02/08/06

In Chapter 4, Wells continues his talk of ethics as improvisation and drama. This time, he brings in the aspects of the script, rehearsals, and performances.

Scripture, in a way, is a constitution and script for Christians. We must seek to answer what it asks and live out what it directs. Plays were written to be performed – not just to be read. In the same way, the bible is not just for entertainment or reading – it is a way in which we as Christians need to be living.

Wells does one thing that many authors do not – he points out problems with his analogies and ideas to make clarification thorough. For instance, he points out four problems with the idea of discipleship as the performance of a script. One is that the script does not provide all the answers that need to be met in everyday, sporadic life. Our lives are not totally scripted out so we do not always know what to expect. In a connected way, the script also does not provide an outline for the Christian life. There are many aspects not noted by the Bible. Third, there is an implied idea that there was once a perfect world and we should strive for that once again. We need to look at the failures and drawbacks and learn from them just as we should affirm and exemplify successes. Lastly, Wells says that the idea of a script can keep us from being genuine. Though we need to have the basis of the Bible in our lives, our personalities and individualized actions are often what truly reach others. This definitely should not stop us from using the “script,” however. It is still very important to keep that strong grounding in scripture. The script is vital to our affirmation in how we live out our lives.

Wells then goes on to talk about improvisation. First, improvisation is inevitable. When we improvise in our everyday lives, we have to have those roots in scripture and Christianity or we will fall. Along with that, Wells says that improvisation is scriptural. Lastly, improvisation is ecclesial, or it deals with the church. The church should improvise and go through this together, even if one is technically by him/herself.

These ideas of improvisation in Christian ethics seem to be very breakthrough and effective. I have definitely been keeping these ideas in mind throughout the day.