The Myth of Redemptive Violence

For March 22,

It is with some genuine trepidation that I approach this topic. No other that I know will be more troubling for many Christians. No other topic is likely to so strongly stir passions, invoke despair or call so clearly on the anger intrinsic to our being.

Recently I mentioned to my beloved cousin, Catherine, that I did not accept the idea of substitutionary atonement. I do not believe the that Jesus died as a sacrifice necessary to save us from our sin.

Catherine asked, "Then why did he die?"

Why, indeed.

Jesus died because he was killed. He was killed by the establishment that refuses to encounter the presence of God in man. He was killed because he cast his net so broadly, because he called for justice, peace and inclusion, because he dared to tell the oppressed that their sins were forgiven. He was killed because he confronted an established power structure built on an inherent human trait: the love of power that uses fear and violence to control others and itself.

This trait is with us yet. It, along with our capcity for self-deception, is our original sin. But for many, it is sacred.

From the LtQ2 literature:
"The most potent religion in Western culture is not Christianity, but a belief in the redemptive power of violence. Although Jesus inaugurated a new order based on partnership, equality,
compassion and non-violence, his example and teachings have been eclipsed by an emphasis on a human unworthiness that demands and defends the need for Jesus’ violent, suffering, atoning death."

Walter Brueggemann points out that, “We are going to deal theologically with the problem of violence forever because it is intrinsic to our inheritance. The question for God for all of us who follow this God is whether we can resist that stuff that is intrinsically present in our existence.”

"Tennyson wrote that despite any love we may profess of God, despite our claims to revere love as Creation’s final law, we, and nature along with us, are 'red in tooth and claw.' After countless generations of ruthless competition for survival, it’s our nature as human beings to carry within us the primal urge to act out in violent ways. We are a violent species" – and we have folded that violence into out religion as a means of our salvation.

Myths are not 'true' or 'false'; they are alive or dead.
"In 1966, John Lennon was vilified for claiming that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. While he was probably right, he could have also said that the Myth of Redemptive Violence is more popular than Jesus. From even the most cursory evaluation, it’s clear that the Myth of
Redemptive Violence is not only alive and well, but has completely eclipsed Jesus’ teachings, example, and the basic principles of Christianity. In fact, the Myth of Redemptive Violence managed to infiltrate the writings and teachings of Christianity from such an early date, that many people are unable to separate one from the other."

But if we reject the myth of redemptive violence and discard the notion that Jesus died for our sins, where are we? How are our sins forgiven? Who redeems our souls? From whence comes our eternal salvation?

As always, you're warmly welcomed to the Adult forum.

What about that Stimulus Plan?

Dr. Steb Hipple, professor of economics at ETSU will lead a discussion on the rationale and potential efficacy of current ecnomic stimulus plan.

Join us. You'll be welcome.

The Life and Legacy of John Calvin

For March 8th, Harrison Taylor will be speaking on John Calvin. Harrison wrote his dissertation on Calvin so he is an authority. He presents a view of Calvin that is unlike the one preceived by most. Calvin was not exactly the man he has been made out to be in the popular press.

Here's Harrison's synopsis:

John Calvin-born 500 years ago - July 11, 1509 in Noyon, France. He was intended by his father [who was excommunicated from the Church] to be a priest---he studied at the University of Paris and other schools in the Classical tradition. Calvin converted to the Reforming movement-was forced out of Paris- and, while travelling, looking for a place to study quietly, was confronted by the Genevan reformer Wm. Farel, with a curse to stay. He began daily lectures [at 5AM] in Geneva on the Bible. His lectures used all the classical tools available. Farel and Calvin were told by the city Council to "preach the gospel of God and quit meddling in politics." Calvin replied "we serve a greater Master" and left for Strassbourg. In 1541 the citizens of Geneva asked Calvin to return. He walked back in September and sought to form a committee to write a church constitution resulting in a model of representative democracy. Calvin died in Geneva in 1564 leaving a legacy of eccumenical contacts, over 60 volumes of theological works and letters, and a grand educational system.

Please join us.

Buddha's Fingerbone

On Sunday, March 2, the Adult Forum will host Bill Stone, (more formally, Dr. William Stone, Professor and Director of Pediatric Research in the Quillen College of Medicine). Bill has spoken to the Forum previously, so regulars will know him as a bright, lively person.

Dr. Stone's talk is on the Buddha's fingerbone. Here's his description:

Hopefully, this talk (“Buddha’s Fingerbone”) with provide a sense of the intense and passionate conflict between Confucianism and Buddhism during the Tang Dynasty. This conflict reached its apex in 819 CE when the poet Han Yu (768–824 CE) composed a vitriolic attack on Buddhism. At the epicenter of this attack is the Famen Temple in China's northwestern Shaanxi Province. Buddha’s fingerbone was enshrined in this temple during the Tang Dynasty. Han Yu, a champion of rationalism, was almost executed for sending a letter to the Chinese Emperor denouncing the elaborate worship of Buddha's fingerbone which he called “a filthy object.” Surprisingly, Buddha's fingerbone was rediscovered by Chinese archaeologists in 1984 near the old Famen Temple. As will be discussed, the events of 819 CE at the Famen Temple still have great relevance to East Tennessee in 2009. Recent evidence suggests, however, that the original title of this talk might have to be changed to “Buddha’s Fingerless Fingerbone.”

As usual, you are warmly welcome to join us at First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton at 9:45.
(I can't wait to hear of the connection between a 9th century Chinese religous struggle and East Tennessee.)

CHARLES DARWIN: A CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE AND LEGACY

We will celebrate Darwin's Birthday on February 22. The Adult Forum will be treated to a talk by our own Julie Wade. Though Julie is a familiar face at FPE, it is worth noting that she earned her doctorate in biology at Cornell University, and institution that is widely considered as one of the most prestigous academic centers in the world, particularly in the field of Biology. Julie served as a professor of Biology at Milligan college until her recent retirement. She is very well-qualified to speak on this topic. That said, she is a nice person with a friendly approach who will help us better understand the place of evolution in our world.

Here's her synopsis of her talk:

"Evolution by Natural Selection has been called one of the greatest scientific theories ever developed. This description of how life has changed over time was formally published 150 years ago by Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace. The theory then and now has impacted people in profound and substantial ways because it provides implications for how humans view themselves in relation to the natural world. We shall explore the amazing life of Charles Darwin, his Theory of Natural Selection, and the enduring legacy that he left behind."

Please join us on February 22.

Debunking the Rapture

This coming Sunday, February 15, we are going to continue the Living the Questions2 series. Our topic will be "Debunking the Rapture."

This popular topic challenges the notion the we are at the end of times and that Jesus will literally come again to "meet us in the air". We'll talk about how presumed imminent coming of the rapture supports an image of a violent Jesus, an angry God bent on retribution and punishment, how it fosters a world view consistent with the abdication of responsibile stewardship of the earth and our environment, and most notably, a world view that actively promotes war, death and destruction.

Here's a link to Barbara Rossing who appears in our video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frqIH5eATWg

And here's one to a site that underscores what it is that needs to be debunked, and why this is a serious issue:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjMRgT5o-Ig

As always, please accept our welcome to the Adult Forum. If you want the associated reading materials just drop me a line at david.roane @ gmail.com (no spaces)

Taking the Bible Seriously

Next Sunday, February 8, we study the second session of "Living the Questions." The title is "Taking the Bible Seriously," and if it had a subtile it would say, "but not literally".

This session is a thoughtful look at the a bit of the history of the Bible with some focus on how it's possible for different groups to view the Bible from different perspectives and arrive at very differing conclusions. We all know how much controversy spins around the Bible and how easy it is to draw completely opposing interpretations. This is nothing new. Sometime around 1800, William Blake wrote,

"Both read the Bible day and night, but thou readst black where I read white."

No doubt the debate on the "truth" of the Bible traces back to the original compliation of texts in the late 4th century. Today, there's probably as much strength of contention around the Bible as ever.

We've all seen the bumper-sticker that boasts, "God said it, I believe it, That settles it." Unfortunately, many use their conviction in the literal truth of the Bible as a weapon. The holy book has been used to justify slavery, white supremacy, war, the oppression of women, the exclusion of gays and a host of other evils. Much of this continues today, and there seems to be a relationship between the degree of literalism and the extent of Biblical abuse.

Literalists use a curious circular argument based on 2 Timothy 3:16 that reads, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” They hold that the Bible is perfect and without error, therefore it must be the word of God, and because it is the word of God, it must be perfect and without error. And if this argument is not maddening enough, they quickly defend the point that if even the smallest point of the Bible is discounted, the whole thing should be pitched. Such dogmatic adherence to ancient scripture invites distortions and leaves the literalist, to paraphrase John Shelby Spong, hysterically defending the indefensible, while the critic is left thinking the word of God is merely irrational and meaningless.

Hopefully, there is middle ground on which we can find wisdom, truth, virtue and communion in the Bible, without having to put our brains into a intellectual vapor-lock. Dr. Harrell Beck wrote, “The Bible is NOT the word of God – but the word of God is in the Bible.” Please join us as we seek evidence of what that means.

If you are interested in the handout, just send me an email asking for one:
david.roane @ gmail.com (no spaces)