Walking the Ancient Paths

"Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.
"But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'"

Today's reading from the Moravian Daily Texts (Losungen), Jeremiah 6:16, was an apt beginning for the second module of the Summer School of European Studies.

Two weeks of intensive and stimulating travel through some thirty historical locations had brought us to Geneva last Friday, the 500th anniversary of John Calvin's birthday.

Pageants, exhibitions, readings and concerts this summer recall the impact of this reluctant 27-year-old recruit on 'the smelliest city in Europe', as he taught daily from the scriptures how to walk in the ancient paths.   

Turning to the Bible as the main source of inspiration for the ordering of society, Calvin applied God's law spiritually, socially and morally. He taught parents to teach their children, and children to honour parents. He taught citizens the importance of honesty and hard work. He taught public officials how to be servant leaders, accountable to God. He taught all to help the poor and to welcome the refugee.

He encouraged universal literacy, social responsibility, environmental concern and scientific development.

He urged citizens to put God first as the key to a just and peaceful society, to respect his name and to take a day each week for rest, reflection and renewal.

Transformation

Through these values, Geneva became the intellectual centre of Europe. It became known as a city of refuge, a safe place, for thousands escaping from religious persecution in France, Italy and other lands. Calvin's sermons were transcribed, printed and distributed throughout Europe, influencing social, political and moral developments in Scotland (via John Knox), England (Oliver Cromwell), Holland (William of Orange) and even the American colonies (Roger Williams).

Today, these figures stand alongside Calvin in the larger-than-life Reformation Wall commemorating the transformation of Geneva through this man's ministry.  

A few metres from the Reformation Wall, our tour guide led us to a circle of ten bronze columns, seven metres tall. Unveiled just last week, this sculpture also commemorates Geneva's transformation through the influence of the Ten Commandments.

Romanian artist, Liviu Mocan, creator of the sculpture, accompanied us as we approached the columns with curiosity and wonder. Together with Liviu, our guide, Jonathan Tame, who has promoted the Geneva exhibition of the sculpture, explained its four metaphors.

The ten columns represented the fingers of God, ten laws on which to build human society. Placed in a circle, they defined a 'safe space', suggesting relationship. To stand inside the circle is to be held in God's personal and inviting hands, enjoying relationship with him and with others.

Jesus summed up the whole law in the commands to love God and neighbour-love being the essence of relationship.

Consequences

The circle of pillars invites reflection on the consequences of living outside the circle. The outer edges of each column are sharp and rough, unlike the smooth, welcoming inside surfaces, with a small ledge inviting the visitor to sit, relax and rest. Obedience to the law brings reward; disregard reaps discord. Calvin taught that God's law was universal, for prince and pauper, aristocrat and artisan, a principle that was to promote democratic government in Europe and beyond.

Two views of freedom are suggested by the sculpture: individualistic on the one hand, and seeking the common good on the other. We are free to walk in and out of the circle pursuing our own goals, or we can choose limits to personal freedom, creating a space for interaction and commitment.

The weight and size of the columns reflect the stability and durability of the Ten Commandments, offering hope for wise, good and timeless foundations for society.  

The Decalogue is the good way, the ancient paths offering rest for the soul. When we say 'We will not walk in it', we cannot escape the consequences, as our recent vists to Dachau, or to Point Alpha on the former Iron Curtain, have reminded us.

The second of the three modules of our Summer School looks at the challenges of secularism, Islam and new spirituality in Europe today. It was good to be reminded  that God's ancient paths remain the good way for Europe.

Till next week,

©YWAM Europe - Weekly Words are the personal reflections of Jeff Fountain and do not necessarily express the official position of YWAM.
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