dialogues
Here's a good window into the emergent conversation in South Africa, hitting themes that come up around the world ...
More interesting dialogue on same-sex marriage here .... The conservative spokesperson articulated what is to me the submerged iceberg hiding beneath the issue's surface - our view of the Bible in relation to Jesus. He expressed his approach to the Bible - and to Jesus - like this:
When one puts the teachings of Paul on the same authoritative ground as the teachings of Jesus, one must conclude that God does not condone homosexual behavior. The Bible does not suggest that there are two levels of spiritual authority in the Bible—the more authoritative teachings of Jesus and the teachings of Paul and the other New Testament writers. They are all equally authoritative. Consequently, I cannot see any biblical justification for condoning homosexual behavior.
Some folks have said I overstated the case in my book A Generous Orthodoxy, when I suggested that many Christians keep Jesus as personal Savior, but promote Paul to equal status as teacher. Here's a pretty clear case in point, I'd say.
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breakfast past and future
We had a really enjoyable breakfast gathering at the Daily Grind in Fulton this morning. Thanks to those in the Balto-DC area who came. Let's plan on Wed. 18 February at 8:30 a.m. for our next one.
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blog roundup
My friend Paul Rauschenbusch addresses a common misunderstanding about "the social gospel" here.
Tony Jones links to a recent phone conversation between myself and Peter Rollins here.
At Tony's site, you'll notice there is a lot of important - an unusually constructive - dialogue going on lately about same-sex marriage. Here's a church that has been grappling with the issue and has kept a helpful record of their process.
My Brazilian friend Claudio Oliver links to a beautiful international rendering of the old classic "Stand By Me" here ...
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Breakfast for Balto-Washington area friends …
If you'd like to get together for coffee/breakfast, please join me at the Daily Grind in Fulton, MD, tomorrow, Tuesday 16 December at 8:30. Directions here ...
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Churches in the Economic Crisis … Part 3
A few more ideas ...
5. Preaching and worship - in times of recession and perhaps depression, what do people most need when they come to church? Will pastors and liturgists adjust and become attentive to the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of people in crisis?
6. How about a local benevolence fund - one especially for people in need in your church's immediate neighborhood?
7. If your congregation is middle-class or above, how about developing a partner relationship with a church in an especially hard-hit or under-served area?
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