Silly Things Never Actually Said: St. Francis and the Wordless Gospel
Over the years, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been irked whenever I hear a Christian repeat an alleged remark by St. Francis: “Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” Nearly every time I hear it used, it is quoted to defend an a-doctrinal view of Christianity. That is, the myth that Christianity is really all about doing nice things and being a nice person, not so much about a set body of teachings and beliefs. Buzzer Going Off Wrong! Now, let’s be clear. Being a nice person and doing nice things is, nice. As Frank Burns of the old TV sitcom once put it, “It’s nice, to be nice, to the nice.” Let’s take it one step further: “It’s even nicer, to be nice, to the not nice.” Granted. Fine. Good. Yes, I agree. But trying to put forward the view that Christianity is really about deeds, not creeds, is just wrong. It is not what Jesus taught, “If you continue in my Word, you are truly my disciples and you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free” and “Teach them to observe all I have commanded you.” And so forth. So, whenever I’ve heard that alleged phrase: “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary.” I have always been tempted to blurt out, “That is just so stupid!” Well, now we know that in fact St. Francis never said it. So, let’s stop repeating it. Here’s the scoop. HT: Extreme Theology. And here’s a quote:
Why is it, then, that we “remember” Francis as a wimp of a man who petted bunnies and never said a cross word, let alone much about the Cross? I suspect we sentimentalize Francis—like we do many saints of ages past—because we live in a sentimental age. We want it to be true that we can be nice and sweet and all will be well. We hope against hope that we won’t have take the trouble to figure out how exactly to talk about the gospel—our unbelieving friends will “catch” the gospel once our lifestyle is infected with it. “Preach the gospel; use words if necessary” goes hand in hand with a postmodern assumption that words are finally empty of meaning. It subtly denigrates the high value that the prophets and Jesus and Paul put on preaching. Of course we want our actions to match our words as much as possible. But the gospel is a message, news about an event and a person upon which the history of the planet turns. As blogger Justin Taylor recently put it, the Good News can no more be communicated by deeds than can the nightly news.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/mayweb-only/120-42.0.html
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I have always understood this (mis)quote of St. Francis in light of Mt. 5:16 “… that they may see your good works and praise your Father who is in heaven.” As we live our vocation in sanctification, having been justified by Christ, our actions are transformed by the Gospel. Slayed by the Law, we hold others accountable under the Law. Forgiven, we forgive. Having been loved, we love. And not the wimpy/sissy love we often relegate St. Francis to (as mentioned in the HT article). Another non-Biblical quote that has often piqued my interest is “Love them until they ask you why.” Words ARE necessary, and the secondary consequence of that Word of God are the actions that follow us in our vocation. (The primary consequence is, of course, the forgiveness of sins, life and salvation.)
While this “quote” may often be (mis)used to separate word and action, I have always understood it as the opposite. It has long been a Western understanding (not just a post-modern one) that words are distinct from what they describe (to use the technical terminology – the sign is distinct from the signified). It is the Eastern/Hebrew mindset of Jesus and Paul that proclaims to us a connection between Word and action. Just as James 2 is often used to create a false dichotomy between faith and works but properly understood demonstrate the connection between the two, so also have I understood this quote. I wouldn’t be so quick to give it up.
I’m with Michael on this one. <
Of course people misuse such a(n) (alleged) quote for nonsense – that’s what most of us do with anything of value.
However, it can also point to the fact that the grace of God transforms us and the way we live our lives – and this can be seen, not just heard. Actions speak louder than words, so, too, salvation.
“A story with [a similar] moral is told of St. Antony. “It was the custom of three Fathers to visit the Blessed Antony once each year, and two of them used to ask him questions about their thoughts (logismoi) and the salvation of their soul; but the third remained completely silent, without putting any questions. After a long while, Abba Antony said to him, ‘See, you have been in the habit of coming to me all this time, and yet you do not ask me any questions’. And the other replied, ‘Father, it is enough for me just to look at you’”.”