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rivanna

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Everything posted by rivanna

  1. A touching, powerful poem by Laura Gilpin – I love it when a short piece can convey so much. I’d like to see more of her work. Also liked the Billy Collins poem on Buddha in your Trees thread. I tried to recall a poem related to thanksgiving or feasting, none came to mind, but this short poem by Rene Char seems to be about gratitude for small things – translated by Franz Wright, whose work is intensely spiritual. The Truth Will Set You Free You are the lamp, and you are the night. This small upstairs window is yours to look out from, this cot is for your exhaustion alone; this single drop of water’s going to cure your thirst forever! And these four walls belong to the being your pure light brought into the world, oh prisoner— oh bride.
  2. Joseph, thanks for posting the link-- I admired Brian Davis’ column on religion not being about belief, and Ian Lawton’s sermon on afterlife. It’s a shame that Dutch had to leave, hopefully in time he can return.
  3. Tariki, Beautifully put - my belief is universal salvation (or restoration) also, and Ive never seen it better expressed. Luther said we cant know any more about life beyond death than a fetus does about the world it's going to enter. But universalism is the only view of eschatology that reconciles a loving God with a suffering world.
  4. Guess I have to respond to this since my grandmother was a Buchanan! Never been to Scotland, though my husband has and loved the people and scenery. My dad had an ancestor who was on the Jamestown voyage and then on the Mayflower. What’s on your Bucket List?
  5. I admired Janet’s list also. I’ve always liked John 14 through 16, the chapters that include Jesus saying “My peace I give to you, not such as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” For me, Jesus’ teachings are best seen in context --extracting them as abstract statements can give a false impression. He was acutely aware of each person’s condition and what they needed to hear. Reading the gospels, we need to imagine the encounters – the setting, the cultural expectations --to fully appreciate Jesus’ words. Also I’m drawn to the parables because they can stand alone without knowing the social situation in which they were spoken. The one about the unjust steward has always fascinated me. The father’s good gifts, the children in the marketplace. And the parable of the talents. For me and I imagine for many others here, there is a need to activate or affirm one’s spirituality by writing on line. Sometimes we might feel like burying it, out of fear of being misunderstood. But the parable makes it clear that we are to continue to be bold and unafraid to take risks as the work of faith in action. Arland Hultgren says about this parable, “Jesus invites his disciples into the joy of his kingdom, and we are not meant to worry too much about securing our own lives, but live with self-abandon and witness, knowing that the grace of God in Christ will more than compensate for any mistakes we might make.”
  6. Last week my sublet at the downtown art studio came to an end, kind of a sad time. One of my artist friends cheers me up with her emails, here’s her latest-- A man was riding his Harley along a California beach when suddenly from the sky came a booming voice, and the Lord said, “Because you have tried to be faithful to me in many ways, I will grant you one wish.” The biker pulled over and said, “Lord, please build a bridge to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime I want.” The Lord said, “Your request is too materialistic --and it would nearly exhaust several natural resources. I can do it, but it is hard for me to justify your desire for worldly things. Try and think of something that could possibly help mankind.” The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, “Lord, I wish that I, and all men, could understand our wives and girlfriends. I want to know how she feels inside, what she's thinking when she gives me the silent treatment, why she cries, what she means when she says nothing's wrong, and how I can make her truly happy.” The Lord replied, “You want two lanes or four on that bridge?”
  7. I’ve always liked the way Merton and others relate Christianity to Buddhism. Marcus Borg sometimes compares the wisdom books of the bible to the Tao. He says Ecclesiastes’ critique of conventional wisdom is similar to what we hear in the writings of Lao Tzu--subversive, alternative wisdom that leads beyond convention...the “road less traveled.” The parallels seem to flow out of similar reflections on human experiences and the sacred. A saying from Saichi: "The truth is, there is nothing the matter with one; and there is nothing more that makes one feel at home."
  8. One of the best PC blogs I've followed, is by minister and author Jim Burklo. This week's entry happens to be a democratic endorsement (which I agree with!) musings
  9. I think it makes more sense to say the cause of war and "darkness in the world" is fundamentalism--whether Islam, Zionism, or Christianity--rather than faith.
  10. BobD, I agree that belief, as mental assent to a set of creeds or doctrines, leads to divisiveness and conflict. But I don't think we should use the words belief and faith interchangeably. Using the word knowledge to mean faith (as I think you are doing) implies mental certainty. Faith to me does mean "acceptance and trust" -- being centered in God, faithful to a relationship with God, a commitment of the heart-- attitudes that tend to reconcile us to others, lead to mutual respect and understanding. At least that is the way it seems to me.
  11. Yes--well, actually, part of that passage was from the Shaking, and part from the New Being, chapter 8. I'm a big fan of Tillich, as you can tell!
  12. Paul often gets associated with the small instructions on church behavior, but those were not his main concerns, and some were later additions by other writers. In the Acts, we hear some of Paul's early teaching. The Jews already had the law; he wasn't trying to change that. He says Jesus was the long awaited Messiah, even though he was a suffering servant rather than a national military hero. That he rose from the dead, that we would all be resurrected. Again and again, Paul bore witness to the vision he had of Christ, the blinding light, the voice, the journey to Damascus, the scales falling from his eyes, the glimpse of heaven he had. He taught repentance toward God in the sense of returning our hearts, and faith toward Jesus who sets us free from whatever entombs us. With the Greeks and Romans, Paul persuaded them there was no sense in worshipping false idols, that God didn't live in shrines and didn't need sacrifices. The Way the apostles spread seems to expect individuals to respond according to their different needs and gifts, members of the body. It reminds me of the language used by a later Paul--Tillich. "Nothing is demanded of you, not being religious, not being wise, not being moral, not being Christian. What is demanded is only your being open and willing to accept what is given to you, the New Being of love and justice and truth as it is manifest in Him...Most people want to be told what to think. And they accept Jesus as the infallible teacher and giver of a new law. But even the words of Jesus, if taken as a law, are not the truth which makes us free. How do we reach this truth? By doing it ....Doing the truth means living out of the reality which is He who is the truth, making His being the being of ourselves and of our world."
  13. It's true, there are few statements on what specific actions to take, in Paul or in the gospels--I think that's intentional. As Borg says, "Life with God is not about believing certain teachings about God. It is about a covenant...faithfulness, fidelity to the relationship." And Jesus redefined that relationship, addressing God as Abba, as the loving father of the prodigal son. "It is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Which teachings of Jesus and Paul are most relevant to PC? probably the idea of inclusiveness and equality, as you pointed out, the phrase from Galatians. Also, the idea that Jesus is Lord, not Caesar. Another point from Paul is being reconciled or justified by grace-- not by law or performance. Whoever is in Christ is a new creation. As Tillich says, "No particular religion matters, but a New Being has appeared, and we are all asked to participate in it." It's about receiving before we can truly give, IMHO. From Jesus, some of the teachings that help me most: this is the work of God, that you believe in whom he has sent seek the kingdom first be not anxious peace I give you, not such as the world gives come unto me, and I will give you rest ask, and it shall be given; knock, and the door shall open abide in me and I in you If we could stay in this state of mind, we could trust in the validity of all our actions that flowed from it. At least that's how it seems to me.
  14. To me there is no dichotomy between the teachings of Jesus and those of Paul, other than the obvious difference of context. It has always seemed very significant to me that Jesus chose not to write anything down, no hard and fast rules, but rather a spirit, a principle. He knew the dangers of rigidity and idolizing text. Likewise, it seems important that Paul hardly ever spells out Jesus' teachings. His message focuses almost entirely on Christ's death and resurrection.
  15. Hi canajan, Interesting how you adopt the voice of Christ --"Jesus of Montreal," perhaps?! Seriously, I think you make an important point that when Jesus came back after his cruel execution, he chose to comfort and guide his friends, rather than confront his enemies. For the human half of him that must have taken enormous self restraint. I was surprised you said he "died" after those 40 days or whatever, and went to heaven...I expected you to say he ascended. Also I don't believe as you do in angels. But I enjoy your posts.
  16. Joseph, I should have thanked you for your kind words earlier--I was out of town.
  17. All these answers were meaningful to me...especially the contrast between spirituality and religion by Joseph. October, you asked what is the difference between a psychological need and a spiritual one--isn't it likely that all psychological needs can be met by people, or some earthly condition? Whereas with spiritual needs we're talking about longing that nothing in this world can satisfy...the "God-shaped hole in the heart."
  18. I like the description in Marcus Borg & N.T. Wright, The meaning of Jesus, 1999--to paraphrase some of it: Christian spirituality conveys a sense of the presence and love of God known and experienced in the midst of all sorts of ordinary environments. It embraces the whole person. Spirituality means the various practices of prayer, contemplation and reading that have characterized Christians from the very beginning...It is sacramental while firmly rejecting the magical. Christian spirituality meditates on the Christ of faith and the Jesus of history, believing them to be one and the same, and discovering this person as living, active, present, loving and grieving; recognizing in him the human face of the one true God. It is a matter of coming in trust before a deeply loving parent. Insofar as God and humans inhabit different spheres, Jesus inhabits both, and invites us to do the same.
  19. That's a nice way of putting it, yes. We probably all relate to God through a combination of head and heart; for some the emphasis is more in one direction than the other.
  20. Well, maybe I should have said we can't know God through reason or intellect alone. Of course God does want us to use our intelligence. I don't agree that emotion separates us from God, especially in the example of the psalms. It is David's abiding trust in his relationship with God, that gives him the confidence to share all his passing feelings with God--his anger, joy, fear, guilt, grief, awe, gratitude, etc.
  21. Kay, I agree that it's the narrative of scripture (and the poetry) that moves us to relationship with the divine, rather than the propositional aspect. One can't know God through reason, but through emotion and imagination...that part of the spirit. Reading this thread again, it seems like Luthitarian's original topic was only half covered...what about the "acceptance" part? of faith? Does it mean accepting the truth of others' religions? believing in oneself when people turn against you? accepting the world as it is? accepting grace? Or maybe all of the above...
  22. Kay, Thanks for the info on Smith, sounds like he's mainly known for comparative religion...I'll look for the Soul of Christianity. (my computer can't handle streaming video, unfortunately!) Also curious about Schuon, that name was new to me. I just bought The Emerging Christianity, 2006, a collection of essays. The Marcus Borg one relates to this topic: "The emerging paradigm recovers the pre-modern Christian understanding of believing. It is trust and loyalty that transform us. Beliefs may precede them or follow them or remain quite unconnected to them. But beliefs do not save us, do not transform us. Trust and loyalty do. This combination of trust and loyalty is... the primary meaning of faith. This centering is the purpose of the Christian life; centering in God and centering in God's passion for the world. This is the vision at the heart of transformation- centered Christianity." [The difference he points out, is something I have experienced in my life, for sure--especially as a non-churchgoer. It's been a long and painful learning process.]
  23. Kay & AT, Sort of an aside to the topic, but can you recommend a book by Huston Smith? I've seen his name mentioned alot but thought he was more in the traditional category. Is he considered a Progressive?
  24. According to Fred Plumer, the moderator is on vacation until Monday. He apologized for the problem and said he will try to make it possible in the future to fix these things when Monica is away.
  25. Thank you, Kay. Enjoyed looking at Neosnoia-- do you contribute to it? Also some good links there. Didn't know Brian McLaren had a website. I've seen some of his writing and really admired it.
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