Tag Archives: God
Beholding
The Perennial Tradition Beholding Tuesday, August 13, 2019 My friend and Christian philosopher James Danaher writes about unfiltered divine encounter as a core element in the Perennial Tradition. There is a perennial philosophy that is not relative to history, culture, or language community. It is a philosophy, or perhaps better termed an alternative epistemology, that… Continue Reading Beholding
All in All
Black Women Mystics All in All Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Mysticism is not all ecstatic visions. People who have endured great suffering and let it open them to a new consciousness or perspective are often mystics. They discover that they are always sustained by Love’s presence. James Finley has a beautiful image for this unceasing… Continue Reading All in All
Images
Black Women Mystics Images Sunday, July 28, 2019 It’s so important that all people are able to recognize themselves as God’s image. Icons and images of Mary, the mother of Jesus, with a dark or ebony hue are revered in many cultures around the world. For example, the Black Madonna as a model of maternal… Continue Reading Images
Faith Teaches
Mystic: Howard Thurman Faith Teaches Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Like many mystics, Howard Thurman saw that humans need to relate to a God that is both beyond rational thought—what I might call a force field of love—and very relatable and personal. This is why Christians have both Jesus and Christ: In Jesus, God was given… Continue Reading Faith Teaches
Opening the Doors of My Being
Mystic: Howard Thurman Opening the Doors of My Being Monday, July 22, 2019 This week we’re reflecting on the writings of Howard Thurman. (See Sunday’s meditation for my introduction.) Today Thurman explores how prayer is not a transaction, nor is it about changing God. It’s about opening our hearts, minds, and bodies to be receptive… Continue Reading Opening the Doors of My Being
The Meaning of Life
Mystic: Howard Thurman The Meaning of Life Sunday, July 21, 2019 In spite of all seeming evidence to the contrary, mystics know that God is love, and this love is both our source and our goal. I’d like you to recognize that it’s not just me saying these things. There are a great many theologians,… Continue Reading The Meaning of Life
Imagination
Prophets: Part Two Imagination Thursday, July 11, 2019 In his classic book, The Prophetic Imagination, theologian Walter Brueggemann gives voice to the role of the prophet in honoring the ministry of imagination. Brueggemann writes: The task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception… Continue Reading Imagination
Liberation
Prophets: Part Two Liberation Monday July 8, 2019 A prophet is one who keeps God free for people and who keeps people free for God. Both of these are much needed and vital tasks. Without the educated gift of prophecy, God almost always becomes imprisoned and made inaccessible, and far too many people have been shamed and… Continue Reading Liberation
Justice in the Scriptures
Prophets: Part Two Justice in the Scriptures Sunday, July 7, 2019 Let me expand on our secular and limited definition of justice which for most Westerners is merely retributive justice. When people on the news say, “We want justice!” they normally mean that bad deeds should be punished or that they want vengeance. Our judicial,… Continue Reading Justice in the Scriptures
Prophets: Part One: Weekly Summary
Prophets: Part One Summary: Sunday, June 30—Friday, July 5, 2019 A prophet is neither a fortune teller nor a foreteller. But many Christians assumed that the “Old Testament” was somehow a prophecy of our religion and of Jesus Christ. (Sunday) True prophets are almost always concerned with social, institutional, national, or corporate evil and our… Continue Reading Prophets: Part One: Weekly Summary
