LtQ2.0 Debunking the Rapture

This coming Sunday, September 21st, we are going to continue the Living the Questions2 series with the chapter, "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 responsible 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 videohttp://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

Please joins us. This will be fun!

LtQ 2.0 Practicing Resurrection

This coming Sunday, September 14th, we'll view and discuss chapter 12 of Living the Questions 2.0" Practicing Resurrection. Gerald Lamm of St. John's Metropolitan Community Church in Raleigh wrote of the lesson, "While much has been made of Jesus’ literal and physical resurrection being the core historical event of Christianity, the Biblical texts themselves present conflicting evidence. For many today, the resuscitation of Jesus’ body is less important than the idea of resurrection as a credible and meaningful principle for living." Well said, but what sort of meaningful principle can be derived from the idea of resurrection, if it is not taken literally. Please join us as we wrestle with this central tenet of the Christian faith and reflect on its meaning for each of us.

LtQ 2.0 The myth of redemptive violence

When are our passions not stirred as evil gets its come-uppance? It's an archetype we naturally love. But how does it fit with progressive Christianity? Join us Sunday morning and we'll talk about over chapter 11 of Living the Questions.

Evil, Suffering and a God of Love

For August 31. Chapter 10 of Living the Questions 2.0 tackles Evil, Suffering and a God of Love. It's a tough topic, and one of contradictions and tension, and one that doesn't have pat answers. In the Christian tradition, the tension opens the door to faith and hope. Join us as we wrestle with a big question. All are welcome. Loving childcare is provided.

More Questions 2.0

This coming Sunday we'll continue the Living the Questions 2.0 series, an inquiry of the meaning and depth of progressive Christianity. We're on to chapter 9 of 21, and the topics are deep, often personally meaningful, spiritually uplifting and sometimes challenging.  Please be warmly welcome to join us. No preparation required. Y'all come!

Living the Questions 2.0 continues

This coming Sunday, August 17th, we'll continue our video and discussion on the Living the Questions 2.0 series. This will be the eighth out of 21 sessions. We seem to be getting a lot out of this thoughtful series. It's got the pulse of progressive Christianity. It's good. It's rich and spiritually palpable. There are lots of points for reflection and discussion. These sessions are open to all, and no preparation is required. Just bring your mind and your heart and you'll fit right in.

Religion, Politics, and Reproduction with Ruth Taylor Read and Pat Buck

This coming Sunday, August 10th, we are pleased to host a forum on "Religion, Politics, and Reproduction."  Topics include background on laws regarding abortion, contraception, and childbearing, especially Tennessee's Amendment 1, which if passed will impact abortion rights. Then we'll explore the question:  Why would a woman of faith support abortion rights?

About the speakers:

Ruth Taylor Read is the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of two granddaughters.  She says ".  Religion can be very defining or maybe confining.  My journey illuminates that, I think.  As a young girl, I cannot remember any facet of my life that was not clearly laid out for me using the restrictive constraints of conservatism." Today, Ruth considers it a privilege to speak on reproductive justice and the issues surrounding that topic, from both her personal experience as a mother and her concern about the future of young women who must be allowed to live up to their potential in order to fulfill their destiny.
Ruth has an A.S. from Northeast State and a B.A. in Women's Studies from E.T.S.U.

Pat Buck has attended First Pres since 2005.  She teaches English and Women's Studies at ETSU and advises a feminist student group there.  She is currently organizing opposition to Amendment 1.

Please join us at 9:45 for this important and engaging discussion