In the Garden (not the song)

In spite of persecution and milder disincentives to conversion, the ancient church pursued a pretty rigorous program of teaching and evaluation that preceded baptism and membership of adult converts (Horton, Ordinary, p.179)

It is in chapter 8 of Horton’s Ordinary that the garden metaphor comes into its full flower. Using examples from the Old and New Testament, Horton shows that the garden is one of the chief ways of looking at life in the church. From Isaiah’s vineyard to the parable of the sower to the example of the barren fig tree, God has showed the way of teaching and discipleship by the example of a garden and how it grows.

Much of this is lost on me. I live in a farming community, but personally don’t really garden. It involves three things I disdain: digging in dirt, time outside, and constant failure.  I do have a peace lily that I have managed to keep alive through two moves and about 10 years, but I could forget to water that plant for weeks and it could bounce back. Onions and carrots aren’t quite as forgiving.

One thing that I did find helpful in this chapter was Horton’s use of the modern slogan “Reduce, reuse, recycle.” He uses this to show us how it can work in God’s eco-system. (p,177-178)

Reduce the distractions and voracious consumption.
Reuse the resources God has given us in the past
Recycle: return to the sources and adapt them to our time and place.

This involves the big word that Horton says is lacking in Christian circles today. Discernment. Discernment is the first casualty when the church only exists to be nice. But discernment allows us to make use of the rich traditions of the past. I love the Puritans, but would never preach like them. Discernment is what needs to be found within Christians today, so that we can determine how to best use the resources of our Spiritual ancestors, without having always to start fresh with each new generation. Or these days, with each new technological advance.

We are called to tend the garden. And that requires a patience sorely missing from our culture.  Just as the gardener says when asked to tear out the barren fig tree, “Let’s give it another year.” Let us keep trying with the tools God has given. His Word. His Sacraments. His disciplines and accountability. “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”  (1 Corinthians 3:6-7 ESV, emphasis added)