THE TIMES, THEY ARE A-CHANGIN’

In recent news articles I read about discoveries that change scientist’s views about ancient cultures. In one a sandal is found—and it carbon dates to earlier than any other shoe unearthed to date. In another the presence of gluten on a grinding stone shoots down the belief that bread was not a part of the human diet during that time period. The author indicated that a popular diet based on the “hunter/gatherer” culture would have its basis knocked from under it because of this discovery. The followers of this fad diet believe they will be physically healthier if they make their food intake as close as possible to that of early man.

If the author is correct, then the followers of this diet may find they need to adjust their thoughts on early human diet and therefore adjust their behavior to meet their new beliefs. Would it be better for them to follow research on what is the ideal diet for optimum health of modern humans, and then adjust their food intake to match? If their ultimate goal is, indeed, providing their bodies with the best mix of nutrients to stay healthy, do they really need to go all the way back to early humankind for answers? Or should they be willing to accept that humankind has grown, evolved, and changed, resulting in corresponding changes in what the human body needs?

Similar questions can be asked regarding our spiritual health. New information is available to modern society that was unknown to earlier generations or cultures. Do we need to stick to the specifics of worship as defined by the early Church, or can we accept that there is new information available to us—that Christianity has grown, evolved, and changed? Just as the basic human body remains recognizable over generations, so does Christianity. The core belief remains, but some of the trappings of religion are different.

Do we need to partake of communion in secret behind locked doors, sharing our most sacred trust only with those we have identified as being sympathetic to our beliefs? Many of the early Christians did just that. Do we need to return completely to our roots and make animal sacrifices on the altar, as described in Genesis 22:1-13? Should we require that all Christians follow kosher laws?

We have evidence of the growth of the early church in the New Testament writings. For example, controversy existed regarding whether members were required to keep a kosher kitchen ( Romans 14:13-18)and questions were asked regarding whether Gentile converts would be required to be circumcised (Acts of the Apostles 14:1-9).

Even as early as the times of St. Paul the Church was changing as it grew. The important thing was that the core beliefs remained. The trappings of religion were in place, but they were not stagnant. As we grow together spiritually we need to remember that our core beliefs are what have brought us together. The Episcopal Church is not full of members who are treading water in a stagnant pool. We are a diverse membership who are able to adapt with the changing times while retaining that which makes us Christians.

And as we do so, we welcome all—no matter how much more or less fond they may be of the traditional trappings of our religion.