Newborns, Paradoxes, and Ancient Wisdom Literature
What I’m learning
I’ve been thinking a lot about the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes; also sometimes Psalms, Song of Songs). I’ve been thinking about the picture they paint of the world.
On one hand, they affirm what some call “the Retribution Principle.” Do good, receive good. Blessed is the one who walks not in the counsel of the wicked (Ps 1). Etc.
But on the other hand, and when you take all the Wisdom Books together, they also affirm things like unexplainable or unanswered suffering (like with Job). They affirm the seeming “meaninglessness” or vanity of life (Eccles). And they even speak against the Retribution Principle, acknowledging that, so often, good things happen to bad people, and the righteous are left poor and oppressed with no hope of vindication.
Now, if you’re like me, you’ve probably spent some time thinking about how these things can all “fit” into our conception of reality. You’ve tried to remove the paradoxes and loose the tensions. And this is important work.
But in this season, I have been forced—by God and circumstances—to wrestle with things that don’t seem to fit. I’ll give you one example.
Many of you know that with the coming of our second son Leif, Sadie and I were hoping the delivery would come via VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarian). We were praying for it. Many of you were praying for it. And we were believing that God could give us this gift. (Watch the beginning of this sermon to hear more)
On April 18th at 9:50am, Leif was delivered via C-Section, not through the birth canal. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck.
But the surgery was smooth, and after just a couple minutes of recovery under a heating lamp, Leif was just fine. Totally normal and healthy. But in that operating room, Sadie and I were a Pixar’s-Inside-Out-style concoction of emotions. Happy. Relieved. Filled with wonder. Sad. Disappointed. Grieving. Scared. Exhausted. Grateful… I could keep going.
Back to the Wisdom Literature. If I spend all my time trying to figure out how all these different books and teachings and conceptions of reality fit together, I may learn something. Or, I may find myself disillusioned, discouraged, and deconstructing. I may even find myself picking and choosing what bits to keep and what bits to throw out, like Thomas Jefferson or Marcion of Sinope (who threw out the entire Old Testament).
But what if I were to pause, step back, and reflect on the fact that these Wisdom Books are all included in Scripture? What if I just held the Retribution Principle with unanswered suffering? What if I just held the paradox that “capital R” Reality both adheres to and rejects the Retribution Principle?
What I’m saying is that if we can take a moment’s pause—stop asking how Proverbs and Job and Ecclesiastes fit together, and just acknowledge that they come together—then perhaps we can receive the paradoxes of our lives too. Perhaps we can take the happy with the sad, the wonder with the disappointment, and the God who remains Lord with and over it all.
Leave it to a seminary student to find a gospel message for his life as a new dad of two within the construction, themes, and interplay between ancient biblical wisdom poetry. I could just be that delirious and sleep-deprived. Or God’s work of Scripture could just be that good. You can decide.
Until next time,
David
Prayer Request
Sabbatical. We are still praying about and tentatively planning on taking sabbatical this summer. Our plans are shifting away from London, toward an extended stay in the Portland, OR area. Please pray for further clarity and direction.
Sadie. Please pray for physical recovery for Sadie after the C-Section. She is not supposed to lift more than 10lbs for 6 weeks. Pray for Charlie’s understanding and connection with her during this time.
Financial Update
Seminary. I am currently fully funded for seminary and the Partnership Program! There is always room for additional Direct Monthly Donors to help with seminary fees and expenses not covered by the Partnership Program Scholarship. Learn more at davidtanner.co/give
Sabbatical. If you would like to contribute to my upcoming sabbatical, you can make a one-time donation here. Note: those funds run through and are managed by Refuge Church.
Book Club Round 2!
Book Club Round 2 was a smashing success, culminating in a wonderful conversation and meal with club members! We read Working the Angles by Eugene Peterson. Published in the 80s, we agreed the book is prophetic—a recommendation for any leader serving in the church in this cultural moment.
I’m intending to take a short break on the book club in the next couple months. Myself and the current group members have a lot on our hands (and I don’t have a solid recommendation for the next read yet).
