Settlers and Pioneers Part 2

Today's post is a completion of yesterday's reflections from Brennan Manning's The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus.  It is a completion of his thoughts concerning the differences between Settler Theology and Pioneer Theology.  Yesterday, I wrote about the differing visions of God and the church.  Today we continue to explore the differences looking at The Christian, the Clergy, the nature of Faith, as well as Sin and Salvation.

While I don't agree with everything Manning writes, I find these observations interesting.  

"In Settler Theology the Christian is the settler.  He fears the open unknown frontier.  His concern is to stay on good terms with the mayor and keep out of the sheriff's way.  "Safety first" is his motto.  To him the courthouse is a symbol of security, peace, order, and happiness.  He keeps his money in the bank.  The banker is his best friend.  The settler never misses an ice cream party.

In Pioneer Theology the Christian is the pioneer.  He is a man of daring, hungry for new life.  He rides hard, knows how to use a gun when necessary.  The pioneer feels sorry for the settlers and tries to tell them of the joy and fulfillment of life on the trail.  He dies with his boots on.

In Settler Theology the clergyman is the banker.  Within his vault are locked the values of the town.  He is a highly respected man.  He has a gun but keeps it hidden in his desk.  He feels that he and the sheriff have a lot in common.  After all, they both protect the bank.

In Pioneer Theology the clergyman is the cook.  He doesn't furnish the meat.  He just dishes up what the buffalo hunter provides.  This is how he supports the movement of the wagon.  He never confuses his job with that of the trail boss, scout or buffalo hunter.  He sees himself as just another pioneer who has learned to cook.  The cook's job is to help the pioneers pioneer.

In Settler Theology faith is trusting in the safety of the town: obeying the laws, keeping your nose clean, believing the mayor is in the courthouse.

In Pioneer Theology faith is the spirit of adventure.  The readiness to move out.  To risk everything on the trail.  Faith is obedience to the restless voice of the trail boss.

In Settler Theology sin is breaking one of the town's ordinances.

In Pioneer Theology sin is wanting to turn back.

In Settler Theology salvation is living close to home and hanging around the courthouse.

In Settler Theology salvation is being more afraid of sterile town life than of death on the trail.  Salvation is joy at the thought of another day to push on into the unknown.  It is trusting the trail boss and following his scout while living on the meat provided by the buffalo hunter." 

pp. 46-47

Brennan Manning was a devout Catholic.  He was an alcoholic who discovered the wild grace of God.  He was a very imperfect man, but a man who learned to follow the risen Christ.  While his writing was often addressed to his faith community (the Roman Catholic Church), his writing found a home with Protestants and believers of every background.

Do you think this illustration holds true for real people that you know?  For churches?  For entire denominations?  There is always dangers in making generalizations since most of us are curious mixes of settlers and pioneers.  Yet, do you think these categories are worthwhile?

I think these two basic theological visions of the Kingdom explain much of what I have seen in my life in the Church.  In the midst of struggles, it often seems that well-intentioned believers talk right past each other.  Why?  Their entire theological vision of God, the Church, what it means to be a believer, faith, the role of the clergy, sin and salvation are so radically different.

As a pioneer, I pray that we do not turn back as we reflect upon the wild gospel of God!