Theologian

Theologian

Being young he spoke of atonement, drew
in exact and confident graphs
the economy of salvation.
Preaching this seamless order he left
no crevice, no escape; it was this
or it was Judas’ step into the dark.

Grown old now, God, he perseveres
student of the geography of your grace,
found coded in the chaos of love
and even at the edge of death’s confusion.
You are here, God says, to repent
those sermons; you are here to sit
mute in the cruciform shadow
of a love, ample as daylight.

Kevin Nichols

the story of Goldilocks and the 'just right' affirmation of faith

The other week I was having dinner with friends.  They'd been to a church that shall be nameless which had, in its order of service, an affirmation of faith.  As we ate and blethered we recalled times when we'd been confronted with statements of faith - foisted upon us on a sheet within worship - with the expectation that we would, having never seen it before and thus, not had time to consider it, blithely utter it in some meaningful way. 
Some affirmations, or statements, over the years have been cringe-worthy.
Some have been sailing close to the orthodox theological wind.
Some written so ambiguously and clumsily that one was not quite sure what one was actually attempting to affirm.
Others written focusing in on the language of power and domination and exclusion.

We generally agreed that the writing of creeds, or statements, or affirmations of faith is a pretty pernickety and difficult business.  I later wondered if writing such things is a little like the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, and how to construct a statement that is 'just right'.  Given the breadth and diversity of the Church, is there a 'just right' affirmation?
That said, the affirmation of faith from church that shall be nameless is something I think I could mostly, happily say.
I particularly responded to the gender stereotype reversal in the line:
'with a father's tenderness and a mother's strength'

What do others think?

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

We believe in one God:
the creator of all things,
who loves the whole creation
with a father's tenderness and a mother's strength.

We believe in one God:
our Liberator Jesus Christ,
the Word of God made flesh,
true God and truly human;
born among the poor he lived as bringer of God's kingdom;
a teacher and a healer,
a lover of life and a prophet of justice,
forgiver of sins and a friend of sinners,
who welcomed the outcasts and challenged the powerful,
whose death on the cross defeated sin and death,
who rose from the dead
and is alive forever in power and glory.

We believe in one God:
the Holy Spirit, the giver of life,
the Breath of life in all life,
the gift of God to the people of God,
Disturber and Comforter,
the fire and the dove,
who makes us one community in peace and love.

We believe in one God,
a community of love,
a trinity of holiness,
the beginning and end of all life.
Amen.

cross-posted at http://apilgrimsprocess.blogspot.com/2010/09/story-of-goldilocks-and-just-right.html

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the New Perspectives blog. 




The New Perspectives Reading Group


Anslem of Canterbury called theology 'faith seeking understanding'. The New Perspectives Reading Group is about understanding seeking integrity. We meet together once a month to:


- eat cake
- share experiences 
- discuss a short paper/book chapter
- figure out how to be theologians

We don't have a set book, or a set topic - we pick our readings from a variety of disciplines and areas, and suggestions are always welcome.  We want to think critically about what theology is, and what it's for, and what it means to be a good theologian.  We're particularly interested in liberationist, feminist, queer, black, womanist and mujerista theologies, and the questions these raise for us.  Anyone, from any discipline, is welcome.  Come and eat cake.  Bring your head and your heart.





Our first meeting is tonight, email new.perspectives.edin [at] gmail [dot] com for info.