Moving On

Perusals of my past posts have brought more smiles than embarrassment. One changes with time as is expected. Still, I remain a simple country neurosurgeon in the Rocky Mountain West. Over the last few years the realization has dawned that being a physician is more important than being a surgeon. Yes, the technical portion is still as important as ever but it is the relationship with the patient that has almost as much to do with the particular patients outcome than does manual dexterity. Surgery is a finite performance, albeit exacting. The continuing relationship that exists between surgeon and patient is one that persists in an unreasonable way. Yes, unreasonable. At least as far as neurosurgery is concerned. Even long after the post-surgical period has passed and I can think of no compelling reason to schedule a follow-up appointment, they look at me with questioning eyes when I tell them to '"call me if you need me". It is a blessing, at least to this simple surgeon, to have their gratitude for performing a procedure but I dare say that the lessons taught me outside the OR are as important as those learned wearing gloves.
An attending once asked, rather pointedly, if I knew " how not to get fired" from my residency. As it was the second of an anticipated six year program, I was all ears. This man held my future in his hands and although not capricious, his word could have far reaching effects upon my professional life. He said simply " be nice to those you work with". This takes a bit of explanation.
As a resident, you are a physician but not one vested with any significant power

Sunday

The Western Meadowlark has my favorite call. If you're reading this you can certainly find it online. Its music tells Montana that spring has sprung and has been doing so now for almost a month (insert your favorite erudite spring poetry reference here) . The one outside presently is competing with the creek to saturate the air with peace if not quiet. Remind me again why I should ever complain about my life at this juncture? Warm, loved, fed, great coffee at hand and prospects for a succcessful week are good. For now, lets not consider the dog who has been up with GI problems half the night, the ex-spouse who somehow continues to affect me through my kids and the fact that shortly I will head in to the hospital to perform a not-so-fun case on a beautiful Sunday morning. These events are finite. The bird's song enduring.

Changing phones

I've been a loyal Palm Treo user for most of the last 8 years. Sure, I dallied with a Pocket PC, tasted a Blackberry. But in the end the Palm was always first in my mind. Enter the reality that is Verizon. I live in Montana where Verizon, not copper or gold, is king. Choose another carrier and you coverage resembles 1980's Ma Bell. Poor.
Today I bought the Motorola Droid...quite the nifty device. I may yet prove intelligent enough to utilize most of its features. One direct plus is that in reviewing my contact list I found the password for my blogger account. It had apparently been buried deep in the Palms innards only to be excavated by Google's unflagging attempts to be convenient. It just showed up in my contacts list and I followed it here like a moth to a flame. Let's hope that the posts will be a bit more predictable

The Switch

Despite my love for the traditional Episcopal Church, I cannot continue to worship at their altar. My wife and I entered into the Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults in the Roman Catholic Church. Our kids are preparing for first communion. It does feel correct and true. Despite the passage of time since the reformation, what always appealed to my sense of the faithful was the Anglican adherence to the timeless truths that no other Protestant denomination espoused. Until recently. The fact that the voting members have abandoned Christianity by fits, starts and paradigm shifts have left me bereft of trust in their orthodoxy. Moreover, I cannot allow my family to be raised in the obvious heterodoxy that is the American Episcopal Church.

Sifting Ashes

The fallout from the ECUSA's General Convention continues. Diocese are requesting alternative oversight, Churches are in disarray. The various blogs are teeming with opinion couched as fact and facts questioned as sophistry. A simple country Anglican is left adrift. It should come as no suprise that the author of this particular site is of a conservative bent. Not conservative from a political standpoint as much as from a theological tradition.
The election of the PB-Elect has resulted in more knee-jerk reactions than a neurologist sees in a lifetime of exams. While cooler heads may prevail and the 'middle' reign triumphant, it is unlikely. And it should be unlikely. These are serious theological issues that cannot be brushed aside in the quest for peace and equanimity. The differences are as deep as bedrock and as solid.
My lay reading of theology from Gnosticism to Panentheism, humanist to orthodox have left me with definite beliefs and opinions. In this authors humble opinion, a Schism is inbound and there is little anyone on Earth can do to avert it.

In the Midst of a Whirlwind

The vast majority of the previous postings dealt with worldly matters that were quite important on that plane but pale in comparison to much more important subjects. While reading theology has always been a 'pastime' of mine, the recent events in the Episcopal Church (ECUSA) have brought casual reading to a new level. It is no underestimation to state that ECUSA is in a state of agitation that is almost, well, biblical. There are many in the fray that are absolutely assured of their correct position the theological spectrum. I too think that my stance is correct so don't assume that I am immune to the siren's song of righteousness. But one has to take a side if one is to continue to perform as an informed and thinking Christian. The middle of the road is where one gets hit by a fast moving vehicle.
Much of this may be inspired by Bishop N.T. Wright's writings. I started The New Testament and the People of God last month. It is quite a thoughtful tome and not for the casual reader. It is almost surely above my complete understanding but even a blind boar finds a truffle every now and then. Others have written erudite reviews of Bishop Wright and his work so there is no need for me to pen a rookie opinion. Suffice it to say that he is simply the clearest biblically honest apologetic that I have read since C.S.Lewis.
ECUSA could benefit greatly from Wright's input but it is unlikley that they will avail themselves of his scholarship. What is an American Anglican to do?

Quietly. Stunned.

N.T. Wright is an Anglican Bishop, theologian and author that has heretofore escaped my perusal. For the last twelve or so years it has been my practice to scour the bookstores' religious sections for Christian books with an orthodox (little O) view, those more in line with my beliefs. Mere Christianity was among the first and many other by C.S. Lewis as well as Chesterton followed. Our priest from down South recommended Newbegin as well as other classic Anglican authors. But it has been since the first book mentioned above that an author has, in my humble opinion, cut so quickly to the simplicity and complexity that is Christianity.
Wright's Simply Christian has done just that. Having just finished the 238 page book, it is as if a whole new world, previously contemplated but not perceived , is possible. No, he does not lay out some kind of 12-step guide to entering the Christian life; the joy and difficulty are lain out 'warts and all'. Bishop Wright instead describes the mystery and philosophy of the life that is at once awe-inspiring and desperately needed in this and every age. This is not an I'm-okay-you're-okay type of feel good book that would rocket it to the top of the NYT Non-fiction or Oprah's list. Were we more true to our true Judeo-Christian roots you would not be able to purchase it for it would be sold out. But that is not now. That being said, it is not a polemic against the left nor a prop for the right of the political spectrum. It's beauty is in the fact that it transcends this type of mundane sniping while remaining grounded in everyday life.
Bishop Wright examines how some are hit with a bolt out of the blue such as Paul on the road to Damascus. Others will take decades to grasp the true meaning of God and the Church. This book may well have taken years off of my search.