Then for seven years he was leader of The Iona Community, and for the next seven was the minister of St. Magnus Cathedral on Orkney. For the past three years, Ron has been a full time writer/broadcaster and lives on Orkney.
He is the author of 11 books, one of which is the definitive biography of the Very Reverend Dr. George F. MacLeod, founder of the Iona Community, moderator of the Church of Scotland, and the only Presbyterian minister to hold a seat in the House of Lords. Ron writes weekly for The Glasgow Herald. With their kind permission we will reprint an occasional column in the Outlook. His first for Outlook readers, “Begging for a Spiritual Experience,” appears in this issue.
To his columns Ron brings theological and ecclesiastical acumen, sound cultural judgment, an unwavering sense of humor and dependable compassion. Robert Burns in “To a Louse” prayed:
O wad some
Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as ithers see us!
Ron’s sharp eye, warm heart, and honest mind are gifts of insight to Scotland, to the church, and now to the readers of the Outlook, to help us see ourselves more truthfully. It is a joy to welcome him. This first column fits Advent and Christmas – as all of us turn once more to the river Jordan and the weary Baptizer, to the town of Bethlehem and the stable, and to the shepherds on a hillside hearing words of peace. For hovering over Advent I are the ominous four horsemen of the apocalypse, who seem to have taken more than passing interest in the tragic beginnings of the 21st Century.
Palestinian perspective
Also in this issue is an introduction given at a Dialogue on Anti-Semitism I heard in October at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. The dialogue was between Rabbi Elliot Dorff, Rector and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, and his good friend, Dr. Richard Mouw, President of Fuller. Dr. Mouw and Rabbi Dorff are accomplished scholars with international reputations.
The evening began with an introduction that electrified the audience. Sari Ateek, an M.Div. student at Fuller, a Palestinian and Episcopalian, whose father is a noted Palestinian theologian, spoke the words you see on the next page. At the end when we thanked the participants with applause, Mr. Ateek received a sustained, standing ovation.
What was said by Mr. Ateek before the dialogue at Fuller began and at some risk to himself, is a compelling antidote to the perhaps (please God, let it be so) unintentional stupidities committed in the name of the PC(USA) in Lebanon when members of ASCWP met with Hezbollah. When I read what Dr. Stone said during the meeting, and learned of its use by Al Jazeera, I was struck by the image of a little boy playing with matches in a room full of gasoline.
This event raises two questions. First, how well equipped are we to act (good natured, inclusive, always participatory Presbyterians that we are) in a dangerous, international environment where lives may be lost when even one word is spoken carelessly. How ready are we to take the consequences when ‘theological, peacemaking nuance’ is useless when the media (even some church media) are greedy for sensation no matter what the cost? We would do well to heed Emily Dickinson: A word is dead when it is said, some say. I believe it just begins to live that day. Or Jesus: If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck (Mark 9:42.)
It is regrettable that persons at the Louisville headquarters have been sacked over this incident; it is even more unfortunate that we have played right into the hands of mendacious, right wing critics who have gleefully labeled us Calvinists (of all people) as having a silly irresponsible left wing bias. What stings most is that we are losing thoughtful members in congregations across the PC(USA).
If the church longs to work for peace with justice, we must learn new strategies for international action, beginning with delegations whose members have thoroughly discussed the implications (gains and losses for peace) of their itinerary and presentations. We will fail every time if we think we can trot with privileged naiveté over mine fields without metal detectors. It’s one thing to risk your own life in the cause of peacemaking; we may never risk the lives of others. We must with prayer and careful planning restore our credibility by denouncing all violence, even as we hold each other accountable.
Today, in Advent, let us join Mr. Ateek in speaking out loudly and forcefully against violence and anti-Semitism – as Christians, as Humanists – and especially now (may God have mercy on us all) as Presbyterians.
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