A00032 - Martin Marty

 As has been noted, much of my writing these days is spent chronicling the achievements and the significance of those who are no longer with us.  One of the individuals who I found myself chronicling this year was someone that I knew and who those who attended Renaissance Weekend some twenty years ago knew all too well.  The person I began to write about, the person I began to see, is Martin Marty, one of the most influential theologians in American history.

I will encourage you all to Google Martin Marty and to learn why so many have him on the Mount Rushmore of Christian ministers along with Martin Luther King, Billy Graham, and Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century Congregationalist theologian who helped spearhead the First Great Awakening in America. 

Twenty years ago, I had the pleasure of serving on a panel with Martin at the Renaissance Weekend that was held in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The topic of the panel was "What's Right? -- An Honest Discussion of "Moral Values" (Caricatures Aside), Eternal Truths, & Hypocrisy" Somewhere during the discussion of this rather weighty topic, I chimed in that for me the greatest moral value is the rule that seems to have an almost universal expression and acceptance.  The rule is known as The Golden Rule and the Rule is that "You should do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  

After the panel discussion was over, Martin spent a moment with me to discuss what my interest in religious matters might be.  I noted that I had written a couple of books on Islam before 9/11 occurred.  However, my interest in religious matters actually began in 1963 when, as a ten-year-old boy, I watched "The Song of Bernadette" and became enchanted by the miracles associated with the Lady of Lourdes.  The scholarly Dr. Marty was not particularly impressed.  After all, in his vast experience, there had been many such miraculous occurrences and, indeed, there was a site not too far from Santa Fe where miracles were claimed to occur.  Intrigued, I asked him where that might be, and he said "Chimayo".

The next day, I traveled to Chimayo.  I toured the Chapel and even got some of the Holy Water -- Water which I used every now and then to ward off the evil spirits which seemed to abound in my workplace -- the City of Richmond City Hall.  

In any event, I was always grateful for Dr. Marty taking the time to talk with me and to direct me to Chimayo.  I also am grateful for the off-hand remark Dr. Marty made concerning what my future might be. Dr. Marty thought that my future as a religious commentator would be quite bright. Sadly, I have not quite fulfilled his expectations ... but thankfully, there is still some time.