Rev Andy Little

Author Archive for Rev Andy Little

Jan

Liberation Theology and Globalization – Part 5

Categories: Ethics and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, Capital, Christian, Church, Economy, Holy Spirit, IMAGE OF GOD, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, society, Theology

Continued from here or go to Table of Contents.

A LIBERATION THEOLOGY FOR THE “FIRST WORLD”

A major roadblock to a serious discussion of liberation theologies in dominant culture is the assertion that they are essentially Marxist in nature. This accusation has been proffered by not only “First World” governments, but by the Western churches including the Roman Catholic Church. Since explicating the philosophies of Marx is not the point of this paper, it will have to suffice to address the barest of arguments. First, the West in general, and the U.S. in particular, is somewhat irrational in its fear of Marxism. Marx was, first and foremost, a philosopher – albeit one who believed in praxis. The philosophy of Marx does not line up particularly well with what the West understands as Marxist politics, namely Communism as practiced in the 20^th century: Continue reading ‘Liberation Theology and Globalization – Part 5’

Jan

Liberation Theology and Globalization – Part 4

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, Capital, Christian, conflict resolution, Economy, Equity, Ethics, Faith, history, Liberation theology, oppression, society, Theology

Continued from here or go to Table of Contents.

THE UNDEVELOPMENT OF THE DEVELOPED WORLD

The dominant U.S. theology of entitlement seems to conflict with not only liberation theologies, but most theologies that include political and social action as essential tenets. Such European notables in political theology as Jurgen Moltmann, Johannes Baptist Metz, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer were joined by Reinhold Niebuhr and John Howard Yoder of the U.S. In his 1972 book The Politics of Jesus, Yoder detailed the biblical evidence which justified his belief, “Jesus is, according to the biblical witness, a model of radical political action …”[1] Disturbed by theological thought that separated Jesus from the political sphere, he attempted to prove that faithful Christian disciples should adopt Jesus’ political approach. Continue reading ‘Liberation Theology and Globalization – Part 4’

Jan

A Guide to Understanding Gays

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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, Ethics, GLBT issues, group dynamics, homophobia, inclusive

This isn’t original to me, either. I just don’t know who to credit.

A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING GAYS
(prepared for heterosexuals, or neanderthals – you pick) Continue reading ‘A Guide to Understanding Gays’

Jan

Just for Fun …

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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: biblical authority, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, PC(USA), Theology

… and not original … and certainly not new.

How many Christians or other sects does it take to change a light bulb? Continue reading ‘Just for Fun …’

Jan

Liberation Theology and Globalization (Part 3)

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Categories: Ethics and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, Capital, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Economy, Ethics, God, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, society, Theology

Continued from here or go to Table of Contents.

USING THEOLOGY TO PROSPER

As in the U.S. women’s battle for the vote, the fall of the Berlin Wall and the ‘end’ of apartheid in South Africa, to name a few momentous occasions in recent social history, change of this magnitude requires partners. In each of these instances of striving for justice, significant numbers of allies within the dominant Western cultures had to be enlisted. Men voted to recognize (not give) women’s right to vote; pressure on East Germany and South Africa from other countries seem to have played a substantial role in changes experienced in those areas. Allies, from within the U.S. and European cultures, are likely to be needed, in the long run, to aid in the battle against widespread impoverishment. Continue reading ‘Liberation Theology and Globalization (Part 3)’

Jan

Albany Presbytery Votes Pro-GLBT

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Categories: GLBT & Queer Theology
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Equity, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, GLBT issues, homophobia, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, Theology

On Saturday, January 24 2009, the Albany Presbytery voted to approve the constitutional amendment to three sections of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The primary change was to section G-6.0106b, the wording of which technically denied ordination to LGBT people seeking positions as deacons, elders or ministers. Before examining the potential effects on each ecclesiastical level of the church, you might want to check out the old and new wording. To do so, click here.

In some respects, this vote has the potential to have a major effect on the Presbyterian Church (USA), if it approved by 81 more presbyteries. It quite possibly will also be somewhat significant for the local presbytery. But, for the local church, little will change except that leaders will not be able to name a third-party as the reason it chooses not to ordain LGBT elders. The primary impact of this amendment is that it puts responsibility for determining the suitability of candidates for deacon, elder or minister squarely on the church body that approves the ordination – session for church officers and presbytery for ministers. Continue reading ‘Albany Presbytery Votes Pro-GLBT’

Jan

Liberation Theology and Globalization (Part 2)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, Capital, Christian, Economy, Equity, Ethics, inclusive, Liberation theology, oppression, society, Theology

Continued from here or return to Table of Contents

THE ECONOMICS OF OPPRESSION

It may be, on one hand, quite right to point out that the general populations of these dominant cultures have neither made the decisions to dominate nor benefited directly in the economic spoils of domination. Actions empowered by monarchs and popes have been replaced by those instituted by presidents, prime ministers and corporate moguls. It may even be true that the portion of the U.S. or European populations that has profited the most is the elite – those with significant holdings of stocks, bonds and privilege.[1] While these things may be true, for the general population to claim no enrichment or complicity is to turn a blind eye to the obvious truths of economy and quality of life. Continue reading ‘Liberation Theology and Globalization (Part 2)’

Jan

Gillibrand to be New York Senator

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: bias, Capital, Christian, conflict resolution, Economy, Equity, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, inclusive, marriage equality, society

Today, I received an e-mail communication from New York Pride Agenda announcing Governor Paterson’s appointment to fill the seat left open by Hillary Clinton. The announcement read: Continue reading ‘Gillibrand to be New York Senator’

Jan

Authoring vs. Writing vs. Posting

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Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: conflict resolution, Equity, Ethics, group dynamics, inclusive, society, writing

As we have entered the blogosphere, new vistas have been realized for Rev Jenna Zirbel, my wife, and me. On one hand, new opportunities for getting our writings out in public have become obvious. On the other, new considerations of personal and ethical conduct have reared their heads. For this post, the subjects are (i) the difference between authoring, writing and posting written materials, and (ii) the issue of attribution, being the way you show who really contributed to the article. Continue reading ‘Authoring vs. Writing vs. Posting’

Jan

God as Mother – lost in later tradition (Pt 2)

By Rev Andy Little 4 Comments

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, Equity, Faith, Feminist theology, group dynamics, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Liberation theology, oppression, society

Continued from: God as Mother – more traditional than you might think. Or go to Table of Contents

WHAT DID JESUS DO?

The most common reason given for calling God “God the Father”, “Father God” or “Father” is that Jesus did, and told us to do so as well. That is true, of course, only when you read a translation of the New Testament in something other than Greek. Greek had some interesting abnormalities that affect translation – unusual facets that were easy to miss, or to ignore, depending on your perspectives or intentions. Continue reading ‘God as Mother – lost in later tradition (Pt 2)’

Jan

Another One of Those Days

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Uncategorized
Tags: history, memories, Obama, remembrance, society

This is a re-post of Rick336’s thread on Soulforce. I loved it so much, I was envious, so I asked to re-post it here. Rick, being the ever so kind person he is, granted me that permission. It amazes me that Rick has summed up amost exactly the same recollections of history that I remember. Thanks Rick – you make me look good.

Continue reading ‘Another One of Those Days’

Jan

Feminist Perspectives and Gen 1:26-28 (Part 5)

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Feminist theology, Justice & Mercy and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christian, Feminist theology, Genesis, God, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, Theology

Continued from Deconstruction and the Hermaneutic of Suspicion or go to Table of Contents

GENESIS 1:26-28 – THE IMAGE OF GOD

Underlying much of feminist biblical hermeneutics, obviously, is the issue of equality of the genders, with many feminists directly addressing the issue of “the image of God” or imago dei. This concept originates with Genesis 1:26-28, and is picked up in a few other biblical texts, most notably 1 Corinthians 11:7-8. The problem with the imago dei from the viewpoint of feminist theology is not so much the meaning of “made in the image of God”, which has generated all manner of exceedingly complicated theological discourse since Iranaeus’ misconceptions were corrected by Augustine of Hippo[1], but rather the question of who was made in the image of God. Continue reading ‘Feminist Perspectives and Gen 1:26-28 (Part 5)’

Jan

Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 4)

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Categories: Feminist theology, Justice & Mercy and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christian, Feminist theology, inclusive, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, Theology

Continued from: Feminist Theology or go to Table of Contents

DECONSTRUCTION AND THE HERMANEUTIC OF SUSPICION

Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza has been a leading advocate of a hermeneutical approach that incorporates a “dual emphasis on deconstruction and reconstruction.”[1] This process necessitates delving into what is ambiguously stated, omitted from or is inferred in a passage, as well as what is said. It calls into question the patriarchal formulation of orthodoxy, including the process of rejecting other ancient works in the development of the canon, as part and parcel of the church’s historical approach to marginalizing women. Continue reading ‘Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 4)’

Jan

Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 3)

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Categories: Feminist theology, Justice & Mercy and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christian, Feminist theology, inclusive, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, Progressive, Theology

Continued from Biblical Authority or go to Table of Contents

FEMINIST THEOLOGY

Many groups with special theological interests found considerable fodder in the development of this multiplicity of investigative approaches to scripture, among them various kinds of “Third World” liberation theologies and, of particular interest here, feminist theologies. It is difficult to represent a norm for feminist theology, since there are several schools of thought. The common denominator, as expressed by Letty Russell, is a theological approach of advocacy for women that “represents a search for liberation from all forms of dehumanization … advocating full human personhood for all.”[1] Continue reading ‘Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 3)’

Jan

Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 2)

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Categories: Feminist theology, Justice & Mercy and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christian, Church, Equity, Feminist theology, God, Holy Spirit, Progressive, Theology

Continued from The Creation Story or go to the Table of Contents

BIBLICAL AUTHORITY

The “authority of scripture” has quite a range of meanings in Christian theology and, for the purposes of this essay, will be discussed in quite broad strokes with relation to scriptures. The status of authority extends from scripture simply being considered the word of God. This is viewed in several ways, and is to some extent indicative of how we approach God. Continue reading ‘Feminist Perspectives on Biblical Authority (Part 2)’

... or, preaching from both ends

Rev Andy Little

WELL, HELLO! YOU’RE HERE.

That's too bad - I'm so sorry. Oh, well, just try to make the best of it. What you'll find here is a variety of essays and ramblings to do with things theological, social, whimsical and, sometimes, all three. I don't write to get famous - trust me, I've been told how futile that would be - but to express myself. I love to communicate and browbeat - ummm, I mean dialogue - about the things I find intriguing. Since you're here, and the door's locked, why don't you stay a while. There's a page bar under the header with links to information about us - I mean me. Don't forget to tell me what you think - in a nice way, I mean.