This book is another in the series from Thomas Nelson I have been reading which stated purpose it to examine the ancient practices of the Church. While some of these books have been good and helpful, this one does not have a lot to commend.
Its author Charles Foster essentially tries to lay out the case for pilgrimage’s place in the piety of the modern Christian. Well aware of the reformation antagonism to pilgrimages Foster suggests the problem was the abuse of the pilgrimages, not their inherent nature. If fact, the rest of the book seeks to make the case that moving (pilgrimages) is the most faithful way to live as God’s children.
Foster lost his chance to make this case early by distorting the metanarrative of the Old Testament. While God certainly does walk with the nomadic people of old in the Old Testament, his assertion that this was God’s preferred way does not seems to match the fact that God is always leading his people towards a land where they can settle in peace. The Scriptures make clear that the exodus is punishment, but Foster treats it nearly as reward. Foster’s obvious affinity for the edges and antagonism toward cities and their dwellers drives this book. He seeks to make the case that his view is God’s view, but does not succeed.
Perhaps the only overall thing that can be said for this book is his assertion that the Gnosticism of our day must be confronted. His solution is pilgrimage in the most primitive ways were the senses are always engaged if not overwhelmed. He says that no pilgrim can descend into thinking matter doesn’t matter. I am not sure that is always true, but I will agree that pilgrimage’s beauty might be in connecting the body and it senses to the soul, something often forgotten in our neo-gnostic modern Christianity. I only wish he knew how the proper teaching of the sacraments and focusing on the resurrection of the body can do the same.
Much of the rest of the book is simply suggestion for the how and where type questions of pilgrimage. If one was thinking about doing this in the way he describes, his suggestions would surely be worthy of a read.
I suppose he is right that Luther abhorred pilgrimage mostly because of their abuses in his day. He hated the way they took people away from Christ’s righteousness. But after reading Foster who seems as confortable with quoting eastern religions or Islam as the Scriptures and seems off-put by anyone who makes firm doctrinal assertion, maybe the critique of pilgrimages still stands. When you try to seek God primarily away from Word and Sacrament, you also move away from the Word, Jesus. Seek him where He can be found.
Phil,
I am still waiting for you to send me that book in this same series on fasting! Just a reminder.
You write at the end that “to seek God primarily away from Word and Sacrament, you also move away from the Word, Jesus. Seek him where He can be found.” Many of the great saints such as St. Simon Stylites or St. Mary of Egypt lived lives of repentance in the desert. For them, there was no church building and they had no copies of Scriptures (St. Simon, I believe, had a significant portion memorized) and maybe received the Eucharist once a year (as in the case of St. Mary of Egypt). St. Anthony the Great was an ascetic who took to the desert where he did daily battle with the demons and their master. You say that the Exodus ended up being punishment. Perhaps it was a punishment for some, but not for all. For those who lived the life of repentance, the Exodus was a blessing, difficult as it was to endure.
There can be no victory in the spiritual life without spiritual warfare. Are you suggesting we only stay close to the church where the Scriptures are preached and the mysteries distributed where it is safe? Where is the struggle in that? The desert is where the demons will tempt you as Christ Himself was tempted by them. The ascetic fathers and mothers imitated Christ by doing the same, by entering the arena to do spiritual combat to emerge victorious. They had with them their prayers and repentance as their primary weapons. Since many of these ascetic fathers lived before there was canonical scripture, are you saying that these righteous ones should have waited to get a Bible printed before venturing out?
Now, I’ve not read the book, but pilgrimage is a viable weapon in spiritual combat. Is it for everyone? No, of course not. Not every spiritual discipline can be practiced by everyone. I don’t know how convincingly the author presents the case based solely on your review. But pilgrimage is not punishment. The western equivalent to pilgrimage was the dark night of the soul which was very influential on Luther from John of the Cross and Catherine of Avila. Only in the deepest pits of despair where death and life meet, do we realize the futility of the mastery of our own selves and realize that we must depend upon God and the realization of that dependence is a faith acquired through prayer and fasting (Christ’s own words, yes?).
One more thing: please do a better job of editing. I see your blog was recently selected by Issues, Etc. as “Blog of the Week.” I know you can do a better job. Here is just a sampling of errors: Foster when you meant Foster’s, seek where you meant seeks, make where you meant makes, etc.