Picard And Pentecost
I had written this a few years ago and decided to revisit and expand on it for this notable weekend in the church calendar.
"Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra!"
Most Star Trek The Next Generation fans remember the line and the episode. Captain Jean-Luc Picard and his crew are dealing with an Alien race that is extremely difficult to understand. The translation technology they usually use can translate words directly but without meaning or context. The Enterprise crew does what you and I do when trying to communicate with someone who doesn't speak our language. They slow down and speak louder as if that will make a difference. The aliens do the same, "DARKMOK AND JALAD AT TAAANAAGRA!"
I've caught myself doing this a few times in a foreign country. "I NEEED THE BAAAATHROOM!"
Eventually, Picard realizes that the alien's language has links to stories from their culture. He listens, learns their stories, sees their perspective, and creates a bond. In that episode, he recognizes that his language and perspective alone are not enough. The humility and wisdom demonstrated by the Captain of the Enterprise saved the day.
The lesson didn't fully reach me until some 30 years later. You cannot truly understand someone if you don't know their story. Language is often a carrier of culture and meaning. You have to listen to catch it.
My favourite action figure
This weekend, Christians celebrate Pentecost, the church's founding recorded in the Book of Acts. The account tells us that early Christians were gathered together, praying, and then began to hear themselves miraculously speak in different languages. The Bible then tells us that people from various lands marveled as they could hear these people speaking in their own languages and dialects.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?”
Acts 2:5-7
The people on the streets could now hear themselves in their own words and accents in this unfolding story of the good news of Jesus. Before, they would have had to hear the message channeled through one language and culture.
This is interesting because the early Christians were praying, expecting to receive power from God. Power to amplify their message through one channel of communication informed by their own experience. Power is something we use to control situations, outcomes, messages, and people. Adding multiple languages is not very strategic or efficient when it comes to maintaining control over a message. Would it not be more advantageous for the church to have one clear language and voice? One language to keep the message 100% pure and consistent.
With this event recorded in New Testament, this small fledgling religion was now opening itself to the neighborhood of the world. Another way to look at it is that this exclusive religion and culture was now open to all the struggles and blessings that come with diversity.
Translating is problematic because it often involves bridging meaning and context. It’s not an exact science. One word translated into a myriad of different tongues can have different nuances and it requires patience to close those gaps in understanding. Communicating from a place of relationship is the only way to share the things that are most important in life. True relationships are hard work because they take time and the ability to remain humble and gracious.
“The prevailing fantasy of people is to have power over others, to claim the power of self-determination, and to make a world bow to its will. This is the fantasy of nations and clans, peoples and corporations. But the Spirit offers us God’s own fantasy of desire for people, of joining and life together and of shared stories bound to a new destination in God.”
-Willie James Jennings*
The lesson here is that as a Christian, I need to be receptive to the different voices in the world. Just like Picard, I do my best to try to lead by listening and learning the literal and metaphorical languages of those around me. This is no easy task.
Religion demands submission; relationship invites participation. Sadly, every failure of the church includes a lack of appreciation and willingness to listen to those who are different.
So, as a part of the church, I want to continue to listen, appreciate, respect, and value the voices of my neighbors. If I fail to do this,
"Shaka when the walls fell."
Have a great weekend, everyone,
Engage! Yes, if you didn't know by now. I am a geek.
Notes:
*Jennings, William Belief a Theological Commentary on the Bible Acts. WJK books 2007.