Archive - Dec 2009 - Oct 2016 http://colleagueslist.blogspot.ca/

Friday 2 March 2018

Colleagues List, March 5th, 2018

Vol. XIII No. 34

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:

Last week my Special Item for Colleagues List focused on the passing of Billy Graham. This week, I centre my Special Item on John Shelby Spong. Some might question my breadth of interest!

Spong and Graham tend to range to opposite ends of the theological spectrum. Yet, both hailed from Charlotte NC (or nearby) and both spent their lives committed to the renewal of the Christian faith in our time.

Many end up taking sides behind one or the other, but I believe that both have dedicated their lives to the Bible and its centrality to Christianity. Both have lived faithfully with integrity to their beliefs. And both have something important to offer enquiring hearts and minds.

This week, I introduce "Unbelievable" - probably the last book to be authored by Bishop Spong. I do this while including more items of interest on the witness of Billy Graham. And of course, I share more.

I hope you find this issue interesting, to say the least.

Wayne

*****

SPECIAL ITEM

Book Notice -

UNBELIEVABLE,
Why Neither Ancient Creeds
Nor the Reformation Can
Produce a Living Faith Today
by John Shelby Spong


HarperOne, Toronto, ON.
$31.00 CAD. Feb. 2018. 319 pages.
ISBN #978-0-06-264129-9

Publisher's Promo:

Five hundred years after Martin Luther and his Ninety-Five Theses ushered in the Reformation, bestselling author and controversial bishop and teacher John Shelby Spong delivers twelve forward-thinking theses to spark a new reformation to reinvigorate Christianity and ensure its future.

At the beginning of the sixteenth century, Christianity was in crisis—a state of conflict that gave birth to the Reformation in 1517. Enduring for more than 200 years, Luther’s movement was then followed by a "revolutionary time of human knowledge." Yet these advances in our thinking had little impact on Christians’ adherence to doctrine—which has led the faith to a critical point once again.

Bible scholar and Episcopal bishop John Shelby Spong contends that there is mounting pressure among Christians for a radically new kind of Christianity—a faith deeply connected to the human experience instead of outdated dogma. To keep Christianity vital, he urges modern Christians to update their faith in light of these advances in our knowledge, and to challenge the rigid and problematic Church teachings that emerged with the Reformation. There is a disconnect, he argues, between the language of traditional worship and the language of the twenty-first century. Bridging this divide requires us to rethink and reformulate our basic understanding of God.

With its revolutionary resistance to the authority of the Church in the sixteenth century, Spong sees in Luther’s movement a model for today’s discontented Christians. In fact, the questions they raise resonate with those contemplated by our ancestors. Does the idea of God still have meaning? Can we still follow historic creeds with integrity? Are not such claims as an infallible Pope or an inerrant Bible ridiculous in today’s world?

In Unbelievable, Spong outlines twelve "theses" to help today’s believers more deeply contemplate and reshape their faith. As an educator, clergyman, and writer who has devoted his life to his faith, Spong has enlightened Christians and challenged them to explore their beliefs in new and meaningful ways. In this, his final book, he continues that rigorous tradition, once again offering a revisionist approach that strengthens Christianity and secures its relevance for generations to come.

****

Author's Bio:

John Shelby Spong was the Episcopal Bishop of Newark, New Jersey for twenty-four years before his retirement in 2000. He is one of the leading spokespersons for liberal Christianity and has been featured on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, FOX News Live, and Extra. This book is based on the William Belden Noble lectures Spong delivered at Harvard.

At 87 years of age, Spong has recently sustained health problems which have affected his capacity to write - https://tinyurl.com/yd2m25lm

Here is more extensive biography -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Shelby_Spong

--

Author's Words:

I have thus far written five "last books" but I think I can guarantee that this current volume will be my last.

This new book "Unbelievable: Why Neither Ancient Creeds Nor the Reformation Can Produce a Living Faith Today" is based on the experience of finding that the traditional words of religion have lost their believability; for me, it became a necessary piece of work to clear away things that had not been dealt with in previous books. It is a fitting culmination to a writing career that has extended for almost fifty years.

(Spong goes into some detail about the circumstances leading up to and following the stroke he experienced in Marquette MI in September of 2016.)

"I still have trouble writing," he says. "Oh, I can do that all right, but as yet no one can read it. I hope to improve with time."

(Spong reports on the many letters of support and good wishes he has received, for which he says thanks, but can't acknowledge personally.  Also, he will not continue writing his online column which he produced weekly for fourteen years.)

- from the Preface

--

My Thoughts :

The first book authored by John Spong that I read was "Living in Sin - A Bishop Rethinks Human Sexuality" (1988). In it, he proposed that divorcing couples might consider a "divorce ritual" as part of a worship liturgy at church - since, in fact, they had probably married using a worship liturgy at church. I was prevented from following his advice, but I was taken by Spong's ability to venture beyond the ordinary. That was thirty years ago.

Another book I read, early on, was "A New Christianity for a New World" (2001). In this volume, he first widely published "Twelve Points of Reform" and he has continued to develop those twelve points in subsequent "updates" to his thinking about the contemporary meaning of God, Jesus, the Bible, the Virgin Birth, New Testament Miracles, the meaning of the Cross and the Atonement, Resurrection, Ascension, Christian Ethics, Prayer, Life After Death and Human Rights (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, etc.)

The book under consideration may cause some to react that the author is simply re-plowing old ground. I believe, however, that his return to the same 12 themes repeatedly over 20 years, is a study in how his thinking has evolved.

I will not recommend you read this latest, and probably last of his many books (over a million copies sold in total) as his "summation" on the subject. I will venture that this one represents his latest and probably last formal visitation of the subject. I credit the author for his obvious persistence.

As one who continues to hold a deep appreciation for the sixteenth century Reformation, I was pleased to learn that Spong supports the idea that Luther provides a model for reform of the church, if not the theological content itself. That model can serve us into the future.

I would repeat what I have often criticised him for - he is good at "disposing" of the past, but his "prescription" for how we might move ahead more effectively as Christians lacks substance.

Now, however, it would appear that we will no longer have Spong to raise theological concerns as he has for so many years. It now becomes our task to take up the practical challenge of reform of thought and structure that he has faithfully advocated for so many years.

A new generation of challengers and questers awaits.

John, I have read many of your books and we at St. David's, Calgary   were privileged to have you speak to us there. Thanks, also, for the presence of your lovely partner Christine. Thanks for the great investment of yourselves. You are not forgotten. 

--

Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
https://tinyurl.com/y8onbzbo

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

Martin Marty,
Chicago, IL


Sightings,
February 26th, 2018


"Cultural Disintegration"
  https://tinyurl.com/ycn6ky4l


--

Ron Rolheiser,
San Antonio, TX


Personal Web Site,
February 26th, 2018


"Our Ache for Earthly Immortality"
  https://tinyurl.com/y74e67vz


--

Jim Taylor,
Okanagan, BC


Personal Web Log
February 25th, 2018


"The Olympics - Too Big, Too Expensive, Too Subjective"
  https://tinyurl.com/ycvzdqe5


--

Mark Whittall,
Ottawa, ON

Sermons and Blog,
March 2nd, 2018

"A Letter From God"
  https://tinyurl.com/ya2arrxb
 
*****

NET NOTES

CANADIANS SPLIT ON GERALD STANLEY VERDICT
Most in Saskatchewan Believe it Was "Good and Fair"
That Saskatchewan Farmer Cleared of Murder Charge


CBC News
February 27th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/yd45c9a2

--

BILLY GRAHAM'S LEGACY FOR CHRISTIANS --
WHETHER EVANGELICAL OR OTHERWISE
Basic Message Replaced Doctrinal Focus


The Christian Century,
February 21st, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ybt5bqgl

--

IN TRUMP, EVANGELICALS HAVE FOUND THEIR PRESIDENT
He Has Delivered "Wins" for Them, Appreciating Support


New York Times,
February 25th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/yaapha4b

--

GRAHAM HAD PERSONAL BONDS WITH MANY PRESIDENTS
Here is the Testimony of Those Who Knew Him as Friend

 
Religion News Service,
February 27th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/y8g97hq4

--

GRAHAM WARNED AGAINST EMBRACING ANY PRESIDENT
Franklin Has Chosen a Different Way


New York Times,
February 26th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ya2wejes

--

THREE THINGS MLK WOULD SAY TO MODERN-DAY AMERICA
Youngest Daughter, Bernice A. King, Offers Father's Advice


The Atlantic,
March 1st, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ybf6d6t7

--

THE AMERICAN WHO FLED GAY CONVERSION IN AFRICA
Moving from Islam to a New Awareness of Himself


BBC News,
February 26th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/yan2ela7

--
 
CHURCH OF ENGLAND POLICY BANS
SECURITY CAMERAS DURING WORSHIP
Canterbury Cathedral Allows Cameras,

But Not During Liturgies

La Croix International,
February 28th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ycqljyrd

--

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING POPE FRANCIS?
His Approach to Judgement


America Magazine,
February 27th, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ycmxmvu2

--

FRANCIS TO VISIT ECUMENICAL CENTRE IN GENEVA
Hopes High for the Strengthening of Church Unity

Lutheran World Information
March 3rd, 2018


https://tinyurl.com/ybkqjnum

***

COMMENT

Globe and Mail
February 27th, 2018


GUN CONTROL IS A LOST CAUSE IN AMERICA

"In U.S. cultural products, good guys kill bad guys with guns –
whether they're in the Wild West, in U.S. cities, in foreign wars or in outer space. My bet is that America in the years to come
will continue to have a few gun-free zones, such as airplanes,
sports stadiums and Republican Party conventions. But places
explicitly free of guns – or "soft targets" as U.S. President
Donald Trump has framed them – will become fewer. Beyond
these enclaves, you could encounter someone with a weapon,
concealed or brandished, almost any time and anywhere. I
suspect the argument of arming good guys to kill bad guys
will triumph over the idea of limiting the types of weapons
available to ordinary citizens."


– Michael Adams, president of the Environics Institute

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

From Sojourners and the Bruderhof online -

A word has power in and of itself. It comes
from nothing into sound and meaning; it
gives origin to all things.

- N. Scott Momaday

--

Suppose a person entering a house were to feel heat
on the porch, and going further, were to feel the heat
increasing, the more they penetrated within. Doubtless,
such a person would believe there was a fire in the
house, even though they did not see the fire that
must be causing all this heat. A similar thing will
happen to anyone who considers this world in detail:
one will observe that all things are arranged according
to their degrees of beauty and excellence, and that the
nearer they are to God, the more beautiful and better
they are.

- Thomas Aquinas

--

I don’t gather that God wants us to pretend our fear
doesn’t exist, to deny it, or eviscerate it. Fear is a
reminder that we are creatures – fragile, vulnerable,
totally dependent on God. But fear shouldn’t dominate
or control or define us. Rather, it should submit to faith
and love. Otherwise, fear can make us unbelieving,
slavish, and inhuman. I have seen that struggle:
containing my fear, rejecting its rule, recognizing
that it saw only appearances, while faith and love
saw substance, saw reality, saw God’s bailiwick, so
to speak: “Take courage, it is I. Do not be afraid!”

- Philip Berrigan

--

As long as we do not pray for our enemies, we continue
to see only our own point of view – our own righteousness -
and to ignore their perspective. Prayer breaks down the
distinctions between us and them. To do violence to others,
you must make them enemies. Prayer, on the other hand,
makes enemies into friends. When we have brought our
enemies into our hearts in prayer, it becomes difficult to
maintain the hostility necessary for violence. In bringing
them close to us, prayer even serves to protect our
enemies.

Thus prayer undermines the propaganda and policies
designed to make us hate and fear our enemies. By
softening our hearts towards our adversaries, prayer
can even become treasonous. Fervent prayer for our
enemies is a great obstacle to war and the feelings
that lead to war.

- Jim Wallis

--

Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

- Maya Angelou

*****


CLOSING THOUGHT - Dr. Seuss

Today you are you! That is truer than true!
There is no one alive who is you-er than you!


(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

NOT IN GOD'S NAME - Confronting Religious Violence

Author: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
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 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
http://cep.anglican.ca/not-in-gods-name/

This study introduces our 50th book!
--
 
During the 2016-2017 two session-term there were
class registrations of 70 and total books sold: 78


2017 was our best year ever, since we began in 1998!

Check our archives for 49 books studied since 2000: http://tinyurl.com/q3bw6dh
  
***
 
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 GOSPEL OF MARY MAGDALENE 
(in the Gospels and in several non-canonical texts)

Gathering at 9:30 AM in the St. David's TM Room.
No charge

15 persons make up our study group.
 
Study resource -
"The DK Complete Bible Handbook"
  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:

 
http://tinyurl.com/hucsaf7

This marks the end of our South African travel project.

We will soon be asking people "Where do we travel next?"

***

Lenten Notice:

ANNUAL ST. DAVID'S LENTEN RETREAT
AT MT. ST. FRANCIS, COCHRANE
Sunday, March 4th, 2018. 11:30 AM - 4:00PM

Theme: "Encountering a Sacred Intimacy With God"

Spiritual Director: Susan Campbell

This event drew 22  registrants and was much appreciated.

https://tinyurl.com/ybyvgegu

*****





 

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