Not Settling for Lesser Truth
25 May 2006

Last night was a great event here at the church. We had a special guest panel of scholars, Dr. Warren Gage and Dr. Sam Lamerson, from Knox Theological Seminary. I’ve been privileged to have both of these men as my professors in seminary. They’ve helped me unlock many treasures in Scripture. Last night was no exception. Here’s an MP3 of the night.

The event was to explore some of the questions that arise from the book and movie “The Da Vinci Code.” The one thing I walked away from that evening reflecting upon was why Mary Magadelene plays such a prominent role in that book, and in larger religious culture. Dr. Gage spoke for several minutes on how Dan Brown had intuited a wonderful spiritual truth, but had profaned it by making it literal. That is, he showed how Mary Magdalene was a representative of the bride of Christ (all those who are redeemed), and not the literal bride of Christ. If you want to explore this more Dr. Gage has a sermon posted on this at Knox’s website. I was struck again with how hungry the soul is for the truths it must know exist that can satisfy all its hungers, but yet how easily pleased it is to settle with hollow realities. As C.S. Lewis wrote in “Mere Christianity” (paraphrasing), “We are like children on holiday at the beach, content to eat mud pies along the shore, all the while a great banquet awaits further inland.”

I think this is the same phenomenon with Harry Potter books. The souls of children yearn for mystery and adventure that the gospel story can only satisfy. Yet somehow we have failed to convey such wonder to them, leaving them hungry and feeding that hunger with lesser things. I’ll be so bold as to say I think this is also true of the great fascination with the “Left Behind" series of books. Those stories touch on something our soul feels, yet for me they leave me feeling I’ve not yet seen the whole picture.

All of this puts in me the desire to write something that guides the drifting imagination of people and feed them with the beauty of the gospel in a story that captures that beauty. I’ve recently begun work on my first novel, tentatively called “The Seminarian.” I’ll post more details on that at a later date. Yet, last night got me thinking to write a novel from the perspective of Mary Magdalene to somehow convey how Mary represents all the redeemed, Christ’s bride. We’ll see. I’m getting quite an education as I research plot, dialogue, character development, etc. Below is a mock-up of the cover of the novel to help motivate me. Now to just write it!

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Shannon Morris 25 May 2006 - 8:48:24AM

Pastor Jared - what inspires me most as one of my pastors is your ability to see what you want to do or what you want to convey to people, make the goal, and not to let it die but to act on it! Your book will come and the cover is great!!!!! Kenny and I will be praying for you on this journey!!!

Kay Smith 25 May 2006 - 1:01:20PM

Pastor Jared, Just discovered Seeking the City and love the idea of receiving your ideas on a regular basis.  There is so much hype right now in Spain over this movie and it makes me sad as I understand (confirmed by your remarks) that we Christians know the truth but how often have we shared it with others?  Love the idea of your book and encourage you to get busy and write ASAP.  (I know that you dont have time to write a book but do it anyway.  kay

Sharon & Darren DiGiacinto 25 May 2006 - 1:22:06PM

Pastor Jared - I am already excited to see how the book will turn out.  I am in awe of all that you already have on your plate - both at church and home - and yet you want to find the time to address something that will speak to the mind and soul of others!! Darren and I will be praying as you journey into this amazing experience.  Thank you for your inspiration!!  So what do you foresee?? Best Seller at Barnes & Noble?? Wouldn’t that be amazing!!

Danny & Tammy Hopkins 25 May 2006 - 3:11:00PM

Wow!  How profound.  I have to agree with you that I too left last night very intrigued by Mary Magdalyn.  I look forward to reading The Seminarian but I really hope you will write something about Mary.  Danny and I will continue to pray for you and your ministry.

Andrea Hawkins 25 May 2006 - 5:10:47PM

You are the BEST!!!!
I love you with all my heart

Danny & Tammy Hopkins 25 May 2006 - 9:03:05PM

Danny just read this and said that he doesn’t think he can be friends with someone who knows how to write a novel.

Donella Gallo 25 May 2006 - 11:31:42PM

Pastor Jared,
As usual, I learned something last night I knew nothing about. I appreciate working with you and learning so much about so many things. My mother said it best, “Pastor Jared is the kind of guy that inspires me to do better, go further and share all that is good....” and I have to agree! Thank you for allowing God to use you in all of our lives and in the lives of others. I look forward to your novel and will pray for you as God guides your words. Donella