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Tag Archives: Franciscan theology

The Great Chain of Being

Nature, Cosmos, and Connection The Great Chain of Being Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Francis would call creatures, no matter how small, by the name of “brother” or “sister,” because he knew they shared with him the same beginning. —Bonaventure, The Life of Blessed Francis I would like to reclaim an ancient, evolving, and very Franciscan… Continue Reading The Great Chain of Being

The Trajectory of Incarnation

Incarnation The Trajectory of Incarnation Monday, December 21, 2020 Christianity’s true and unique story line has always been incarnation. That means that the spirit nature of reality (the spiritual, the immaterial, the formless) and the material nature of reality (the physical, that which we can see and touch) are one. They have always been one,… Continue Reading The Trajectory of Incarnation

The Universal Christ

Alternative Orthodoxy The Universal Christ
 Thursday, February 6, 2020 Grace had already been granted to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, and now it has been revealed to us in the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. —2 Timothy 1:9-10 It seems we only give attention to that which we are told to give attention. The Franciscan alternative orthodoxy has… Continue Reading The Universal Christ

At-one-ment, Not Atonement

Alternative Orthodoxy At-one-ment, Not Atonement
 Wednesday, February 5, 2020 The Franciscan view of atonement theory is a prime example of our alternative orthodoxy. The Franciscan School was dissatisfied with the popular theological idea that Jesus came to Earth as a necessary sacrifice to appease an angry God. As human consciousness advances, more and more people cannot believe that God would demand Jesus’ blood as payment for our sins. It seems to be inevitable that our old… Continue Reading At-one-ment, Not Atonement

To Live Lightly

Franciscan Way: Part One To Live Lightly Wednesday, October 2, 2019 Today, we will continue with my Franciscan brother and long-time friend John Quigley’s summary of Franciscanism. I’ve added my thoughts in italics within brackets. [Francis] knew that we share this earth, our loves and work with all of God’s creatures, our brothers and sisters.… Continue Reading To Live Lightly

A Bigger God

Jesus and the Cross A Bigger God Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Our predestination to glory is prior by nature to any notion of sin. —John Duns Scotus [1] The Franciscan School, led by such teachers as Duns Scotus, refused to see the Incarnation and its finale on the cross as a mere reaction to human… Continue Reading A Bigger God

Outpouring Love

The Universal Christ Outpouring Love Wednesday, December 5, 2018 Francis of Assisi understood that the entire circle of life had a Great Lover at the center. For Franciscan John Duns Scotus, before God is the divine Logos (rational pattern), God is Infinite and Absolute Friendship (Trinity), that is, Eternal Outpouring (Love). Love is the very nature of Being itself. God is… Continue Reading Outpouring Love

Universal Belonging

Joy and Hope Universal Belonging Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Bonaventure’s “vision logic,” as Ken Wilber would call it, and the lovely symmetry of his theology, can be summarized in what Bonaventure named the three great truths that for him hold everything together. He summarizes all his teaching in these three movements: Emanation: We come forth… Continue Reading Universal Belonging

The Franciscan Vision

Joy and Hope The Franciscan Vision Monday, November 26, 2018 St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio (1217–1274) took Francis and Clare’s practical lifestyle to the level of theology, philosophy, and worldview. Unlike many theologians of his time, Bonaventure paid little attention to fire and brimstone, sin, merit, justification, or atonement. His vision is positive, mystic, cosmic, intimately… Continue Reading The Franciscan Vision

It Is Not Just About Us

Creation: Week 1 It Is Not Just About Us Friday, February 16, 2018 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, things visible, things invisible. . . . He is before all things and in him… Continue Reading It Is Not Just About Us

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