Saturday, March 23, 2013

Colleagues List, March 24th, 2013

Vol. VIII No. 24

*****

Wayne A. Holst, Editor

My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telusplanet.net

*****

This Edition:

HOLY WEEK and
THE MARTYRDOM OF OSCAR ROMERO
March 24th-30th, 2013

*****

Colleagues List Web Site:
http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

Canadian Anglicans Google Groups Web Site:
http://tinyurl.com/ckvyc9z

"Quicklinks" are included with many items. 
Otherwise, scroll down to find your selection 
in the body of the blog.

*****

Dear Friends:

We begin the most solemn and significant week
of the church year. I hope that some of the
items in Colleagues List will be of help to you.

To begin, I offer a personal reflection entitled:
"Oscar Romero - Saint in Waiting" as March 24th
is the anniversary of his martyrdom 33 years ago.

Then, I provide a book notice on a new title by
Bart D. Erhrman of the University of North
Carolina, Chapel Hill -

"Did Jesus Exist?
The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth"
http://tinyurl.com/bvlzpzb

Ehrman believes that Jesus was a historical
figure but does not consider himself a Christian.

I am just completing the teaching of a course at
the university this winter entitled "Heresies
and Heretics" which uses as its main textbook -
"Lost Scriptures that Did Not Make It Into
the New Testament" by Ehrman, and I like the
clarity of his work.

--

Colleague Communications -

This week, we offer articles by two of
our standby writers:

Jim Taylor - writes on
"Unfair Portrayals of the Catholic Church"
http://edges.canadahomepage.net/

Ron Rolheiser - Discusses "Praying in a Crisis"
http://tinyurl.com/cm6qna4

Thanks again, friends.

--

Net Notes:

Here are a total of 14 articles gleaned from
the World Wide Web during the past week -

"Accounting for the Empty Tomb" - a truly
seasonal article on the meaning of the
resurrection (America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/acvlmkj

"UK Church Opens Doors to Muslims" - a
signal that Christians in England are
trying to welcome Muslim neighbors
(Uca News) http://tinyurl.com/bthhq5u

"Archbishop of Canterbury Enthroned" -
Bishop Welby became the new Archbishop
of Canterbury this week and commented
that a woman would assume this role
(New York Times, The Guardian, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/bfym7js

"Female Cleric to Install Canterbury" -
a first for a Canterbury enthronement,
a woman performs the intallation rites
(Uca News) http://tinyurl.com/cv6afhc

"Pope Extends His Hand to Non-Religious" -
Francis I continues to be his own man
and takes an open approach to reporters
of other faiths and no faith
(Religious News Service)
http://tinyurl.com/bwrm79r

"Is This a New Catholic Papal Springtime?" -
Early, hopeful signs appear that the
new pope will chart a positive course
(The Tablet, UK; National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/ba7jwbd
http://ncronline.org/node/48196

"Francis I - His Role on the World Stage" -
The pope as credible "international conscience"
is a theme presented from America Magazine
http://tinyurl.com/ae76dba

"How the Internet Culture is Rewiring Us" -
the cyber-world is changing the way we live
says this interesting article from down under
(The Canberra Times, Australia)
http://tinyurl.com/ans9ut6

"India Passes Tougher Sexual Violence Laws" -
in the wake of the terrible rape tragedy
at year-end, laws are being tightened
(Uca News) http://tinyurl.com/aw4exud

"What We Talk About When We Talk About God" -
a video book launch by Rob Bell the author
who became famous for "Love Wins"
(The Christian Century)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG1CDec4qkg
--

Wisdom of the Week:

Sojourners offers us advice from -

Archbishop Oscar Romero, Mahatma Gandhi
and Pope Francis I

--

On this Day:

Tokyo Subway Gas Attack
http://tinyurl.com/yg67cyx

Martin Luther King Begins March to Montgomery
http://tinyurl.com/ygklbx6
--

Closing Thought: 

Isabel Gibson shares the tenth of twelve
reflections entitled:

"The Gift of Familiarity"
http://tinyurl.com/b5kl437

--

Blessings on you this special season!

Wayne

(end)

******

Wayne's Study Programs:

ST. DAVID'S AND UNIVERSITY ACTIVITIES

St. David's and ACTS Ministry -

Our Spiritual Travelers Tour for 2013
TURKEY AND THE EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THIS TOUR HAS 26 MEMBERS AND WILL
DEPART APRIL 23rd, 2013 (17 days)

Our major tour themes are: Classic Greek and Roman,
Early Christian, Muslim-Christian and the beautiful
scenery of the Mediterranean coast of SW Turkey.

*Enjoy Istanbul (Constantinople) - long a link
between East and West.

*Classical cities like Troy will be visited and
intriguing ancient sites will be revealed.

*Pilgrims from many of the regions we will visit
were present in Jerusalem at Pentecost - people
from "Mesopotamia, Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia" -
(Acts 2.)

*Saint Paul founded churches in many of the centers
of central and western Turkey and we will spend
quality time in places like Ephesus.

*We will come to know cities mentioned in the
Book of Revelation (chapters 1-3) by Jobn.
Cities like Pergamon, Thyatira, Philadelphia,
Sardis and Smyrna

---

The tour book will include reflection pages
with the itinerary as well as answers to many
traveller's questions.

Your tour hosts:

Marlene and Wayne Holst
waholst@telusplanet.net (or)
marleneaholst@gmail.com 
403-286-7416

*****

OUR WINTER AND SPRING 2013 STUDY PROGRAMS

With more to be announced -

AT ST.DAVID'S UNITED CHURCH

"WELCOMING THE STRANGER" WEEKEND AT ST. DAVID'S

THIS EVENT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL!

Friday March 1st - Sunday, March 3rd, 2013

Special Guest:
Mary Jo Leddy, Romero House, Toronto.

Mary Jo's presentations will take place
at St. David's church.

Other guests are presently being secured for
panels, workshop and as seminar leaders. These
activities will be held on the university
campus.

Watch for new information on this
special weekend focused on Canada's
policy for welcoming new Canadians
and how Christians might respond.

See Reflections on this event,
Colleagues List, March 10th, 2013.

*****

MONDAY NIGHT STUDY

THIS STUDY ENDS THIS WEEK!

From Monday, January 14th
through Monday, March 25th.
7:00 - 9:00 PM TM Room.

We close, March 25th, holding a phone
conference call with Mary Jo Leddy
of Toronto to reflect on her books
and her weekend with us.

Study Book:

"Radical Gratitude" by Mary Jo Leddy

Review of book links:
http://tinyurl.com/bemfdms 
(Western Catholic Reporter)

http://tinyurl.com/awu94eq 
(Gospel and our Culture)

Cost of the course: $50.00
Buy only the book: $20.00

We have a few remaining copies
of "The Other Face of God" and
have sold a total of 110 copies
of Mary Jo's books at St.David's.
If interested, call the office
403-284-2279.

*****

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

"Wisdom in the Books of Song of Solomon
 and Ecclesiastes"

Thursday, January 17th - April 11th, 2013

THIS SERIES HAS BEGUN!!
Drop-ins welcome.

All welcome. No cost.

*****

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY

THIS COURSE WILL SOON BE COMPLETED!!

Tuesday Night University Study sponsored
by the Faculty of Continuing Education:

HERESIES AND HERETICS - The Real Story of
Early Christianity. Cont Ed Course 198-001

Ten Sessions - Jan. 22nd - Mar. 26th, 2013

Click this link for books, costs and details:
http://tinyurl.com/77xuwnu
---

THIS COURSE IS CONCLUDING SOON!!

Faith and Spirituality Centre Winter Study
Sponsored by the Christian chaplains of
the University of Calgary

TWELVE STEPS TO A COMPASSIONATE LIFE
A Study of Karen Armstrong's latest book.

Fridays - March 1st - April 5th
12 noon - 1:00 PM

Six Weeks - Native Centre Board Room,
McEwan Student Centre, University of Calgary.

12 noon to 1:00 PM: Cost of the book: $15.

*****

SPECIAL ST. DAVID'S LINKS

Contact us at: asdm@sduc.ca (or) admin@sduc.ca 
St. David's Web Address - http://sduc.ca/

Listen to audio recordings of Sunday services -
http://sduc.ca/St_Davids_United_Church/Audio.html 

*****

STUDY ARCHIVES

An accumulation of thirty-five books studied
since 2000 can quickly be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/6oxmyj4

This collection of study resources represents
more than a decade of Monday Night Studies at
St. David's, plus extra courses too!

You are welcome to use our course outlines,
class notes and resource pages in your personal
and group reflections.

*********************

SPECIAL ITEMS

OSCAR ROMERO - SAINT IN WAITING
A Personal Reflection

It just so happens this year that the 
beginning of our remembrance of the 
passion and martyrdom of Jesus (during
Holy Week) coincides with the martyrdom 
of Central American archbishop Oscar
Romero on May 24th (and the days following.)
I find this happy conjunction fascinating 
because each man's witness and death helps 
to honor and shed light on the other.

My reflection will focus on Romero.

We are quite familiar with the Gospel
accounts of Jesus' story, but Romero's
may be less familiar. For some help
here, you may wish to click this link:

http://tinyurl.com/kerw3

Achieving the status of a declared "saint"
in the Catholic Church may not be all that
necessary, but it would do no harm, and perhaps
a lot of good, if Romero's cause for sainthood 
would soon be officially recognized by Rome. 

In reality, Romero is already considered a
saint by the people of El Salvador, his home
country, and by many others around the world.
Official canonization would only confirm what
many recognize.

Other communions like the Anglican and Lutheran
honor him and, as time goes on, ecumenical 
recognition is becoming a growing reality.

The thought came to me this year - the 33rd 
anniversary of Romero's death - that with the
election of the first Latin American pope,
it would be an ideal time to press for the 
completion of Romero's cause. What better
way for a Latin American pope to recognize
a fellow bishop whose concern for the poor
is mutually shared?

Of course, Romero has been associated with
liberation theology, the unique gift to
the churches that originated in Latin America.
Even though John Paul II was a great fan of
Romero's, there was some hesitance in Roman
circles to endorse a man with "Marxist
leanings." Rome is suspicious when priests
side with the poor 'against the establishment'
because, as in Latin America, the church seems
often in league with the political powers
that be. Also, Catholics in Europe and other 
parts of the world have suffered mightily 
from persecution under Marxist regimes.

In truth, the life of Francis I suggests that
even though he sided with Rome in his concern
about liberation theology, he has always shown
great empathy with the poor.

Not only does he talk about it. He lives it!

His record shows that Francis was never too
comfortable in the Argentinian halls of political 
power. His record could be described as reflecting
a 'soft' rather than a 'hard' confrontational 
approach to established political power.

Perhaps we can now welcome a pope who can bring
two conflicting theologies together for the 
greater good of many.

Francis does not share the tragic experience
of some of his predecessors with 20th century 
Communism and various forms of Fascism in
Europe. Francis could bring a fresh vision to
the debate, both within and outside the
Catholic Church.

I sense from initial impressions at least,
that Romero and Francis are actually very
close in their natures and sympathies.

So, as we remember the martyrdom of both
Jesus and Romero during these next days, I
hope that global Christianity will make some
bold new gestures to show its identification
with the poor and to stand against oppression
in whatever form that takes.

--

Book Notice:

DID JESUS EXIST?
THE HISTORICAL ARGUMENT FOR JESUS OF NAZERETH
by Bart D. Ehrman,
HarperOne, paperback. $18.99 CAD.
2013. ISBN # 978-0-06220644-2.

Publisher's Promo:

In "Did Jesus Exist?" historian and Bible expert 
Bart Ehrman confronts the question, "Did Jesus 
exist at all?" Ehrman vigorously defends the 
historical Jesus, identifies the most historically 
reliable sources for best understanding Jesus’ 
own message, and offers a compelling portrait of 
the person at the heart of the Christian tradition.

Known as a master explainer with deep knowledge of 
the field, Bart Ehrman methodically demolishes both 
the scholarly and popular “mythicist” arguments 
against the existence of Jesus. Marshaling the 
evidence from within the Bible and the wider 
historical record of the ancient world, Ehrman 
tackles key issues that surround the mythologies
associated with Jesus and the early Christian 
movement.

In "Did Jesus Exist?: The Historical Argument for 
Jesus of Nazareth" Ehrman establishes the criteria 
for any genuine historical investigation and 
provides a robust defense of the methods required 
to discover the Jesus of history.

--

Author's Words:

Every week I receive two or three emails asking me
whether Jesus existed as a human being... I began 
to wonder: Why are so many people asking... 
I decided to look into the matter and discovered,
to my surprise, an entire body of literature
devoted to the question of whether or not there
ever was a real man, Jesus... I was almost
completely unaware - of this skeptical literature.

I should say at the outset that none of this
(skeptical) literature is written by scholars 
trained in the New Testament or or early Christian 
studies...

Of the thousands of scholars of early Christianity...
(teaching in recognized schools) none of them,
to my knowledge, has any doubts that Jesus existed.
But a whole body of literature out there, some of it
highly intelligent, makes this (skeptical) case...
These sundry books are of varying quality...

When mythicists (who do not believe in the existence
of the historical Jesus) use the term (myth) they
often seem to mean simply a story that has no
historical basis, a history-like narrative that
in fact did not happen. In this sense Jesus
is a myth because even though there are plenty of
ancient stories told about him, they are not
historical. His life and teachings were invented
by early storytellers. He never really lived...

The reality is that whatever you may think about
Jesus, he certainly did exist. That is what this 
book will set out to demonstrate...

The view that Jesus existed is held by virtually
every expert on the planet...

I am not a Christian, and I have no interest in
promoting a Christian agenda. I am an agnostic
with atheist leanings, and my life and views of
the world would be approximately the same whether
or not Jesus existed...

But as a historian, I think evidence matters.
And the past matters. And for anyone for whom
both evidence and the past matters, a 
dispassionate consideration of the case makes
it quite plain: Jesus did exist. He may not be 
the Jesus your mother believes in, or the Jesus
of the stained glass window, or the Jesus of
your least favorite televangelist or the Jesus
proclaimed by the Vatican, the Southern Baptist
Convention, the local mega church, or the
California Gnostic. But he did exist, and we
can say a few things, with relative certainty
about him...

Jesus existed, and those vocal persons who deny
it do so not because they have considered the
evidence with the dispassionate eye of the
historian, but because they have some other
agenda that this denial serves...

From a dispassionate point of view, there
was a Jesus of Nazareth.

- from the Introduction

In my view humanists, agnostics, atheists,
mythicists and anyone else who does not advocate
belief in Jesus would be better served to stress
that the Jssus of history is not the Jesus of
modern Christianity than to insist - wrongly
and counterproductively - that Jesus never
existed. Jesus did exist. He simply was not the
person that most modern believers today think
he was.

- from the Conclusion

--

My Thoughts:

One thing I learn from my reading of Ehrman's
book is that one can believe in the historical
Jesus without accepting him as Lord and Saviour. 
Many conservative Christians today link the
historicity of Jesus to his role as Son of God.
Ehrman, who began as an evangelical Christian 
believes that Jesus was indeed a historical 
person but he does not accept him as Lord.

A second thing I learn from my reading of
Ehrman's book is that one can believe in
Jesus as a mythological figure, created
in the imaginations of humans, but have 
little ground to stand on if that belief 
denies Jesus was a real human being.

For my part, I believe that Jesus was indeed
a historical figure but that much of what we 
know of him is mythological in nature. I
believe that much good myth is historically
grounded.

Thus, I guess I differ with both Ehrman
and many he criticizes as mythicists! 
Frankly, I am not sure that Ehrman really 
understands the meaning of myth as I have
come to appreciate it.

--

Modern theological debates are not unlike the
debates that went on during the first Christian
centuries. Back then, some denied Jesus ever
existed but only 'seemed' to exist. We might
call such believers Docetic. At the same time, 
there were those who thought Jesus did exist 
as a real human being, but was not a savior in 
the sense that his death and resurrection
offered humans the grounds for their eternal
salvation. We might consider such believers 
Gnostic.

Many Gnostics held that Jesus was a wise
teacher who could link humans to divine reality,
but he is not Savior in the classic Christian
understanding.

The church, through its foundational ecumenical
creeds, declares that Jesus was both human and 
divine but defining that further was impossible.

So, in essence, the centre of my faith continues 
to be a mystery. I am invited to accept this 
mystery by faith, not human understanding.

--

Ehrman views Canadian religion journalist
Tom Harpur as a mythicist. To understand a
little of what Erhman means, you may wish
to read my review of Harpur's book "The
Pagan Christ." 

(Harpur liked my review of his book and posted 
it to his website. Scroll down past the book 
cover promos to my full review.) 

http://www.tomharpur.com/books/paganchrist/

--

Ehrman differs from Harpur in that he does
not think Jesus was essentially a mythical
figure. He was a real human being. Still,
he, like Harpur, has moved from conservative
Christianity to agnosticism, even atheism.

I think it is important to read a book like
Ehrman's "Did Jesus Exist" - not because I
share his agnostic or atheist belief but
because he helps me to appreciate that
modern debates about the person and work
of Jesus are not that new. Most of this 
ground was already covered during the
first centuries of Christian history
and that resulted in the formulation
of those ancient creeds.

I think that we need to continue struggling
with these issues today, to to formulate
creedal statements befitting our times as well.

Consider this book because it is written by a man
who has a good understanding of history and
contemporary spirituality. I have learned much
from my study and teaching of his books.

Differ with him if you will, but I think
that like me, you will emerge the better 
and more enlightened for having done so.

--

Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/bvlzpzb

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan, BC

"Unfair Portrayals of the Catholic Church"

http://edges.canadahomepage.net/

--

Ron Rolheiser
San Antonio, TX

"Praying in a Crisis"

http://tinyurl.com/cm6qna4

*****

NET NOTES

ACCOUNTING FOR THE EMPTY TOMB
A Historical Interpretation

America Magazine
April 1st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/acvlmkj

--

UK CHURCH OPENS DOORS TO MUSLIMS
Interfaith Gesture a Positive Move

Uca News
March 21st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/bthhq5u

--

ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY ENTHRONED
"One Day A Woman Will Fill This Role"

New York Times
March 21st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/bfym7js

New Archbishop a Tough Leader
Welby Focused as Canterbury Head

The Guardian, UK
March 21st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/a99ycty

--

FEMALE CLERIC TO INSTALL CANTERBURY
Symbolic Action has Much Significance

Uca News,
March 21st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/cv6afhc

--

POPE EXTENDS HAND TO NON-RELIGIOUS
Meets Non-Catholics, Jewish Leaders
Gesture of Openness is Welcomed

Religious News Service
March 21st, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/bwrm79r

--

IS THIS A NEW PAPAL SPRINGTIME?
Francis Begins With Much Support

The Tablet, UK
March 23rd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ba7jwbd

Is Vatican Reform Now Possible?
John Allen Offers Five Tests

National Catholic Reporter
March 22nd, 2013

http://ncronline.org/node/48196

Signs, Signals Pointing to a New Era

National Catholic Reporter
March 23rd, 2013

http://ncronline.org/node/48176

--

THE POPE'S ROLE ON THE WORLD STAGE
He is an International Conscience

Catholic News Service/America Magazine
Video Presentation - March 20th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ae76dba

--

HOW INTERNET CULTURE IS RE-WIRING US
The Cyber World Has Major Influence

The Canberra Times, Australia
March 17th, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/ans9ut6

--

INDIA PASSES TOUGHER SEXUAL VIOLENCE LAW
In Response to Major Public Outcry

Uca News
March 22nd, 2013

http://tinyurl.com/aw4exud

--

WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT GOD
Trailer of New Book by Rob Bell

Christian Century
March 18th, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG1CDec4qkg

*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Offered from Sojourners Online

I have frequently been threatened with death. 
I must say that, as a Christian, I do not believe 
in death but in the resurrection. If they kill me, 
I shall rise again in the Salvadoran people. 

Martyrdom is a great gift from God that I do not 
believe I have earned. But if God accepts the 
sacrifice of my life, then my blood will be like 
the seed of liberty, and a sign of the hope that 
will soon become a reality.

- Archbishop Oscar Romero

--

The atomic bomb brought an empty victory ... 
but it resulted for the time being in destroying 
the soul of Japan. What has happened to the soul 
of the destroying nation is yet too early to see.

- Mahatma Gandhi

--

We live in the most unequal part of the world, 
which has grown the most, yet reduced misery the 
least. The unjust distribution of goods persists, 
creating a situation of social sin that cries out 
to Heaven and limits the possibilities of a fuller 
life for so many of our brothers.

- Pope Francis

*****

ON THIS DAY

Provided from the Archives
of the New York Times:

March 17th - 23rd, 2013

TOKYO SUBWAY GAS ATTACK
Fringe Group Responsible
http://tinyurl.com/yg67cyx

MARTIN LUTHER KING BEGINS WALK TO MONTGOMERY
Early Steps in Civil Rights Movement
http://tinyurl.com/ygklbx6

*****

CLOSING THOUGHT - Isabel Gibson

The Gift of Familiarity

In the kitchen, reach for the paring knife without 
thinking or looking.  In the shower, reach for the 
face cloth in its accustomed spot without having 
to open eyes covered in suds.

Wheel the car into the garage, stopping at the one 
spot that allows the overhead door to close, yet 
that doesn’t bump the tools piled against the wall.  
Plan vacation stops with on-the-ground knowledge of 
ferry schedules and affordable (and clean!) local 
motels.

Cook up the same old Christmas feast.  Hide Easter 
eggs in the same old places, to the same old squeals 
of the children finding them.

Enjoy again winter’s snowy crunch, spring’s fresh 
breeze, summer’s plaintive cry from the loon, fall’s 
angled light. Ruefully note the same behaviours in 
ourselves that we deplored in our parents.

Moving through a present that carries the past, 
may we enjoy the familiarity that eases our 
day-to-day routine, simplifies our logistics, 
warms our celebrations, and enriches all the 
seasons of our lives.

http://tinyurl.com/b5kl437

Check out Isabel's Blog "Traditional Iconoclast"
http://www.traditionaliconoclast.com/

(end)

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