GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: wholst@telus.net
This email is sent only to a voluntary subscriber list.
If you no longer wish to receive these weekly columns,
write to me personally - waholst@telus.net
*****
Dear Friends:
You are receiving a regular issue of Colleagues List, except that the contents are slightly altered to honour colleague Martin E. Marty of Chicago.
I hope you enjoy what you discover, below.
Wayne
*****
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR
COLLEAGUE MARTIN E. MARTY
A PERSONAL REFLECTION
Preliminary Thoughts:
As you will discover from reading further into this issue of Colleagues List, Martin Marty - long-time colleague and friend - is celebrating his 90th birthday this month. The Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago will be twenty years old in February as well.
In many ways, Marty needs no introduction to readers of CL, but I want to share a few things about him in my thoughts recorded below. I also include links to his Wikipedia bio and the Martin Marty Center.
I first began reading Marty's books in the mid-sixties, so it is now 50 years that I have appreciated his work. It is no exaggeration to say that, even thought I have never sat in his classroom, he has probably had the most influence on my thinking of any other theologian as a result of his books and religion and culture letters (hundreds of his "Context" hardcopies remain in ring binders for easy retrieval). With the advent of the internet, I read his weekly "Sightings" and I hope many of you do too.
Marty is not a big self-promoter. Many others do that for him.
I hesitate to be a name-dropper. You don't read his frequent emails to me. But he is one of this newsletter's biggest fans, it seems. It is fifteen years until I reach my 90th birthday. If I make it there and can still communicate half as well as he still does - that's in quantity and quality - I will consider myself fortunate. E'nuf said (as he used to say).
Here are three qualities about Marty's work over half a century that come to mind today. I write casually. Let me share my thoughts.
Protestant but Ecumenical
Marty was raised and remains a Lutheran. For a lot of years he served formally as a pastor. Then he moved primarily into an academic role at the U of Chicago. He was around before Vatican II but that watershed event had a big influence on him (and me too). He helped many other Protestants to claim their heritage (not only as Lutherans) and to view themselves in broader ecumenical ways. That is how I like to think of Marty. He was grounded in a tradition but ventured helpfully into many other Christian traditions. In more recent years he has expanded his interests and contributions to inter-faith circles. Thinking back, I marvel at how much has changed in the last half-century, and at how much Marty has helped so many of us to navigate the transition.
American but Communally International
Like many Canadians of my generation, I was raised to look to America as the global leader. When I lived and worked in New York City I really thought I had arrived (that was in the 1970's). I am very proud to be a Canadian today, but it is people like Marty who have helped me to recalibrate my earlier views of America and to see that the true heart of the United States has not changed. I hope to see the day when the negatives many Canadians harbour today will become more balanced. Need I repeat that I have always considered Abraham Lincoln my greatest political hero?
Marty has helped me to achieve a better understanding of how America can evolve from the dominant world power to a major force for shared community and good in the world. Marty has evolved to emphasise "the We" and away from "the Me" and I know many Americans are like him.
Academic but Personal/Pastoral
I have always viewed Marty as an important model of two important and inter-related vocations - the academic and the pastoral. I did not really begin to think seriously about that until I spent a good part of my life teaching at the university myself. It is possible to be an academic and a pastor both. To do that involves some un-learning and new-learning. To enjoy compliments for learning and pastoral-care has been one of my major satisfactions in life - even though I never thought I would ever leave formal ministry in the church.
If today, I can be teacher and pastor (in my current "unofficial" and "semi-retired" capacity) I must again repeat that Marty set a good example for me. Both church and university need both kinds.
A Legacy to Respect and Honour
So, even though I could go on about Marty, I hope I have conveyed my point. I respect and honour him a great deal. I think, nevertheless, that if you know anything of him, I have been preaching to the choir.
Marty -
I know you're out there. Just keep on doing what you've been doing!
---
Wikipedia Bio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_E._Marty
Martin Marty Centre, University of Chicago
https://divinity.uchicago.edu/martin-marty-center
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE
Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address: wholst@telus.net
This email is sent only to a voluntary subscriber list.
If you no longer wish to receive these weekly columns,
write to me personally - waholst@telus.net
*****
Dear Friends:
You are receiving a regular issue of Colleagues List, except that the contents are slightly altered to honour colleague Martin E. Marty of Chicago.
I hope you enjoy what you discover, below.
Wayne
*****
SPECIAL RECOGNITION FOR
COLLEAGUE MARTIN E. MARTY
A PERSONAL REFLECTION
Preliminary Thoughts:
As you will discover from reading further into this issue of Colleagues List, Martin Marty - long-time colleague and friend - is celebrating his 90th birthday this month. The Martin Marty Center at the University of Chicago will be twenty years old in February as well.
In many ways, Marty needs no introduction to readers of CL, but I want to share a few things about him in my thoughts recorded below. I also include links to his Wikipedia bio and the Martin Marty Center.
I first began reading Marty's books in the mid-sixties, so it is now 50 years that I have appreciated his work. It is no exaggeration to say that, even thought I have never sat in his classroom, he has probably had the most influence on my thinking of any other theologian as a result of his books and religion and culture letters (hundreds of his "Context" hardcopies remain in ring binders for easy retrieval). With the advent of the internet, I read his weekly "Sightings" and I hope many of you do too.
Marty is not a big self-promoter. Many others do that for him.
I hesitate to be a name-dropper. You don't read his frequent emails to me. But he is one of this newsletter's biggest fans, it seems. It is fifteen years until I reach my 90th birthday. If I make it there and can still communicate half as well as he still does - that's in quantity and quality - I will consider myself fortunate. E'nuf said (as he used to say).
Here are three qualities about Marty's work over half a century that come to mind today. I write casually. Let me share my thoughts.
Protestant but Ecumenical
Marty was raised and remains a Lutheran. For a lot of years he served formally as a pastor. Then he moved primarily into an academic role at the U of Chicago. He was around before Vatican II but that watershed event had a big influence on him (and me too). He helped many other Protestants to claim their heritage (not only as Lutherans) and to view themselves in broader ecumenical ways. That is how I like to think of Marty. He was grounded in a tradition but ventured helpfully into many other Christian traditions. In more recent years he has expanded his interests and contributions to inter-faith circles. Thinking back, I marvel at how much has changed in the last half-century, and at how much Marty has helped so many of us to navigate the transition.
American but Communally International
Like many Canadians of my generation, I was raised to look to America as the global leader. When I lived and worked in New York City I really thought I had arrived (that was in the 1970's). I am very proud to be a Canadian today, but it is people like Marty who have helped me to recalibrate my earlier views of America and to see that the true heart of the United States has not changed. I hope to see the day when the negatives many Canadians harbour today will become more balanced. Need I repeat that I have always considered Abraham Lincoln my greatest political hero?
Marty has helped me to achieve a better understanding of how America can evolve from the dominant world power to a major force for shared community and good in the world. Marty has evolved to emphasise "the We" and away from "the Me" and I know many Americans are like him.
Academic but Personal/Pastoral
I have always viewed Marty as an important model of two important and inter-related vocations - the academic and the pastoral. I did not really begin to think seriously about that until I spent a good part of my life teaching at the university myself. It is possible to be an academic and a pastor both. To do that involves some un-learning and new-learning. To enjoy compliments for learning and pastoral-care has been one of my major satisfactions in life - even though I never thought I would ever leave formal ministry in the church.
If today, I can be teacher and pastor (in my current "unofficial" and "semi-retired" capacity) I must again repeat that Marty set a good example for me. Both church and university need both kinds.
A Legacy to Respect and Honour
So, even though I could go on about Marty, I hope I have conveyed my point. I respect and honour him a great deal. I think, nevertheless, that if you know anything of him, I have been preaching to the choir.
Marty -
I know you're out there. Just keep on doing what you've been doing!
---
Wikipedia Bio:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_E._Marty
Martin Marty Centre, University of Chicago
https://divinity.uchicago.edu/martin-marty-center
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMENT
Sightings,
February 1st, 2018
Krista Tippett on Marty's 90th Birthday
and 20th Anniversary of the Marty Centre
at the University of Chicago
https://tinyurl.com/ybk95a2u
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMUNICATIONS
Molly Worthen,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
The Christian Post,
February 1st, 2018
"Young Evangelicals Have Inherited
A Narrow Sense of Christianity"
https://tinyurl.com/ybpzgsun
*****
NET NOTES
ANTI-SEMITISM SHOULD CONCERN US ALL
This Is a Message That Must Be Proclaimed
La Croix International
February 1st, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/yatspbgx
--
GEORGE LINDBECK DIES AT AGE 94
Founder of Post-Liberal Theology
Christian Century,
January 23rd, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/ydeqptcw
--
WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH'S SILENCE?
At a Time of Weinstein and Nassar
Religion News Service,
January 31st, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y7y43cgc
--
REFLECTIONS ON THE MEGACHURCH
Discipleship More Important than Numbers
Christianity Today,
February, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y86j3rm2
--
LEONARD COHEN GETS GRAMMY
IN HEAVEN - He Died in 2016
Religion News Service,
January 29th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/yct3hq2u
--
GANDHI - AN INTRO READING GUIDE
FOR CHRISTIANS - To Mark the
70th Anniversary of His Assassination -
Five Books Worth Considering
Englewood Review of Books
February 1st, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/ya4rjwp2
--
BONHOEFFER SPEAKS POWERFULLY
TO THE TRUMP ERA - Five Key Themes
We Need to Claim in These Times
Englewood Review of Books
February 4th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y9tacvsw
--
HOW TO STOP CANADIAN YOUTHS
FROM LEAVING THE CHURCH
A Message to All Our Denominations
Christian Week,
January 31st, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/ybk5tnfg
--
CANADA WILL NO LONGER FUND
ANTI-ABORTION, ANTI-GAY GROUPS
IN SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM
Some Evangelicals React --
Claiming to Have Charter Rights
Global News
January 31st, 2017
https://tinyurl.com/y7plb4b8
--
IN KENYA, DEBT-RIDDEN CHRISTIAN
UNIVERSITIES STRUGGLE TO STAY OPEN
Funding Infrastructures Not There
Religion News Service
January 30th, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y9ndufp4
--
IN 22 YEARS, A US SYNAGOGUE GROUP
READS TORAH FROM BEGINNING TO END
Setting An Example for Others to Follow
Washington Post,
February 1st, 2018
https://tinyurl.com/y9cgaxx8
*****
MOMENT IN TIME
Globe and Mail
January 30th, 2018
Final episode of Roots draws record audience
Jan. 30, 1977: The concept of must-see TV began with
Roots. The sprawling, mega-budget ($6.6-million U.S.)
adaptation of Alex Haley's bestselling novel focused on
his family's origins, going back to how his ancestor Kunta
Kinte arrived in America as a slave, and provided a
mainstream reminder of African Americans' deep historical
roots in the country. The miniseries kept the U.S. viewing
audience – and a commensurate number of Canadians –
glued to the small screen for eight consecutive nights.
Courtesy of ABC's blanket advance promotion, the opening
night of Roots generated 28 million U.S. viewers. For the
Sunday-night closer, that viewership had grown to nearly
37 million, according to Nielsen numbers. In the final tally,
roughly 140 million total viewers watched some or all of
Roots – more than half the 1977 U.S. population of 221
million people – and the viewing marathon still boasts the
second-most-watched series finale of all time (behind the
1983 sendoff for M*A*S*H). Beyond collecting nine Emmys
and a Peabody award, and launching the careers of LeVar
Burton, Ben Vereen and others, Roots legitimized the notion
of turning lofty literary titles into mainstream TV entertainment
– as evinced in years to follow with ratings blockbusters such
as Shogun, North and South, Winds of War and The Thorn
Birds. With Roots, the modern miniseries was born.
– Andrew Ryan
--
Globe and Mail,
February 1st, 2018
Canada makes Black History month official
Feb. 1, 1996: Don't be surprised that Parliament did not
recognize Black History Month until 1996: It's simply
history repeating itself. Few Canadian public-school
students learned much about the Black Loyalists, falsely
promised a life free of prejudice for helping Britain hold
back the Americans. We were not taught about seven-
year-old Olivier Lejeune, the first slave sold in New France,
or of John Ware, one of the first of a wave of black cowboys
(and women) that settled in Alberta in the late 19th century.
The tardy recognition of these parts of the country's history
was prodded by our first elected black female MPP, Jean
Augustine, and not adopted by the Senate until 2008.
Forgo shock to be the change: Consider the fiery anger of
enslaved Montrealer Marie-Josèphe Angélique, or the good
intentions of B.C. governor James Douglas, who welcomed
black California migrants. Absorb what happened after this
country was the final stop on the Underground Railroad –
Ontario schools were segregated, Nova Scotia's Africville
was destroyed and Ms. Augustine was a domestic worker
in Toronto's Forest Hill area. All of it matters more than we
were told, as much as anything else we call Canada.
– Denise Balkissoon
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners and the Bruderhof Online
Provided by Sojourners and the Bruderhof Online
We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims
beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a
spoke into the wheel itself.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
--
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
--
Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the
hater more than it injures the hated.
- Coretta Scott King
--
To say that I am made in the image of God is to say
that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love.
Love is my true identity. Selflessness is my true self.
Love is my true character. Love is my name.
- Thomas Merton
--
Do good, and with a simple heart share the fruits of
your labor, which God gives to you, with all those who
are poor, not wondering to whom you should give and
to whom you should not give.
Give to all, for God wishes that you give to all from his
gifts to you.
- Hermas
--
How few things there are which can be proved!
Proofs only convince the mind. Who has ever been
able to prove that tomorrow will come, and that we
shall die? And what could be more generally believed?…
In short, we must rely on faith when the mind has once
perceived where truth lies, in order to quench our thirst
and color our minds with a faith that eludes us at every
of the day.
- Blaise Pascal
Proofs only convince the mind. Who has ever been
able to prove that tomorrow will come, and that we
shall die? And what could be more generally believed?…
In short, we must rely on faith when the mind has once
perceived where truth lies, in order to quench our thirst
and color our minds with a faith that eludes us at every
of the day.
- Blaise Pascal
--
Christ says: Do according to what I say – then you shall
know. Consequently, decisive action first of all. By acting,
your life will come into collision with existence, and then
you will know the reality of grace. Nowadays we have turned
the whole thing around. Christianity has become a worldview.
Thus, before I get involved I must first justify it. Good night
to Christianity!
- Søren Kierkegaard
--
To be pure, to remain pure, can only come at a price, the
price of knowing God and of loving him enough to do his will.
He will always give us the strength we need to keep purity
as something beautiful for God. Purity is the fruit of prayer.
If families pray together they will remain in unity and purity,
and love each other as God loves each one of them. A pure
heart is the carrier of God’s love, and where there is love,
there is unity, joy, and peace.
- Mother Teresa
*****
CLOSING THOUGHT - Søren Kierkegaard
The path of an honest fighter is a difficult one. And when
the fighter grows cool in the evening of his life this is still
no excuse to retire into games and amusement. Whoever
remains faithful to his decision will realize that his whole
life is a struggle. Such a person does not fall into the
temptation of proudly telling others of what he has done
with his life. Nor will he talk about the “great decisions”
he has made.
He knows full well that at decisive moments you have
to renew your resolve again and again and that this
alone makes good the decision and the decision good.
(end)
*****
For Those Interested -
ST. DAVID'S ACTS MONDAY NIGHT WINTER STUDY
A Ten Week Series January 22nd - March 26th, 2018
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday Evenings, TM Room 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
NOT IN GOD'S NAME - Confronting Religious Violence
Author: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00
Registration/Hospitality and Book: $60.00.
Book only: $20.00
42 copies of the book have been secured and all have been sold.
35 persons have thus far registered for the course. Others are reading it alone or in another small study group.
This series is already going well with strong, enthusiastic attendances.
Read my background information on this study
--
During the 2016-2017 two session-term there were
class registrations of 70 and total books sold: 75
2017 was our best year ever, since we began in 1998!
class registrations of 70 and total books sold: 75
2017 was our best year ever, since we began in 1998!
Check our archives for 49 books studied since 2000: http://tinyurl.com/q3bw6dh
This study introduces our 50th book!
***
ST. DAVID'S ACTS THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
Ten Sessions January 18th - March 29th, 2018
Thursday morning sessions 10-11 AM
This term we are studying:
THE NEW TESTAMENT LETTERS OF PETER (and)
THE GNOSTIC GOSPEL OF PETER (A non-canonical text)
Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.
No charge
15 persons make up our study group.
15 persons make up our study group.
Study resource -
"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
Edited by John Bowker
Edited by John Bowker
ST. DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS EVENT, 2017
South Africa was our destination! We planned a nineteen-
day tour that combined a focus on spirituality, social
justice, culture, and nature, and it ran October 21st
thru November 8th.
A beautiful brochure with trip cost, itinerary, and
many helpful travel hints was published.
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
Twenty-five persons registered and paid in full to
take the trip. This was our tour group.
All together, thirty-two persons made deposits
but some had to withdraw for health or other
reasons.
We have activated a South Africa Spiritual Travelers
discussion list group to and used it to build community
amongst the participants, and to share news and
resources.
We reported our experiences to St. David's congregation
as a travel group reflection during the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018. For information click Rostad Tours:
day tour that combined a focus on spirituality, social
justice, culture, and nature, and it ran October 21st
thru November 8th.
A beautiful brochure with trip cost, itinerary, and
many helpful travel hints was published.
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
Twenty-five persons registered and paid in full to
take the trip. This was our tour group.
All together, thirty-two persons made deposits
but some had to withdraw for health or other
reasons.
We have activated a South Africa Spiritual Travelers
discussion list group to and used it to build community
amongst the participants, and to share news and
resources.
We reported our experiences to St. David's congregation
as a travel group reflection during the worship service Sunday, January 14th, 2018. For information click Rostad Tours:
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7
This marks the end of our South African travel project.
***
Pre-Lenten Notice:
ANNUAL ST. DAVID'S LENTEN RETREAT AT MT. ST. FRANCIS COCHRANE
Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 11:30 AM - 4:00PM
More information to follow soon.
*****
This marks the end of our South African travel project.
***
Pre-Lenten Notice:
ANNUAL ST. DAVID'S LENTEN RETREAT AT MT. ST. FRANCIS COCHRANE
Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 11:30 AM - 4:00PM
More information to follow soon.
*****
What a beautiful and gracious tribute to Martin Marty. Thank you, Wayne.
ReplyDelete