So...I promised theological discourse and here it is...
We're talking about the ideas and concepts of God: who, what, how? You know, the easy questions about God. We've (my classmates and I) been pushed from our comfort zones and now we're trying to construct what this is really all about.
How do we use language to describe God? Is our language capable of explaining something that is unexplainable? How does our language make our conceptualization of God biased? (I'm just starting with some of the thoughts that I have been trying to make sense of ideas and discussions from the last week or two...)
In using a constructive theology textbook, we are examining a lot of the worries (an easy word) that people have with the "common" ideas of God that we have. Is God a man? Is he vengeful or merciful or both? How do we picture this unexplanable thing to those that have not encountered him/her/it? Can we adequately do it with people whose life experience is different from ours?
No answers today...just thought I'd share my questions...
And if I had answers, they might change tomorrow.
What do you think?
Peace,
Tina
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Remiss
Okay...so it's been two weeks since my last post. Here's why:
Paper to finish
Junior High Youth Retreat
D2D first night (confirmation program at TLC)
Day to day administrative stuff
School
Worship
Weekend fairs at church
Now, I could have squeezed time in but well, I like to sleep as well.
It's this wrestling with life thing. I can' t seem to get into a groove. I am fairly flexible but I am having some issues making everything balance out...
I took today for myself. I may outline my lesson for next week later but right now I am enjoying being a slug. I wish that my coworkers had some time to do that as well. We've been busy and we just want some time to renew ourselves to be able to do God's work.
Tomorrow - we'll see about that then.
May the Lord grant you all peace and quiet and understanding in the face of amazing craziness and stress.
Tina
The new template reflects my desire for a few days on the beach...sand and surf and seascapes...
Paper to finish
Junior High Youth Retreat
D2D first night (confirmation program at TLC)
Day to day administrative stuff
School
Worship
Weekend fairs at church
Now, I could have squeezed time in but well, I like to sleep as well.
It's this wrestling with life thing. I can' t seem to get into a groove. I am fairly flexible but I am having some issues making everything balance out...
I took today for myself. I may outline my lesson for next week later but right now I am enjoying being a slug. I wish that my coworkers had some time to do that as well. We've been busy and we just want some time to renew ourselves to be able to do God's work.
Tomorrow - we'll see about that then.
May the Lord grant you all peace and quiet and understanding in the face of amazing craziness and stress.
Tina
The new template reflects my desire for a few days on the beach...sand and surf and seascapes...
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Parts 2-6
In case you were wondering what other questions I've been percolating, here they are...no particular order, just as they were given for our assignment:
1. What is the subject matter, and who is the subject, of theological matter?
2. What are your basic assumptions about theology?
3. What are your sources for theological reflection?
4. What experiences inform your theological practice?
5. What is its place in the life of the individual, the church, and the community at large?
I've been in class for a few weeks and I have some basic answers for these questions. If I start writing, I think that it'll fall into place like the previous entry (which needs editing, but there are good bones there).
It's one of these things...we are taught to believe certain things but until you are able to see how those beliefs work in your life, they are abstract. We are also taught to have a childlike faith...that's not blind faith necessarily, but if you think about kids, they are always questioning you...so which is it? Hmmm....
So...it'll be crunch time this weekend with church responsibilities...but if you talk to my mom, and really anyone else, it's how I tend to roll...
Off to watch Grey's Anatomy(I do need some down time)
And to keep writing ideas about this paper.
Peace,
Tina
1. What is the subject matter, and who is the subject, of theological matter?
2. What are your basic assumptions about theology?
3. What are your sources for theological reflection?
4. What experiences inform your theological practice?
5. What is its place in the life of the individual, the church, and the community at large?
I've been in class for a few weeks and I have some basic answers for these questions. If I start writing, I think that it'll fall into place like the previous entry (which needs editing, but there are good bones there).
It's one of these things...we are taught to believe certain things but until you are able to see how those beliefs work in your life, they are abstract. We are also taught to have a childlike faith...that's not blind faith necessarily, but if you think about kids, they are always questioning you...so which is it? Hmmm....
So...it'll be crunch time this weekend with church responsibilities...but if you talk to my mom, and really anyone else, it's how I tend to roll...
Off to watch Grey's Anatomy(I do need some down time)
And to keep writing ideas about this paper.
Peace,
Tina
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
What is theology good for? Part 1
That, my friends, is a question in a list of six that I am reflecting on for my first official seminary paper due next week. What is it good for?
After you've run screaming from the thought that you too can and do theology, it's time to sit and scratch your head, rub your chin, or pace a new hole in your living room carpet.
I've held to this Augustinian phrase "theology is faith seeking understanding." It seems to tie the whole proposition up very neatly...whatever amount of faith I possess (and if you have already looked at this Sunday's lesson* about wanting more faith and finding that you have what you need) helps me to see that God is everywhere I look. I was reminded today that it also depends on what word you emphasize in that phrase. Are you questioning your faith, are you seeking something or are you understanding what's going on?
Well, I guess that I'm seeking...a lot of things. I'm seeking knowledge, context, and practical applications of Christian faith today. I am seeking ideas and partnerships that encourage and inspire young people to join me on this faith seeking journey. I am tackling abstract and divisive ideas about theology and trying to make them concrete and real.
Theology is also good for taking risks. As we get older, we tend to want to take fewer risks with out lives, especially when it deals with things that we hold to be true...and of which religion is a HUGE part. I intrinsically know why people run and scream when they are asked to share their faith or to even consider a new opinion because of the vulnerability that takes place. It's also at this place where we find Jesus next to us, urging us on to greater things because his way is about taking risks. Go out and preach with only what I have with me now? Whatever! Don't say goodbye or put my affairs in order. You're kidding, right?
The idea of being a seeker reminds me of Quidditch, the soccer/rugby/??? game of the Harry Potter series. Faith can be like the golden snitch...flying around here and there and causing the one seeking to be able to be flexible and agile. You may be able to catch it once in a while and think that you have won, but another match begins. You take the lessons that you have learned, and you apply them to the next situation as you seek greater understanding.
Maybe you're not a risk taker, but you allow yourself to sit in worship every week and you listen to the Word of God. You also make a choice...any of which comes with some set of risks. You can take the challenge of the Good News and use it, you can creatively edit the parts of the Good News for your own purpose, or you can reject it. Any of these (and there are more) will (don't freak out) change your understanding. You are trying to make sense of the Word based on your experiences, traditions, and beliefs. You are, in fact, doing theology.
Now...I'll admit that this is the beginning of my musing for my paper and I'm trying to seek some understanding myself. I hope not to bore you all too much or make you itch in places that are well...uncomfortable (figuratively speaking). I'm also going to try out a few more questions in hopes of something comprehensive coming together.
I appreciate feedback...
*Sunday's Gospel is Luke 17:5-10...we're still trying to get the Pharisees to see what they don't get...
Peace,
Tina
After you've run screaming from the thought that you too can and do theology, it's time to sit and scratch your head, rub your chin, or pace a new hole in your living room carpet.
I've held to this Augustinian phrase "theology is faith seeking understanding." It seems to tie the whole proposition up very neatly...whatever amount of faith I possess (and if you have already looked at this Sunday's lesson* about wanting more faith and finding that you have what you need) helps me to see that God is everywhere I look. I was reminded today that it also depends on what word you emphasize in that phrase. Are you questioning your faith, are you seeking something or are you understanding what's going on?
Well, I guess that I'm seeking...a lot of things. I'm seeking knowledge, context, and practical applications of Christian faith today. I am seeking ideas and partnerships that encourage and inspire young people to join me on this faith seeking journey. I am tackling abstract and divisive ideas about theology and trying to make them concrete and real.
Theology is also good for taking risks. As we get older, we tend to want to take fewer risks with out lives, especially when it deals with things that we hold to be true...and of which religion is a HUGE part. I intrinsically know why people run and scream when they are asked to share their faith or to even consider a new opinion because of the vulnerability that takes place. It's also at this place where we find Jesus next to us, urging us on to greater things because his way is about taking risks. Go out and preach with only what I have with me now? Whatever! Don't say goodbye or put my affairs in order. You're kidding, right?
The idea of being a seeker reminds me of Quidditch, the soccer/rugby/??? game of the Harry Potter series. Faith can be like the golden snitch...flying around here and there and causing the one seeking to be able to be flexible and agile. You may be able to catch it once in a while and think that you have won, but another match begins. You take the lessons that you have learned, and you apply them to the next situation as you seek greater understanding.
Maybe you're not a risk taker, but you allow yourself to sit in worship every week and you listen to the Word of God. You also make a choice...any of which comes with some set of risks. You can take the challenge of the Good News and use it, you can creatively edit the parts of the Good News for your own purpose, or you can reject it. Any of these (and there are more) will (don't freak out) change your understanding. You are trying to make sense of the Word based on your experiences, traditions, and beliefs. You are, in fact, doing theology.
Now...I'll admit that this is the beginning of my musing for my paper and I'm trying to seek some understanding myself. I hope not to bore you all too much or make you itch in places that are well...uncomfortable (figuratively speaking). I'm also going to try out a few more questions in hopes of something comprehensive coming together.
I appreciate feedback...
*Sunday's Gospel is Luke 17:5-10...we're still trying to get the Pharisees to see what they don't get...
Peace,
Tina
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