Thanks David. This short essay sparked a series of small fires in my memory fields. My parents were not church goers so I rarely attended church as a child but I do recall the recitation of the Lord's prayer in school assemblies. I too remember being confused by the use of the word "trespass" and wondering what it was all about. And, yes, I also was seduced by the sibilant sound of the hall full of mummering voices. As I listened to your audio it conjured visions of satanic snakes slithering towards an apple tree in the garden. It also struck me as no coincidence that the change in translation from "debt" to "trespass" happened at the time when the enclosure of the commons began in earnest in England. Lots to ponder upon. I look forward to reading the other essays in the series.
Yes you're right, the timing alongside the enclosures is notable. The fact that it's still so commonly said feels very adjacent to the sort of passive/listless alienation from land that still holds all these centuries later. It sounds and feels like a sleepwalk.
"Everything touches everything. Everything matters." Good to read you again. Thanks for proceeding in your intended sharing. As usual, so much to open the seeking mind and longing heart. "These are tales in which to plant our own tales ... toward other ways of living." That's the call I hear, and crave to reciprocate.
I've just finished reading Graeber's book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, a remarkable trove of history. But he doesn't include the detail that you have pointed out here, which tugs mightily on the heart strings. The significance of the substitution of "trespass" for "debt." I am glad to have stumbled upon this beautiful and vulnerable essay. Thank you, David.
I concur with Adam Wilson and others in recommending Graeber's Debt. One of the most important and influential books on money.
And although I'm new to your work, David, I'd add Devin Singh's 'Divine Currency', as a recommendation too. More theology than anthropology. In money nerd circles, Theology is where its at! Says some very wise things about money! As do you, here. Devin's work is genius and brings in the idea of 'Ransom' - which was a lot more of a thing back in the day.
Weirdly, as a primary school kid in the 70's I misheard the Lord's Prayer as 'Forgive Us Our Christmases' . It stayed with me for years. When I whispered it alongside my classmates in assembly I'd wonder what God's problem was with Christmas! And wondered if I should feel guilty about it.
That last para here is spot on. Thank You! Happy to have discovered your writing. Jon
Thanks David. This short essay sparked a series of small fires in my memory fields. My parents were not church goers so I rarely attended church as a child but I do recall the recitation of the Lord's prayer in school assemblies. I too remember being confused by the use of the word "trespass" and wondering what it was all about. And, yes, I also was seduced by the sibilant sound of the hall full of mummering voices. As I listened to your audio it conjured visions of satanic snakes slithering towards an apple tree in the garden. It also struck me as no coincidence that the change in translation from "debt" to "trespass" happened at the time when the enclosure of the commons began in earnest in England. Lots to ponder upon. I look forward to reading the other essays in the series.
Yes you're right, the timing alongside the enclosures is notable. The fact that it's still so commonly said feels very adjacent to the sort of passive/listless alienation from land that still holds all these centuries later. It sounds and feels like a sleepwalk.
"Everything touches everything. Everything matters." Good to read you again. Thanks for proceeding in your intended sharing. As usual, so much to open the seeking mind and longing heart. "These are tales in which to plant our own tales ... toward other ways of living." That's the call I hear, and crave to reciprocate.
Hi Alice. January has been very wonky so i'm just finally out of the stocks. Blessings and happy new year to you. I hope you're very well 🙏🏻
🙏 also for you, David.
I've just finished reading Graeber's book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, a remarkable trove of history. But he doesn't include the detail that you have pointed out here, which tugs mightily on the heart strings. The significance of the substitution of "trespass" for "debt." I am glad to have stumbled upon this beautiful and vulnerable essay. Thank you, David.
Hi Adam. Thanks so much and thank you for reading. I've not read Graeber's book but it's been recommended to me a few times now. Blessings
I concur with Adam Wilson and others in recommending Graeber's Debt. One of the most important and influential books on money.
And although I'm new to your work, David, I'd add Devin Singh's 'Divine Currency', as a recommendation too. More theology than anthropology. In money nerd circles, Theology is where its at! Says some very wise things about money! As do you, here. Devin's work is genius and brings in the idea of 'Ransom' - which was a lot more of a thing back in the day.
Weirdly, as a primary school kid in the 70's I misheard the Lord's Prayer as 'Forgive Us Our Christmases' . It stayed with me for years. When I whispered it alongside my classmates in assembly I'd wonder what God's problem was with Christmas! And wondered if I should feel guilty about it.
That last para here is spot on. Thank You! Happy to have discovered your writing. Jon