*****
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.
*****
Dear Friends:
This week I introduce the last book -
published during his lifetime - of a
friend and colleague, Marcus Borg.
You know I will endorse:
"Convictions - How I Learned
What Matters Most"
http://tinyurl.com/p7lpal9
http://tinyurl.com/mfpn728
Please scroll down to read what
I have to say about the book.
http://tinyurl.com/ond49dx
--
Colleague Comment:
Elfrieda Schroeder - Winnipeg MB
reflects on a Corrie Ten Boom quote
from Colleagues List last week.
Scroll down to read her comments.
Here is some back-up material -
Book suggestion:
http://tinyurl.com/o5ehuhb
Elfrieda's blog:
http://ens-intransit.blogspot.com/
--
Colleague Contributions:
Lorna Dueck (Toronto, ON)
Video interview related to assisted suicide
issue with Margaret Dueck of Manitoba
http://tinyurl.com/kf6y6ws
Monica Kilburn-Smith (Calgary, AB)
Woman-priest shares news item
on a gender-neutral National Anthem -
http://tinyurl.com/oevywze
Mark Noll (South Bend IN)
has just published a new book on
his discovery of global Christianity
http://tinyurl.com/p6ru6qu
Jim Taylor (Okanagan BC)
Writes on criticism and why we
should not take a lot of it personally
http://tinyurl.com/l4d7tcw
Martin Marty (Chicago IL)
Describes the process of doing
theology in an interfaith context
http://tinyurl.com/o3bgbh4
Ron Rolheiser (San Antonio TX)
Reflects meaningfully on our eyes
as windows to our souls
http://tinyurl.com/kahgrdf
--
Net Notes:
"God Help the Child" - this spring,
watch for a new book by Toni Morrison
(Publishers Weekly)
http://tinyurl.com/kch7p7e
"Iceland Builds Norse Temple" - in
recognition of their Nordic heritage,
Iceland opens a new pre-Christian
temple (The Guardian, UK)
http://tinyurl.com/nxc3vkt
"Merton Had Lively God-Relationship" -
here are two articles in recognition of
his fame as a 20th century Catholic
writer (National Catholic Reporter
and America Magazine)
http://tinyurl.com/lmc7zw6
http://tinyurl.com/ou9f4me
"Churches Warm Up to Climate Change" -
early signs that the churches are assuming
a stronger role in modern climate change
advocacy and action (Sightings)
http://tinyurl.com/p4pvst8
"Three Principles to Use Against Terrorists" -
President Obama offers wise advice on
how to deal with terrorist abuse of religion
(Christian Post) http://tinyurl.com/p85hrqa
"Britain Votes to Create Three-Parent Babies" -
History in the UK was made this week on
what constitutes parenthood (BBC News, the
Guardian, UK) http://tinyurl.com/kqv7xao
http://tinyurl.com/k3qdwbd
"Francis Opens Door to Romero Canonization" -
Building on previous reports, here is an update
on the Romero journey to sainthood (America
Magazine and UCA News)
http://tinyurl.com/pg5y7bl
http://tinyurl.com/k6w87pk
"Indian Minority Religious Leaders Hail Obama" -
last week we learned of Obama's advice to his
Indian hosts, now some news in response
(UCA News) http://tinyurl.com/p7qlqwd
http://tinyurl.com/q9ockcf
"Canadians Now Allowed Doctor-Assisted Suicide" -
History was made this week in Canadian medical
legislation; noted also in the Lorna Dueck items,
above (Global News, Globe and Mail)
http://tinyurl.com/nb478cl
"Americans Believe in Science -
Just Not its Findings" - An interesting article
on how many Americans live with science and
faith contradictions (The Atlantic Online)
http://tinyurl.com/k5tv7h9
--
Wisdom of the Week:
Provided by Sojourners and the Bruderhof online -
Henri Nouwen, Crowfoot, Kaliistos Ware
John Chrysostom, Pandita Ramabai and
Soren Kierkegaard share their insights
Please scroll down to read them.
--
On This Day:
From the archives of the New York Times -
"George VI Dies; Elizabeth II Succeeds Him"
http://tinyurl.com/b85jj85
"Germany Beaten in WWII Battle of Stalingrad"
http://tinyurl.com/4e378r9
--
Closing Thought - Frederick Douglass
Please scroll to the end of the blog to read him.
(end)
If you are interest in our programs
please scroll to the end of the blog.
Winter 2015 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary
*****
SPECIAL ITEM
Book Notice -
CONVICTIONS
How I Learned What Matters Most
by Marcus J. Borg
HarperOne: Toronto. $21.00 CAD.
December, 2014. 241 pages.
ISBN #978-0-06-226997-3
Publisher's Promo:
On the occasion of his 70th birthday,
the renowned Marcus J. Borg shares
his "convictions" about Christianity
and America, contending that they are
both at their best when they focus on
hope and transformation, and shares
his thoughts on how American Christians
can return to what matters most.
Reflecting on what matters most, both
for the church and for Americans, leading
biblical scholar and premiere teacher for
Protestant churches, Marcus Borg surveys
the most significant conversations and
personalities that shaped his life, and
presents his convictions about the faith
and it's role in the twenty-first century.
Meditating on what makes us feel at home,
he calls all American Christians to reject
divisiveness and exclusivity and create
communities that celebrate joy, possibility,
and renewal. Throughout, he reflects on
what matters most, bringing to earth the
kingdom of God Jesus talked about and
transforming our relationships with
one another.
--
Marcus Borg Web-Backgrounder:
http://tinyurl.com/mfpn728
Publishers Weekly Talks with Marcus Borg:
"Overturning Common Christianity"
http://tinyurl.com/p7lpal9
--
Author's Words:
This book is personal and more than
personal. It is the product of turning
seventy and reflecting on my life at
that milestone - my memories,
conversions, and convictions.
More than personal: the convictions
that have emerged in my life seem to
be important for Christians more
generally, especially for American
Christians.
What does it mean to be Christian
and American today? To be Christian
and to live in the richest and most
powerful country in the world, often
called "the American Empire" and not
only by critics but also by champions?
And to be both at a time of deeply
divided American Christianity?
If what I have to say is relevant to
Christians who live in other parts of
the world, so be it. I hope it may be so.
My academic study of Christianity
began about fifty years ago because
of a passionate intellectual interest.
For the past three decades... my
intense intellectual interest has also
been combined with a passion for
communicating what my study ...
might mean for Christians in our time
and place.
What might the things we can know
about the Bible, Jesus, and the Christian
past mean for Christians today? And
what should they mean?
Some of what I write in this book will be
familiar to people who have read some
of my other books. But I trust that it
is freshly expressed. And some of what
is in this book treats themes I haven't
written about before, or at least not at
length.
(I include some notes and references to
other books where I developed a theme
more fully. But I have not tried to load
this book with references to show how
much I have read in order to give more
authority to the convictions expressed.)
- from the Preface
--
My Thoughts:
This volume contains a short, pithy,
but well-crafted summary of eleven
key theological/spiritual themes that
have emerged from a lifetime of good
reflection, teaching and writing
These themes have become the core
constructs of Borg's faith in God, Jesus
and Christianity. He prompts a resonance
in many of his readers.
I can certainly accept all eleven and now
realize how influential Borg has been
in the reshaping of my faith during the
20 years that I have been reading him.
Listed below, without comment are
those eleven core themes:
Context matters
Faith is a Journey
God is real and is a mystery
Salvation is more about this life
than an afterlife
Jesus is the norm of the Bible
The Bible can be true without
being literally true
Jesus's death on the cross matters -
but not because he paid for our sins
The Bible is political
God is passionate about justice
and the poor
Christians are called to peace
and non-violence
To love God is to love like God
To arrive at these core meanings
(he does not like the term 'beliefs')
he has studied classic Christian, as
well as modern thinking, within and
beyond the Christian faith. He has
also kept connected with what moderns
are seeking to know and understand.
He is not confined by the traditional
creeds, but neither is he a slave to
modernity.
I consider him progressive but mature
in his spiritual/theological convictions.
As Borg says in his preface, he writes
from an American context but is also
hopeful that many non-Americans
will find value in what he has to say.
Perhaps most importantly, he uses
language for a progressive Christianity
that is respectful of those who do not
agree with him, but who are willing
to engage in constructive, hopeful
dialogue.
This proved to be the author's last
published book (at least in his
lifetime) and is a worthy summation
of his thought. It is a refresher for
those who read him again, and a good
summary of his life's work for those
who meet him for the first time.
"Convictions" will certainly hold a
special place in my library.
--
Buy the book from Amazon.ca:
http://tinyurl.com/ond49dx
*****
COLLEAGUE COMMENT
ELFRIEDA SCHROEDER
Winnipeg, MB
February 1st, 2015
Comment on Colleagues List,
February 1st, 2015 edition -
Wisdom of the Week:
"Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door
of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It
is a power that breaks the chain of bitterness
and the shackles of selfishness."
- Corrie Ten Boom
Wayne, when I read your Corrie Ten Boom
quote about forgiveness I was reminded of
the book "A House in the Sky" by Amanda
Lindhout and Sara Corbett (Scribner 2013).
It's a shocking memoir illustrating the power
of forgiveness in a most unforgettable way.
http://tinyurl.com/o5ehuhb
Elfrieda
Her blog: http://ens-intransit.blogspot.com/
*****
COLLEAGUE CONTRIBUTIONS
LORNA DUECK
Toronto, ON
Context Website
February 6th, 2015
"Pressing On: The Margaret Dueck Story"
In the Wake of Supreme Court Ruling
on Doctor Assisted Suicide in Canada
(see Net Notes Item below)
http://tinyurl.com/kf6y6ws
--
MONICA KILBURN-SMITH
Calgary, AB
Toronto Star
January 15th, 2015
"Working for a More Gender-
Neutral National Anthem"
http://tinyurl.com/oevywze
--
MARK NOLL
South Bend IN
Englewood Review of Books
February 6th, 2015 edition
Review of his new book:
"From Every Tribe and Nation:
A Historian's view ifs of the
Global Christian Story"
Baker Academic, 2014
http://tinyurl.com/p6ru6qu
--
JIM TAYLOR
Okanagan BC
Web Log
February 1st, 2015
"Criticism - Don't Take it Personally"
http://tinyurl.com/l4d7tcw
--
MARTIN MARTY
Chicago, IL
Sightings
February 2nd, 2015
"Theology in a Pluralist Context"
http://tinyurl.com/o3bgbh4
--
RON ROLHEISER
San Antonio TX
Personal Website
February 2nd, 2015
"Our Eyes as Windows to Our Souls"
http://tinyurl.com/kahgrdf
*****
NET NOTES
GOD HELP THE CHILD
New Title by Toni Morrison
Publishers Weekly
February 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kch7p7e
--
ICELAND BUILDS NORSE TEMPLE
First Since the Age of the Vikings
Metaphors for Living,
Not Worship of the Gods
The Guardian, UK
February 3rd, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/nxc3vkt
--
MERTON HAD LIVELY
RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
Most Popular Catholic Writer
of the 20th Century
National Catholic Reporter
January 31st, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/lmc7zw6
America Magazine
February 2nd, 2015
"Thomas Merton as Writer:
Echoing Silence"
http://tinyurl.com/ou9f4me
--
THE CHURCHES WARM UP
TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Evidence of Engagement
Sightings
February 5th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/p4pvst8
--
THREE PRINCIPLES TO USE
AGAINST TERRORISTS
Obama Outlines Ways
to Oppose Religion-Abusers
The Christian Post (with video)
February 5th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/p85hrqa
--
BRITAIN VOTES TO CREATE
THREE PARENT BABIES
Church of England Takes
Cautious Stance to it
BBC News
February 3rd, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/kqv7xao
The Tablet, UK
February 6th,2015
"Where's the Harm?"
http://tinyurl.com/k3qdwbd
--
FRANCIS OPENS DOOR
TO ROMERO CANONIZATION
Long-Blocked Process
Seems to be Clearing Up
America Magazine
February 3rd, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/pg5y7bl
UCA News,
February 5th, 2015
"Romero and the Politics of Canonization"
http://tinyurl.com/k6w87pk
--
INDIAN MINORITY RELIGIOUS
LEADERS HAIL OBAMA
His Call for Tolerance
in India is Celebrated
UCA News
February 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/p7qlqwd
"200 Christians Arrested for
Protesting Attacks"
http://tinyurl.com/q9ockcf
--
CANADIANS NOW ALLOWED
DOCTOR ASSISTED SUICIDE
Supreme Court Hands Down
Historic Ruling This Week
Global News video
February 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/nb478cl
Globe and Mail
February 6th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/oxe23et
--
AMERICANS BELIEVE IN SCIENCE
JUST NOT ITS FINDINGS
A Double Standard is Revealed
The Atlantic Online
January 29th, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/k5tv7h9
*****
WISDOM OF THE WEEK
Provided by Sojourners and Bruderhof Online:
| Waiting is not a very popular attitude. Waiting is not something that people think about with great sympathy. In fact, most people consider waiting a waste of time. Perhaps this is because the culture in which we live is basically saying, “Get going! Do something! Show you are able to make a difference! Don’t just sit there and wait!” For many people, waiting is an awful desert between where they are and where they want to go. And people do not like such a place. They want to get out of it by doing something. |
- Henri Nouwen
--
What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night.
It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is
the little shadow which runs across the grass and l
oses itself in the sunset.
- Crowfoot
--
| The whole person is a person who is on the one side open to God, and on the other side open to other people. It has been said that there is no true person unless there are two entering into communication with one another. The isolated individual is not a real person. A real person is one who lives in and for others. And the more personal relationships we form with others, the more we truly realize ourselves as persons. - Kaliistos Ware -- Tell me then, how is that you are rich? ... The root and origin of it must have been injustice. Why? Because God in the beginning did not make one person rich and another poor. He left the earth free to all alike. - John Chrysostom -- People must not only hear about the kingdom of God, but must see it in actual operation, on a small scale perhaps and in imperfect form, but a real demonstration nevertheless. - Pandita Ramabai -- What the age needs is not a genius but a martyr. - Soren Kierkegaard ***** ON THIS DAY From the archives of the New York Times "George VI Dies; Elizabeth II Succeeds Him" http://tinyurl.com/b85jj85 "Germany Beaten in Battle of Stalingrad. WWII" http://tinyurl.com/4e378r9 ***** CLOSING THOUGHT - Frederick Douglass American Abolitionist I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence. (end) |
*****
Winter 2015 Adult Spiritual Development
ACTS Ministry Programs at St. David's
and at the University of Calgary:
MONDAY NIGHT STUDY - WINTER SERIES
January 12nd – March 23rd, 2015
7-00-9:00PM TM Room. Ten Weeks.
(Family Day Monday exempted)
“Fields of Blood: Religion and
the History of Violence”
by Karen Armstrong
Led by Jock McTavish and Wayne Holst
Registration $60.00. Book only $25.00
This study is now in progress.
Forty books sold.
Study design and class links
http://tinyurl.com/k5ppruz
---
THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDYJanuary 22nd - March 26th, 2015. Ten Weeks.
10:00-11:00AM TM Room
"Romans and James -
Foundations for Christian
Thought and Living"
Study Leader: Wayne Holst
No charge.
Study resource -
The DK Complete Bible Handbook
http://tinyurl.com/odxlv7q
This study has begun.
---
ST. DAVID'S SPIRITUAL TRAVELERS'
SPECIAL 2015 SIXTEEN DAY TOUR
"Jerusalem and the Land of Three Great Faiths"
October 16th - 31st, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/plg4sgo
Hardcopy tour details brochure
is available in the church lobby.
Tour Company: Rostad Tours Calgary
Tour Hosts: Wayne and Marlene Holst
Sponsored by: St. David's ACTS Ministry
Endorsed by: St. David's Church Council
Talk with or write to Marlene and Wayne
(403-286-7416)
waholst@telus.net
marleneaholst@gmail.com
Save $300. if deposit paid by March 31st.
---
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
Interfaith Chaplains' Book Studies
for faculty, students, staff, and
campus guests - Winter, 2015
"Simply Good News" by N.T. Wright
http://tinyurl.com/kwte3os
Book Study Co-Sponsored by:
The Faith and Spirituality Centre,
University of Calgary and
The ACTS Ministry,
St. David's United Church, Calgary
Native Centre Board Room
McEwan Student Centre
Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Five sessions.
Feb. 20th, 27th, March 6th, 13th, 20th
Participants are encouraged to attend
all five sessions. However, you may attend
one or more sessions on a drop-in basis.
Study Leader: Dr. Wayne A. Holst
Book cost $20.00
http://tinyurl.com/nrn9tzl
*****
SPECIAL 2015 SIXTEEN DAY TOUR
"Jerusalem and the Land of Three Great Faiths"
October 16th - 31st, 2015
http://tinyurl.com/plg4sgo
Hardcopy tour details brochure
is available in the church lobby.
Tour Company: Rostad Tours Calgary
Tour Hosts: Wayne and Marlene Holst
Sponsored by: St. David's ACTS Ministry
Endorsed by: St. David's Church Council
Talk with or write to Marlene and Wayne
(403-286-7416)
waholst@telus.net
marleneaholst@gmail.com
Save $300. if deposit paid by March 31st.
---
UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY CENTRE
Interfaith Chaplains' Book Studies
for faculty, students, staff, and
campus guests - Winter, 2015
"Simply Good News" by N.T. Wright
http://tinyurl.com/kwte3os
Book Study Co-Sponsored by:
The Faith and Spirituality Centre,
University of Calgary and
The ACTS Ministry,
St. David's United Church, Calgary
Native Centre Board Room
McEwan Student Centre
Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00 PM. Five sessions.
Feb. 20th, 27th, March 6th, 13th, 20th
Participants are encouraged to attend
all five sessions. However, you may attend
one or more sessions on a drop-in basis.
Study Leader: Dr. Wayne A. Holst
Book cost $20.00
http://tinyurl.com/nrn9tzl
*****
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