Awash in Theology
Michael Bourgeois joins us on our 57th anniversary, offering reflections on the diversity of believing that has characterized the United Church of Canada since its inception and which most recently has informed his experiences in developing the Song of Faith. Far from being a church without a theology, our diversity means that we are awash in theology (or theologies). But, Michael asks, “can we be awash in theology without being completely swamped?” Some wonder how it’s possible that so many different points of view can claim to belong to the same church. He offers two examples which illustrate how, both historically and still today, we have accommodated diversity in our midst. First, he speaks of the notion of double predestination which became a point of contention, particularly amongst Presbyterians, when discussions first began around church union. The solution was to remain silent on the issue – it was viewed as inessential. Second is the notion of the virgin birth, which was affirmed in 1925, but by 1940 had given way to the notion that Jesus “became man and dwelt among us.” This did not deny the virgin birth and so accommodated those who continue to believe in the virgin birth. While Michael acknowledges that in our spiritual journeys there are times when we have to seek out new companions to support us, there are times when it is useful to have companions with whom we disagree. No one of us can articulate a complete statement of our beliefs. “The inevitable incompleteness of all of our expressions of faith animates the ongoing task of revising them.”
Celebrating Boy Scouts
This morning we recognize the 150th anniversary of Robert Baden-Powell’s birth. Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouts which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary later this year. We begin by reciting both the Scout’s & Guide’s pledges. Gretta offers a brief account of how Robert Baden-Powell first developed the idea for the Boy Scouts. She then speaks of how the Scouts have had to change some of their practices (like the wording of songs & pledges) to reflect the changing composition of their membership around the world. This experience bears a strong affinity to the evolving practices we are developing within the progressive context.
Spirit & the Song of Faith
“The fullness of life includes moments of unexpected inspiration and courage lived out, experiences of beauty, truth, and goodness, blessings of seeds and harvest, friendship and family, intellect and sexuality, the reconciliation of persons through justice and communities living in righteousness, and the articulation of meaning.”
These words from the United Church of Canada’s “Song of Faith” bear a strong affinity to the words West Hill has been wrestling with as it writes its “Visionworks” document. Gretta Vosper reflects upon the way in which Spirit is portrayed in the SOF – Spirit was separate from our physical selves. This duality has its roots in our scripture tradition – the story of creating Adam, the story of Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones. Gretta then looks at the spirit in other traditions. For example, zen master, Shunryu Suzuki, compares life to a river at a waterfall with the crashing and frenzy being our experience in this life as we fly about as discrete particles of water, but later, the water pools together to flow as one. We need to get beyond dualism to a place where we can find ourselves living as interconnected.
Sin, guilt, evil & other nastiness
This week’s meditation continues our reflections on the United Church of Canada’s “Song of Faith” with a conversation about … sin. But this week also happens to be the Sunday when the choir introduces a lot of new music to entice people to sponsor new acquisitions (this is our way of raising money to buy new music). How do you mix fundraising and sin? Use guilt? Gretta tells the story of Jacob, from the deception he uses to steal his brother’s birthright, to his wrestling with the stranger. This is interpolated with readings, images and music. For copyright reasons, the music does not appear here, but you’ll get the idea.