It starts with the Heart

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Star Trek is one of my favorite programs. Not only is it entertaining, but it also holds special childhood memories of watching episodes with my dad. One of my favorite scenes, from the more recent movies, is in "StarTrek: Beyond." 

A formerly unknown alien is rescued by the Starship Enterprise. Having never interacted with the Federation, this individual's language is not in the database for the universal translator, making it completely unintelligible. At least at first. Then one word, and then another becomes understandable. Finally, after really a matter of moments, the universal translator has learned the language and everyone can understand everyone else once again. 

It feels, at this particular moment, like my universal translator doesn't have enough vocabulary to interpret what I'm learning. This is my first semester in a Doctor of Ministry program at Multnomah University in Portland, Oregon. Why I decided to start a doctoral program in my 50s should be the subject of a blog post all its own. That, however, will have to wait for a different day. The focus of today's post is what I'm learning. 

Ron Frost (who says he has "graduated from being called Doctor") introduced the concept of "affective spirituality." It was a new (to me) term that is very intriguing. To be honest, if I understand it correctly, it is downright exciting. And helps explain some confusion I've lived with for most of my adult life. 

For a more complete explanation of Frost's definition of affective spirituality, please visit his blog, Spreading Goodness, here. He describes it as having three key elements, including a "simple biblicism," recognizing that our hearts drive our behavior (rather than our mind, will, or emotion), and the centrality of the Trinity (which also needs to be the focus of an entire post, a different day). The phrase that leapt off the page, though, was "...a transforming love for God and neighbor is active in all who know him." Which leads back to the universal translator from Star Trek and my confusion.

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For most of my life I've been confused about why people who said they loved Jesus didn't actually demonstrate that love in tangible, observable ways.

Perhaps the problem lies in "classical theism" (another term Ron Frost introduced me to). In a greatly simplified explanation, classical theism is focused on responsibility - what we need to do or not do in our relationship with Jesus. It's very analytical and philosophical and complicated. It is a concept that isn't quite "translating," yet. At the end of the day, though, the focus of classical theism is more about controlling our mind, will, and emotions that it is looking at the heart. Yet, according to Scripture, the heart drives behavior. In fact, in Proverbs 4:23, a wise father encourages his son to “[g]uard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (NLT). Both Matthew (Matt 12:34) and Luke (Luke 6:45) describe Jesus as saying that our speech reveals the motivations of our hearts… 

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If I understand the issues correctly (and like I said, my "universal translator" isn't quite up to speed), it appears that while I didn't have the language for it, I have been practicing more of an affective spirituality than a classical theism-based religion for most of my life. My confusion has come from my assumption that others think like I do; most do not. That realization also deserves its own blog post, which will also have to wait for another day. For now, though, let me say that I am a big-picture “systems” thinker.” I see the big picture and how different pieces fit together. The fact that not everyone thinks that way is in no way a condemnation. Rather, it’s an observation, based on (as previously stated) my own wrong assumptions about others. Recognizing the difference has been huge! It is also part of why this new concept, as limited as my understanding is at this point, is so exciting!! It provides a framework for conversation with people who love Jesus very much but think differently than I do… it gives me a way of trying to explain to someone who thinks more analytically (like my husband) what drives my focus on the heart. 

Even typing this I’m getting excited! The challenge is, I am just embarking on this adventure. So much remains undefined and not clearly understood. The few people I’ve spoken with about “Affective Spirituality” have not connected with it as enthusiastically as I have (back to how I think and my assumptions), suggesting the journey ahead will not be straight or smooth. In the end, though, I am more and more convinced that the effort will be worthwhile and I learn more about this new perspective, I’ll be able to explain it better to others. To bring the Star Trek connection full-circle, I will “learn” the language well enough to share it with others. That is exciting, indeed.