Agreeing with a graduate of Southern Baptist Seminary on Healthcare Reform, But …
I couldn't agree more with David Gushee's recent editorial on the moral imperative of health care reform. Why would I follow that statement with a "but"?
First, let me make my agreement a little more specific. Gushee, now a distinguished professor of Christian ethics at McAfee School of Theology, strikes a downright prophetic note when he says ...
The tenor of the debate raises the legitimate question as to whether our nation still has the capacity to tackle an enormously complex policy challenge such as this one. Each day we spend millions of dollars to defeat external threats -- but if we cannot address our own domestic problems any more effectively than this, then it will not be al Qaeda that undoes us.
(more after the jump)
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Faith seeking understanding …
I'm in day 5 of the Ramadan fast. It's not easy. As I wrote in Finding Our Way Again, I've never been one to feel euphoria when fasting; from about 2 p.m. to sundown, I feel a little sick and weak. It's not easy (especially the water part), but it's good.
One of the benefits of the fast is that I've been able to help a few of my Christian friends overturn some common misconceptions about Islam. There is so much misinformation and misunderstanding on both sides. Perhaps as the month goes by I'll share some of those conversations. But if you are a Christian who is willing to question some of the standard and sanctioned propaganda about Muslims, let me recommend three books by Christians today, and three books by Muslims tomorrow.
1. Mark Siljander was a conservative political leader who epitomized the Religious Right. (He was the Republican protagonist in Charlie Wilson's War, if you've seen that movie.) He had the courage to face some of his misconceptions and wrote an important book called A Deadly Misunderstanding. It's really worth reading.
2. Paul-Gordon Chandler is an Episcopal priest who served for many years in Egypt. There he met a fascinating person whom I've also had the privilege to get to know - Mazhar Mallouhi. In Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road, he tells Mazhar's story - and sketches out what it might look like for Christians and Muslims to learn to walk together in peace as pilgrims of Christ.
3. If you're not a big reader, but do like a good story, I'd recommend you begin with Father Elias Chacour's Blood Brothers. This Christian priest tells the story of the Palestinian-Jewish conflict as someone who experienced it firsthand ... and manifests a spirit of reconciliation rather than revenge or resentment.
True faith seeks true understanding - of God, of one's neighbor, and of oneself.
More tomorrow.
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Q & R: emerging in Philippines …
Just got this in ...
I got a copy of A New Kind of Christian and it blew me away! Me and a friend are discussing it and am glad you wrote it because it is something that is starting here in the Philippines. I'm so glad our country has not gotten to where the US right now in terms of culture. (I didnt mean that in a bad way, but i used to live in Georgia before and left and when i came back around 2007 for a short stay i was culture shocked). Anyway, it helped alot but man, its impossible to get your books here in the Philippines. I'm not sure I want to pay the huge shipping cost but i still want to read the next two books in the trilogy (and maybe more)! Was hoping you could tell us where we could find some copies locally, or at least in Asia where shipping would be cheaper.
...So many good points but lol id rather not belabor the book.... Soooo looking forward to your other books (when we can get a hand on them)
Maraming salamat (many thanks in Tagalog)
I wish I had a good suggestion on where to get my books more easily and inexpensively in Asia ... Hopefully, digital downloads will be more readily and internationally available soon. But in the meantime ... I wonder if you have a friend or contact visiting the US who could bring you the books on their next visit?
PS: I just received this note from my friend Sam in Netherlands (thanks!):
I was just surfing on your blog and saw someone requesting your books in the Philippines. Since I am very active in the Philippines, and even lecture your books at our University, I know where they can get your books. I saw them even there: OMF Bookstores in Quezon city Manila, they have many of your books or they can order it. I hope this will help.
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This fall … events I wish I could go to
If you haven't signed up for one or more of these events ... you should if you can! I have other commitments, sadly, so will have to miss them, but wish I could be there.
Nov 20-21 in Seattle, there's Off the Map ...
Oct 9 - 11 in Minneapolis, there's Christianity 21.
A bunch of my favorite speakers in the world are speaking at this one ...
Sep 9 - 11 in Chicago, there's the theological conversation with Jurgen Moltmann.
A chance to hear Moltmann - and to hear Danielle Shroyer's overview of Moltmann's work ... and to catch up on the latest from emergentvillage.com.
I hope I can buy downloads or cd's of these!
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Theology and Evolution …
Robert Wright offers an irenic and intelligent perspective on the creation-evolution debate here. (Thanks J Stone!)
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