session two: saying grace
by Elizabeth DeBarros
HOW KINGSOLVER CAN HANG themes together like paper chains on a Christmas tree and make them sing on key is impressive.
Saying Grace begins with her giving pause at the lip of the Grand Canyon, where she and her family went instead of flying cross-country to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with relatives. Their refrain was partly due out of deference to the horrific losses, both national and personal, suffered on 9/11 and as a solemn act of humility. Thus, the backdrop on which the one-woman drama unfolds:
With what I imagine to be a raised hand, Kingsolver lifts her voice to decry embarrassing American wastefulness, echo the cries of the poor, give ode to Norman Rockwell’s Four Freedoms, and revolt against wartime’s perils past and present.
Wait, she’s not done.
Afterwards, on behalf of the nation and with all due politeness, she requests that we be even more generous than we are and asks for another helping of humility, thank you very much. Dabbing at the corners of her mouth, Kingsolver finishes on what sounds more like a mournful prayer:
“A land as broad and green as ours demands of us thanksgiving and a certain breadth of spirit. It invites us to invest our hearts most deeply in invulnerable majesties that can never be brought down in a stroke of anger. If we can agree on anything in difficult times, it must be that we have the resources to behave more generously than we do, and that we are brave enough to rise from the ashes of loss as better citizens of the world than we have ever been. We’ve inherited the grace of the Grand Canyon, the mystery of the Everglades, the fertility of an Iowa plain — we could crown this good with brotherhood. What a vast inheritance for our children that would be, if we were to become a nation humble before our rich birthright, whose graciousness makes us beloved.”
Sounds rather utopian or much like what candidate speeches are made of, but her feet are planted firmly on the ground and she’s not running for President. She’s a daughter. A wife. And a mother. An American citizen who cares about more than just herself and is willing to roll up her sleeves, go to the backyard and figure out how to feed a small village if need be.
Her point is just that. There be a need. And it’s vast and wide, all-American, like the Grand Canyon — the generosity of God now upturned; an endless cavity created by what she sees as a bully nation’s fist of pride, careless, selfish waste, and the ever-spiraling downward wanton lust for worldly pleasures. Dumpsters across the land reveal who we are.
To a great degree, she gets it.
I pain over these things too.
However, one question Kingsolver asks caught my eye:
“What is safety in this world, and on what broad stones is that house built?”
I can answer that, but it’s probably not what she’s thinking of.
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A BIBLICAL LENS:
Certain people have an uncanny ability to see the big picture. They don’t look at the calendar week-by-week or month-to-month, but decade by decade. Or, if old enough, they preside over the better part of a century as if it were a museum and they were the docent. But a Christian sees the span of time from Genesis to Revelation, a framework from which the BIG picture hangs — more informative, inclusive, and thoroughgoing a calendar than any other.
I like how Kingsolver thinks. She sees something of the big picture. Understands how one thing affects another. If I could sit down with the author, I’d pick her brain, get to know her. But first, I’d make sure we were both comfortable and have ready some Café Bustelo to pour.
Somewhere in the conversation, I’d look for an opening to broach her question, “What is safety in this world, and on what broad stones is that house built?” Then I’d offer to answer.
She would be all ears.
I’d begin by saying that this present world is not all there is. Next, I’d open my Bible to the book of Genesis, talk about God as Creator of heaven and earth, and how He made man in His image. Name some of His attributes. Define sin and man’s fall. Talk about Israel and the covenants, starting with Noah, then Abraham, the patriarch of the faith, the one who was looking forward to a city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
At this point, I’d offer her another cuppa (she says yes), and ask if she has any questions.
While pouring, I’d explain how the Law was given through Moses and how kingship came to David. I’d paint in broad strokes, to help her see the big dots on the timeline of redemptive history. Finally, I’d affirm the infallibility and inspiration of Scripture and share the gospel’s promise of salvation as found in none other but Jesus, of whom the prophet Isaiah spoke:
“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says:
‘See, I lay in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’”
Then I’d look at her lovingly square in the eye and say something along these lines: “These are the broad stones — the ‘invulnerable majesties’ — upon which a house of safety is built.”
Then we’d have lunch.
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Next Thursday: What Good Is a Story? with Becky Pliego
I just finished re-reading this as I had my coffee this morning, and that question she had about safety was one where I wrote in the margin, “Your safety is not in this material world.” I sense in this essay that she figures safety and happiness is found in the preservation of this world and the proper use of its resources, not its Creator. Your words to her would be well-given, and hopefully well-received.
I didn’t care for this essay as much as the others. I found her comments about other countries, Canada, specifically, a little idealistic. I am Canadian, and her romanticizing of how benevolent our country is to its citizens is naive. She should try living here. We are very, very wasteful. We are generous, yes, but not by our own choice, but by heavy taxation that continues to bankrupt future generations and creating a bigger and bigger gap between the rich and the poor. She is a fiction writer, so I suppose I ought to forgive her lack of statistical evidence about how well my country treats me or how literate the people of Finland are, but I think someone of her intellect could have provided such information.
Her compassion is unmistakable. Clearly, this is a woman who is questioning heavy, weighty issues. These were also written as a reaction. Her emotions were raw and new when she wrote this. I would love to hear her views on things now that time has passed.
As I was watching coverage of 9/11/12, I thought much about this essay and what Kingsolver’s response to this latest attack would be. Would she, too, apologize for hurting the feelings of Muslims?
I’ll admit that my hackles were raised at this one. Two thoughts kept running through my mind as I read:
(1) Doesn’t our military presence around the world count for something? Like it or not, America has been asked to be a protective “big brother” at times. (Though I realize sometimes we’ve stuck our nose in where it didn’t belong). Is there a way to keep a strong military presence AND give the amount of foreign aid she would have us give?
(2) What about the people in our own country? There are far too many living in abject poverty. I understand this is a reaction to a specific event that has nothing to do with our care for our own citizens; however, I don’t think we should malign the government for not caring for other countries without acknowledging our lack in caring for our own citizens.
While I agree wholeheartedly that we’re a country of waste & a sense of entitlement, I think Kingsolver’s expectations for America to be caretaker of the world are too high. And certainly, our lack of a “national tithe” in foreign aid does not justify 9/11/01. I felt like she was striving to make that connection (and bordered on making claims that we somehow asked for it.) Why would terrorists who want to cripple our nation attack the redwood forests,where virtually no lives would be lost? The attack wasn’t just about commerce. She seems to forget there were other intended targets. However, as Kim said, I’d be interested to know how she feels 11 years later.
I want to go back and read this now, in light of your post. I’m really enjoying this discussion, E.
In all fairness, Melissa, Kingsolver does address poverty in the US in the essay I’m going to be sharing about, but (not to pre-empt my post, which isn’t until October) she has a similar sentiment that somehow the US is failing its duty. Yet, as is seen continually, her hopes are in the people and the institutions, not in a higher authority.
Thanks for letting me know that, Kim. I think that overall Kingsolver is an idealogue, particularly, as you said, with regard to people and institutions.
This sentence in the chapter caught my eye: “This seems a reasonable time to search our souls for some corner where humility resides.” As a non-American, I felt Kingsolver did indeed mourn over those aspects of the American life that are critiqued by our media here in Britain. To look for humility in the wake of those awful events of 9/11…to pause, to ponder, to consider…that speaks to me of a heart touched by grace. What is needful with this soul-searching humility is an upward glance with it. An encounter with the God who created the glory of the Grand Canyon as a display of His Awesome Majesty, who gave up His Son to death on a cross that He might run towards the Fat Brother and embrace him the moment he makes that upward glance in humility. “Against you and you only have I sinned.”
Thank you, E, for another great summary, and a good example of how to direct someone to the gospel.
Kim, Melissa, Diana-
Appreciate your input. I think you’ve all hit the nail on the head.
I agree, Kim, that she thinks “safety and happiness is found in the preservation of this world and the proper use of its resources.” But it’s not that simple, is it?
Melissa, Kingsolver is an idealogue who, although she carries around with her a packet of seeds and a trowel, ready to do her bit part, doesn’t have a permanent solution that practically extends beyond wanting the problems of the world to go away. How could she? This is about as good as it gets when the whole of Scripture is omitted from one’s ideology.
Poverty, war, hunger, entitlement–we know these things are as a result of sin. No government program or civilian little village effort can stop them. As Christians, we must be realists, looking forward, knowing that none of these will be eradicated from the earth until He returns.
Diana, I love how you put it– “What is needful with this soul-searching humility is an upward glance with it. An encounter with the God who created the glory of the Grand Canyon as a display of His Awesome Majesty, who gave up His Son to death on a cross that He might run towards the Fat Brother and embrace him the moment he makes that upward glance in humility. “Against you and you only have I sinned.”
Yet, only some form of idealism is what many people think and believe. But it’s not realistic as it’s not born of the Truth. And why the book of Genesis is where we must always begin when we sit down to talk to someone without Christ. They need the BIG picture for life to make sense.
-E
I don’t think Kingsolver’s view is unique. Before I was converted, I was a teenager living when the threat of the U.S.S.R. was the big bogeyman of the day. I can remember looking around at the world and thinking, even as an unregenerate girl, “This world is evil.” But I had no idea what to do about the situation. Like Diana said, there is really no point in soul-searching if it doesn’t take our glance away from ourselves and to something else, to the Creator of the universe.
Hi Kim…I wouldn’t go as far as to say there’s no point in soul-searching if it doesn’t lead to God…I think the fact that soul-searching takes place at all is glorifying to God – it’s something He has planted in those that do it, a sense that all is not right with the world, as you recognised as an unregenerate girl. What excites me about this discussion is being able to find those points of commonality with a person, and to see how with wisdom, tact and discernment they can be pointed upwards.
Diana, what I meant about “no point,” was that soul searching for souls’ searching sake will often just lead to more frustration, because one doesn’t have a direction. And yes, as a Christian, I do recognize now that the questions I had when I was a child were given to my by Him as one made in his image.
A secular author often has a wide readership and holds a certain position of influence in society. They’ve got the megaphone! This can be unnerving when we as Christians clearly see that their views are shot through with holes.
As for Kingsolver, I don’t mind her soul-searching. As you said, Kim, her thinking is not unique. Her writing puts me in touch with the masses and is useful for sharpening my sword in how to give an answer for the hope that I have.
It’s a sound presumption that she does not and cannot offer ultimate Truth. I don’t expect it from her. My attempt is to wield the Truth against her writing even while enjoying it, taking some things she says with a grain of salt or flatly refuting. Even so, there are some things I heartily agree with and still there are things I’ve learned, like certain places on the map and the entertaining names of all different kinds of chickens
Common grace at work!
Seasoned writers understand they’re a public target. They put their heart out there like a clay pigeon. While I may not be sympathetic to all her views, I’m willing to give her credit for being honest, however off course she may be. I pray she doesn’t stop soul-searching until she finds the answer is Christ. As it says in Ecclesiastes, while there’s still breath, there is hope.
Amen!
I would have liked to see her write this as a fiction work, with the protagonist going through the thoughts and feelings. I think it would have been very good that way.
And yes, I know how she thinks, because I grew up that way, I lived that way, and I desperately wanted to think another way. This kind of writing reminds me of how much grace was given to be redeemed from that kind of thinking. It’s sobering, because her lack of faith creates a consequence of more than just writing books that reflect a competing worldview: they reflect a soul that will face consequences of unbelief. It directs us to pray for her.
Yes, Kim. I believe it’s of no small consequence that this obscure online book discussion has been formed around a book written in 2005.
In our media-saturated culture, it’s challenging to our sensibilities to think of an author or an actor as an immortal soul in need of redemption. The world makes them larger than life, and oftentimes they feed off the limelight themselves, dismissing God altogether. But with Barbara Kingsolver, I don’t see a craving for the glitz and glam as much as I envision her as a bereft sinner – in her kitchen making dinner, in her garden picking beans – using her talents to the best of her ability and trying to make sense of this world according to intellect and a good dose of angst and political fury.
“And such were some of you…” (1 Cor. 6:11a)
If all this discussion leads to is our sharing a collective burden for her soul, then Amen and Amen, God’s will be done.
Thank you ladies for bringing grace into this conversation. I certainly didn’t offer any in my comment. As I’ve been thinking over it this morning, I realized it’s a result of 3 things: (1) my sinful lack of graciousness; (2) having a close family member called up from the reserves to serve 2 long tours overseas, as a direct result of 9/11 (and the permanent impact that had in our family); and (3) having recently finished “The Poisonwood Bible” by Kingsolver. Her obvious religious & political beliefs permeate that work, and I feel like I’ve been beaten over the head by her beliefs lately, even though it’s been my own choice to read. I think she has a tremendous gift for writing, though. And, as Kim said, all of this directs us to pray for her.
Hi M.,
Worldviews have a way of stirring the pot, no matter which direction goes the spoon. I think this discussion not only helps us articulate what it is we believe, but it also forces us to discover things about ourselves and why we react as we do. And learning to love God with all our mind is one of the objectives of this discussion
Your personal feelings over #2 is well understood. Unfortunately, Kingsolver the pacifist does not take into account the very real cost of war, but only makes the sweeping generalization that we should not have them at all. That is unreality, we know this.
(My reply above to Kim further expands my thoughts on this.)