Thanks to SeaRaven for sending me this. I don't think there is anything here with which I disagree. Does that make me a Unitarian Universalist Presbyterian? A Presbyterian Universalist? A Presbyuni or a Unipresby?
Whoa! New site design. I guess I haven't been around enough lately.
It's interesting that he seems to identify a belief system as being central to what "Christianity" is. I would argue that Christianity is defined symbolically.
Here, I'm more in line with Kathryn Tanner. Christian beliefs vary, and there is no one, central, ultimate belief that binds us. Rather, what makes us who we are is that our primary symbol, our guide for becoming, is Jesus.
As a symbol, by definition Jesus in and of himself is meaningless. However, as we interact with that symbol, as our narratives interact with him, meaning happens. We of course articulate this meaning theologically, but it will vary from person to person because our histories and contexts are different.
Rather, what makes us who we are is that our primary symbol, our guide for becoming, is Jesus.
I agree and like that but I think that the vast majority of folks including those in my denomination view it as a belief system.
I am pretty sure that those who seek to purify the church now would not accept a definition of Jesus as a "guide for becoming" even as I would be happy with it.
Well gee, I coulda told ya that! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhoa! New site design. I guess I haven't been around enough lately.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that he seems to identify a belief system as being central to what "Christianity" is. I would argue that Christianity is defined symbolically.
Here, I'm more in line with Kathryn Tanner. Christian beliefs vary, and there is no one, central, ultimate belief that binds us. Rather, what makes us who we are is that our primary symbol, our guide for becoming, is Jesus.
As a symbol, by definition Jesus in and of himself is meaningless. However, as we interact with that symbol, as our narratives interact with him, meaning happens. We of course articulate this meaning theologically, but it will vary from person to person because our histories and contexts are different.
Rather, what makes us who we are is that our primary symbol, our guide for becoming, is Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI agree and like that but I think that the vast majority of folks including those in my denomination view it as a belief system.
I am pretty sure that those who seek to purify the church now would not accept a definition of Jesus as a "guide for becoming" even as I would be happy with it.