Monday Morning Musings
I continue to slog away reading Karen Armstrong's "The Case for God." Typical of Armstrong, it is fulled with detail. I loved the first chapter on prehistoric "religion" and rituals. She argues that
and this
If it is innate human nature to articulate an understanding of an ultimate reality, and if that ultimate reality only survives as long as there are practiced rituals the reinforce the relationship between human beings and the ultimate reality, and if human beings today are focused on other realities like sports, music, and or drugs, what then does this mean for Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices?
Last week, on the RevGals blog Mary Beth led a conversation on a book written by a Rabbi on the "Emergent" faith that is pushing back at traditional Jewish practices. Christians have been thinking about the emergent church idea since Phyllis Tickle's book made waves and practitioners of the emerging church concept became popular (Rob Bell, etc.).
I'm not convinced that the emergent church is the future of Christianity. It seems to me that it is just repackaged traditional church led by white men in Hawaiian shirts and big black glasses. Women are NOT a part of the leadership of this movement. People of color are NOT a part of this movement.
I am convinced that Christians (and maybe Jews?) need to spend time revisioning how we practice our faith so that what we do invites us deeply into the mystery of God, enliven us and the God we love.
I've read Diana Butler Bass and Carol Howard Merritt on this topic. Now I'm curious to see where Armstrong is going...as she argues her case for God.
On the other hand I am also hunkering down in preparation for a major winter storm expected to hit us hard....that's what I'm pondering - what about you?
The desire to cultivate a sense of the transcendent may be the defining human characteristic....
and this
Like art, the truths of religion require the disciplined cultivation of a different mode of consciousness. (and, referring to cave drawings) the cave experience always began with the disorientation of utter darkness, which annihilated normal habits of mind. Human beings are so constituted that periodically they seek out ekstasis, a "stepping outside" the norm. Today people who no longer find it in a religious setting resort to other outlets: music, dance, art, sex, drugs, or sport. We make a point of seeking out these experiences that touch us deeply within and lift us momentarily beyond ourselves. At such times, we feel that we inhabit our humanity more fully than usual and experience an enhancement of being.
If it is innate human nature to articulate an understanding of an ultimate reality, and if that ultimate reality only survives as long as there are practiced rituals the reinforce the relationship between human beings and the ultimate reality, and if human beings today are focused on other realities like sports, music, and or drugs, what then does this mean for Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices?
Last week, on the RevGals blog Mary Beth led a conversation on a book written by a Rabbi on the "Emergent" faith that is pushing back at traditional Jewish practices. Christians have been thinking about the emergent church idea since Phyllis Tickle's book made waves and practitioners of the emerging church concept became popular (Rob Bell, etc.).
I'm not convinced that the emergent church is the future of Christianity. It seems to me that it is just repackaged traditional church led by white men in Hawaiian shirts and big black glasses. Women are NOT a part of the leadership of this movement. People of color are NOT a part of this movement.
I am convinced that Christians (and maybe Jews?) need to spend time revisioning how we practice our faith so that what we do invites us deeply into the mystery of God, enliven us and the God we love.
I've read Diana Butler Bass and Carol Howard Merritt on this topic. Now I'm curious to see where Armstrong is going...as she argues her case for God.
On the other hand I am also hunkering down in preparation for a major winter storm expected to hit us hard....that's what I'm pondering - what about you?
Comments
My ponderings are much less "deep", and revolve mostly around how to survive another day in the house with one sick child and a recovering child. (:
I appreciate the thoughts you've shared as you've mused and pondered Armstrong's words.
I like the idea that you and I are reading (or slogging through) this book together.
I'm rather suspicious of this "emergent church" that I hear everywhere. It seems with 38,000+ we might better rework some of the old ones? lol
Hope you don't get nailed. We are on the cusp sort of. sigh...winter...it's definitely the one of my discontent!
I struggle with Karen Armstrong--I guess I'm in the minority in not loving her work, but I don't.
And here's a question: If ultimate reality exists only as long as there are rituals to reinforce the relationship between ultimate reality and humanity, then is it really "ultimate reality?"
For me "ultimate reality" (God) exists outside of human connection...was, is, always will be. And I would guess, that God will continue to seek new ways to connect with humanity, created in God's image.
FWIW..
I certainly believe that God exists whether or not I practice my faith or rituals that engage me in a relationship with God.
I also think that God beckons me/us/humanity/creation into relationship...and it's really hard to ignore God. LOL
Karen Ward, female and person of colour, founder of anglimergent Church of the Apostles Seattle, one good example.
Sue Wallace, another female example and waaay before phyllis tickle - lived with her in York & highly influenced to do what i'm doing due to my time spent with her & participating in the pioneering of Visions York.
Ian Adams & Ian Mobsby - neither males in hawaiian shirts or dk glasses ") John & Olive Drane - my instructors for the Mission Shaped Ministry program of the CofE Fresh Expressions of church - both emergent & not even close to the picture you've painted! as are the founders of the MSM program- [waaay before it was recognized as emergent] by husband & wife Bob & Mary Hopkins of Sheffield uk ...
just a few that come to mind in response...
maybe some things to search while you're snowbound ") if you're really concerned/interested...