Luci Shaw at Elliot Bay Books

A few of you asked for details of Luci Shaw's book reading/signing on December 8th. Looks like she will be at Elliot Bay Book Company at 7PM on December 8th. This is for the launch of Image Magazine's Bearing the Mystery (A "best writing of the past twenty years" book).

Should be a very interesting evening!

-Chelle

Creative Project Rubric

Here is the link to the Creative Project Rubric. Keep in mind the language is around the MDiv Integrative project (integrating "text.soul.culture"). Your goal is to communicate a theological idea or question, so read the rubric in that light.

Blessings as you work,
Chelle

Research Papers

Hello All,

I just thought that I would give some thoughts on your process of writing.

First, the research papers are due no later than 4:30 on Monday November 23rd. This due date includes the papers for the creative projects. I will be in my office most of that day, so you can give them to me or to Molly at the front desk. If you are mailing in your projects, please talk to Jordan about where you should mail your papers. Officially, the creative portions are due the following Monday, the 30th, though you can turn your creative projects into me on Monday the 23rd.

Now, a little inspiration for all you writers, from Henri Nouwen's Theological Ideas in Education:

Most students...feel that they must first have something to say before they can put it down on paper. For them writing is little more than recording a preexistent thought. But...writing is a process in which we discover what lives in us. The writing itself reveals what is alive.

In another place he writes:

The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write. To write is to embark on a journey whose final destination we do not know....Writing is like giving away the few loaves and fishes one has, in trust that they will multiply in the giving. Once we dare to "give away" on paper the few thoughts that come to us, we start discovering how much is hidden underneath...and gradually come in touch with our own riches.

So, as you write, I pray that you will "come in touch with" your "own riches."

Grace and peace in the hard task of writing and analyzing crazy theology!!

Peace,
Chelle

Luci Shaw

This next Wednesday, November 18th, Luci Shaw, Christian poet and personal hero, will be honoring us with her presence. She will be talking about the Incarnation/Advent and reading some of her poems. She came to Theology I last year and everyone was drawn in by her soft-spoken wisdom. We are in for an amazing treat!

See you next Wednesday!

Chelle

"Like all art, poems are only hints and guesses
that draw our attention to something larger."

Luci Shaw

Pub Quiz!!

I hope you are all ready for the Pub Quiz tomorrow morning: "Name that Heresy!!"

(Oh no! Look out!! It is Arius over there. What's he doing here? I wonder if he'll show up on the quiz?)

Come prepared to share some food, work together, have some fun and maybe even learn something.

Peace,
Chelle

Thesis Generator and Radom Thoughts about the Short Papers

Here is a link to the Thesis Generator that Alex mentioned in class.

Also, here is a link to a guide to writing short papers that I wrote a number of years ago. It is a bit goofy, but it may help to focus your writing a bit.

One more thought about these short papers. Keep in mind, even if you are doing a more creative "conversation in a cafe" approach, that you need three specific things in these papers.

1. A clear statement at the beginning and end of your paper about your argument. This helps with the readability of your short paper. (Always think about ease of reading!)
   
2. An articulation of the assigned and suggested readings from the class. This doesn't have to be lengthy, but it should show that you have listened well to the opinions of others. In other words, have you read enough so that you understand some of the key issues surrounding this doctrine? If not, perhaps you should read another article, or go and talk with friends about the subject.
3. Some kind of statement about your own understanding of the doctrine. Hopefully your reading will help you land somewhere. You may be stuck between opinions but that is OK as long as you articulate that.

Remember, clear writing covers a multitude of sins. Read back through your paper. Are you convinced? Or do you just sound confused? Ease of reading and flow of argument in your writing are transferable skills! They are not just useful in theology. ;)

Peace,
Chelle

Lecture Today: November 4, 2009

Here is the link to today's material:

• Lecture
• Power Points ~ Part I & Part II
  

Peace,
Chelle