Paul Hanneman Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in Americaby Christian Smith, Oxford University Press, 440 pp., $34.99. The main premise is: For a growing number of Americans, traditional religion, particularly Christianity, has simply become obsolete. Smith’s judgment of obsolescence does not imply that most people have come to view religion as false or disproven, brought down … Read more
I highly recommend a talk on authoritarianism and Jesus by Dr. Brian McLaren, Dean of the core faculty of the Center for Action and Contemplation. It’s the clearest presentation I’ve found on the central dynamics of authoritarianism. Authoritarianism concentrates power in one person, party, or ideology using four techniques: I would add a fifth: dehumanizing … Read more
Monday, June 2, 6-7:30 pm MT. We’ll discuss Wink’s chapter 4, “Breaking the Spiral of Violence.” Background Wink’s work challenges many conventional Biblical and Christian assumptions. Here are some quotes that stood out for me. Merely winning does not satisfy the Powers; they must win big, in order to demoralize oppositions before it can gain … Read more
one small thing we can do to resist: see this PDF.
Discussion Questions for Walter Wink, The Powers That Be This book is unashamedly about things spiritual. It assumes that spiritual reality is at the heart of everything…It sees spirit – the capacity to be aware of and responsive to God – at the core of every [thing]… (13) Do you share Wink’s assumption? How does this … Read more
Here is a chilling article from THE ATLANTIC – a “Christian” group intent on overturning democracy in favor of a theocracy. And they speak of principalities and powers, but in a way that emphasizes the demonic. Worth a read. Tens of millions of American Christians are embracing a charismatic movement known as the New Apostolic … Read more
Good historical background by Diana Butler Bass. It is in a 40-minute video, on a post on Diana’s “The Cottage” newsletter, which is hosted on Substack. Three RUPTURES – not “disruptions” – have led us to now I always tell folks that The Cottage is “part retreat, part think-tank.” The real cottage in my backyard is … Read more
From Marc Elias of Democracy Docket The most common question I receive is how everyday citizens can help in the fight for democracy. My advice is to take the first step, start with something small and see what works for you. Here are ten things all of us can do. 1. Stay engaged When all … Read more
Suggestions for our work together: To establish a common thought basis, let’s read Walter Wink’s THE POWERS THAT BE: Theology for a New Millennium, published in 1998 and available in paperback at Amazon. Walter was one of my teachers – a biblical scholar and theologian who writes well. This book is an accessible summary of … Read more
Here are a couple of resources you may also find of value. David Brooks is on a roll – the article, “How the Ivy League Broke America,” is from THE ATLANTIC, and it delves into dynamics at work underneath the particulars. It’s long, but well worth the time. I’ve also attached the sermon, “Where Do … Read more