Stanley Hauerwas (pictured) once wrote an essay entitled "On Being a Texan and a Christian," an essay that I felt especially drawn to when I spent time abroad in Germany. There's something about being a minority that incites us to realize, understand, and cling to our own unique identity and heritage. As I read Smith's thoughts about the "narratives" we each have in our life I recalled this essay and realized that both "Texan" and "Christian" were narratives woven into my life. But narrative feels like a funny word for this sort of idea, so I felt like these narratives might also be understood as the legacies, heritages, or identities that each of us hold in our lives. Here's how I broke it down:
Family narrative/legacy: "What does it mean to be a Pierce?"
Cultural narrative/legacy: "What does it mean to be a Texan/American (etc.)?"
Religious narrative/legacy: "What does it mean to be a Christian?"
By interpolating the concept of legacy or heritage onto the broader narrative concept, I was better able to make some meaning out of what he was saying. I have specific content, that is constantly under revision and addition, as to what each of these things mean. Moreover, for me (and as I suspect, for most), the familial and cultural legacies I inherit are contingent and obedient to my religious legacy, but they also provide important layers and stories as to how to understand and interpret that religious legacy.
For instance, my dad loves to comment (read: brag) that my brother and I are 5th generation CofC on one side and 4th on the other side. Being a part of this particular religious tradition has a lot of influence on how I interpret my broader religious legacy of Christianity. Moreover, being a part of a long line of family members who were faithful Christians adds a deeper sense of duty, purpose, and meaning to my life as a Christian. To be a Pierce is to be a faithful Christian both with respect to how these Pierce's (and other surnames I'm related to) have practiced it, and with respect to how my own life will add or innovate to that legacy. My son will have one more story to remember as he grows into his own faith.
Not that one needs a long line of faithful Christians in their family to have this kind of meaning. (Indeed, not all Texans are good Christians!) One need only look to the virtues and other admirable qualities of our ancestors, fellow Texans/Americans, and Christian brothers and sisters, to weave quite a grand story of a cloud of witnesses who have gone before and await us when we return to God.
No comments:
Post a Comment