An Interview with Gregory Laughery of L'Abri

Greg Laughery

I've had the privilege and pleasure to interview Dr. Gregory Laughery, who is the Director of Swiss L'Abri, which is where he lives and teaches. The L'Abri community began fifty two years ago when Francis and Edith Schaeffer were led to open their home, and he has been a member of it for over twenty years. Greg is also an author, and his newest book is the recently published Living Spirituality (my review is here). Among other things we discussed rock concerts, spiritual optimism, authenticity, and living in community:

Catez: I really enjoyed your book Living Spirituality, and I think before I ask you about some of the ideas in it perhaps you could tell me a bit about yourself. I know you grew up in San Francisco and experienced the whole "love generation" phenomenon of the 1960s. You mentioned in your book you were at Altamont - the Rolling Stones free rock concert that turned very violent. How did you come to a place of spiritual optimism after that?

Altamont

Greg: Thanks Catez for reading and reviewing my book. Growing up in San Francisco in the 60s was such a mixture of wild and crazy experiences. There were the protests, drugs, parties, music and people - people from everywhere. An incredible time and some real searching for answers to life's serious questions - one of which was - what in the world are we doing here? Yes, I went to Altamont, as I had been to many, many concerts before, but this time I sensed the beginning of the end of the "love generation." Mick Jagger, of the Rolling Stones, pleaded for the crowd to be cool, but to no avail and the awful violence and loss of life that took place there was a catastrophe. As some of the ideals of the 60s were failing, a place of spiritual optimism was harder to come by. After several more years of searching, taking drugs, and drinking I eventually had to chose between staying in SF and probably dying or getting out and trying to live. The latter, by the grace of God, prevailed. That grace flourished in my new surroundings and through a variety of people, although the path was far from easy and smooth. In due course, I became a Christian and in believing that life was victorious over death, through the resurrection of the crucified One, I came to a place of spiritual optimism.

Catez: I could relate to what you wrote about living or dying spirituality. I know for myself that I spent some years looking for authenticity. I was well aware of the injustices and oppressions that exist in the world - the dying orientation. What is authentic spirituality in your view? What does it look like?

Greg: Wow. These are tough questions, yet somewhat similar to those I face in discussions with people who come to the L'Abri community. I think authentic spirituality starts with the goodness of God and the created world - with someone and something that is outside of myself. The God of Scripture claims to be the Creator - the living God, the Christ of Scripture to have the words of life, and the Holy Spirit of Scripture conveys and renews us, in the midst of the dying, to life. These revolutionaries, if I may refer to them this way, are the source and origin of authentic spirituality. To be living authentic spirituality is being in community with God through Christ, in the power of the Spirit, and then living this community with each other and out into the world. Then there is the map of Scripture which amply and accurately teaches us that following in the footsteps of the crucified and risen One, is the gateway to authentic spirituality. What does this look like? Never perfect. I also fail, bringing about my own injustices and oppressions as the dying continues, to some degree, to manifest itself in me and through me. Authentic spirituality wouldn't be authentic without this recognition. We are not yet fully like Christ, but our lives are being shaped to be more and more like his. Eventually, we will be entirely transformed into his image, which is our spiritual destiny. But for now, being redeemed and forgiven is to permeate deep into our lives and communities, while loving others, like fire in the bones, is to be the mark that characterizes us as children of God.

Catez: One of the things you talk about in Living Spirituality is trust, and I think trust is a very big issue for many people. No-one gets through life without having their trust disappointed or broken at times. I think you were saying that a reactive mistrust or suspicion can become like a law of being - a rule of how to view the world. Would that be right? Could you explain that a little?

Greg: Yes, I agree that trust is a crucial issue in our world of parody, hype, and manipulation. Sometimes today people say they're entirely suspicious - suspicion reigns. They say, "I don't trust anything or anybody." I disagree and try to suggest that their suspicion is always preceded by trust, otherwise they wouldn't be suspicious. Further, they trust their suspicions are accurate and justified. Trust is inescapable, and what explains this is the truth that we're made as images of God - the place of a creational spirituality weighs in here. Our problem is not that we don't trust, all humans do, but that we trust the wrong things. Now when it comes to having trust broken may I suggest the following. This may often, not always, be connected to being naive. When we have been burnt, perhaps a number times, we become suspicious and this begins to control our lives. There is a place for suspicion, and Jesus never tells his followers not to be suspicious, but the key questions are: who and what are we to trust and who and what are we to be suspicious of? If I might be allowed to say it this way. Seems like we are to view the world in recognizing an initial trust that experiences brokenness and results in suspicion, but it is through suspicion that we move to a realistic trust that results in leading us towards wisdom - to have full trust would be naive - we are sinful - to have complete suspicion is impossible and goes against our humanness.

Catez: I've been thinking about community - loving in community. I believe many people want that but wonder how to do it. For those who live in the urban sprawl and run at metro pace the concept of community can be hard to get a firm grasp on. How do we live in community? What does that mean? Could you give me some thoughts on that?

Swiss L'Abri

Greg: Well, I do share your belief that many people are searching for a rich, meaningful and loving community life. Living in a Christian community, as I have, over the last twenty years is always a challenge. It's not a panacea, but a commitment and sometimes tremendously hard work. Having said that, it is worth the effort. We need to be in places of grace, healing and forgiveness. Places of shelter - L'Abri in French is shelter. I believe living in community can occur on a variety of levels. Perhaps, just give a few examples. Because we're human beings we usually have non-geographical communities - a shared life with those who are not physically in our presence. I'm thinking here, for example, of family or friends, authors of books, etc. A neighborhood could be another level of community. We can participate in building relationships and sharing our lives with others. We can be involved with caring for the poor and those in need. Telephone hot lines could help match needs with resources. Another level of community, and one that is significantly deeper, is our involvement with other Christians in our geographical setting. This should express itself as often as possible through sharing lives together in personal contact. In urban contexts, we have to be even more intentional. I suggest it would be all the better if Christians live in closer proximity and as a result have more time to devote to caring for one another and building a life together. Making room, in our communities, for a genuine interest in people and their lives, needs and gifts is crucial. How can we do it? Impossible, in any perfect way. Yet, we trust that God will be with us in our efforts, which will require commitment, sacrifice and creativity. Too many churches today are not communities, but buildings. Christian communities should be about loving God, following Christ and serving people in a manner that testifies to and demonstrates something of the reality and truth that God is there and has sent Christ to redeem us and restore the world. This will require both an inward and outward focus. Our communities ought to aim to understand and live the Scriptures, in seeking to encourage, inspire, educate, and equip followers of the crucified and risen One to love each other and all people.
Thanks for your excellent questions and gracious interest in my life, work and book

Catez: It's been an enjoyable discussion Greg. Thanks for your time and your very interesting responses.

You can find out more from Greg at the L'Abri blog.