I really enjoyed this piece, and thanks for linking to me! I didn't comment straight away because my natural pace of replying to things is extremely slow and, well, it would have been missing the point to hurry.
I don't think I disagree with anything you've said but would add that it's impossible to do good work fast. Whether you're making a chair, making a cheese, or making a legal case, if it involves any element of craft, then fast is more or less the opposite of good. Of course, master craftsmen look fast to everyone else; but that's only because they spent years going slow.
I guess that relates to your comments on Jesus too. He was a carpenter first.
Thanks for the kind words, and I totally agree with your point (I have an essay on the back burner on the nature of good work - and a discussion on speed will feature in that). It's a tension I feel keenly when writing on here (especially since I went paid, which I sort of regret) - the desire to get content out to subscribers versus wanting to take time over writing to craft phrases and arguments well/masterfully - this takes a lot of thought and contemplation, and I have to remind myself that is a good and necessary truth.
When I think about time, I have worked very hard not to think about it in terms of amounts. Space is defined by the void between two objects. Without two objects, there would be no understanding of space. Similarly, time is imagined as the duration between two events. Would time exist without observation? Possibly.
I think one of the reasons humans struggle with time is that it is ephemeral as an idea; so we then default to thinking of time more related to two events than the duration between. Yes, we subdivide the duration, but each subdivision is yet another set of events with an interval.
Timelessness seems to be ascribed to God who exists out of time, in fact existed before the first event. However, I contend that if we think more in timelessness, we might live differently in the interval between our birth and death. If Christians lived with the idea that we actually are eternal beings that had a starting point, but no end point because we will be in eternity with God, I wonder how we would look at and interact with the world around us. I think there is something of this idea in Matthew 6:20 which encourages us to have an eternal focus. Was Christ’s teaching here pointing us go beyond a focus, but to have an eternal perspective? (yes, I make a distinction between a focus and a perspective)
I believe time is the prevue of God. Our usurpation of time, like all our illegitimate usurpations from God, is only a sad attempt to exercise our own control of our lives. I can just hear the serpent asking “Did God say you couldn’t subdivide time to be effective and efficient like He is?” I believe the Heavenly Father shows us what our perspective should be while we live according to solar cycles, lunar cycles, seasons. These are God’s rhythms built into a timeframe that has events such as creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Condensation, the Resurrection, the Indwelling, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the Millennial reign, etc.
To me, I think we would all be better off if our perspective were founded in God’s timing based on the events He planned and not in the timing based on our usurpation of the day.
The last section reminds me of John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." Listened to his audiobook recording of it recently. Needed wisdom for being formed into Jesus' ways in our modern world.
Thanks for this reminder. I have been feeling the negative impacts of speed and efficiency. I need to cultivate this slowness and develop a calmness in my hurried heart. The essay was clear and convincing. I saved it to my favorites, and I’m sure I’ll return to it often.
Apr 12, 2023·edited Apr 12, 2023Liked by Hadden Turner
A most excellent essay. I'm convicted and inspired which means there is truth here. Thank you for sharing with me and for your kind words on my post.
The entire piece is phenomenal and there is much I could point out but this bit is leaping at me now:
"Discipleship and spiritual formation are antithetical to speed simply because the desired result of discipleship is mature Christlikeness. You would be hard-pressed to find words that greater encapsulate the polar opposite of speed and hurry than maturity and Christlikeness."
This is so encouraging. Christlikeness is (or should be) the goal of all of us who profess Christ but I've never thought of spiritual formation and how it relates to speed. Lots to chew on here for sure.
Two passing thoughts; I often find myself thinking of the old man Red from "The Shawshank Redemption." After his release from prison he laments at some point that "The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry." Just makes me laugh sometimes.
Recently we returned to England and enjoyed three days on a small Narrow Boat. At no more than a brisk walking place, we explored the Aire and Calder Navigation, a remarkable haven of years long past, a kind of ‘Rivendell without the elves’ :)
However unlike Tolkiens Sanctuary in a darkening world, there was no complete respite from ‘Civilisation’ as occasionally the canal/river had been crossed by road and rail. One of the most anxiety inducing moments was approaching the M62 bridge, a motorway which crosses the North of England from West to East, and experienced that terror which its reported the early encounters with rail encountered as cars and trucks crossed our path at a dizzying 70mph +.
I really enjoyed this essay! Thank you. -- Also, have you ever read Hartmut Rosa's little book "Alienation and Acceleration?" Rosa outline a social theory that claims "speed" as the fundamental catalyst in modernity. I think you would really enjoy it. (Also, was just reading some Berry this morning. So, this is right in line for the day!)
Hello Carter, glad you enjoyed this! No, I haven't read Hartmut's work, but I am sure someone recommended his work to me before - about time it goes on the book list I think! (Although come to think of it, I have heard that speed is the catalyst in modernity before - from a Paul Kingsnorth essay (and if you liked this essay you will most likely love his work! https://paulkingsnorth.substack.com?r=p138k
This essay is the first one I read on your site and it resonated very deeply. Reminded me of a favorite observation by the American poet (and fellow New Englander) Robert Frost: “There’s absolutely no reason for being rushed along with the rush. Everybody should be free to go very slow.” It’s a source of sadness to me that speed is so deeply embedded in US culture. It surely accounts for at least some of the dreadful polarization that afflicts us here. I’m grateful to have found my way to “Over the Field.” Hadden Turner’s wise perspective is restorative.
This is so encouraging to hear Mary, thank you for your very kind words - that means a lot
I am saddened too by the speed of life, and the lack of time for reflection I am sure play a big part in the polarisation we see all around (here in the UK too - it can be intense).
Funnily enough, this is the second time in two days someone has mentioned Robert Frost to me. I shall have to have a read of him
Natural rhythms-wise, can I add in the moon too? Especially for women, it’s a natural rhythm that has sway over our lives. It’s also been used for counting time due to its regular phases.
I really enjoyed this piece, and thanks for linking to me! I didn't comment straight away because my natural pace of replying to things is extremely slow and, well, it would have been missing the point to hurry.
I don't think I disagree with anything you've said but would add that it's impossible to do good work fast. Whether you're making a chair, making a cheese, or making a legal case, if it involves any element of craft, then fast is more or less the opposite of good. Of course, master craftsmen look fast to everyone else; but that's only because they spent years going slow.
I guess that relates to your comments on Jesus too. He was a carpenter first.
Thanks for the kind words, and I totally agree with your point (I have an essay on the back burner on the nature of good work - and a discussion on speed will feature in that). It's a tension I feel keenly when writing on here (especially since I went paid, which I sort of regret) - the desire to get content out to subscribers versus wanting to take time over writing to craft phrases and arguments well/masterfully - this takes a lot of thought and contemplation, and I have to remind myself that is a good and necessary truth.
When I think about time, I have worked very hard not to think about it in terms of amounts. Space is defined by the void between two objects. Without two objects, there would be no understanding of space. Similarly, time is imagined as the duration between two events. Would time exist without observation? Possibly.
I think one of the reasons humans struggle with time is that it is ephemeral as an idea; so we then default to thinking of time more related to two events than the duration between. Yes, we subdivide the duration, but each subdivision is yet another set of events with an interval.
Timelessness seems to be ascribed to God who exists out of time, in fact existed before the first event. However, I contend that if we think more in timelessness, we might live differently in the interval between our birth and death. If Christians lived with the idea that we actually are eternal beings that had a starting point, but no end point because we will be in eternity with God, I wonder how we would look at and interact with the world around us. I think there is something of this idea in Matthew 6:20 which encourages us to have an eternal focus. Was Christ’s teaching here pointing us go beyond a focus, but to have an eternal perspective? (yes, I make a distinction between a focus and a perspective)
I believe time is the prevue of God. Our usurpation of time, like all our illegitimate usurpations from God, is only a sad attempt to exercise our own control of our lives. I can just hear the serpent asking “Did God say you couldn’t subdivide time to be effective and efficient like He is?” I believe the Heavenly Father shows us what our perspective should be while we live according to solar cycles, lunar cycles, seasons. These are God’s rhythms built into a timeframe that has events such as creation, the Fall, the Flood, the Condensation, the Resurrection, the Indwelling, the Tribulation, the Second Coming, the Millennial reign, etc.
To me, I think we would all be better off if our perspective were founded in God’s timing based on the events He planned and not in the timing based on our usurpation of the day.
There is plenty of food for thought in here Dan, I particularly like your thought about the usurpation of time - that's profound.
The last section reminds me of John Mark Comer's "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." Listened to his audiobook recording of it recently. Needed wisdom for being formed into Jesus' ways in our modern world.
Ha! When I started writing this a month ago my wife said "you need to read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry." (she is a bit John Mark Comer fan)
She sounds like an excellent wife. From another JMC fan and wife
I've been telling my husband the same! My first foray into his work.
He also did a podcast on it and a sermon series around unhurrying. Recommend both!
Thanks for this reminder. I have been feeling the negative impacts of speed and efficiency. I need to cultivate this slowness and develop a calmness in my hurried heart. The essay was clear and convincing. I saved it to my favorites, and I’m sure I’ll return to it often.
Thank you Ronald for your kind words, just the kind of feedback a writer loves to hear.
The road to cultivating slowness is a hard and often long road (with many setbacks as I have discovered) but it is worth it.
A most excellent essay. I'm convicted and inspired which means there is truth here. Thank you for sharing with me and for your kind words on my post.
The entire piece is phenomenal and there is much I could point out but this bit is leaping at me now:
"Discipleship and spiritual formation are antithetical to speed simply because the desired result of discipleship is mature Christlikeness. You would be hard-pressed to find words that greater encapsulate the polar opposite of speed and hurry than maturity and Christlikeness."
This is so encouraging. Christlikeness is (or should be) the goal of all of us who profess Christ but I've never thought of spiritual formation and how it relates to speed. Lots to chew on here for sure.
Two passing thoughts; I often find myself thinking of the old man Red from "The Shawshank Redemption." After his release from prison he laments at some point that "The world went and got itself in a big damn hurry." Just makes me laugh sometimes.
Also, my mind often jumps to music so I wanted to share this song brought to mind. It's called "Wonder" by The Lone Bellow. I hope you enjoy. https://open.spotify.com/track/7yrc7HqZGrIbpWvilpyzt0?si=b0c06b586ba34ccd
Thanks again.
Recently we returned to England and enjoyed three days on a small Narrow Boat. At no more than a brisk walking place, we explored the Aire and Calder Navigation, a remarkable haven of years long past, a kind of ‘Rivendell without the elves’ :)
However unlike Tolkiens Sanctuary in a darkening world, there was no complete respite from ‘Civilisation’ as occasionally the canal/river had been crossed by road and rail. One of the most anxiety inducing moments was approaching the M62 bridge, a motorway which crosses the North of England from West to East, and experienced that terror which its reported the early encounters with rail encountered as cars and trucks crossed our path at a dizzying 70mph +.
Speed makes us ever so ‘thin’
I really enjoyed this essay! Thank you. -- Also, have you ever read Hartmut Rosa's little book "Alienation and Acceleration?" Rosa outline a social theory that claims "speed" as the fundamental catalyst in modernity. I think you would really enjoy it. (Also, was just reading some Berry this morning. So, this is right in line for the day!)
Hello Carter, glad you enjoyed this! No, I haven't read Hartmut's work, but I am sure someone recommended his work to me before - about time it goes on the book list I think! (Although come to think of it, I have heard that speed is the catalyst in modernity before - from a Paul Kingsnorth essay (and if you liked this essay you will most likely love his work! https://paulkingsnorth.substack.com?r=p138k
This essay is the first one I read on your site and it resonated very deeply. Reminded me of a favorite observation by the American poet (and fellow New Englander) Robert Frost: “There’s absolutely no reason for being rushed along with the rush. Everybody should be free to go very slow.” It’s a source of sadness to me that speed is so deeply embedded in US culture. It surely accounts for at least some of the dreadful polarization that afflicts us here. I’m grateful to have found my way to “Over the Field.” Hadden Turner’s wise perspective is restorative.
This is so encouraging to hear Mary, thank you for your very kind words - that means a lot
I am saddened too by the speed of life, and the lack of time for reflection I am sure play a big part in the polarisation we see all around (here in the UK too - it can be intense).
Funnily enough, this is the second time in two days someone has mentioned Robert Frost to me. I shall have to have a read of him
Natural rhythms-wise, can I add in the moon too? Especially for women, it’s a natural rhythm that has sway over our lives. It’s also been used for counting time due to its regular phases.
Yes, that is an excellent point and one I hadn't thought of before. Thank you.