Oh, Margery!

The Book of Margery Kempe is the first autobiography written in English and the first by a woman. More than a look into the life of a single woman it is a survey of the confusion and brokenness of the world in the 14th and 15th century.  

Within the church, from which Margery would eventually be labeled a saint, there was concern and lack of knowledge about what was true. People did not know how to differentiate truth from confusion or distortation and the priests and friars, hardly less confused, could not shepherd the people effectively. 

Amidst this context, Margery roamed on many adventurers all the while inconsolably weeping or getting into fights with priests. Much of my response to her behavior was a constant refrain of, “oh Margery!” However, a friend pointed out that much of her delusion and bizarre antics could be a result of pyshcological illness. She was a broken person and the basic confusion of the time had no proper response to help her or serve her and thus her story only confused others. 

While we live in a distant age and a modern time, we do not live in an age without brokenness and confusion. The stories may be different now but they are symptoms of the same type of hurt and malady.

This book had me heartbroken for the church as a whole. Most of all, this book is a reminder that we need an understanding of what is whole and true. We need a way to indentify it, counsel those who do not understand, and comfort those who need healing. Much of the book was a confusion on the lovileness of Christ and his good news. Clarifying that story and properly applying it can make much progress in helping people like Margery.

History through Bottles

I have been working through the book The Complete Beer Course with a couple neighborhood buddies. We have tried 11 different bottles and are currently studying the Lager chapter. 

In just 10 pages we have tasted 5 different styles and learned several pieces of history that explain the existence of the various styles. We have learned about the German Purity Law of 1516 bringing to production the first Dunkel. We read about the changes in malts and the storing in caves that brought about Bocks. Also, the increased alcohol content of the Dopplebocks that sustained the monks that brewed them through their fasting during Lent.

It is possible that I am trying the types of German brews that Martin Luther himself enjoyed after nailing his 95 theses to the wall in 1517, just one year after the purity law took effect. His wife was also a brewer so she may have been making her own Dunkel or Bock. There is many a letter where Luther is writing back to his wife, Katharina Von Bora, letting her know the local pub's beer was lacking in comparison to hers.

The headline of this blog says, “They will show you the world if you jump in deep enough.” This small dip into beer has shown me German history in political, economic, theological forms. 

I now have vignettes that can be told while enjoying a number of bottles and my understanding of the history of the world continues to be filled in on its way to the present. 

Aside from the tastiness, I enjoy researching and diving into the fermented side of the beverage world, over the sugar-water side, mainly because it is filled with such a depth of history that touches many facets of the countries of origin. (And often times the stories cross over into different countries)

A Sample Anecdote

Did you know that Negra Modelo, the favorite taco companion, is a Mexican product that is actually a Vienna Lager modeled after the Austrian attempt to stand with German beers from the 1800s? The interconnectedness of the story of the world plays out on the table next to your chips and salsa. It is a fascinating study. Germany to Austria to Mexico to the United States.

It is a delight to grab a bottle of Weihenstephaner Dunkel or Paulaner Salvator and enjoy it while thinking about the church fathers that may have enjoyed the same bottle but in a setting 500 years ago, making history that affects us still today. I recommend grabbing a bottle. Discuss and enjoy it with a friend.