Some thoughts on a new prayer book

For illustrative purposes, a quote from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

God: Arthur! Arthur, King of the Britons! Oh, don't grovel! One thing I can't stand, it's people groveling.

ARTHUR: Sorry.

GOD: And don't apologize. Every time I try to talk to someone it's 'sorry this' and 'forgive me that' and 'I'm not worthy.' What are you doing now?!

ARTHUR: I'm averting my eyes, O Lord.

GOD: Well, don't. It's like those miserable Psalms -- they're so depressing. Now, knock it off!

Perhaps God would like the Psalms better if they sounded something like this:

Psalm 23
The Lord is all that, I need for nothing.
He allows me to chill.
He keeps me from being heated
and allows me to breathe easy.
He guides my life so that
I can represent and give
shouts out in his Name.
And even though I walk through
the Hood of death,
I don't back down
for you have my back.
The fact that you have me covered
allows me to chill.
He provides me with back-up
in front of my player-haters
and I know that I am a baller
and life will be phat.
I fall back in the Lord's crib
for the rest of my life.

This Psalm was adapted by Ryan Kearse for use in the impending
Hip Hop Prayer Book, edited by Timothy Holder, a priest of the Episcopal Church.

The publisher's description is as follows:

A powerful evangelism tool, developed at Trinity Church of Morrisania in the birthplace of Hip Hop, the South Bronx, The Hip Hop Prayer Book offers a means to worship that will draw in the young and speak to those not generally spoken to by the Church. Containing daily prayers, psalms, a variety of services (including a Eucharist), and a selection of bible stories all designed with the enlivening power of Hip Hop in mind, and prefaces by two bishops of the Episcopal Church and a wealth of contextualizing materials, The Hip Hop Prayer Book is designed for personal worship by church leaders looking for ways in which to broaden the reach of their congregation.

Here is the quote which precedes the description, made by the Catherine Roskam, a female bishop in the ECUSA:

"If Jesus were alive today, he would have been a rapper."

Someone should perhaps remind Her Grace that Jesus IS alive today, and He is the Son of God, not some rapper.

Anyway, if I get some money, I might pick up a copy of this prayer book. I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt, but I am skeptical that it will be an effective missionary tool. Being a hip (or Hip Hop) priest carries with it a certain worldly glamor. It attracts a lot of attention to the self. The priest should never be the center of attention. Neither should the style of worship or the latest fad get in the way of the worship of God. People who want to be Christian missionaries today should learn as much as they can from the examples of their predecessors who were selfless and humble, dedicated to spreading the Gospel in a way which would make it culturally understandable, but also keep it authentic.

I don't see the Hip Hop Prayer Book as being faithful to the Christian tradition. Hip Hop is not a language or even a real culture. Hip Hoppers belong to a subculture and exist in many cultures throughout the world. In regard to liturgical texts, I think conservatism is best because the spiritual life which those sacred texts form, is complex and delicate--it does not react well to experimentation.

Listen to Gregorian Chant 24/7 on-line

Yes, it's true! The bright and shining day hath finally arriv-ed when all who have speedy connec-ti-ons may hearken unto the graceful airs of Latin melody.

By going to this site and clicking the button marked "TUNE IN," you, too can be a partaker of this fabulous new phenomena, the best thing since illuminated manuscripts.

All right, as an honest disclaimer, it's not the BEST chant (it might cause some people, like my father, to have horrible flashbacks to the hacked chant of the Vatican Christmas Midnight mass of yore), and it IS randomly interspersed with very nicely sung snippets of what appears to be some celebrated collegiate chorus chirping an American folk song, beautifully arranged with whispy harmonies, etc. But it's worth a visit. Perhaps those more technologically advanced than I could use it as a prototype for a Western Orthodox version of AncientFaithRadio. Eh?

In other news, OrthodoxTidings now has an online shop. We're offering an array of products featuring original designs. As always, let me know what you think and if you have any ideas. Also, if you have a shop featuring Orthodox Christian goods, let me know and I'll link it. Also, contact me if you would like to advertise. Proceeds from the online shop sales, if there are any customers besides myself, will go to support the Orthodox Tidings websites. So far, it costs about $10 a month for a basic package. God-willing, in the distant future we might be able to expand the operation to put up more articles and pages and perhaps do a publication of the ever-expanding St. Severin Prayer Book.

Morning and Evening Prayers for the St. Severin Prayer Book are now complete and uploaded on the Orthodox Tidings Web site. A new link has been added for the St. Severin Prayer Book direct from the main site so no digging is necessary.

Orthodox Tidings Yahoo! Discussion Group Created

If you look to the right at the list of links, you will find the Orthodox Tidings Yahoo! Discussion Group.

Here is a very basic description of this brand new forum:

"Exploring traditional, Orthodox Christianity in the past, present and future, the Orthodox Tidings Yahoo Group welcomes everyone who wishes to learn more about traditional Christianity in general and Orthodoxy in specific. We believe that the catholic heritage of the Orthodox Church is a precious treasure which must be guarded, cared for, studied, and lived. To this end, we will endeavor to use this group list for our mutual edification."

Here's part of an e-mail invitation I wrote for the group:

"You are invited to join my Yahoo! Group 'Orthodox Tidings' for discussion about all aspects of Orthodox tradition--whether in the past, present, or future. Each Orthodox Christian has experience, education, and expertise in an area which relates to the Orthodox tradtion whether you know it or not. I was hoping that we could use this group as a way to learn more about the Orthodox tradition from one another and whoever else might join the group.

I know we're all amateurs, but as amateurs we do a lot of reading or have experience or informed opinions on certain things which could be helpful and edifying. This group gives us a chance to share something meaningful and interesting with a larger audience."

Membership in the group is not limited to Orthodox Christians. Everyone who loves the Orthodox tradition and traditional Christianity is welcome.

Orthodox Tidings Page UPDATED!

Every page of the Orthodox Tidings Web site has been updated in some way. Some pages are still under construction.

The St. Severin Prayer Book has been updated. The full order for Morning Prayers with complete rubrics is now available. The full order of Evening Prayers is also up, but the rubrics need to be updated.

Let me know what you think.

Update on the St. Severin Prayer Book

Full Evening and Morning Prayers are just about ready to be uploaded onto the Orthodox Tidings website for the St. Severin Prayer Book. The Evening Prayers posted now is a much shorter version of what will be posted. After that is finished, work will begin on orders for preparation and thanksgiving for Holy Communion. Look for updates sometime next week. As always, suggestions and comments are welcome.