A few months ago, a parishioner texted me a meme that said, “After turning 35, dads have to really get into one of two things. World War II history or smoking various meats.”
And I thought…can’t we do both?? I mean, we don’t have to choose, right??
But…I thought it was funny and it’s kinda true. I know a lot of dads who are into both of those things. I know a lot of dads who are into history…It’s a thing! In fact it’s so much a thing that not too long ago there was this tik tok/social media craze where wives would ask their husbands, “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”
And it was WILD to see how many dads were out there thinking about Ancient Rome.
I don’t think about that so much…
But, if my wife were to ask me, “How much do you think about the history of the American West?” I’d say, “All the time. Multiple times a day. In fact, I was thinking about it just now – until you interrupted me with this silly question about how much I think about it.”
And she’d say, “Ok…I need you to help me with this grocery list right now.”
And I’d say, “Well, I’m not done thinking about Quannah Parker and the Comanches – so the list is gonna have to wait.”
And then she’d say, “Hmmm…is Quannah Parker gonna feed you and the kids dinner this week?”
And then the conversation would be over.
That’s how’d that go down…
But…because of all this stuff….there’s this new pseudo-genre of books called “Dad History.” It’s true. Look it up online…it’s there. Basically, they’re the kind of books you’d see under “What to get Dad for Father’s Day” section at Barnes & Noble. According to some descriptors of this genre by – even academic historians – they are histories that place narrative over analysis…it is a history that’s trying to tell a story, to paint a picture, not focus on the subtle nuances and certain facts that are part of who scholarly works…Rather it’s about getting to the essence of a person, of a moment, of a movement.
Which is very much like the kind of history Luke is writing in the book of Acts.
Luke is not concerned with facts, he’s not even attempting a posture of objectivity – besides that kind of approach of history grew out of a particular time period in Western Civilization and has now been called into question many-a-time…For instance, philosopher Paul Ricoeur, stressed all history is written because of “a certain subjective interest, and therefore perspective, of the historian.”
You see the book of Acts…like certain parts of Luke’s gospel, possesses a certain subjective interest, it’s a history that stresses narrative over analysis – it’s getting at the essence of something crucial… A repeated proclamation in the book of Acts from the mouths of the Apostles is – “we too were witnesses.” Acts is written in such a way – as to make the reader, the listener a witness too. A witness to the movement of God in the Church. The historian Luke is like how one described the work of the Pulitzer Prize winning historian David McCullough…. “he paints with words.” Luke paints with words to make us witnesses.
We see such a painting this morning in our reading from Acts chapter 3. Leading up to this scene, a man born lame, begging outside the temple because he’s not allowed in – he’s considered unworthy, a cast-a-side, excluded from the worship life of his people. Then Peter heals the man and all are amazed…they are “astonished” – that’s the word used four times to describe the reaction of those gathered around. And what does Peter do…he preaches…he says, “This isn’t about us or our piety…it’s about Jesus….Remember our history?”, he says, “Remember God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?? Remember the prophets?? Remember what they said??” This occurrence of healing, harkening their imaginations back to the words of Isaiah…
Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart…do not fear, here is your God – the blind will see, the deaf will hear, those born lame will leap like a deer…it’ll be like water breaking forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
“Well, what about the man born lame?? Did that healing really happen?? Is that a fact? Is that historically accurate??” Wrong question! Not the point! Don’t fall into ableist readings of the Scriptures. Look at what God is doing through history, look at how God keeps moving through history…Besides, in a few more chapters in the book of Acts, Luke is going to get to the heart of that issue when he has Stephen, the first deacon of the Church, preaching before a crowd.
And Stephen is going to say… “God doesn’t live in any buildings!” “God doesn’t live in any buildings!” Which, is a way of saying, “Good luck trying to keep people out and away from a God who doesn’t recognize your silly barriers.”
Then they stoned him to death.
“Remember your history.” Peter says. “Remember your history.”
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember the prophets. Remember Jesus.
Even when we rejected him. Even when we executed him. Even when we thought it was over.
God didn’t stop moving. God raised him from the dead.
You see…because for Luke…the cross, the death of Jesus…there’s no substitutionary atonement. There’s no theology in Luke that’s about the cross as a means to satisfy the justice of an angry God. For Luke…the cross was the best “NO” that the powers of this world could dish out…but the resurrection of Christ…it’s God’s “YES!” And God keeps saying “Yes.” God keeps moving. Keeps opening up. Keeps expanding.
And Luke paints with words the movement of God in history. The Spirit of God strengthening, and steadying, people letting go of fear, splashing through streams in the desert, and water in the wilderness.
This past Lenten series there were a series of questions we reflected upon. One of those questions was intended to prepare us for Eastertide. “Where do you see the Spirit of God at work in a way that surprises you?” SO…I ask again… (repeat question)
Where do you see a strengthening of what was once weak? Where do you see a steadying of what was once feeble? Where do you see a surrendering of fear? Where do you see streams of refreshment where there was once only a dry landscape in your life?
I wonder what it would be like for each of us, in our own way and time, to write down what we see. To paint with our own words the movement of God in our lives.
That might be a history worth holding on to.
A history, that let’s us say together with so many through time. Like so many in the book of Acts.
“We too….We too…were witnesses.”
Amen.