Saffron Cross: Reinventing the Wheel

My signed copy with a palm cross given to me by a
sweet friend and a favor from a Hindu wedding

I am so excited I got to see a blogger I've been following for some time now, yesterday at my church! Her name is J. Dana Trent and she recently wrote, and published through the Upper Room, a book about interfaith marriage, Saffron Cross. In it, she writes about her relationship with her husband, which is particularly interesting because she is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and he is a former Hindu monk and ordained Hindu priest! Their marriage is grounded in worshiping together, always.

Their personal story is as inspirational as their attitude about interfaith marriage: done well, being in interfaith relationships, whether with a spouse, friend, or co-worker, can enhance the connection you have with your own religious tradition, while strengthening kinship and community worldwide. We're talking global revolution! Just imagine what could happen if we all listened to each other and opened ourselves up to the idea that there is more than one path to God. 

But listening can be scary! Dana enthusiastically encouraged us sitting there to be brave enough to ask a person we know of a different faith about their faith journey, how they connect with the divine, and about their traditions. The goal is not to dilute one's own faith in finding universalities or to cause confusion, but that in hearing of another's devotion to God, we can be inspired to deepen our own devotion. One reason this occurs through interfaith conversations is because the hard questions are asked: what do you believe, why do you believe, and how do you practice this belief system? "How often do you contemplate these questions," she asked. Digging deep and spending time discerning the answers to these questions deepened and affirmed, strengthened and invigorated her Christian faith instead of challenging it. 

Some of the listeners pushed back. "What about the bible passages that say there is only one way to God, through Christ?" "What about those who will not acknowledge the bible as both a sacred and historical book?" Her and Fred's responses floored me. You could actually see in their faces and countenance just how many people they have encountered who feel exactly this closed off to forming interfaith relationships, how many times they have tried to explain the context of that exact passage in the book of John. But instead of being frustrated and exasperated by those who disagree with them, you could see just how much this couple loves them. They accept, with humility, that each person is on his or her own journey, that their devotion to their form of worship is valid and valued by God. And, with that quiet confidence only humility can afford, they are okay if others do not agree with their faith choices. Wow. 

Hearing Dana speak and reading Saffron Cross reminds me that my husband, son and I are not alone. There are other interfaith families out there reinventing this wheel who give us inspiration and guidance and with whom we can commiserate and grow in this multi-faith journey. I'm excited to see how her book adds to the conversation about interfaith relationships (and not just marital ones) and I hope you join me in reading her book!