On the Dangers of Dihydrogen Monoxide and Christ

Allow me to paint for you a picture from my younger days (i.e. five years ago). In my Chemistry class we were given a handout at the beginning which spoke of the dangers of a mysterious chemical. The following is a very short list of some noteworthy facts about this chemical:

1. Death due to accidental inhalation, even in small quantities
2. Prolonged exposure results in severe tissue damage
3. Gaseous forms may cause severe burns
4. Contributes to soil erosion
5. Used as an industrial solvent and coolant
6. Major ingredient in many homemade bombs

The chemical which I am talking about is Dihydrogen Monoxide, or for those who are not scientifically inclined (like myself), you may better know it by its street-name: Water. Upon realizing what was being discussed, the class had a good communal chuckle at the humor of the situation, and the teacher proceeded with his lecture for the day.

However, the very real danger of water no laughing matter, nor is it a modern phenomena. In fact, the peoples of the ancient Near East were quite familiar with the dual nature of water- both life-giving and life-threatening. They understood that the LORD's conquering of Leviathan (the water-beast depicted above) and the primordial waters set in motion the very act of creation/formation of the world. This narrative of creation, although often interpreted with subtle theological nuances, is a major player in the creation narrative we find in Genesis, and also pervades other stories of the Hebrew Bible as well. We find it in the story of Noah when God utilizes the primordial waters to destroy the wickedness that pervades the earth, and in the Red Sea narrative where the waters act as both the vehicle for salvation (for the Israelites) as well as the means of destruction (for the Egyptians).

This fear of water is not lost even lost on the writers of the New Testament. On more than one occasion, the Disciples (who being fishermen are not unfamiliar with water) find themselves in the middle of a terrible storm and fearing for their lives. One such incident can be found in St. Matthew's Gospel 14:22-34. Amidst the storm they see Jesus who calls out to them "Take courage it is I". St. Peter in response to Christ's calling leaves the boat and walks on the water towards Him. However, when he begins to focus on the immensity of the waves he, like his ancestors before him, becomes intimately aware of the very real dangers of what he has gotten himself into and begins to sink, needing Christ to pull him out of the water to avoid drowning (see #1 above).

The very real dangers of water even loom large in the Christian understanding of Baptism. Often understood as a nice little bath for cute little babies in white little gowns- Baptism was very serious for St. Paul. He says in his letter to the Romans: "Or are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life." For St. Paul, Baptism wasn't a nice little bath, nor was it even some "spiritual" death which we enter into symbolically with Christ so as to be registered members of the "New Life Club". No, Baptism for Paul was a rallying cry for Christians- whose baptism could quite possibly result in a very gruesome death at the hands of the Empire. To the tune of "Where O Death, is now thy sting", St. Paul's words were a reminder that God has conquered evil before (at Creation and on the Cross) and is more than capable to do so again.

Often times we find ourselves quite terrified of the reality which Christ calls us to. We find ourselves in a small paddle boat surrounded by giant waves which will no doubt be the cause of our ultimate doom. I personally face it in my studies, as a simple-minded servant seeking to understand the vastness of the Biblical Tradition and seeking to apply its seemingly dangerous historical-critical approaches to my faith life. It is in that moment, that I, like Peter, become distracted by the waves around me and begin to sink. We all have our storms: our trials and tribulations which we find ourselves completely unequipped to face. Some may be larger than others- and some may even cost us our very lives.

But this is what we have accepted in worshiping the God-Man who decided to proclaim His Glory by death on a Cross. We are called by Christ to daringly face head on the daily storms with the same confidence as we faced the primordial destructive nature of water in baptism. Furthermore, we are called to remember that just as the Father conquered the chaotic waters, and Christ conquered death, we will be guided by  the Holy Spirit to overcome the trials and tribulations which we must face. And if we keep our eyes focused on Christ, unafraid of the surrounding waters, we will find ourselves in his loving embrace when he calls us eternally home.

Samuel Oliver Joseph Carlson