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Finding God in a Tangled World: Thoughts and Parables

Author: Juris Rubenis, Translator: Paul Valliere, Illustrator: Maris Subacs

This unusual little book is a translated masterpiece of wisdom - the result of a unique conversation about faith between a Protestant pastor and a Roman Catholic artist in the heart of post-communist Europe. Juris Rubenis and Maris Subacs know very well that their country is inconspicuous on the global scene. But they also know that the spiritual world is one of reverse perspective, where a small people can be gifted with a big faith and a narrow gate can open onto a vast and wonderful domain.

Rubenis’ pithy observations about the world are brief and deceptively simple stories that speak directly to the anxiety in our world today. At times, they evoke the Desert Fathers, at other times, Blaise Pascal or Simone Weil. With modesty and good humor, pastor and artist have borne witness to the mystery of Eden, the mystery of the kingdom of God. It is a book for new Christians, old Christians, and people who just wonder about God.

Product Reviews for Finding God in a Tangled World: Thoughts and Parables

Juris Rubenis is pastor of the Martin Luther Church, a fast-growing congregation in Riga, Latvia. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union he was already a public figure, having taken a lead role in Helsinki-86, a human rights organization. Rubenis has developed a mininistiy with young adults in a post-Marxist society through the use of almost koan-like, pithy sayings in the form of parables, stories and aphorisms: "Reverence for reality spells the end of atheism" "The world makes creches to make amends for the real Bethlehem." "The world devises pretty crucifixes so that Christianity can base itself on something beautiful, not on something monstrous where you see the evil of the world." This collection of his sayings has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in Latvia.

Christian Century

June 12, 2007

"A child looked at the sea.
'I want to be like you,' the child said.
'You can't do much more than play with the stones on the shore,' the sea said.
'I am so little,' the child said sadly. 'Happiness is the art of being little,' the sea replied."

This is one of the parables in this soul-stirring volume by Juris Rubenis, the pastor of Martin Luther Church in Riga, Latvia, who achieved prominence in 1986 when he took a leading role in Helenski-86, the first above-ground human rights organization in Soviet Latvia. This collection has sold hundreds of thousands of copies in the country. The witty quips and tales by Rubenis are accompanied by the clever drawings of Mans Subacs, a Roman Catholic artist.

This work has been translated by Paul Valliere who notes that these two Christians are immensely interested in the manifold ways in which God's grace works through little people, places, and happenings. They also love the mystery, paradox, and exhilarating freedom of Jesus, There are chapters on Eden, the Bible, Jesus. Thinking, God and the World, Religion, Ethics and Politics, Culture, Spiritual Life, Love, The Mystery of Good and Evil, and The World to Come. Here is a small sampler of the material:

"Adam said to God, 'There is some sort of mystery here in Eden.'
'I made it like this so that you can think about Eden forever,' God said with a smile.'

"The idea that a human being is God amounts to the issue of whether an image of God can be found in the world. It is not about a miracle-child."

"Everything is beautiful when you find traces of God in it"
"God creates diversity so that everyone has something to talk about with everyone else."
"One day the sun was shining, the snow was melting, and a breath of spring was in the air. God decided to take a walk. He came down from heaven and in a relaxed mood made a loop through a suburban neighborhood.
'Why are you doing this?' the angels asked.
'I just like it around here,' God replied."
"In Eden an angel said, 'Ridicule is the opposite of love.'
'What do you mean by that?' the others asked. Love loves what ridicule makes fun of,' the angel replied."
"There was a wise monk who liked sweets. 'You are not worthy of God,' said the abbot. 'I am God's sweet,' the monk replied with a smile."
"When you let God steer your life, you become freer than
when you steer it by yoursef. The control of the living
God does not in any way Limit a person. When you let
God live through you, you do not know how much of
your activity comes from yourself and how much
comes from God: you only know that there is something
of God there. You are not interested in knowing how
much, for you do not pretend to be God."

Frederic & Mary Ann Brussat

April 1, 2007

This small book is a delightful surprise. At first glance, it appears to be another grab bag anonymous gift item. Surprisingly, it is much more a resource book - a place to find brief quotes and complete thoughts, ideas to work with for talks, retreats, and your own writing. Topics are divided into twelve sections for ease in finding particular themes. Rubenis is from Lativa where he first reached prominence in 1986, when taking a leading role in Helsinki-86, the first aboveground human rights organization in Soviet Lativa. He turned from politics and became a Lutheran pastor. His life experience is reflected in his work, lending credibility and depth to his parables if one is familiar with Eastern European history and religious traditions. However, the parables will appeal to a wide variety of readers, each of whom will find a personal message in the parable, thought, or short reading.

Spirit and Life

January 2008

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