And as classics of ancient literature,
the Psalms should be translated afresh for every generation, wrote British
poet Donald Davie, in the introduction to his collection,
The Psalms in English.
But what about the internet generation –
what sort of translation is appropriate for the growing number of people who
respond best to images and feelings? Can we transmit the spirituality of the
Psalms online? Can we transmit spirituality online?
For a tentative answer to the last
question, take a look at this brilliant
presentation of Zen meditation, developed (as far as I can see) by the
super-creative Japanese advertising giant
Dentsu.
Through sound, image, humour and a few words, it really does manage to
impart a brief taste of Zen.
The
Beliefnet religious site has attempted something similar. Included among
its offerings is an
audio-visual
devotional on Psalm 23. A narrator recites the psalm, to the background
sounds of chanting and bells, while the words flow onto the screen along
with a succession of dreamy images.
It’s pretty, but it didn’t do a lot for
me. Though it’s possibly not aimed at 53-year-olds. Certainly it lacks the
humour and feeling of the Zen presentation, and at less than two minutes in
length it’s hardly more than a diversion for anyone looking for some
heavy-duty spirituality.
Beliefnet also offers
Learning to Sing the
Psalms, a series of practical lectures from author and retreat leader
Cynthia Bourgeault.
This is more like it. There are lessons on the role of the Psalms in the
life of the church and guidance on how to incorporate psalmody into your own
spiritual walk. Sound clips complement the teaching, and there is advice on
where to go for further information. This is an excellent resource for the
spiritual seeker.
The Barna Research
Group
forecasts that “within this decade as many as 50 million individuals may
rely solely upon the internet to provide all of their faith-based
experiences”. It’s a sobering thought, particularly for those of us in the
evangelical stream of Christianity who are concerned about outreach.
What sort of spiritual
lives will these 50 million enjoy? It’s a question the church has barely
started to ask.
December 2nd, 2002
