Like almost every human endeavor, the approximately 2000 years of Christianity have periodically been marred by brutal and violent events, and have been fraught with human failures. Historically, the church[1] has been both oppressed by the prevailing society within which it existed and oppressive during the many times when it represented the dominant culture. Its checkered and sometimes sordid history has led to the propagation of an amazing number of denominations, with competing factions within them, which have varying levels of difficulty co-existing due to dogma, doctrine and/or practice. Within this history the church has perpetrated social violence, in the name of God, that has had lasting and debilitating consequences for the victims – many times, if not all, in concert with the dominant political powers of the various cultures within which it has functioned. Can the church truly reconcile with the victims of its past, aiding in the healing of centuries of violence? The goal of this paper is to examine the possibilities that may exist for reconciliation. Continue reading ‘Can the Church Reconcile with it’s Own Victims? (Part 1)’
Posts Tagged ‘remembrance
A Tradition of Equality?
The summer seems to be a great season for patriotism. It begins with Memorial Day and ends with Labor Day, well not officially, but certainly in practical terms. Both these holidays celebrate what has made and still makes the U.S. the U.S. – people. In between these holidays, of course, we have Flag Day and Independence Day. July does seem to represent the peak of summer and, I think, the peak of summer patriotic fervor, perhaps a lasting effect of the fireworks and cook-outs. Between the celebrations of people, we celebrate nationhood, freedom and this great land.
Just like a church, however, a nation does not exist without people. The land certainly does, but it is the people who make it a social, political and communal place. Freedom is an empty concept without people – the freedoms we celebrate are those that are the inalienable rights of the people of this land. But just who are these people, you know, the ones who have had this freedom? Continue reading ‘A Tradition of Equality?’
The adherents of Christian religions include upwards of 2 billion people – almost one-third of the world’s population, according to David Barrett, an Evangelical Christian who is the compiler of religious statistics for the Encyclopedia Britannica.[1] While Christianity began in the Middle East, it is generally considered a European/American religion. Those areas, however, do not encompass the majority of adherents. More Christians, in fact, are found in the “third world” – those areas that were formerly colonized by various European powers. The story of the spread of the world’s most prolific religion during the second millennia of Christianity is at least interesting, if not informative of the current political and military efforts of the West, most notably the U.S., seemingly aimed at making converts of another sort – disciples of Western democracy and capitalism. Continue reading ‘Imperialism, Colonialism and “Disciple-Making”’
The Gift that Gives and Gives …
… and gives, and gives, and …
On Tuesday morning I checked my emails as usual, only to find the most unusual message:
To Kathy Jensen, A DONATION OF SACRED CHORAL MUSIC (gratis):
(Courtesy of the Pastor) Dear Kathy, Please accept, as a donation towards the work of the choirs there, the attached PDF files of some of my unpublished choral music. Feel free to download and make copies of any items that you’d like to perform…with my compliments.
With best wishes, Colin Brumby, DMus
I wept. Such a gift to a tiny congregation striving to leave a faith legacy to its community is priceless. To be able to sing original works that were donated to them because the composer was touched by their efforts, to be able to use these hymns to minister to each other and their neighbors is just – well, breathtaking.
When I spoke to Kathy yesterday and told her of the gift, she was almost speechless. She had yet to read the music or words but, I am supposing, as she understands the creative process of writing choral music, she was amazed at the depth and breadth of the heart that would share this gift with her church. If I know Kathy, by now she has played each and every one of these hymns, probably not just once. I can’t wait to talk to her when we reach a decent hour this morning.
To Colin. I do not know how you feel about having your gift publicly acknowledged, but I hope (with your permission) to replace your initials with your name to more fully recognize you as one of the saints of our church.
Rev Andy Little
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