Book Review.
Rollins, Peter. How (Not) To Speak About God. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (Paraclite/SPCK) 2006.
P.R. Founder of the experimental collective Ikon. A freelance philosophy lecturer, etc. specializing in various aspects of continental philosophy, phenomenology and emerging church theology. A research associate with Trinity College, Dublin.
Comment. Henry.
This resource seeks to speak to the ‘conversation’ between the emergent church and the Western Church. Phyllis Tickle says’ “Here, in pregnant bud, is third-millennium Christendom”. Brian McLaren declares that he is “a raving fan of Peter and his resource”. In his Foreword, Brian says, “Peter represents a hopeful expression of Christian theology being done in a postmodern context, while rooted more in a faith community than in an academic institution”. In the first part of the book Peter explains his ideas about emergent church. In the second part he describes ten different kind of ‘services’ “Ikon” that demonstrate these ideas. These gatherings are held in a bar and are definitely ‘alternate’ services. I found this book informative re: emergent church but concerning the ‘conversation’ between E.C. and Western Church I felt the W.C. part was not effectively presented.
In his introduction Peter gives a summary of presentation. “What we cannot speak about we must pass over in silence (mystical humanism). God is the one subject of whom we must never stop speaking (religious fundamentalism).” It is the dialogue between these two positions that will benefit the Western Church. “That which we cannot speak of (unspeakable God) is the one thing about whom and to whom we must never stop speaking.”
There is something to be said for not just having the right belief but to also believing in the right way. “Orthodoxy as right belief will cost us little. Orthodoxy as believing in the right way will cost us everything.” (3)
Those who are part of the emerging conversation “acknowledge that Christianity involves a process of journeying and becoming”. (5) We don’t need new answers to theological questions; we need to understand the answers we have. “Christianity is premised upon the idea that there is a connection between the creation and the created. God has graciously disclosed something of God’s nature to us” (7) through revelation. Enlightenment placed reason above revelation. And yet our real world is interpreted (filtered) “through our experiences, language, intelligence, culture, etc.” (11) Idolatry can be conceptual, hence there is such a thing as theological idolatry, “idolatry of ideology”. (11) “Placing the divine into representational form. Any encounter with the divine cannot be reduced to an idolatrous understanding.” (16) Revelation offers many, personal meanings if we are able and ready to hear. Revelation is not so much given for us to interpret but that “we all love it and are transformed by it”. (17) It is difficult to comprehend God’s transcendence and his immanence. “God remains concealed amidst revelation.” (25) Soteriologically , “Truth is the ungraspable Real (objective) that transforms the individual (subjective). (56)
In PART TWO of the book ten services (gatherings) are described that go by the term Ikon. They are “a means of introducing the ideas (of the emergent conversation) into a liturgical environment” (74), a faith community. These services are held in a bar called the Menagerie. The focus is interaction with reference to a specific theme. There is a heavy involvement of the arts. Ikon is multi-sensory, sight, sound, and smell. It is “bringing theory to the church” (73).
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Mere Christianity.
Book Review.
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. Harper One. 1980
Comment. Henry.
This book is one of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written. It is a compilation of radio broadcasts that Lewis made during the war years in which he set out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times”. What Lewis shares on the topic of Christianity is very relevant to our post-Christian religious culture. This ‘intellectual apology’ will give all readers much reason for reflection and has for me been ‘an encouragement in the faith’.
There is a “Law of Nature” (7) about right and wrong but none of us keep the law. We don’t practice what we expect of others while at the same time make excuses for our own behaviour. In so doing we affirm our belief in the Law of Nature. This moral law is more than instinct.
There are two views concerning the universe, the materialistic view and the religious view. Lewis introduces an “in-between view called Life-Force philosophy, or Creative Evolution, or Emergent Evolution”. (26)
Our obligation to the Moral Law (of Nature) which we cannot keep places us into a dilemma. The dismay of this truth needs to be understood before we can appreciate the answer(s) that Christianity gives to this dilemma. It is ineffective to attempt to talk to people about ‘salvation’ if they do not realize their need of it.
Lewis maintains that, “If you are a Christian you do not have to believe that all other religions are simply wrong all through”. (35) The majority of people believe in a God or gods. These ‘believers’ can be classified as Pantheists and/or Christians. To insist that “there is a good God in Heaven and everything is all right” (40) is a very incomplete explanation of Christianity. Dealing with evil and the evil one is an important part of Christianity. Lewis gets into the concept of ‘free will’ which was God’s idea. “It makes evil possible and is also the only thing that makes possible any love o goodness or joy worth having”. (48) God’s response to the consequence of evil is to send his Son to become our Savoir. The acceptance of God’s provision for our ‘fallennes’ requires repentance on our part.
Morality is concerned about three things: “fair play and harmony between individuals, harmonizing the things inside each individual, and the general purpose of human life as a whole.” (72) There is a tendency to focus on the first and ignore the other two. There are four “cardinal virtues” (76) of morality, “prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude”. (76)
The compassion of morality and psychoanalysis are present in Christianity. It is demonstrated in sexual morality especially in Christian marriage. Forgiveness is a fundamental of Christianity. The terms of forgiveness include, “as we forgive those who sin against us”, especially our enemies.
“Pride leads to every other vice; it is the complete anti-God state of mind”. (122) There are three Theological virtues; “Faith, Hope, and Charity”. (129) Charity, which is Christian love, will be a part of our lives if we act on the assumption that we have it. Feeling will follow action. Hope is “a continual looking forward to the eternal world”. (134) Faith can be viewed on two levels. It is simply belief which must be trained as a habit. It is also very much action(s) that is demonstrated by our life-style (working out our faith).
The final “book” of this resource is about theology which the author is very cautious about but not apologetic. Begetting (reproducing) is quite different from making (creating). A man begets a son/daughter but he makes a monument. Lewis distinguishes Natural Life, which he calls “Bios” (159) from Spiritual life which he calls “Zoe”. (159) Christianity is about a person going through the change from having Bios to having Zoe.
Lewis gets into the concept of a “Three-Personal God”. (160) God is not confined to time and this characteristic is something that is very hard for us to comprehend. “The purpose of becoming a Christian is to become a little Christ”. (177) By his incarnation, death, and resurrection Christ has provided salvation for us but “we individuals have to appropriate that salvation”. (181) How this happens is expressed in different ways. It is suggested that the process of becoming a ‘Son of God’ (small Christ) involves a phase of “pretending to be what you are not”. (188) We are helped by others in this process. The Three-Personal God (Trinity) is also very much involved. The Christian life is both hard and it is also easy. It demands our all. That is the cost. But at the same time Christ works in us changing us into his image. This is a change from being creatures (creations) of God to becoming Sons of God.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. Harper One. 1980
Comment. Henry.
This book is one of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written. It is a compilation of radio broadcasts that Lewis made during the war years in which he set out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times”. What Lewis shares on the topic of Christianity is very relevant to our post-Christian religious culture. This ‘intellectual apology’ will give all readers much reason for reflection and has for me been ‘an encouragement in the faith’.
There is a “Law of Nature” (7) about right and wrong but none of us keep the law. We don’t practice what we expect of others while at the same time make excuses for our own behaviour. In so doing we affirm our belief in the Law of Nature. This moral law is more than instinct.
There are two views concerning the universe, the materialistic view and the religious view. Lewis introduces an “in-between view called Life-Force philosophy, or Creative Evolution, or Emergent Evolution”. (26)
Our obligation to the Moral Law (of Nature) which we cannot keep places us into a dilemma. The dismay of this truth needs to be understood before we can appreciate the answer(s) that Christianity gives to this dilemma. It is ineffective to attempt to talk to people about ‘salvation’ if they do not realize their need of it.
Lewis maintains that, “If you are a Christian you do not have to believe that all other religions are simply wrong all through”. (35) The majority of people believe in a God or gods. These ‘believers’ can be classified as Pantheists and/or Christians. To insist that “there is a good God in Heaven and everything is all right” (40) is a very incomplete explanation of Christianity. Dealing with evil and the evil one is an important part of Christianity. Lewis gets into the concept of ‘free will’ which was God’s idea. “It makes evil possible and is also the only thing that makes possible any love o goodness or joy worth having”. (48) God’s response to the consequence of evil is to send his Son to become our Savoir. The acceptance of God’s provision for our ‘fallennes’ requires repentance on our part.
Morality is concerned about three things: “fair play and harmony between individuals, harmonizing the things inside each individual, and the general purpose of human life as a whole.” (72) There is a tendency to focus on the first and ignore the other two. There are four “cardinal virtues” (76) of morality, “prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude”. (76)
The compassion of morality and psychoanalysis are present in Christianity. It is demonstrated in sexual morality especially in Christian marriage. Forgiveness is a fundamental of Christianity. The terms of forgiveness include, “as we forgive those who sin against us”, especially our enemies.
“Pride leads to every other vice; it is the complete anti-God state of mind”. (122) There are three Theological virtues; “Faith, Hope, and Charity”. (129) Charity, which is Christian love, will be a part of our lives if we act on the assumption that we have it. Feeling will follow action. Hope is “a continual looking forward to the eternal world”. (134) Faith can be viewed on two levels. It is simply belief which must be trained as a habit. It is also very much action(s) that is demonstrated by our life-style (working out our faith).
The final “book” of this resource is about theology which the author is very cautious about but not apologetic. Begetting (reproducing) is quite different from making (creating). A man begets a son/daughter but he makes a monument. Lewis distinguishes Natural Life, which he calls “Bios” (159) from Spiritual life which he calls “Zoe”. (159) Christianity is about a person going through the change from having Bios to having Zoe.
Lewis gets into the concept of a “Three-Personal God”. (160) God is not confined to time and this characteristic is something that is very hard for us to comprehend. “The purpose of becoming a Christian is to become a little Christ”. (177) By his incarnation, death, and resurrection Christ has provided salvation for us but “we individuals have to appropriate that salvation”. (181) How this happens is expressed in different ways. It is suggested that the process of becoming a ‘Son of God’ (small Christ) involves a phase of “pretending to be what you are not”. (188) We are helped by others in this process. The Three-Personal God (Trinity) is also very much involved. The Christian life is both hard and it is also easy. It demands our all. That is the cost. But at the same time Christ works in us changing us into his image. This is a change from being creatures (creations) of God to becoming Sons of God.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Leadership
Book Review.
Giullani, Rudolph W. Leadership. Miramax Books, Hyperson, New York.
Comment. Henry.
The leadership that Rudy Giullani demonstrated as mayor of NYC during the 9/11 disaster made him no doubt the best known mayor in modern history. Time magazine referred to him as the “mayor of the world”. His story gives support to the idea that disaster reveals leadership it doesn’t develop it. The 9/11 disaster becomes a focal event of Rudy’s presentation. Leadership qualities such as preparedness, accountability, strong beliefs, loyalty, surrounding yourself with great people, under-promising and over-delivering, etc. are all presented with copious examples. The stories of heroism, heart breaking tragedy, inspiring courage, and compassion, make this book a riveting read.
Rudy begins his book with a personal ‘walk through’ of the disaster that took place in NYC on September 11, 2001. As the mayor of the city he demonstrated some very unusual qualities of leadership bringing an amazing level of order and organization during a time of chaos and confusion.
Taking several steps back from the event that becomes an over-arching theme of his treatment of the topic Rudy walks us through his own journey and development as a leader. He was trained as a lawyer and held positions in the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office. During the eight years that he was mayor of NYC many good things happened. These are presented as part of Rudy’s legacy. The tragedy of September 11/2001 became a real test for the qualities of leadership described in this book.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Giullani, Rudolph W. Leadership. Miramax Books, Hyperson, New York.
Comment. Henry.
The leadership that Rudy Giullani demonstrated as mayor of NYC during the 9/11 disaster made him no doubt the best known mayor in modern history. Time magazine referred to him as the “mayor of the world”. His story gives support to the idea that disaster reveals leadership it doesn’t develop it. The 9/11 disaster becomes a focal event of Rudy’s presentation. Leadership qualities such as preparedness, accountability, strong beliefs, loyalty, surrounding yourself with great people, under-promising and over-delivering, etc. are all presented with copious examples. The stories of heroism, heart breaking tragedy, inspiring courage, and compassion, make this book a riveting read.
Rudy begins his book with a personal ‘walk through’ of the disaster that took place in NYC on September 11, 2001. As the mayor of the city he demonstrated some very unusual qualities of leadership bringing an amazing level of order and organization during a time of chaos and confusion.
Taking several steps back from the event that becomes an over-arching theme of his treatment of the topic Rudy walks us through his own journey and development as a leader. He was trained as a lawyer and held positions in the Justice Department and the U.S. Attorney’s office. During the eight years that he was mayor of NYC many good things happened. These are presented as part of Rudy’s legacy. The tragedy of September 11/2001 became a real test for the qualities of leadership described in this book.
henrydirksen.blogspot.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
