We are often encouraged to reflect on important books in our
lives. And reading is recommended for
help in coping with life and mental health generally. I’ve enjoyed reading Deborah Cox’s blog and
one recent post discussed this aspect of books:
While considering what new books I might read, it came to my
mind to consider which books have been most important to me. I traveled back in my mind and eventually
came upon one that changed my life.
Though, it is only on reflection of my life subsequent to reading it
that I now realize that fact. Had not
thought about this book in many years.
It is not about science or religion or philosophy. It is not recognized as a classic. The book is “A Many Splendored Thing” by Han
Suyin. It is one of only two or three
Romance novels I’ve ever read. But it
came at a critical time with some messages especially pertinent to my young
life. I re-read it a few months ago to help
bring back my memories of how and why it has the effect it did.
It was late summer of 1971 just before the fall term of my senior year
of college and my 21st birthday.
So, a time with critical choices on which path my life would take. I loved science and technology. I also desired to be as good a Christian as I
could be and had always considered Christian ministry in some way as a possible
life path. The previous summer I’d been
to Europe on an Evangelistic campaign.
This summer I had been involved in Christian ministry in Europe. It was late in the summer when I read the book, shortly before coming home.
It is important here to discuss the nature of the devout
Christian fellowship which had nurtured me, the Churches of Christ. My Dad was a minister and a model of love for
his family and devotion to his calling. The county where we lived from second
grade through the tenth had a population of about 12,000 people. In the 1960’s there were 16 Churches of
Christ in the county if I recall correctly.
In early and mid 20th century, we were amazingly independent
of the rest of Protestant Christianity.
We had distinctive ideas about worship, baptism, and church
organization. Looking back, the
accusation that we felt we were the only “true” Christians did have a valid
basis. Fortunately, that exclusivism and
isolation has significantly waned. Our
distinctive practices are not perceived as the only valid way. But that was the milieu in which I was
raised. Our lives were built around the
Church, attending 3 times a week. Most
of the people who were my close friends were within this fellowship. I went to a Church of Christ college where
immersion in this insular world continued.
And I have many wonderful memories from those days. While growing up I never questioned the
teachings seriously. We had a strong
family history in this fellowship. I
knew the stories. It was my identity.
That was the young man who began reading the book.
I did not know that religion would be an important component
of this book. And that it would
profoundly influence me. To be continued....
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