THE TELLING DETAIL

It's the small things in life that can come back and bite you. So it is smarter to deal with them than it is to ignore them.

Let's back up a bit. Not so long ago, I was talking with a friend who happens to be not a Christian. She's a sweet person, but she didn't have much background in Christian-related things. I forget how we got into the conversation, but I was telling her about the incident where Jesus saves the woman who was about to be stoned. (John 8:3-11)

The woman in the story was "taken in the act" of adultery, and the punishment by Jewish law was stoning. On top of that, when the punishment for a breaking of the Jewish law was stoning, the first stone was to be thrown by someone who had witnessed the crime. So when Jesus is asked about it all sorts of things come into play. One big question, of course, is where is the man who was commiting this act with her? But what the accusers wanted was for Jesus to interfere -- because in Jewish law, anyone who interferes in a "just" punishment becomes subject to that punishment (that is, they wanted to stone Jesus).

Jesus' response was to say "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." By saying this he challenges them on the law. He's forcing the issue of who is the actual witness to the woman's transgression -- because, after all, she was taken in the act. Who saw this? Who knew? Either her partner in the adultery (in which case he was sinning too) or the witness was a voyeur hiding in the bedroom (surely equally sinful). But Jesus challenged them by saying that the primary witness needed to be "without sin." The accusers were not going to win this one.

It was a detail they had been overlooking, that requirement that the witness was to throw the first stone.

Details can be important. They should not be shirked. We never know when it might be the small detail that catches someone's attention.

Sometimes people say "God is in the details."

Do we believe that? Sometimes I wonder, given the way we dismiss the details when it's convenient to us.

How often do we dismiss something because it's "just a detail"? Quite often, I find. And it makes me shake my head. Do people not understand what can happen? I've seen this happen in discussions where a group of friends are giving notes to a writer in the group. Someone will mention something that bothered or tweaked them, and another (for whom that detail seemed unimportant) dismisses it, saying "That's just a detail." But how big does a crack have to be to trip someone up? Often as not, not a very big crack at all.

We should pay attention to details because they are tripping people up, or because they could be the clue to where and how to build the proper solid foundation for something. The details are important.

TO BE A MISSIONARY IN INDIA

My great-aunt Lucy, my paternal grandfather's half-sister, decided to become a missionary to India in 1918-1919, and apparently wrote her parents about her choice and (it would seem) asked their blessing. When my mother died, I brought home what correspondence remained of Aunt Lucy's service in India. I have not yet begun to sort through those papers. But my sister Joan had discovered the letters Lucy's parents wrote her just after she'd told them of her choice.

My great-grandfather John Cornelius Beach had been a Methodist pastor, serving in Michigan around the area where he had grown up. His first wife, Lucy Kellogg, the mother of my grandfather Floyd Kellogg Beach, had been the daughter of another pastor (the Rev. E.L. Kellogg). She had died in childbirth a few years after my grandfather had been born. John C. remarried a couple of years later, to a widow of yet another Methodist preacher, and they had four children, Aunt Lucy being one of them.

I hadn't realized that Lucy Kellogg had been a preacher's daughter until I went online today, hunting for a few more dates about my Aunt Lucy. Nor had I realized that John C.'s second wife had been a preacher's widow before marrying him. Given that my mother's father had also been a pastor, I'd known that I came from a "very churched" family. I just had not realized that it was even more so than I'd known.

Anyway, Aunt Lucy made her decision to be a missionary and served in India from 1920 through 1952.

I was typing in the text of the letters from Lucy's parents, and was struck by how thorougly they committed their lives to the Lord. I'd like to think that I make the choices in my life with an equal consideration of God's will. But the reality is that I (and very few people I know) use the word "consecrated" about out decisions. It gives one pause.

In any case, I thought it would be interesting to post my transcription of their letters here.

****

LETTERS OF LUCY’S PARENTS

[Kept in a envelope with a postal cancellation that says “Berrien Springs, Mich. Aug 30 6PM 1918” Addressed to: Miss Lucy W. Beach White Pigeon, Michigan Return address on back flap: From John C. Beach, Buchanan, Mich. In the texts, when I couldn't make out the handwriting, I've put it in square brackets.]

Monday p.m. 27th Jan. ’19 Beach Homestead.

Well Dearest, you think the Lord wants you over in India do you? Papa said “you aren’t surprised are you?” I said yes rather. The fact is I have always thot [sic] you were not strong enough to go where you would have such physical and mental strain as you would have to have in India, China, or any of those foreign countries. Now what do you expect us to say? What do you want us to say? Can I say thy will be done? Only this morning I asked God to help me to be or do anything he wants me to be. I long ago consecrated my all, my children, my husband myself to Him. This morning as I knelt alone in prayer I made a new consecration, little thinking before the day was over I would be asked to give my precious Lucy to go to India, or some other far away country. I cannot go back on my word. If He wants you to go I say yes so far as I am personally concerned. If that is his will concerning you, and you can say yes Lord, the ways, means & health will be provided. I can scarcely write for the tears. God knows our children are very precious to us. Each one was dedicated to him before birth. We have taught you all to be interested in Foreign Missions, can we wonder at it that you should feel as you do? After all it may only be God’s way of testing your love for Him. Sometimes after the surrender has been made the way has been closed. I have heard people say it concerning their call to preach. I do not say this to put any temptation in your way. My thot [sic] is that we must be ready to say, “I go where you want me to go.” I do what you want me to do. We will pray dear that if you are called it may be perfectly plain and then I am sure we will all say “Thy will be done.” These are great days. The Lord is doing great things all over the world. This is not so large a world as it used to be. Just think of Joseph in Russia and Floyd in France. Where will Agnes be another year? and so all of us. We can say My times are in Thy hands. O God I wish them there ‐ I don’t remember the rest.

I washed this AM. This pm I left my work and called on Mrs. Deets & Cora Parketon. Poor Mrs. Deets is so sad because of her boy. I tried to comfort her the best I could. She said she was glad I came. Cora gave me her name as extension member. It is time to get supper. Daddy is doing chores. I have to wash my breakfast & dinner dishes yet. Don’t tell any one this. I must iron a few pieces for fear I will not have time in the morning. I will have my skirt to clean & press. I wish now my blue silk waist was made. Suppose Alice would choose Emily for her room, would you want them both alike! I like Jessica quite well. I also like the 2 choices for hall had not that I would pay quite [Allias]. Perhaps Laxton [?] would be all right. I expect when Alice sends her choice I will be muddled & wont know which to choose. Don’t you think Valence pretty for Joseph’s room? You know it is to be the spare room & all the furniture is white.

Your loving Mother, Henrietta.

***
Monday Evening, 27th January 1919
Sitting Room, Beach Homestead

Precious Daughter, Lucy Wadhams:

Isn’t that affectionate & formal? We have great concerns to consider. Mother it seems to me has taken the subject well in hand from all points and I need but say Amen. Thy will O Lord not mine be done. If it is India there is where I would have you. For surely to do God’s will is the greatest as well as best thing for any life. Your work in Athens, White Pigeon, [Am...?], Buchanan, Ypsilanti, Harbor Point or elsewhere if by God’s appointment and with His blessing may have been the greatest thing for you, and some lowlier place yet may be your place of exaltation for the Master. You will be perfectly safe in saying Yes, Lord here I am for whatever, wherever, whenever you may say. One could not be so sure with anyone else, but from or to Him we need not hesitate to make the fullest surrender. If India is where He would have you go as mother says “the ways, means & health will be provided.” My daily prayer for each of you children is that you may be used of the Lord to be a blessing to others and glorify Him. The consecration of your lives to this end was long ago. That time was my time of soul struggle but in the victory He gave me, all of the severe tests that have come have been borne by His grace ready for the time of need. The time I refer to was at Eaton Rapids Camp meeting, the summer before Floyd’s mother Lucy died. ‐‐ The great thing for us is, as Bro. Bancroft said Sunday p.m. (Text Acts 15: 18) “lo, hear what God has to say to us.” “What I fear is that I may be so taken up with my concerns in the things of this life that I shall not hear what God says, for He surely is here directing the affairs of His Kingdom.” It was a great sermon. It seemed as tho’ the Master was dictating each word. ‐ As for Mother and me, maybe when you have served “your number of years” in India you may come back and care for us when we shall have more need of you than now. For all our days our loving Heavenly Father will provide. He is faithfull that has promised. His promises are more reliable than government bonds. Love you! Tongue or pen can not tell how much. We will love you none the less tho’ time and distance
are between. ‐‐ If this be God’s call you have no need to worry any more than about your present situation. He will direct your steps as you commit your way to Him.

8:20 A.M. Eastern time. ‐ Breakfast & chores over. Both of us very well. About learning the language ‐ the “new method in China” by [sound] signs, may have reached India by the time you reach there ‐ so u will be able to soon mater the rudiments and the rest will keep coming with use. Already I see you with a tiny organ gathering the children and their mothers (and an occasional man) about you to hear the “Sweet Story of old, When Jesus was here among men” ‐‐ You’ll soon forget all about their color and as they learn their grime and dress [they make] their skin do will change for [salvation] & Christianization. ... Had to stop and saw a soup bone for mother ‐‐ whatever or wherever, you must take first care of your throat & health. From what your M.D. said of your throat I wonder if u sh’d sing much. B sure to follow the directions he gives for care of throat & health. Yesterday’s verse Hab. 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength and he will make my feet like hind’s feet, and he will make me to walk upon my high places”. (Hind = red deer, swift ‐ sure footed). Today’s “Attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee, for thou wilt answer me”. Ps. 86: 6,7. My song ‐ “Guide me O thou Great Jehovah”

Lovingly, Daddy John Cornelius Beach

[Then a postscript written up the right side margin ‐‐ ]

Bro. Bancroft gave me “India’s Mass [movements]” [Warne?].. I was reading it again Sunday. ‐ No wonder India appeals to you. When I heard Miss Hoffman at [Conf.] I wanted to send all my children.

****

In doing my researching today, I discovered that John C. died December 10, 1921. So his wish of seeing Lucy come home from India to care for her parents was never fulfilled. But I think he would have been very proud to see her dedication in her long service.

A KIND OF JEWISH REFORMER

On a message board where I post frequently, one of the posters has the following in his signature --

I would imagine Jesus was a kind of Jewish reformer. If you were looking for an equivalent to the figure you dimly perceive through the gospels it would probably be a Richard Dawkins. -- A.C. Grayling

Now, I don't know who A.C. Grayling is, but since he cites Richard Dawkins (of all people), I'm going to have to guess that Grayling is an atheist.

That said, there just so much off the mark about this quotation that I can't help but laugh.

The statement that Jesus was "a kind of Jewish reformer" seems to be made as if it is some sort of new and novel insight. And that in itself indicates a lack of familiarity with the story of Jesus. "A kind of Jewish reformer"? Well, duh. No kidding. His message was that the Jews had gotten so tied to their traditions that they no longer paid attention to the words God had spoken to them in scripture. And this rattled the "religious authorities" all around, even those who opposed each other in the normal course of events.

But then Grayling goes on with the silliness that the figure to be found in the gospels can only be "dimly perceived."

This idea that the Jesus in the Gospels is somehow a watercolor or merely stained glass version of some personality is hardly new or fresh. And it is ridiculous. There's nothing dim about the figure in the Gospels. The personality we find there is so strong that for over two thousand years he has drawn people to him, simply by way of the report of his "biographers". How is that a "dim perception"?

But the capper.... Jesus would be someone like Richard Dawkins: Richard Dawkins??

Richard Dawkins, the current prophet of atheism? The uber-rationalist who nearly goes into convulsions at the idea that children are enjoying fantasy literature, because none of that stuff is "real." Richard Dawkins, who utterly denies the existence of the spiritual dimension, or anything supernatural? Richard Dawkins, who insists that God does not exist at all?

Jesus, who asserted that he was the Son of God, that Jesus would be like Richard Dawkins?

I don't think so. I think it merely shows that Grayling himself has only a "dim perception" of what is in the Gospels, let alone what Jesus Himself might be like.

And yet the confidence with which the assertion is made is astounding. Because it starts from a point of view that assumes everyone would agree that the Gospels are vague about what they are talking about, a point of view that assumes that all readers of the Gospels are dull-minded and unable to perceive things clearly in the first place. It's also a point of view that assumes that eveyone is going to agree that Richard Dawkins is a brilliant and insightful thinker, whose every word is accurate and true.

Dear me.

Why is it that such atheist advocates always assume that Believers, and Christians especially, are lacking in intellectual skills and discernment? That Christians are incapable of logic or scientific understanding? Is it just because it makes things much easier for them to dismiss serious consideration of what really does lie within the Gospels?

I'm not really looking for an aswer to these questions here, but I couldn't help but muse on the matters. I'm not going to pounce on the poster who uses the quotation, since there is nothing to be gained in doing so. Such discussions as we have on that board are not about beliefs. So it would not be appropriate for me to challenge him about it there. But that isn't going to stop me from thinking about the absurdity of the quotation.