inclusive | MINISTRY FROM TWO POLES

Posts Tagged ‘inclusive

Jan

Albany Presbytery Votes Pro-GLBT

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 Actions empowered by monarchs and popes have been replaced by those instituted by presidents, prime ministers and corporate moguls.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

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

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

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)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

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)

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

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

The Case Isn’t Against LGBT – Part 5

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: Christian, Church, GLBT issues, inclusive, Progressive, Theology

Go to Table of Contents

WHAT IS REALLY AT STAKE

What is at stake is the outright condemnation and rejection of a significant portion of God’s children by the church based, according to most, on scriptural authority. I argue that the very few Biblical passages that possibly decry homosexuality lose their veracity since the Levitical condemnation of “abomination” is, at the least, suspect. It is incumbent on the church to wrestle out the implications of this in a very public way,

Continue reading ‘The Case Isn’t Against LGBT – Part 5′

Jan

The Case Against LGBT – no, the KJV Part 4

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: Christ, Christian, Church, GLBT issues, inclusive, Progressive, Theology

Go to Table of Contents

THE ORIGINS OF “AS WITH A WOMAN”

Where, then, did the English translations derive the meaning so frequently interpreted as a prohibition against same-sex relations. We need look no further than the Vulgate, the Latin translation of scripture ascribed to St Jerome in the early fifth century. Continue reading ‘The Case Against LGBT – no, the KJV Part 4’

Jan

The Case Against LGBT Falters – Part 3

By Rev Andy Little 1 Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: Christian, Church, GLBT issues, inclusive, Kingdom of God, Progressive, Theology

Go to Table of Contents

SO WHAT IS THIS PROSCRIPTION REALLY ABOUT?

In true scriptural fashion, virtually all proscriptions are repeated several times – not just once or twice. While versions of the Decalogue – the Ten Commandments – appear three times, the admonishments contained therein are far more repetitive. Patterns and frequency of use, as mentioned earlier, help determine the meaning of difficult passages. There is, in fact, a pattern with regards to the significance of ‘bed’ in both the Hebrew and Greek.
Continue reading ‘The Case Against LGBT Falters – Part 3’

Jan

The Case Against LGBT – Part 2

By Rev Andy Little Leave a Comment

Categories: Ethics, GLBT & Queer Theology and Sermons & Studies
Tags: Christian, Church, GLBT issues, inclusive, Progressive, Theology

Go to Table of Contents

WHAT DOES “…AS WITH A WOMAN” MEAN?

Lev 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.
Lev 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall be put to death; their blood is upon them. (NRSV)

The wording of different English translations differs little with regard to these passages and, therefore, offers little help in examining meaning. The level of confidence in their validity, as prohibitions against same-sex relationships, is directly proportional to the credence given ‘literal’ readings of scripture. More literal – more important and damning; less literal – less consequential. I will argue, however, that the translations found in most English bibles are not very literal at all. In fact, quite generous interpretive licenses have been taken in the first place. Continue reading ‘The Case Against LGBT – 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.