why can’t we play with others?

One of the saddening things experienced listening to N.T. Wright lecture at Wheaton College was his poor response to the critique of not working more with the Christian tradition and other disciplines/scholars besides a narrow set of New Testament scholars. While he seemed amiable towards the other speakers at the conference (not to mention that many were long time friends) from such disciplines as Systematic Theology, overall he doesn’t seem open to really getting too far afield from his area of concentration.

This is academic life. To be able to succeed one must delve deep into a narrow range within a already specific field. This specificity allows one to dig deep into the area but also can easily leave one at the bottom of the narrow mine without a clear view of the big picture. While it is clear that in N.T. Wright’s writing he works hard to keep in mind the big picture, it is often a picture limited to a certain time-space, first-century Palestine (or rather a 21c. Anglican Bishop looking at 1c. Palestine).

I shouldn’t blame Wright for this though. His work is commendable, reaching far greater than most of us are able with are finite abilities. I find myself returning to the frustration I’ve had with my own search of occupation—is it better to be really great at one thing or simply good at many. Living in a world of specializations, we value the great skilled scientist, who delves into the secrets of the cosmos, but who can’t change the tire on the hybrid car they helped invent. On the other hand at least in the U.S. we also value the cowboy, the independent man who can do most things on his own. Which is better, to go deep or to go wide?

I have worked hard and intentionally as to be all things to all people, as Paul would say himself. It is difficult and uncomfortable, but I believe it is necessary work for the kingdom. We must be able to work and dialogue with others across the fence, across disciplines, across political parties and denominations. We must find our home in the specificity of our situatedness but we willing and able to leave home to be welcomed into another’s home. I see children being exceptionally good at this. While a child can quickly realize the differences which separate them from an other, they can quickly move past to the {more important} realization of our sameness. While post-modern thought wants me to say that the other is wholly other, I have to disagree. There is much sameness in our humanity which crosses cultures. As children it is play. As students it is school. As adults work. As Parents it is our children. Etc. There is always something which can unite us, even those from widely distant culture. Much of Jesus’ and Paul’s ministry was done in places far from home, they left their arenas of comfort and sought the other where they were to be found. Neither setup an office and waited for people to show up. In the texts we have, we always find them out traveling, running into people along the way.

Bringing this back to to the theological world, I am saddened that the same divisive character that we find in the rest of the world is strongly entrenched within the Church also. It seems very often we define ourselves not by our unifying belief of the power of Easter but rather we define ourselves by our internal differences within the body of Christ, rather than expressing our radical story which is opposed to the Babylon without. Put plainly, don’t we have bigger fish to fry than worrying about denominational squabbles? Don’t we have so much to learn from each other?