Nick Wallenda is the tightrope walker who recently walked on a wire–blindfolded–between two skyscrapers in Chicago. He is a Christian and often talks about his faith, praying before his stunts (which have included walking across the Grand Canyon and the Niagra Falls) and calling on Christ for help. So is being a tightrope walker a Christian vocation?
David Murray has an interesting discussion about this, concluding that, no, it is not, on the grounds that it does not follow four criteria that he says are necessary for a true Christian vocation. I don’t think I agree. I suppose part of it is that he is articulating a Reformed view of vocation, which is not quite the same as the Lutheran one, which I hold to. And yet, though I’m not sure that these are the right criteria to evaluate a calling, I’m thinking that Wallenda does, in fact, meet them. At any rate, I tend to think that the origin of such a wild and strange and wonder-inspiring talent could only come from God. When I see or hear about something so extraordinary and someone so fearless, I do glorify God. A tightrope walker does love and serve his neighbors by filling them with awe.
What do you think?From David Murray, A Christian Tightrope Walker? | HeadHeartHand Blog:
The Skyscraper Live walk was broadcast on The Discovery Channel and follows previous live broadcasts of his tightrope walks across the Grand Canyon and the Niagara Falls. As usual, Wallenda frequently prayed to God and spoke of Christ’s help before, during, and after the walk. Many Christians rejoiced to hear God being praised in such a spectacular way before a watching TV and Internet audience of millions of people.
Which raises huge questions. Can you be a “Christian Tightrope Walker.” Is tightrope-walking a legitimate Christian vocation? Does repeatedly mentioning God sanctify whatever job we do? Or are there certain vocations that Christians should not pursue? If so, are there biblical guidelines for helping us to decide which jobs are legitimate for a Christian? I believe there are four such guidelines, and I’d like to measure Wallenda’s chosen vocation against them.
Here are the four criteria. Go to the link to read Rev. Murray’s analysis of why he thinks Mr. Wallenda falls short of them:
Can I glorify God in this job?
Can I do good to others in this job?
Did God give me the talent for this job?
Can I obey God in this job?
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