Perceiving Creation, and How We Get it Wrong

Perception is reality.  This is the phrase that came to my mind while reading this chapter and during the class discussion.  If perception is reality, what is the point of ultimate reality and ultimate truth? The author here talks about our current place in the world, a place that is not good at all.  Wirzba notes that we no longer listen empathetically to the world, and therefore do not perceive it well or reflect it properly.  Instead of dwelling as a creature, we simply skim the surface of the places we visit and make no connections to the place. My initial reaction to this position was sour.  Why can’t we pick and choose what places we want to connect with?  I do not see a problem with having stronger connections to certain places, and in fact believe that it is a good and natural thing to have stronger connections to certain places. I say this because our memories and time spent in a place create significance for us.  Jesus himself was drawn to certain places and chose to spend time with certain people, making those places special to him.

 

Another topic that stood out to me from this section is the idea the author poses that marketing is the new religion.  It is sad that this is only too true in these modern times.  The things that we are fed as consumers, such as technology and other commodities, only add fuel to the fire of our lack of proper dwelling.  As we focus more and more on the frivolities of life, we spend less as creatures in our habitat doing what we are meant to.  We take walks but are glued to our phones.  We care more about the shoes on our feet than what ground our feet walk upon. We are becoming a society of shallow consumers who do not know our identity as creatures from a loving creator.  This simple fact can change our whole perspective.  It is as simple and as difficult as realizing that we are created by a creator, and so have a place in the world, a duty to this world, and meaning in this world. 

This book as a whole, and this section in particular, has caused me to evaluate myself as a creature and what my perception of the world in and, in extent, how I belong in it.  Wirzba here calls our attention yet again to our creaturely nature and gives criticism on how we are living.  There is indeed much to criticize these days as more and more distractions come along and keep us skimming the surface of our world instead of connecting with it.  This is why it is increasingly important to evaluate how you are dwelling and how you should be, always remembering to live as the beloved creation that we are.