"Christ wears 'two shoes' in the world: Scripture and nature. Both are necessary to understand the Lord, and at no stage can creation be seen as a separation of things from God." John Scotus Eriugena (810-77)

I came across this wise man in reading John Philip Newell's books, Christ of the Celts and Listening to the Heartbeat of God.. Eriugena was an Irish theologian, philosopher and poet known as one of the wisest and most read in the Middle Ages.He was thought by some, but not all, to have strayed from orthodox Christian teachings as he wrote about how the entire Creation, all people, animals, beings reflect some attributes of God .He saw a day when all creatures would live in harmony with God. He based his beliefs of the Greek writings of the early Christians. And, unlike some others, he lived to tell the tale! 

I have to admit that with our church wide theme of 'Open My Eyes' I have been thinking about good old Eriugena. To think that more than 1200 years ago someone talked about Christ's two shoes….scripture and creation…. astounds me. I think of the many circles today where this statement could still get you booted out the door. And I am thankful to be in a faith community where this is not the case.

And yet, who can not look at the unfolding summer around us and not see the movement of something larger than the human creatures? I have a sweet bouquet of pansies sitting on my desk, smiling back at me. This gift from a friend has brightened my stress-filled day, bringing a certain salvation of color and simplicity that was needed. As I look outside, I see the mighty oak tree towering outside my window. Each season I learn as much about resurrection from its bare branches, buds, and leaves as I do from the gospels. It is true I would not have the fullness of God without one or the other. Like Christ, I need both shoes to give word and work to God's movement in my life.

I do not believe this is just church camp, feel good about singing under the trees theology. When I wear both shoes, I am firmly planted in the world in which God still speaks over and over again. The scriptures help me interpret how Creation invites me to give shape to faith in my time and place. It is a lovely, sometimes confusing, always transforming dance. The music changes with the seasons of both age and climate. But the partner, the Great Artist, keeps inviting.  

"May I have this dance?"

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