Living A Second Naivete

Bettyann and Claire are “fans” if not right down intrigued and captivated with Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. I have no idea now many occasions I have found them snuggled up with each other, and/or shushing my comments on entering the room while engrossed, watching the movie.  At any rate, there is a point when Austen describes Lydia as the naïve youngest of the Bennet daughters, and is not intended as a compliment:  "Lydia was Lydia still; untamed, unabashed, wild, noisy, and fearless." Naïve is generally a description I have never held proudly. I have been prone to see naïveté in its unflattering light, not wanting the description to make the shortlist of my character traits.  But I have recently discovered that the word in its original context is not so narrowly characterized.  In fact, the word naïve is derived from the Latin word "natural," a word which remains a synonym I had not recognized.  True naïveté can thus describe one who shows absence of artificiality or unaffected simplicity of nature, one who has no hidden agendas or duplicitous motives.  At this definition, it seems much less an insult and more a quality to which, at this age, I might aspire.

One of my favorite authors used the word "naïve" in this broader sense to describe his relationship with Scripture as he grew from child to writer and lecturer.  He introduces three stages, the first of which he describes as the stage of naiveté in the unencumbered, unaffected sense of the word.  Through the trusting eyes and faith of a child, many, first hear the stories of creation, flood, and miracles with minds that understand the world and everything in it as God's.  At some point I have observed this in all my grandchildren.  Of late, especially Braydon who jis ust turning six and somewhat stiill Claire just turned ten. They are absorbing life with uninhibited excitement, the stage of naiveté that allows the imagination to hear and see in ways, I often cannot.  The result is a deep response to the world within the Bible, which is seen to fit perfectly into the world.  Every chance I get I like to tweak the sense that the Bible is a story in which they and I are very much participants.   

Unfortunately, if naïveté marks a state of unaffected simplicity, the world of a child is quickly marked by that which complicates and pollutes.  Thus, the second stage of life with the Bible is often a stage of critical awareness.  As we are exposed more and more to a disharmonious world where people disagree, sides are chosen, and things are inconsistent, our minds grow increasing skeptical.  In this stage many become critically attune to the differences between the world as they know it and the world of the Bible.  I recognized this disharmony as life takes turns in ways that jarred childlike stability and left my oldest granddaughter, Grace,  unsure of things that once seemed constant. I noticed it most when she was a preteen and sometimes now with teen relationships.  I know that I had difficulty in knowing how to process (of course I didn’t use that term 55 years ago) during my adolescent years. I distinctly remember feeling somewhat punished by God at times.  Adding to this sense of dissonance, inconsistencies between stories at school and stories in church seemed irreconcilable.  Like many, I walked with a sense of mourning, confused that the Bible seemed misleading, angry at the God of false adventures, and guilty for turning my back,  occasionally, on the one I had come to know. I am so proud of my grandchildren’s parent’s sensitivity, guidance, and encouragement during this stage of their lives..      

Though stages of development are necessary in any formation of lasting faith, I believe stages one and two are literally worldviews away from each other.  Jesus alludes to the massive difference in his proclamation: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:3).  In the theocentric mindset of a child, God is the great Adventurer and they are participants being led through a story.  God is the one who remains at the center, while creation, including them, surrounds its creator.  But as children grow into adulthood and become more aligned with the culture around them, the center often shifts.  Self-centered or what is called anthropocentric minds see themselves at the center, while the world, including God, surrounds them.  Sadly, this is the mindset where so many of my midlife and long life friends remain, replacing the old, old story with the insistence that the storyteller is "me".  

With a great deal of hope and grace I will , with the help of God, continue to live with discovery and lead my grandchildren to discovering that the story is far bigger than myself and themselves and will know how to tell it. Like God's response from the whirlwind to a questioning, anguished Job—"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?"—I rediscover the one at the center, and it isn't myself."  In this stage of second naiveté, I believe the Bible can be engaged with awareness and imagination, and a greater sense of devotion, because I have come once again to see the God to whom it points.  God's Word tells the story that brings me to the Storyteller.  Thus, I can come readily to the Bible with my questions, doubts, and inconsistencies because I am approaching a Person.  While the words of Scripture are always true, so they are always pointing to the Word beyond themselves:  "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know" (Jeremiah 33:3).  In the second naïveté, I can find myself before the one who makes it possible to return to the unhindered sincerity of Claire or Braydon.  May God help me afresh  discover a God who speaks, the Word who draws near, and a Storyteller who beckons me to participate.  May God help me in modeling these discoveries to my grandchildren, as well.