The 1976 progressive rock album 2112 by the now legendary Canadian band Rush, begins with what has been called a seven-part suite[1], somewhat like an opera, telling a story. 2112 is the story of a dystopian[2] society in the year 2112. At that time, all of the planets of the Solar Federation are controlled by the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx. The Priests have created an interplanetary society that dictates every aspect of life for its subjects, which means everyone. The suite continues to tell the story of a man that finds an ancient guitar, makes his own music, and believes it will be a blessing to others.
When, with great enthusiasm, he presents his discovery to the Priests, he is immediately dismissed as a trouble-maker that has done nothing more than find “another toy that helped destroy the brotherhood of man”. He runs away in despair, falls asleep, and dreams of a world where individuals are free to decide for themselves “with hungry minds and open eyes”. When the man wakes from his sleep and realizes it was only a dream, he takes his own life. Just then, the Solar Federation is conquered, the Priests removed, and their subjects are freed. The final words the listener hears are: “Attention all planets of the Solar Federation, We have assumed control.”[3]
I have been listening to 2112 since someone gave me a copy in about 1980. This friend told me that I really needed to hear this album, and that I should listen with headphones. The artistic precision of everything about this album continues to amaze me. But it wasn’t until the other day that I heard it in a totally different way. I know every note by heart, and can sing along, but I heard the words in a new way that day.
Over the last fifty-years the mainstream churches in the United States and many other countries have been in decline. Much of society in general has grown tired and weary of the same old tired and weary way much of religion presents itself to society. For millions of others, there has never been a connection to a church or religious group. It is not so much that they are rejecting or rebelling against God, as they don’t feel like they are missing anything. If you have never socially or spiritually connected to a faith group, how would you know what you might be missing? Many researchers claim that humans are growing further away from each other emotionally and spiritually at an astonishing rate.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that the Body of Christ, the entire world of Christianity, is broken in pieces that have great difficulty coming together. For many, it is impossible to join in worship or mission with a faith group different from theirs. It is a problem that has troubled humankind from the beginning. Humans constantly make judgments based on right vs. wrong, good vs. bad, sin vs. virtue, etc. etc. In those judgements, we are quick to attach personal tags to the sins we think we see. It is not far from there, that we begin grouping people together and judging all based on the perceived sin or defect of one.
It seems as if many of these diverse groups would prefer that everyone believe and worship as they do, leaving little or no room for constructive dialog or accord in mission to the world. If we all believed the same things, worshipped the same way, had the same history, or the same eschatology, we could be doing the same thing the Priests of 2112 did, by limiting diversity and dictating every aspect of life. Humans commonly focus on the things that divide them, increasing the distance between themselves and the possibility of ecumenical accord. If the Body of Christ, all of its members, could unite under the banner of Christ, while embracing all of its diversity, beauty, gifts and talents, the world could change for the better almost overnight. For that to happen, one thing we would have to agree on is this:
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. … For just as the body is one and has many members, and all of the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – Jews or Greeks, slaves or free – and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, 12, 13; NRSV)
In the Book of Common Prayer (1979), on page 304, the Baptismal Covenant asks these questions, among others, of the Candidates for Baptism: “Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?”, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?”, and “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Each question is answered by the response: “I will, with God’s Help.”
If we desire to see the Body of Christ united in mission to the entire world in peace and concord, there is much work to do, and no time to wait. We will not succeed by only working from the inside-out, but rather by being out among the world, working for change. Not change for the sake of change, but change for the sake of allowing God to heal all of humanity. One of our dearest friends that has now gone to be with the Lord, was often know to say, “God helps those that help themselves.”
The Church of the 21st Century needs to leave the church building refreshed and revived to be the church in the real world; on the streets, in the alleys, in the homes of real people, taking real ministry to the masses. The life of the Church is intended to be modeled after the life and ministry of Jesus Christ; always moving forward, never standing still. This concept makes many people unimaginably uncomfortable. The idea of living their faith out loud, in public, and unapologetically. The skills of evangelism and mission can be learned and mastered, and the journey is not that frightening after all.
The last track on the Album (now CD) Rush 2112 is Something for Nothing, and the chorus is: “You don’t get something for nothing, you can’t have freedom for free. You won’t get wise with the sleep still in your eyes, no matter what your dream might be.”
I will talk more about skillful evangelism in future articles. Let’s start something different in the world.
May Almighty God continue to bless and keep all of humanity, and lift-up faithful leaders throughout both the Church and the world. Help us, we pray, to recognize and appreciate the wonderful diversity and beauty of every person, and all of creation. Guide us to unity as one human family with diverse ways of experiencing you, Lord. An on our last day, guide each of us to final and everlasting unity with You. We ask this for the glory of God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Blessings and Peace,
The Rev. Dr. David L. Bridges
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2112_(album) (Accessed January 23, 2016)
[2] Dystopia – An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dystopian (Accessed January 23, 2016)
[3] Robert Dimery. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1001_Albums_You_Must_Hear_Before_You_Die (Accessed January 23, 2016)
