Jonathan Aitken is largely unknown in this country, but he is infamous in Britain as the former Conservative MP and Cabinet minister who was sent to prison in 1999 following a perjury conviction. A bit of a playboy scoundrel, he once dated — and jilted — Margaret Thatcher’s daughter. Like many folks before him, Aitken rediscovered his Christian faith while serving his brief prison sentence. Upon his release (disgraced, bankrupt, and divorced), he began to study theology formally. And he has just produced his “Psalms for People under Pressure” (a very English title; in America, it would surely be “Psalms for People who Worry too Much”).
I bought this little book in the Exeter Cathedral bookshop on Wednesday, and began reading it on the plane yesterday. Aitken takes some 30 psalms that have had special meaning for him, and provides commentary and suggested prayers throughout. He’s got most of my favorites (37 and 139 in particular), though he leaves out my beloved Psalm 102, the one I go to first when I am really hurting. As I read it, I was struck by the fact that Aitken doesn’t seem to me to be a particularly likeable person. Perhaps it is just my socialist politics, but I suspect that he is still a bit of a right-wing rascal. Yet I am loving this book! Aitken is a sinner, Hugo is a sinner. Aitken fell, and fell hard. He did some selfish, wicked things. I suspect he still does some selfish, wicked things. But he is also a believer, struggling for a closer connection with his God. Here’s what he writes about Psalm 51, a penitential psalm:
“A true penitent must not expect instant salvation. Although my voyage was long and testing, towards the end of it, I began to experience the joy of penitence. This sounds a most improbable oxymoron, but like the psalmist, I gradually started to hear sounds of joy and gladness… From a broken and contrite heart to the joy of God’s salvation is a momentous journey.”
The spiritual books I like best are written by those whose weaknesses are abundant and evident (maybe that is why I like the psalms; written, so many still believe, by that splendid scoundrel David.) I’ve always liked Augustine’s Confessions for that reason. I confess that I have a very hard time taking spiritual direction from folks who have never wandered far from the faith. I like learning from former adulterers, drunks, and grifters who came to Christ in their darkest moments. Sometimes, I know, that means I unfairly discount the good words and advice of those whose lives have been less dramatic and turbulent than my own. It might be wrong to suggest that only personal experience of major sin can enable one to offer counsel to those still caught in that lifestyle, and yet so far, I find myself still unwilling to listen seriously to those who have never wrestled with the things with which I have had to struggle. Jonathan Aitken, despite his rightist positions, has a natural legitimacy with me that others whose lives have been purer (and whose politics more decent) would not.
Was Psalm 91 included? It’s been my favorite for a few years now. I really should read more of the Psalms - I’m sure there is one that better fits me than that one.
Glad you are home safe, Hugo.
Some of us who have not wandered far from the faith have had internal struggles and wrestlings that may not be evident in our behaviors.
Perhaps the best way some of us can help you is not so much to offer you spiritual direction, but to be like a big pillow for you to bounce off of (sorry for the awkward English!). Don’t know why that picture came to mind, but there it is.
We need each other.
Blessings-
Dana, that’s a good point. Those of us with more “colorful” and public bouts with bad behavior, doubt, and fallenness would do well to remember that others may wrestle as we do, just not so openly. Thanks.
And Elizabeth, Psalm 91 is included, along withsome solid commentary. For example, Aitken notes that in this particular psalm, God “does not promise to deliver us from adversity, He promises to deliver us IN adversity.”
I like Aitken. Nice chap. Very sound.
Can I counter some of the comments here.
Interestingly, Aitken got out of prison a reformed man, and then recently tried to relaunch his career as a Minister. The new leader of the Tory party quickly said “not interested, thanks”.
If he’s found personal happiness by rediscovering and embracing his faith, that’s fine. But I got the feeling it was part of what he was intending to do all along - campaign to become an MP again for the same party he was in previously. Is religion a cynical ploy to show that he has been rehabilitated, is he genuine about his faith, or a bit of both?
I should say he was genuine. When the wonderful Mr. Howard rejected the request of his Constituency Association, Mr. Aitken accepted the decision with good grace, and announced he had no plans to go anywhere else. If Charles Colson can change his life, why not Mr. Aitken?