Still Thinking -Confluence: Where the rivers flow together

Big Tent Christianity is a movement in the USA that is bringing together voices from various places within the Christian tradition.  Last year in Phoenix, Arizona those from, “Progressive and Emergent; Denominational and Non-denominational; Large and Small Faith Communities; Describable and Indescribable,” gathered for a three day conference with the objective, “to bring people together from across the country to proclaim what unites us as followers of Jesus in this modern world.”

It may not mean that much for those of us in Australia, but the ability to get Marcus Borg Carol Howard Merritt, Brian McLaren, Richard Rohr, Philip Clayton, Spencer Burke and several other theologians and pastors together to share what unites them rather than what divides them is remarkable.  Much of the history of Christian faith has been schismatic.  Often when we disagree we separate; if our opinions collide we leave; when I am offended by your beliefs, I walk away.  The notion that evangelicals, traditionalist, liberals and progressive can not only be in the same room, but listen to, and show respect for, those who hold different views is surely a sign of the presence of God’s Spirit.

In geography there is a term called “confluence.”  It is the meeting of two or more bodies of water and usually refers to the point where streams flow together, merging into a single stream.  In history we can often observe a confluence of ideas.  When the time and place is right and there is an openness to sharing formative experiences with one another, we can see the creation of a confluence - a flowing together  - where a new revitalized stream of life is created.  But it only happens when there is a genuine respect and even a curiosity about the other.  If one believes that their group is the sole possessor of truth, than confluence is not possible.

I think that one aspect of confluences that troubles some is that when the rivers flow together a lot of mud is stirred up. The merging of two streams of thought or two or three traditions is never without turbulence and often produces a good deal of murkiness.  The purists are fearful that the best in their tradition will be lost, or at least diluted in merging with the values and principles of others.  But what is often not seen is that life itself is a continuous confluence.  It is in fact what gives us life, from the mingling of sperm and egg, to the meeting of true friends and the coming together of two people in marriage, all are confluences in the best sense of the word.

What keeps faith alive is not a dogged commitment to following the only true way, but an active and creative dialogue with both friends and strangers who travel the religious path with us. What keeps our Christian life alive is our willingness to open our hearts and minds to the insights we gain in our conversations, our readings and those times when we intuit that someone different from us, has offered us a new understanding of and old idea.

It was the poet John O’Donohue who wrote, “I would love to live like a river flows carried by the surprise of its own unfolding,” an image that speaks of a living faith that is neither stagnate nor dull, but vibrant and vital always open to the change that comes when I encounter other life streams.

Christopher