The lectionary passage today
is, perhaps, one of the most well-known, oft-quoted texts. Yet, it has also
proved to be one of the most divisive passages in Scripture. Perhaps, more than
any other text it has certainly inspired a “them” and “us” mentality. I’m sure
that was not the intended outcome, but it is what has happened over time. I
find it sad.
The passage is in John 3. It is
the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus with the ensuing conversation about new
birth. This story only appears in John’s gospel and is not referenced in the
writings of the Apostle Paul. I have often commented that when a story is
repeated in all the gospels then it is perhaps wise to give it special note.
This is not the case with this text.
Yet, the phrase, “to be born
again” has taken on a meaning of its own. In my work on child abuse and
punishment I was quoting from a survey done about religious attitudes to
spanking. The categories people had to self-identify as were either “born-again”
or “non-born again.” It was quite sad to see that this phrase was used in this
way. Even sadder, to see that those self-identifying as “born again” were much
more strongly in favour of spanking.
So, I wondered when did the
phrase come into popular usage and understanding. It is relatively new. Apparently
the first written reference was in October 1914 in the Reno Evening Gazette. It was talking about Christian Science, “It
gives man the opportunity of being born again.”
The more specific term, born
again Christians, was first in print in the Decautur
Evening Herald in December 1928. The
newspaper quoted, “I knew I had the new desires that a born-again Christian
acquires.” (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/71600.html)
From the late 1960s onwards
the phrase was increasingly in popular usage. So much so that by 1979 when
tennis star Bjorn Borg won his fourth Wimbledon title Sports head lined their
front cover “Bjorn Again.” (See: https://www.amazon.com/SPORTS-ILLUSTRATED-TENNIS-FOURTH-WIMBLEDON/dp/B00VU16QCE)
There was no thought that the public would not understand the play on words.
Many years ago, I had the
experience of visiting a few different churches and, at some point, during that
first visit, being asked, “Are you born again?” It seems to have become the
crucial question for many. A person’s spirituality is often judged on the
answer to that question.
Obviously, in contemporary
usage, the phrase describes a particular spiritual experience. Spiritual
experiences are good. They are helpful, they energize, they give purpose, they
renew, they give growth and develop meaning for individuals or, even,
communities. Life would be poorer without spiritual experiences. Yet, they can
take many different guises and happen on more than one occasion.
So, I am challenged,
Is it possible to read this
passage without the mental baggage of how it has been used over the last
half-century of popular usage?
How do I read it without
giving it a significance that was probably never intended?
How do I read it without
pre-conceived ideas?
I want to read it in the same
way I would read any gospel story. I want to recognize that there are many
nuances in the tale. And, as with all gospel passages, I want to acknowledge that
there are many differing and valid interpretations. Problems only arise when
one thinks their interpretation is the only right one. I think the gospels are
much more fluid than that. Perhaps, I should say, God is much bigger than that.
So, this week I’m not
looking at the word-play between Jesus and Nicodemus. I’m pondering on a couple
of thoughts.
This story is all about
birth, a wonderful feminine image. An analogy of the Divine being, the spirit,
giving birth. What a great picture of a mother God introduced right at the beginning of
this gospel.
The text also reflects
something of life, death and re-birth. A Celtic image, that which is reflected
in nature. There is something of eternity in this picture. The cycle of life
which goes on and on.
“Life is
an endless series of rebirths. Semper reformanda. Always forming and reforming. Always opening to
greater embodiments of love. Always reaching out in a wider embrace. Always
ready to receive a new heart. Always willing to be changed into fire. Born
again…and again…and again” (Dr. Rob Hardies, https://www.questformeaning.org/spiritual-themes/born-again-and-again-and-again/).
Given
the current political and religious climate and the way this phrase is being
used to create disharmony and divisions I think it is an important subject. It
is not one to ignore but one to consider and question. I hope these brief
thoughts will be a catalyst to think about this passage.
(Photo: Baby Phoebes, Jun 4 2016)
