Our group continues to gather in some fantastic resources for assisting us in prayer! Here are a few more that were mentioned on Wednesday:
The Hour That Changes the World by Dick Eastman is a guide to 12 steps or "movements" (as Brian McLaren might say) of prayer. Each "movement" is intended to take about 5 minutes, leading the individual through an hour of prayer. Linda mentioned this book to the group and was quick to note that the book is not written in a legalistic manner, nor should it be taken that way. It's a practical guide, with room for flexibility. (Note: The book is available both in paperback and as an ebook.)
If you do a search for Eastman's book, you might stumble upon the article How To Pray at www.714movement.com, a site developed in collaboration with Dr. James T. Bradford. Bradford has used Eastman's principles of prayer (which are listed in the article at the link above) to develop a prayer journal called Seven: Fourteen. The 714 website and app include daily readings, devotionals, and real-time maps of people praying around the world!
Also, I cannot recommend highly enough Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Prayerbook of the Bible. This book is often sold in a combined volume with his book Life Together, which also includes some lovely readings on the role of communal scripture reading, silence, and prayer. Bonhoeffer makes a convincing case for the daily reading of the Psalms as our Prayerbook. The Psalter is the prayer book that Jesus would have used in prayer. It was the prayer book of the early church. And it still relevant today as it encompasses a range of human emotion and experience.
For previously mentioned resources, see Daily/Weekly Practices, The Daily Office, Contemplative Spirituality, and Fixed Hour Prayer, and Praying the Divine Hours.
Showing posts with label Brian McLaren. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brian McLaren. Show all posts
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Friday, November 8, 2013
Preparing for Discussion - God: Faith is a Quest
Next Wednesday we will be discussing session 1 of Animate: Faith, God: Faith is a Quest, presented by Brain McLaren.
The following are some questions from the dvd and our books to help get us started in the conversation:
McLaren talks about not even being able to recognize the God that some people speak of, because they describe a God that doesn't seem anything like the God he knows. Are there "images" of God that you once had that you have since let go?
What Biblical images of God speak to you most? If you have time, look up these images in Scripture and come prepared to share them with the group.
Are there other images of God, like McLaren's boat, that are not found in scripture but that also speak to you? Do these come from books or teachers or your own imagination?
Do you, personally, tend toward a more fortress castle idea of God or a castle in the sky? Why do you think that is? And do you have more trouble with one or the other when relating to other people?
Do you tend more toward the kataphatic (cataphatic) or apophatic traditions? I did a quick google search to see if I could find some simple definitions or an article explaining the difference between the two. This is what I came up with: Kataphatic and Apophatic Theology. I don't really know who the blog author is (Green Baggins?), but it was a relatively succinct explanation of the terminology. Basically:
Another helpful little blurb I found was this one here: Kataphatic or Apophatic Prayer. It's very short. Follow the link. I can't seem to copy & paste from this one.
Peace!
The following are some questions from the dvd and our books to help get us started in the conversation:
McLaren talks about not even being able to recognize the God that some people speak of, because they describe a God that doesn't seem anything like the God he knows. Are there "images" of God that you once had that you have since let go?
What Biblical images of God speak to you most? If you have time, look up these images in Scripture and come prepared to share them with the group.
Are there other images of God, like McLaren's boat, that are not found in scripture but that also speak to you? Do these come from books or teachers or your own imagination?
Do you, personally, tend toward a more fortress castle idea of God or a castle in the sky? Why do you think that is? And do you have more trouble with one or the other when relating to other people?
Do you tend more toward the kataphatic (cataphatic) or apophatic traditions? I did a quick google search to see if I could find some simple definitions or an article explaining the difference between the two. This is what I came up with: Kataphatic and Apophatic Theology. I don't really know who the blog author is (Green Baggins?), but it was a relatively succinct explanation of the terminology. Basically:
Kataphatic theology assumes that we can know something about God as He truly is. Especially it assumes that the revelation of the Bible describes God truly as He is. However, the danger is an arrogance that we can know God fully, and find out everything there is to know about Him. Apophatic theology assumes much more mystery about God. Oftentimes, it assumes that we cannot know God as He truly is. The danger here is complete agnosticism about God, that we cannot know anything truly about God.In other words, kataphatic tradition is that we can say something true about who God is. Apophatic tradition is that words are always limiting and God cannot be contained in words or images.
Another helpful little blurb I found was this one here: Kataphatic or Apophatic Prayer. It's very short. Follow the link. I can't seem to copy & paste from this one.
Peace!
“Kataphatic” prayer has content; it uses words, images, symbols, ideas. “Apophatic” prayer has no content. It means emptying the mind of words and ideas and simply resting in the presence of God. - See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/2026/#sthash.FLJWxf1q.dpuf
More on Progressive Christianity courtesy of Brian McLaren
Throughout the Animate study, I’ve noticed that many of the speakers we’ve heard have been attached to the Progressive Christianity movement. I went looking for more information on the movement, and ran into an article by Bryan McLaren, the pastor who kicks off the Animate: Faith series.
The article is titled:
Not Conservative, Not Liberal: Progressive
Being a progressive Christian means more than being lax, lazy, fuzzy, flimsy, proud, and dying.
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Not-Conservative-Not-Liberal-Progressive-Brian-McLaren-06-13-2011?offset=2&max=1
Consider this description of Progressive Christians:
“When it comes to fuzziness and flimsiness, the progressive Christians I know are making great strides beyond old liberalism. What initially seemed like a morass of complexity—the quest(s) for the historical Jesus, biblical criticism, revisioning the Bible's inspiration and authority—is turning out to be highly productive. The scholarly process just needed some time to mature. As a result, Progressive Christians aren't disregarding the Bible; they're studying it even more diligently than their conservative counterparts, and they're producing sparkling, challenging, inspiring theologies rooted in the Bible. Fueled by this renewed biblical engagement, they aren't simply functioning as the religious chaplains of the Democratic party (as their counterparts have often been for the Republican party); they're articulating a vital political theology and a vigorous theological politics that challenges everybody to seek the common good.”
McLaren’s article is part of the symposium, "What Is Progressive Christianity?" presented by the newly launched Patheos Progressive Christian Portal and in partnership with the Wild Goose Festival, which was held in 2011.
There’s a long list of articles about what Progressive Christianity is and isn’t on Patheos, including one by Phyllis Tickle comparing Progressive Versus Emergence Christianity. Check them out here: http://www.patheos.com/Topics/What-Is-Progressive-Christianity-06-13-2011.html
A large number of our speakers throughout the Animate: Bible series have used Patheos to host their blogs. So, what is Patheos?
“Founded in 2008, Patheos.com is the premier online destination to engage in the global dialogue about religion and spirituality and to explore and experience the world's beliefs. Patheos is the website of choice for the millions of people looking for credible and balanced information about religion. Patheos brings together faith communities, academics, and the broader public into a single environment, and is the place where many people turn on a regular basis for insight, inspiration, and stimulating discussion. Patheos is unlike any other religious and spiritual site on the Web today.
"As evidenced by the company founders' story, religion and spirituality continue to be an important part of American life, with more Americans today than ever before identifying themselves as spiritual. In fact, according to the Pew Internet Project, more than 82 million Americans (and 64 percent of all Internet users) utilize the Web for faith-related matters. The importance of religion and spirituality, coupled with the growing use of the Internet for religious matters, point to the ongoing need for an online resource for religious and spiritual engagement and dialogue. Patheos fills this need.”
From: http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/About.html
“Faith Channels” on Patheos include:
Atheist
Buddhist
Catholic
Evangelical
Hindu
Jewish
Mormon
Muslim
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Spirituality
You can compare religions. You can read blogs. There are teacher resources, a religion library, and a book club.
Sound like a great resource for us all!
The article is titled:
Not Conservative, Not Liberal: Progressive
Being a progressive Christian means more than being lax, lazy, fuzzy, flimsy, proud, and dying.
http://www.patheos.com/Resources/Additional-Resources/Not-Conservative-Not-Liberal-Progressive-Brian-McLaren-06-13-2011?offset=2&max=1
Consider this description of Progressive Christians:
“When it comes to fuzziness and flimsiness, the progressive Christians I know are making great strides beyond old liberalism. What initially seemed like a morass of complexity—the quest(s) for the historical Jesus, biblical criticism, revisioning the Bible's inspiration and authority—is turning out to be highly productive. The scholarly process just needed some time to mature. As a result, Progressive Christians aren't disregarding the Bible; they're studying it even more diligently than their conservative counterparts, and they're producing sparkling, challenging, inspiring theologies rooted in the Bible. Fueled by this renewed biblical engagement, they aren't simply functioning as the religious chaplains of the Democratic party (as their counterparts have often been for the Republican party); they're articulating a vital political theology and a vigorous theological politics that challenges everybody to seek the common good.”
McLaren’s article is part of the symposium, "What Is Progressive Christianity?" presented by the newly launched Patheos Progressive Christian Portal and in partnership with the Wild Goose Festival, which was held in 2011.
There’s a long list of articles about what Progressive Christianity is and isn’t on Patheos, including one by Phyllis Tickle comparing Progressive Versus Emergence Christianity. Check them out here: http://www.patheos.com/Topics/What-Is-Progressive-Christianity-06-13-2011.html
A large number of our speakers throughout the Animate: Bible series have used Patheos to host their blogs. So, what is Patheos?
“Founded in 2008, Patheos.com is the premier online destination to engage in the global dialogue about religion and spirituality and to explore and experience the world's beliefs. Patheos is the website of choice for the millions of people looking for credible and balanced information about religion. Patheos brings together faith communities, academics, and the broader public into a single environment, and is the place where many people turn on a regular basis for insight, inspiration, and stimulating discussion. Patheos is unlike any other religious and spiritual site on the Web today.
"As evidenced by the company founders' story, religion and spirituality continue to be an important part of American life, with more Americans today than ever before identifying themselves as spiritual. In fact, according to the Pew Internet Project, more than 82 million Americans (and 64 percent of all Internet users) utilize the Web for faith-related matters. The importance of religion and spirituality, coupled with the growing use of the Internet for religious matters, point to the ongoing need for an online resource for religious and spiritual engagement and dialogue. Patheos fills this need.”
From: http://www.patheos.com/About-Patheos/About.html
“Faith Channels” on Patheos include:
Atheist
Buddhist
Catholic
Evangelical
Hindu
Jewish
Mormon
Muslim
Pagan
Progressive Christian
Spirituality
You can compare religions. You can read blogs. There are teacher resources, a religion library, and a book club.
Sound like a great resource for us all!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Who is Brian McLaren?
Brian McLaren is the presenter of the 1st session of Animate: Faith, entitled "God: Faith is a Quest."
Brian is an author, speaker, activist, and networker among innovative Christian leaders.
He was a college English professor when he and his wife started a church in their living room.
That church became Cedar Ridge Community Church, Spencerville, Maryland, where he was pastor for nearly 20 years.
His dozen-plus books include A New Kind of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy, Naked Spirituality, and Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?
You can visit McLaren's website at: http://www.brianmclaren.net/
Listen to McLaren on NPR (just an 8 minute interview) here: Embracing Diversity in a 'Multi-Faith World.'
*****************
January 2016 Update:
Listen to Brian McLaren and hear about his most recent book on the podcast Newsworthy with Norsworthy here: We Make the Road by Walking.
His dozen-plus books include A New Kind of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy, Naked Spirituality, and Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?
Five fast facts
- Lives with his wife in Marco Island, Florida
- Has four adult children and two granddaughters
- Released an album of original music called Learning How to Love in 1978
- Is an avid wildlife and outdoors enthusiast
- Has a BA and MA in English from University of Maryland
You can visit McLaren's website at: http://www.brianmclaren.net/
Listen to McLaren on NPR (just an 8 minute interview) here: Embracing Diversity in a 'Multi-Faith World.'
*****************
January 2016 Update:
Listen to Brian McLaren and hear about his most recent book on the podcast Newsworthy with Norsworthy here: We Make the Road by Walking.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Who is Phyllis Tickle?
The second session, History, is presented by Phyllis Tickle:
Phyllis’s current career as a Christian author and speaker is really her third career. First she was a Latin and humanities professor at an art college. Then she was the founding editor of the religion department at Publishers Weekly.
Among her most notable books are The Divine Hours, which are seasonal books of daily prayer, and The Great Emergence, about the massive transition in which the church currently finds itself. A highly sought-after speaker, she has announced that she will retire from public speaking in 2014.
Read more on Phyllis Tickle's website: http://www.phyllistickle.com/.
***************
Update on January 24th, 2016: As we prepare to begin another Animate study (Animate: Practices), I realize that it is time to update this post on Phyllis Tickle. Ms. Tickle passed away on September 22nd, 2015, just a year after the Practices study came out. She was 81 and had lung cancer. The New York Times reported:
Listen to Brian McLaren speak about Phyllis Tickle's legacy on the Newsworthy with Norsworthy podcast here: Brian McLaren: Phyllis Tickle's Legacy.
Phyllis’s current career as a Christian author and speaker is really her third career. First she was a Latin and humanities professor at an art college. Then she was the founding editor of the religion department at Publishers Weekly.
Among her most notable books are The Divine Hours, which are seasonal books of daily prayer, and The Great Emergence, about the massive transition in which the church currently finds itself. A highly sought-after speaker, she has announced that she will retire from public speaking in 2014.
Five fast facts
- Lives with her husband on a farm in Lucy, Tennessee
- Raised nine children
- A lay Eucharistic minister and lector in the Episcopal church
- Was the academic dean to the Memphis College of Art
- Has an honorary LHD from the Berkeley Divinity School of Yale Divinity School and from North Park University
Read more on Phyllis Tickle's website: http://www.phyllistickle.com/.
***************
Update on January 24th, 2016: As we prepare to begin another Animate study (Animate: Practices), I realize that it is time to update this post on Phyllis Tickle. Ms. Tickle passed away on September 22nd, 2015, just a year after the Practices study came out. She was 81 and had lung cancer. The New York Times reported:
In May, reflecting on her life, Ms. Tickle told the magazine The Christian Century that she had always been guided by an inner voice, even as she coped with a terminal illness.
She was a powerful woman leader in the Christian community, and her voice will be missed as the community continues to wrestle with the hard issues! We are so glad to be able to continue to learn from her through the books and videos she left behind.“Which is why it doesn’t bother me,” she said. “The dying is my next career.”
Listen to Brian McLaren speak about Phyllis Tickle's legacy on the Newsworthy with Norsworthy podcast here: Brian McLaren: Phyllis Tickle's Legacy.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)