Austin Seminary Book Club discussion
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Falling Upward
April 2014
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April Book of the Month: Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life by Richard Rohr
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No one seems to be too interested in kicking this month's book off, so let me try to begin. in the middle of the book, page 56, Richard Rohr quotes one of his own seminary professors who said: "Well, after all is said and done, remember that church practice has been more influenced by Plato than by Jesus." Do you feel that this is true among us, and what should our response be. Are we all looking for the easy answers, forgetting or shunning those people who do not fit the pattern of being accepted? In that case, are we any different from the pharisees of Jesus day who were upset that he ate with sinners? White-washed sepulchers?
If we do not understand what our faith should be, according to Rohr, our faith turns into an evacuation plan for the next world. (p. 101) Life should be all about practicing for heaven. We do that by choosing it freely, now. Heaven is a state of union, both here and later. No one is in heaven unless he/she wants to be, and all are in heaven as soon as they live in union. If all of that is true, how then dare we exclude so many from our union? Wrong color, wrong status in life, wrong interpretation of what we know to be truth. You do not belong with us. Example, in my little town there are two churches of the same denomination. Neither one can survive on its own but they will not unite. Why? One has all white members, the other all black. They cannot meet in the same location, leave alone talk decent to each other. Hypocrites?
Mod
I have, and assume many others have as well, been part of churches that preach acceptance and giving to those in need but generally implement that strategy with outreach outside of the church instead of allowing integration of those members into the congregation itself. There are a number of variables at play here and there's no easy answer. A lot of times it comes down to individuals feeling comfortable among others who share any number of similarities (skin color, denominational likeness, even income bracket or clothing styles). This is strikingly in opposition to the teachings and actions of Jesus, who made it a point to act in community with those considered to be on the opposite end of the spectrum as he was. I think we are all hypocrites in one way or another, and that's why it's important (to me) to follow the teachings of Jesus as a compass, lest I continue to fall into the bad habits of doing and interacting within my own comfort zone.
-Adam Sweeney-
And that is where we go back to what Rohr said earlier in his book, the teachings of Plato, the teachings of man are more important than the teaching of Jesus. I know that as an old man, now retired, it is much easier to tell the truth about what I see. no job that could be taken from me any longer. Maybe only seniors should be allowed to be any kind of prophet. Of course, the question now comes up, what do you do about it. Is it enough just to speak up and let those around you know what they are doing? Is there any way to change the situation? Up to this point I have just sat back, retreated in a real way, because I saw no way to do anything else. Suggestions anyone?
I have not read as much of the book as some have. One comment on what I have read about building the first half of life: Rohr affirms the position I have taken with regard to children and teens in the church participating in what I consider more conservative expressions of Christianity, those that emphasize rules, specific interpretations of Scripture, and the like. To me this seems appropriate. My hope is that as they mature this experience will provide fertile soil out of which they can grow in a world in which there is great ambiguity that calls for analysis, thinking, and choice, not just rote words or behavior. I, like Arthur, am a retired teaching elder. I have found great satisfaction in partipating in a congregation, being active in its ministry and mission, as a "member" without being in a leadership role. (Arthur, I grew up in Mississippi.)
I grew up in The Netherlands and all the churches I remember in my home town seem to have closed. The one closest to my home and where I attended as a child, and where they tried to scare me into believing by telling stories about God watching me and waiting to punish me when I did wrong, that church building today is a garage. And even today I think that that is a better use of the facility. But what I am seeing today in at least the southern church is moving in the same direction. The membership is today elderly. In my town the average age is 64. Those people are moving away, going into nursing homes, dying slowly, and there seem to be no replacement of younger members. One of the reasons, I am afraid, is that so many of the pastors I hear, even the older ones who should know better, are apparently believers in the "flat earth" syndrome. They far too often preach against science, against anything that today's youth learns in school and the youth leaves never to come back. The only growing churches around here are the Mormons and the Muslims. Scary.
Hello friends! I apologize for starting the conversation LATE, BUT, I'm here now. I'm Valerie Bridgeman (Class of '90 and recent past president of the Austin Seminary Association (I actually posted in the wrong place! "falling/failing upward"). I'm finding this book challenging, troubling, and inviting. I'm going to post the Q & A on Amazon.com about the book below, but I'm wondering what those of you reading it are thinking? How do you hear the challenge between first-half-of-life and second-half-of-life? By age (and I suppose because of the many things I've encountered recently) I'm DEFINITELY in the second-half journey. And like Rohr has said in so many ways, I have not come easily into this "falling upward." What about you?
Here's the Q & A from Amazon.com as promised (follow the post down to that section):http://www.amazon.com/Falling-Upward-...
I think that I mentioned this before. My brother died recently, on Christmas Eve in fact, and the funeral was a prime example of what Rohr called escape theology. Even today, when my sisters talk about him, they always picture him sitting with angels, serenading God. It had little or nothing to do with the Biblical idea of heaven. But that is the accepted idea here in my part of the south. And the pastor who preached that and teaches it to the rest of my family is past retirement age. Another pastor, just a few Sundays ago, preached a sermon about everybody going to hell who believed in evolution. Again an older pastor. It seems that in every church, in every denomination I go to, the clergy and the members are stuck in the first-half of the journey Rohr describes. And if you dare to present other ideas you are quickly told not to come back.
Well, I am starting the book a little late in the month, but I have finally started it and am looking forward to it. The first thing I am struck by is the basic concept of the book - two halves. It makes so much sense to me: the first half we are searching for "What makes me significant?" "How can I support myself?" and "Who will go with me?" And the second half we search for the contents that are actually meant to be me. We have all known people who never get out of the first half. I wonder if people move quickly to the second half depending on life events? I am wondering where you all are? First half? Second half? I am in my second half, sometimes I think I have been here awhile, but I have more to learn. Looking forward to getting home to read some more tonight. This is a short book, but a contemplative book. Looking forward to others' thoughts.
Mod
Granted, there tends to be more implied loss as we age. Death, divorce, and other hardships sometimes present themselves. But I think life has more fluidity than to think we pass a certain threshold and don't have the capacity to revert back. Sometimes I felt stronger as a teenager than I do now as an adult and vice versa. I guess what I'm saying is it's important not to think in black and white terms, in my opinion, whether that be about life or the church as a whole. Individuals gain sustenance and strength in different ways at different times.
With all that said, I still think this is a book very much worth reading and I appreciate the idea that we can sometimes surprise ourselves with how much adversity we are given by God, and it's amazing to look back at moments when we thought we would never be able to get through and see how God lent a hand.
-Adam Sweeney-
Some statements in Chapter 10, “A Bright Sadness,” spoke to me as a retired Teaching Elder. “The Eight Beatitudes speak to you much more than the Ten Commandments now. ………
“When elders speak, they need very few words to make their point. Too many words, the use of which I am surely guilty, are not needed by true elders. Second simplicity has its own kind of brightness and clarity, but much of it is expressed in nonverbal terms, and only when really needed. If you talk too much or too loud, you are usually not an elder. ………
“Now we aid and influence other people simply by being who we are. ………
“Your concern is not so much to have what you love anymore, but to love what you have—right now.”
I have embraced the role of being a participant in a congregation, in worship and study and service, without being the planner/leader. I accept very few invitations to lead worship. I enjoy being a member the Habitat for Humanity construction crew that I work with every Wednesday. I consciously to not speak to my co-workers in theological language, but sincerely hope that the way I relate to them as we work together is a demonstration of the Gospel. I am slowly but surely letting go of the books and other resources that I found so helpful in earlier years. I think that I am continuing to grow in new directions in this time of my life. -- Frank Mansell
Adam, as someone who (I hope) is in her "second-half-of-life," much of what he's saying resonates with me. I wonder if the book is meant for the second-half crew? I mean, if you've never experienced what he's describing is it possible to give any assent to these notions? In some ways, he seems to be walking us up to the doors of discovery. On top of that, I wonder if "reverting" back (as you describe it) is possible or desirable? Can one find and experience deep joy (and thus deep spirituality) because of and in the midst of loss and failure and "falling upward," to use Rohr's phrase? He certainly believes so. I'm not that far into my "second-half" so I don't know. But I do know that I"m learning that grace does indeed surprise is along the way. I also am learning that loss may not make one stronger, but it has the potential to make one wiser.
Mod
Even though I'm in my first half of life I can certainly understand how experience changes a person. I appreciate things that I took for granted as a teenager and act in a different manner as well. That said, I do think it'd possible (for better or worse) to revert back to the behaviors of one's former self at a later point in life. I view the emotional and spiritual body of a person as constantly evolving and know there have been times when I've felt closer or further in my faith at some points, regardless of age. It's fluid.
I agree completely with your comment about the potential of wisdom coming from loss.
Frank, I enjoyed what you said about a new way of doing ministry but there are some things I still have a hard time with. No one does anything to my books. I still collect them as much as I can, even though my wife complains that they are everywhere. But the idea of being retired and just being a member, it just does not work very well for me. I am sure you have heard the same thing I have, "Come on, teach the weekly Bible study till we can find someone else." "You have the time, please, visit in the hospital, nursing home, and jail." We helped pay for your education, you owe us a return." Maybe it is that I am in a small town without too many educated ministers. I seem to be called on as often as I was earlier, maybe more. That is my rant for today, now it is time for my five mile hike. I have to lose weight, getting older seems to have led to a spread that is not good for my health.
A phrase that I've been mulling over since I read it (chapter 9) is this one: "I have prayed for years for one good humiliation a day, and then I must watch my reaction to it." I wonder if trying for humility is its own form of pride? I've been thinking about spiritual disciplines I practiced and have practiced over the years and what my aims were, even when they were becoming a better me. The shadow is inevitable, yes? But I'm not sure how to know it better, even with Rohr's descriptions.
Thank you Lord, for the wake-up call yesterday. That tornado that passed over my house was clear. I'll do better.When I was much younger and at home in The Netherlands I was always told that if I did wrong, the Lord would get ahold of me and shake me up. I am not sure what I did wrong but the message was received.
To go along with what Rohr said in his book, as a child I learned that God was an angry man, sitting on his throne in heaven looking down at me, and every time I did wrong, I was to be punished by him. As soon as I could I left the church but in the midst of a war, I discovered a new God, one that could love instead of punish. I had to go to a lot of different churches after my return stateside before I found any that taught a loving God. Two seminaries later I tried to teach that in a local church but found there that many of the members did like the angry, punishing God more than they would the loving one. Threatening people with hell was not my cup of tea so once again I left the organized church and worship God with a few people who are interested in more than the simple theology that is prevalent here.
And I think I have said it before but seminary in the 1980's was not a very loving community. In 6 years of seminary studies I can count maybe three or four seminary professors who I would ever want to see again. Two of those were at Austin.
Friends,I hope you all will get this "last post" from me about Rohr's work. When I finished the book Sunday, I set with the reflection (and read and reread it) on Merton's piece. In the end, I'm not sure I liked the categories "first-half" and "second-half" of life. I realize that it has a kind of linear expectation or presumption that does not square with my life. I think we can easily be first-half and second-half in the same moment. I don't know that we ascend to a kind of acceptance and/or understanding of shadow in true Jungian fashion that Rohr seems hopeful of. And I don't know that we ever get to that beatific moment where we truly accept, warts and all, ourselves and others. Not without the messiness of life mucking that up and tossing us back and forth between these "halves." That said, I think Rohr's breadth across religious traditions and familiarity with a variety of spiritualities made for a great treasure trove. I've come away with a number of books and/or authors I'd like to read now. For me, that is the sign of a good book. Blessings, all!
Arthur, my story is similar, though at a different time than you. I grew up in a church that preached hell, sin, and angry God. By the time I was 12, I knew I had sinned and was going to hell, so who cares what I do now. I traveled down a road of self-destruction for many years. I found a loving God; a forgiving God, and a merciful God. I am at a different point in my journey now and I see a God of both the old testament and the new testament. I like and I need the balance. I question whether our churches are doing a disservice to Christians who only hear about one or the other?
Lisa, what I am seeing in my small town in Mississippi is churches filled with old people. The young ones run as far away as they can as soon as parents can no longer force them to come. I am afraid that unless the church changes the way it does business, many of them are going to die. And this may be a good thing. I think that I mentioned elsewhere that last year the average age in the local churches was 67.
In Falling Upward, Fr. Richard Rohr seeks to help readers understand the tasks of the two halves of life and to show them that those who have fallen, failed, or "gone down" are the only ones who understand "up." Most of us tend to think of the second half of life as largely about getting old, dealing with health issues, and letting go of life, but the whole thesis of this book is exactly the opposite. What looks like falling down can largely be experienced as "falling upward." In fact, it is not a loss but somehow actually a gain, as we have all seen with elders who have come to their fullness.
Richard Rohr is a regular contributing writer for Sojourners and Tikkun magazines.
This important book explores the counterintuitive message that we grow spiritually much more by doing wrong than by doing right--a fresh way of thinking about spirituality that grows throughout life.