Sunday, June 15, 2014

Colleagues List, June 15th, 2014

Vol. IX.  No. 38

*****

GLOBAL AND ECUMENICAL IN SCOPE
CANADIAN IN PERSPECTIVE

Wayne A. Holst, Editor
My E-Mail Address:
waholst@telus.net

Colleagues List Web Site:

http://colleagueslist.blogspot.com

"Quicklinks" are included with many items
at the beginning of this issue. To get a more
complete picture, however, scroll down to
find your special selection in the body of
the blog. 

Note that not all items here have links.


*****


Dear Friends:

Friend Jim Taylor informed me this week that
Canada has recently passed some anti-spam 
legislation which imposes special requirements 
on anyone sending out electronic messages
(like Colleagues List) with whopping fines for 
failing to comply.

People like me need to find ways to get the
consent of people like you to receive the
weekly issues I send your way.

I will work on a simple process to comply
with these requirements, and you will hear
from me soon.

 --

My Special Item this week is entitled:

Thoughts on a New Cathedral -
The Transition from 'Crystal' to 'Christ'

- and it represents my spiritual reflection 
after a visit to Christ Cathedral, Orange
County California, which was formerly
the Crystal Cathedral founded by the
famous Dr. Robert Schuller.

http://tinyurl.com/4axo6vl
http://tinyurl.com/nnxn7rb
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Cathedral
http://tinyurl.com/mouktxl


To read my thoughts please scroll down.

--
  
Colleague Comment this week assumes two
interesting forms. 

The first is an interview of Douglas John Hall 
by two young Canadian Presbyterian ministers.
http://tinyurl.com/qgzsly4 

The second is a collection of best pictures taken  
by Isabel Gibson during a trip recently to the 
Galapagos Islands, made famous by Charles 
Darwin. http://tinyurl.com/ngex9xk

Both are excellent.

--

Colleague Contributions this week are by:

Karen McKeown - a eulogy by Oprah 
http://www.cbc.ca/1.2668279

Reginald Bibby - the debate on life after death
http://tinyurl.com/lp53v3a

Jim Taylor - on writing 'to do' lists as prayer
http://tinyurl.com/l5r8nak

Ron Rolheiser - on regrets we can live with
http://tinyurl.com/n4o5x7j

--

Net Notes:

"Shun the Atheist Boyfriend" - many American
parents are quite defensive when a daughter
brings home an atheist to family dinner
(The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/kqzdwpc

"Moncton Hosts RCMP Funeral" - the
Anglican primate of Canada sent his
condolences to the families of three
mounties who were shot this week
(Anglican Journal)
http://tinyurl.com/oqpvydq

"Gandhi and 'the Salt of the Earth'" -
here is an interesting reflection on
the spirituality of Gandhi's famous
salt walk (UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/q4qqzom

"Aussie Soccer Balloon Stirs Outrage" -
a take-off on the Christ of Corcovado 
Brazil did not amuse some Australian
Christians (The Christian Post)
http://tinyurl.com/pmle9up

"African Church's Stand Against AIDS" -
a helpful story on how the Christians
of Malawi are standing up to AIDS
(Christian Week online)
http://tinyurl.com/nyrm9kc

"'Masters of Love' - Relationship Study" -
a valuable study on what makes a
marriage work - scientific, but actually
quite basic and down-to-earth
(The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/kozwqm4

"Prelate Unsure Child Abuse Was Crime" -
the RC archbishop of St. Louis raised
a reaction when he tried to explain why
he did not act immediately on child abuse
(Religion News Service)
http://tinyurl.com/og9ejjd

"Canadian Prostitution Laws - a No-Win" -
new proposed legislation appears as
divisive as it may be helpful 
(The Globe and Mail)
http://tinyurl.com/prks2hr

"Francis Calls for Courage Toward Talks" -
a special meeting of three heads of state
at the Vatican may be a good start on an 
elusive hope (National Catholic Reporter)
http://tinyurl.com/plo3vse

--

Wisdom of the Week:

Offered here from Sojourners and the
Bruderhof communities -

Harold Wilson, Andrea Dworkin, W.E.B. Du Bois,
Susan Faludi and Dietrich Bonhoeffer share
their insights with us. Please scroll down.

--

On This Day:

These stories are presented as they happened
and appeared in the New York Times -

"Tear Down This Wall" Reagan Tells Gorbachev
    http://tinyurl.com/m22kre9

"Israel and Syria End Six Day War"
  http://tinyurl.com/mzztw5m

--

My Closing Thought this week is by the
French philosopher/writer Albert Camus.

--

I hope that life is slowing down for you
as it has for me. See you next week.

Wayne


(end)

*****

SPECIAL ITEM

THOUGHTS ON A NEW CATHEDRAL -
THE TRANSITION FROM 'CRYSTAL' 
TO 'CHRIST' 

Intro -

This is the first of a planned summer
Colleagues List series on some of the 
spiritual experiences my wife Marlene 
and I had while traveling last month 
through the Western USA

--

Spiritual Experiences -

Among the many great souvenirs we bring
back home to Canada with us, are some that 
I would describe as "spiritual."

Today, I offer some personal reflections 
after visiting the former Crystal Cathedral
founded by Dr. Robert Schuller - which has
now become Christ Roman Catholic Cathedral  
of Garden Grove, Orange County, California.

--

Three-and-a-half years ago, I posted the
following article on Colleagues List. It was
a Christianity Today editorial dated January,
2011, entitled "Cracks in the Crystal Cathedral"
http://tinyurl.com/4axo6vl

It is of special note that this article appeared
in an American evangelical magazine because
Schuller, the founder of the cathedral, was 
well-known as an early exemplar of 
megachurch Christianity - usually associated,
for study purposes at least, - with
conservative evangelical Protestantism.

Since then, I have posted other reports and
studies that sought to explain the "demise"
of this famous symbol of human spiritual
achievement. For example:

http://tinyurl.com/nnxn7rb

There is a tradition of American religious
history that combines a focus on personal 
worth and self esteem combined with biblical
references and Christian principles. Schuller's 
theology was widely understood to be a 
modern expression of a tradition that includes 
famous preachers and writers like Norman 
Vincent Peale of New York City.

Many pastors, including an old friend and former
minister of the church of which I am a member,
traveled to Garden Grove to take Schuller's
famous seminars on personal growth 
combined with congregational development. 

Adaptations of this thinking have spread around
the world in the past two generations. Today,
the "health and wealth" gospel (while not
strictly Schuller) has become a global church
phenomenon that also appeals to people in
Asia, Africa and Latin America.

For more information on how the 'Crystal'
Cathedral became the 'Christ' Cathedral, I 
draw your attention to a Wikipedia article
on the subject: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Cathedral

--

The economic recession that plagued America 
during the past decade helped to bring Schuller 
down. Supporters might say that he over-
extended himself. Detractors might say that 
he had it coming to him.

The appealing asset - the focus on the founder 
of a major church  - can turn into a liability for 
those who follow in both pulpit and pew.

My experience is that it is sometimes hard to
distinguish between hubris and self-esteem
in heroic ministries like Schuller's personified.

Those who believe Schuller tended toward 
hubris and away from core gospel may rejoice
at the demise of the 'Crystal' Cathedral. Those
who Schuller has helped over the years - and
their numbers are legion - are inclined to grieve 
at what has happened to "his" church.

--

The upshot was that negotiations for a new 
owner began, and fortunately - for many 
including your's truly - the Roman Catholic 
diocese of Orange County was looking for 
new cathedral facilities. A deal was struck.

--

We visited with a keen interest in what the
transition would be like and were impressed.

Externally as far as the various facilities on the 
campus are concerned, very little has changed.
Internally - as far as the striking worship facility
is concerned - certain adjustments more in
keeping with a Catholic sacred space - are currently
being made. The sanctuary is under reconstruction.

The Arboretum and Memorial Gardens remain
largely unchanged. The visitor's brochure declares 
that "the Diocese of Orange is proud to offer
Catholics and those of all faiths a beautiful and
serene... place. The Tower of Hope, the Cultural
Center and the arts facilities have not been altered -
except that the Cultural Center now includes 
new presentation of the cathedral's history.

Marlene took many pictures because, even in
its present transitional state, the facility is a
most beautiful and tasteful place for a rich,
spiritual experience.

The Roman Catholic diocese is to be commended
for what is currently happening here. Many good
traditions and Robert Schuller himself are being
honored.

Hopefully even Schuller himself will be able to 
look back on his legacy reaffirming a title theme 
from one of his famous books:

 "Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do" -
   http://tinyurl.com/mouktxl

Visit the current Christ Cathedral website:
http://www.christcathedralcalifornia.org/

*****

COLLEAGUE COMMENT

DOUGLAS JOHN HALL
Montreal, QC

June 9th, 2014

Dear Wayne,

I wondered whether you would be interested 
in notifying your readers of a u-Tube item. It’s
dialogue between myself and two young 
Presbyterian clergy about the end of Christendom 
and the future of the Christian faith. It is excerpted 
from a 2 hour SKYPE conversation, and (for once!) 
I think I expressed myself quite clearly and even 
provocatively.

 It can be viewed by Googling:

The Presbyterian Record: Hall Interview
Youtube May 3rd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/qgzsly4
                
A version of the interview is also found as the 
cover story of this month’s Presbyterian Record.
               
I greatly appreciate your work, Wayne, and 
hope that all is well with you.    

Doug

Thanks for this. I have located the link to the 
interview. David Harris, editor of The Presbyterian 
Record. is also a weekly recipient of Colleagues List. 
Wayne

--

ISABEL GIBSON
Ottawa, ON

June 8th, 21014

Wayne

My Best Pictures from the Galapagos Islands!

Isabel

http://tinyurl.com/ngex9xk

*****

COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS

KAREN MCKEOWN
Calgary, AB.

June 8th, 2014

Hi,

FYI... Enjoy! Sooo very glad I saw 
Dr. Angelou when she was in Calgary. 
A wonderful role model for us all.

I thought you'd like:

"Oprah Eulogizes Maya Angelou"
  Maya Angelou remembered for 

  'sassy, powerful' words to women

Karen

http://www.cbc.ca/1.2668279

--

REGINALD BIBBY
Lethbridge, AB

Globe and Mail
April 25th, 2014

"Life After Death - Canadian Views Assessed"
  http://tinyurl.com/lp53v3a

--

JIM TAYLOR
 Okanagan, BC

Personal Web Log
June 11th, 2014

"To Do Lists and Prayers"
  http://tinyurl.com/l5r8nak

--

RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio, TX

"The Regrets We Can Live With"
  http://tinyurl.com/n4o5x7j
  

*****

NET NOTES

SHUN THE ATHEIST BOYFRIEND 
American Parents Resist Godlessness

The Atlantic Online
June 12th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/kqzdwpc

--

MONCTON HOSTS RCMP FUNERAL
Primate Extends Sympathy

Anglican Journal
June 9th, 20124

http://tinyurl.com/oqpvydq

--

GANDHI AND 'THE SALT OF THE EARTH'
How Salt Brought Freedom to India

UCA Spirituality
June 10th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/q4qqzom

--

--

AUSSIE SOCCER BALLOON STIRS OUTRAGE
Rio Christ Image Unappealing to Some 

The Christian Post
June 14th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/pmle9up

--

AFRICAN CHURCH'S STAND AGAINST AIDS
Powerful Influence on People of Malawi

Christian Week
June 2nd, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/nyrm9kc

--

'MASTERS OF LOVE' RELATIONSHIP STUDY
Couples Thrive on Kindness and Generosity 

The Atlantic Online
June 13th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/kozwqm4

--

PRELATE UNSURE SEX ABUSE 'WAS A CRIME'
St. Louis Archbishop Stirs National Controversy

Religion News Service
June 11th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/og9ejjd

--

CANADIAN PROSTITUTION LAWS - A 'NO-WIN'
Survey Shows We are About Equally Divided

Globe and Mail
June 11th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/prks2hr

--

FRANCIS CALLS FOR 'COURAGE' TOWARD TALKS
Hosts Palestinian and Israeli Leaders in Rome

National Catholic Reporter
June 9th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/plo3vse

Prayers for peace at the Vatican

Catholic News Service (video)
June 9th, 2014

http://tinyurl.com/m344v3f


*****

WISDOM OF THE WEEK

Provided by Sojourners and
Bruderhof  Online

"He who rejects change is the architect 
of decay. The only human institution which 
rejects progress is the cemetery."

- Harold Wilson

--

"The genius of any slave system is found in the 
dynamics which isolate slaves from each other, 
obscure the reality of a common condition, and 
make united rebellion against the oppressor 
inconceivable."


- Andrea Dworkin

--

"The favorite device of the devil, ancient and modern,
 is to force a human being into a more or less artificial 
class, accuse the class of unnamed and unnameable 
sin, and then damn any individual in the alleged class, 
however innocent he [or she] may be."


- W.E.B. Du Bois

--

"A backlash against women's rights is nothing new. 
Indeed it's a recurring phenomenon: it returns every 
time women begin to make some headway towards 
equality, a seemingly inevitable early frost to the brief 
flowerings of feminism."


- Susan Faludi

--

Are you worried because you find it so hard 
to believe? Don’t be surprised at the difficulty 
of faith, if there is some part of your life where 
you are consciously resisting or disobeying the 
commandment of Jesus. Is there some part of 
your life which you are refusing to surrender at 
His behest, some sinful passion, maybe, or 
some animosity, some hope, perhaps your
ambition or your reason? If so, you must not 
be surprised that you have not received the 
Holy Spirit, that prayer is difficult, or that your 
request for faith remains unanswered...

The person who disobeys cannot believe. 
Only if you obey can you believe.


- Dietrich Bonhoeffer

*****

ON THIS DAY

From the archives of the New York Times
(June 8th - 14th)

"Tear Down This Wall" Reagan Tells Gorbachev
  http://tinyurl.com/m22kre9

"Israel and Syria End Six Day War"
  http://tinyurl.com/mzztw5m


*****

CLOSING THOUGHT -

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that 
within me there lay an invincible summer.”

- Albert Camus

(end)


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