What do you think of this? What would you add? Subtract? Do you track with this? With something else?
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Saving Institutions 2
Recently Andrew Sullivan noted that "Christianity is in crisis" and encouraged readers to simply follow Jesus and leave church, institution, and organized religion behind. Forget the church. Follow Jesus. Many sympathize with this impulse, as noted in my most recent post. What, after all, do institutions have to offer us other than a slow process, outdated organization, and mired traditionalism? Diana Butler Bass, despite her critiques of the institutional church, notes that perhaps things are not as dire as Sullivan imagines.
STATION: Fire
As you enter this space find a place to still yourself before the throne of God… whether standing, sitting, or kneeling. Flames Consider the candle flame, its warmth, its light. Let this light illuminate your thoughts and this warmth draw out your burdens.
No Interpretation Needed?
Are you skeptical about biblical interpretation? Does it seem that someone can just "make it say anything?" Are you one of those who would prefer to just "read it for what it says"? You're not alone. Many are intimidated by the vast amount of study some seem to think reading the Bible requires. Can't I just take the "plain sense" of a text and arrive at what God is trying to say to me?
God Doesn’t Need our Help, But He Asks for It
James K. A. Smith wrote a new blog post this morning, and since, per usual, no comments are allowed, I thought I’d respond with a post of my own. He begins with this notion that there is now a “new apologetics” afoot in Christianity to make the faith more palatable in an age of intellectualism and postmodernity.
Pub Theology Recap – St. Patty’s
We began the night with a toast to Saint Patrick, that giver of good tidings and slayer of snakes: Saint Patrick was a gentleman, who through strategy and stealth Drove all the snakes from Ireland, here's a drink to his health! But not too many drinks, lest we lose ourselves and then Forget the good Saint Patrick, and see them snakes again!
I would add a commitment to Jesuslike peacemaking–practicing nonviolence, addressing injustices with nonviolent resistance, and working for reconciliation.
I agree, Josh! Thanks for adding that in.
The Dali Lama said, “If science demonstrated Buddism is wrong, then Buddism needs to change.”
I think Christianity needs to consider the truth of this statement and re-think some of it’s theology. Process Theism is one example of a theology that is in line with science.
What is progressive Christianity?
Of course, I had to Google “progressive Christianity” and I found this: “Seek community that is inclusive of ALL people.” This goes along with affirmation of human diversity. Does this include reaching out to help human diversity (community) or does it only speak about acceptance?