in order to comprehend.  The Hebrew learn in order to worship God or serve mankind.

The Greek thinker views success as acquiring or owning beauty, brawn, intelligence, money, or popularity.  They ask the question “How will this benefit me”.  The Hebrew mindset views success as demonstrating service to others, worship to God, and obedience to his commandments.  They ask the question “How will this benefit others”.

That long list probably would have been better organized as bullet points in two separate columns (Greek style) but the poetic factor (Hebrew style) of the contrast would have been lost.  Yet another demonstration of the two divisions of thought. 

So now a couple questions.  1) Is it true? and 2) Does it matter?  Of course there are proponents and opponents for both sides of those questions.  In my humble opinion, it is more a matter of principle than a matter of facts. 

I agree that the factual application of this idea is in gross error.  Not all Greeks were consistent in this way of thinking and neither were all Hebrews so saintly in their application. 

Chicken or the Egg?

The world loves to view things in the extremes.  And people love to sensationalize their perspective is superior than another – stuck in an either/or mode of thinking.  But that doesn’t necessarily indicate that reality exists in that mode. 

One of the philosophies may have possibly been foundational or a preparation to the other.  Such as we find in the comparison of the lower (mosaic) law versus the higher (Christian) law.  Both are valuable for the purpose they were meant to perform, but one is more complete.  That applies in this context as well.  The Greek focus of content or knowledge is a valuable objective to pursue, but it is lacking in completeness of the whole person. 

The Greek way of thinking may be different and lacking, but still had influence on the Hebrew.  The Hebrew ideal originated from Adam and so must have had influence on the Greek perspective.  It all sounds like the childhood dilemma - Which came first, the chicken or the egg?  The Greek or the Hebrew?  

Again, chronology of influence may be missing the boat.  Identifying the distinguishing characteristics of each mode of thinking is valuable to clarify where one may be or where one would like to go, but it doesn’t establish which one is consistent with truth.  

The Greek education has been all I've ever known in my own schooling experience.  It's always been Greek to me.  But should it continue to be.  The Hebrew philosophy pulls on my heart as what I want to obtain for myself, my children, and ultimately, for all society at large.  Focusing more on the BECOMING rather than simply the KNOWING.  

BECOMING

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In order to accomplish this Colossal Quest, it’s going to require a certain type of person.  I don’t mean an introvert/extrovert or even the most talented/qualified to carry it out.  But instead a certain caliber of person with all their unique gifts and contributions for their specific missions.  A highly educated person but not in the traditional sense.  One that is educated in character.

When thinking about the purposes of education, it’s generally associated with getting a good job, or having the skills to be competitive in society, or just simply acquiring things like money, a social reputation or cultural literacy.  Basically, the purpose is to DO or to HAVE.  But like most things that society has to offer, there is a higher, a more noble purpose behind the mechanics . . . and that is to BE.

 

BEING a great person, is truly undervalued in a world where GETTING is the popular trend.  BEING of high quality is hardly even mentioned in the arguments for education.  Sure, there is the twist on the word such as being informed and literate or being confident and competitive, even being a contributing member of society.  But those are just another way of saying the same objective of GETTING. 

BEING or BECOMING is in a class of its own.  It’s happening all the time, whether it is identified as an objective or not.  DOING or GETTING require specific actions to get a result but BECOMING is an either/or based on what choices are made.  It’s attached to the DOING or GETTING but shapes the character rather than the brain or pocketbook.  For instance –

Studying math 

     *Provides career opportunities  (& salary advantages) to solve society’s Ills  

     *Increases the likelihood of improving the current trends of technology growth

     *Gives the student the skills needed to understand the principles of mathematics

     *Gives the student competence to interact in a world where those principles are utilized

     *Causes the brain to create new connections and pathways for increased functionality and reasoning power

     *It may create a hate of math because of the challenges associated with learning it.

Those are the DOING and GETTING.  But it also is teaching the BECOMING skills such as:

    *Developing the fortitude and confidence to do hard things

    *Developing the discipline of daily practice and persistence (a good work ethic)

    *Developing a greater appreciation for the mathematical principles behind all of creation and nature

    *Developing a social competence and intelligence that is attractive to others

    *Developing courage to face complicated problems or intimidating circumstances

    *If resisting the learning challenges, it is developing ignorance, inconsistency, emotional instability, distractableness, discouragement, cantankerous, lazy, even a quitter.

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So how does one BECOME? 

Well, God has already put together a pretty amazing system based on choice and experiences.  Truth is available for all and whether one applies said truth, BECOMES said results.  If the opposite of truth is applied, one BECOMES a different result.  A simple cause and effect system.  Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 describe it best:

            “There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings (in this case BECOMINGS) are predicated –

            “And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is

predicated.”

We simply identify what it is we want to BECOME and then make those choices that will give us those results.  Simple?  Not really.  It’s quite a complex scenario but well worth the investment of focus and intent. 

Whereas DOING can receive a checkmark and GETTING can be tangibly identified, BECOMING is challenging to measure.  Usually it is incredibly gradual and continually progressive in nature.  Over time or hindsight is its best indicators that progress is being made. 

If BECOMING is our educational objective and we are in the process of BECOMING (because the journey never ends), we can DO what is required to accomplish the Colossal Quest and HAVE an impactful life.

The Quest Begins

During the summer of 2014, I had the privilege of spending a week away from my chaotic circumstances and go play with, laugh alongside, learn from, and be inspired by my amazing sisters at a sister’s retreat.   We did everything from attend the theater, walk through beautiful gardens, play silly games, and watch chic-flics, to long intimate discussions, attend seminars, and dine at the finest restaurants.  It was an amazing retreat. 

One performance stuck out in my mind as particularly inspiring – life changing even.  It was a local production of the play “The Man of LaMancha”.  I believe I watched this movie as a young teen but wasn’t particularly impressed with a lunatic that wore a washbasin for a hat and charged at windmills.  Needless to say, I hadn’t gotten much out of it.  But this time – Maybe it was the closeness of the action, or the inability to wander off disinterested, or the fact that I’ve matured enough over the years to appreciate so many of the truths found therein – but this time, It was mesmerizing.  I have never been so moved by a man’s integrity (even though he wasn’t in his right mind at the time) and nobility of purpose.  His ability to pursue something of such import, even though he knew it could never be achieved, to pursue it anyway because it was right, and because he wanted his life to matter.  Simply look at the caliber of his quest.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ... 

This is my quest, to follow that star ... 
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... 
To fight for the right, without question or pause ... 
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... 

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest, 
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm, 
when I'm laid to my rest ... 
And the world will be better for this: 
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, 
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, 
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

Could there be a more noble pursuit. 

As I pondered these ideas, I felt a strong desire to align my purpose with such nobility, to make a difference in this world, to seek something so far out there that only Christ could make it happen.  And so I sat down and identified what I call the Colossal Quest. It is so ginormous it will take a lifetime’s pursuit, and so (almost) unattainable (because I can do all things through Christ), and so noble a cause that in today’s world it causes one to stand firm and maybe alone. 

Colossal Quest

To Live a Principled and Virtuous Life

To Aspire to Greatness

To Engage in Freedom’s Cause

To fulfill my Life’s Service

To Be a Force for Good

To Prove faithful to the Right

And so the quest begins.