IMAGE OF GOD | MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Posts Tagged ‘IMAGE OF GOD

Feb

Can the Church Reconcile with it’s Own Victims? (Part 2)

Categories: Ethics
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Equity, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, God, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, reconciliation, society, Theology

Continued from Part 1

Reform movements have been associated with the church since its earliest days, generally when it was considered too focused on earthly or material matters. John Chrysostom, in the late fourth century, wrote of the political intrigue, power struggles and scandalous excesses being enjoyed by priests and laity of the church. He restructured the finances of the church in Constantinople, selling many of the acquired luxuries of the clergy to feed and cloth the poor,^[1] thereby enraging many of the priests. One thousand years later, the Brethren of the Common Life, an order started by Gerard Groote, railed against many of the same problems, including the secularization of the church.^[2] Between these two examples and their respective timeframes, history tells of myriad other reform movements that sought to correct very similar patterns of behavior, resulting in a list of dissidents within which almost all Protestant denominations can find their roots – Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and Wesley to name but a few. Continue reading ‘Can the Church Reconcile with it’s Own Victims? (Part 2)’

Feb

Power Flower – a Tool Against Tyranny

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology, GLBT & Queer Theology and Liberation theology
Tags: bias, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, marriage equality, oppression, Progressive, Theology

I am posting this on both my blogs, because it is important (I think). It sets a stage for meaningful discussion about power and privilege. These are excerpts from the full article at my other blog.

Privilege is one of those very strange things. Those who lack it generally recognize it as either something to envy or something to despise. Those who know they have it and are inclined to have more, manipulate it to their own advantage. Then there is the great, largely clueless majority who, if asked, will tell you they don’t have privilege – they are just as downtrodden as women, people of color, GLBT or whatever other group they may name. Sometimes I think that the invisible unflective privilege is the most heinous and insidious.

…

It is important to keep in mind that, just because a constitutional amendment is passed by popular vote, the amendment is not necessarily constitutional. Determining consistency with the overriding provisions of the constitution falls on the backs of the courts, which makes it a highly contentious and potentially unpopular part of the US system of justice. You might say that, when the courts get the most heat from the public, they may have come the closest to doing what they were created to do.

Feb

Presbyterians to Study Civil Unions and Christian Marriage

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology, Justice & Mercy and Marriage & Sexuality
Tags: bias, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, Faith, GLBT issues, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, marriage equality, PC(USA), Theology

As a friend of mine pointed out, this “study” may already be frought with bias. Since it will study the “relationship between civil union and Christian marriage” can we assume that they will not study the far longer traditions of Christian unions and civil marriages. The study seems to suggest some fairly overt, albeit unreflective, bias to begin with.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sharon K. Youngs, Communications Coor. February 4, 2009 (888) 728-7228, ext. 5750; sharon.youngs@pcusa.org

GA Moderator announces names for special committee to study civil union and Christian marriage

Committee of 13 will begin work in March

LOUISVILLE-The Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow, Moderator of the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has selected members for the General Assembly Special Committee to Study Issues of Civil Union and Christian Marriage. Continue reading ‘Presbyterians to Study Civil Unions and Christian Marriage’

Feb

Land Ethic – A Model for Environmentalists?

By Rev Andy Little 2 Comments

Categories: Economic Theology and Ethics
Tags: biblical authority, Christian, Economy, Equity, Ethics, Faith, Genesis, God, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, PC(USA), Progressive, reflections, society, Theology

Catching up on some old reading, I came across an article, “The Land Ethic” by J. Baird Callicott, that stirred my juices for discussing some aspects of environmental ethics. I do this from time to time, it’s part of my ‘illness’ to engage in something for sheer geekfest value. If this interests you – hmmm, well, I wouldn’t want to criticize. Continue reading ‘Land Ethic – A Model for Environmentalists?’

Feb

Speaking Out on Comprehensive Sexuality Ed

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics and Marriage & Sexuality
Tags: bias, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, society, Theology

While I understand religious people’s dismay with social issues like abortion, teen pregancies and other sexuality issues, the track record for abstinence only sex ed has been worse than abysmal. If we are truly concerned about protecting young people from these life-changing situations that potentially challenge their emotional, spiritual and physical well-being, we will scream long and hard that education include effective prevention techniques as well as help young people to reach a reasonable level of maturity with regard to the ways in which their bodies function. Continue reading ‘Speaking Out on Comprehensive Sexuality Ed’

Jan

God as Mother – Innocence Lost (Part 5)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology, Liberation theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, God, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, Theology

Continued from Part 4, or go to the beginning and view the Table of Contents.

I will resist the urge to recap the arguments so far. They are here, after all, to find and read in the first four parts. In this section I want to speak of why this topic is important in the first place. Nothing like waiting until the end to do that, is there? Ultimately, what I have to say on this will be based on two central beliefs.

(i) As long as it falls short of idolatry, the image that each of us has of God can serve be valuable for our faith lives. It is one thing to say, “I find an affinity with a male or female image of God that informs my personal spiritual journey,” and a whole different thing to say, “God is male – to say otherwise is blashemy, a sin or whatever.” We have a right to envision God in the way that is most comfortable to us, as long as we remain cognizant of the fact that it is just an image.

(ii) When it comes to public worship or study, however, our personal image of God needs to be left at the door. In this situation, we may be responsible not just for our own spirituality, but that of others as well. To formalize or otherwise restrict public worship and theology to that of our own is to reach the point of idolizing our own rationality, or irrationality as the case may be. Continue reading ‘God as Mother – Innocence Lost (Part 5)’

Jan

God as Mother – Masculinity Lost? (Part 4)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology, Liberation theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, Equity, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, Genesis, Holy Spirit, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Kingdom of God, oppression, PC(USA), Progressive, Theology

Continued from Part 3, or go to beginning at Part 1.

EMASCULATION OR UN-MASCULINIZATION OF GOD

Opponents of inclusive imagery and language about God often claim it is bordering on blasphemy, with a significant number of those making the case being women. Proponents cite myriad reasons for its legitimacy. For now, let’s begin by looking at the arguments for the masculine image of God, so we can determine what’s at stake in changing our approach.

Except for Mormons, many who believe there is a God-mother beside the God-father, and some non-trinitarian sects, most adherents of Christians sects believe that the totality of God is wrapped up in the trinitarian formula, “Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Spirit).” To change that formulation, many think, is to attack the very nature of God and to lead people away from the “true” God. Besides the fact that God does not need protecting, on which I hope we would all agree, then what is in need of protection is a tenet of faith – a dogma – a way of understanding God. The way in which we speak of God does not change who and what God is. The tenacity with which people hold onto specific images prompts us to ask, “What is really at stake?” Continue reading ‘God as Mother – Masculinity Lost? (Part 4)’

Jan

Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 3)

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics, Justice & Mercy and Liberation theology
Tags: biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, conflict resolution, Ethics, group dynamics, IMAGE OF GOD, Kingdom of God, oppression, PC(USA), Theology

Continued from here. Go to Table of Contents

Pastoral care in spiritual abuse

Most of the authors, again, describe two distinct groups – those that abuse and those that are abused. While the majority discuss pastoral or secular care for the victims, little is said about the perpetrators of spiritual abuse. Arterburn and Felton, however, seemed to acknowledge the brokenness and victimization of all the participants by providing a short section, after each description, labeled “Hope for the …”. While differences can be distinguished with regard to aggression, intentionality and, to some extent morality, each of the players who stay in an errant or sick religious environment, without trying to change it, can be viewed as victims in need of recovery and redemption. Care should be taken, however, to avoid excusing aberrant behavior, since that can lead to freeing the victimizers from the obligation or duty to recognize and change their abusive patterns.

Continue reading ‘Scapegoating & Spiritual Abuse in Churches (Part 3)’

Jan

God as Mother – Imagery lost (Part 3)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, Feminist theology, Liberation theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: bias, biblical authority, Christ, Christian, Church, Ethics, Faith, Feminist theology, God, history, IMAGE OF GOD, inclusive, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Liberation theology, Progressive, Theology

Continued from Part 2. Or go to Table of Contents

Feminine images of God still abound in scripture, as discussed in Part 1. Those images, however, are simply those that have survived the expurgation by 3rd and 4th century “masculinizers” of the text. I know, that’s not technically a word – at least it wasn’t, but it is now. Examples could be used from the texts that were omitted, like the Odes of Solomon, but they are not part of the canon and so would be open to ridicule. Examples of passages still in the Bible have already been covered. To make the point on how images have been expunged, I will simply examine the instance of El Shaddai – Almight God – as the case in point. Continue reading ‘God as Mother – Imagery lost (Part 3)’

Jan

Liberation Theology and Globalization – Part 5

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

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

Albany Presbytery Votes Pro-GLBT

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

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

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

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)’

... or, preaching from both ends

Rev Andy Little

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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.