Due Dates!!!

I have had a couple of students ask, "When is this or that due?"

• Research paper: Due December 5th by 5PM.
• Journal: Due December 5th by 5PM.
• Signed and page numbered Bibliography (which just shows what you read for the class [how many pages, etc.]): Due December 12th by 5PM.
• Make-up Assignments: Due December 12th by 5PM.

Peace,
Dr. Chelle

Mary Poem

Here is Patrica Clemens Repikoff's Mary poem:

MARY OF NAZARETH

I am mystery,

rebel,

mother,

refugee,

a voice crying out compassion

in the face of cruelty,

human misery.

I am Mary of Nazareth,

I sing my reckless trust,

my ache,

confusion.

Mine are the dirges any mother sings

whose child is cut

down too young.

I sing

of dashed dreams

that turned to diamonds.

I was young and hopeful,

the future danced in my eyes!

I always had a wild streak

(some said

I was a rebel),

My head uncovered,

my hair flying,

I ran

through the streets

with friends.

My voice carried

loudest

they said.

I did not always

heed the Law,

or my parents,

or anyone else.

I sometimes spoke

out.

I asked the why of things.

I was silenced.,

but never

for long,

because

a restlessness ran through me.

It seemed I wanted more from life

than most.

The longing wouldn’t go away.

They hoped that Joseph would

tame my restless spirit

with domestic dreams, a family future

I accepted,

but secretly,

I tucked away

my restlessness

in the corner of my heart

far from

the eyes of anyone.

Yet, God spied my hidden treasure, and smiling,

asked if I’d dare bring

that MORE in me to life,

new life,

for all like me

who dream for more than Law.

I swallowed hard, but

I

said

YES!

I surrendered to birth

a bigger dream

than hearts could capture then.

I said YES

to birthing MYSTERY

midst the darkness.

My YES blasted walls

of Law and custom.

It brought talk,

sniping,

pointing fingers,

stones,

as I walked

pregnant with MYSTERY,

God’s dream.

I remember…

that dark night,

NO’S

slamming in my face,

locked doors,

far from family,

my body bursting

I gave birth

to MYSTERY shining

on a bed of straw

midst blood and tears,

beggar’s breath,

shepherd’s sighs.

Yes, I remember…

hot sand, night chills,

running, foreign lands,

fleeing, strange streets,

fugitives, Herod’s cold cruelty.

But, I do remember warmer days,

watching my boy grow.

I saw myself in him.

I wondered who he might become.

I loved his fire,

his integrity, his joy.

And as he grew, I saw

his YES,

His YES to God and

no one else!

I was afraid.

Mother love could not last longer.

He was a young man

with the future in his eyes, and

compassion in his arms!

I let him go.

I let him go into his YES,

into streets,

salons,

and synagogues,

open arms of prostitutes and beggars, and

Into the slippery hands of hypocrites!

I am a martyr’s mother.

I let him go into his YES.

I let him go into God’s arms.

GOD’S ARMS BECAME A CROSS!

And my YES

hung limp

on the tree—

a last

lifeless

leaf.

I cried all martyrs’ mothers’ tears.

I wailed the death of dreams and hoping.

I moaned my flesh and blood

martyr-child snatched

too young

from the nest!

WHERE ARE YOU NOW GOD?

WHO ARE YOU

TO LET GO OF

YOUR PEARL

SO EASILY?

WHAT KIND OF CRUEL GOD

ARE YOU

THAT SNUFFS OUT

YOUR OWN DREAM?

HE GAVE YOU EVERYTHING,

YOU GAVE HIM DEATH!

SCORPIONS!

SNAKES!

YOU GAVE US STONES, NOT BREAD!

But, I remember…

how there was new

breath

and wind

and blessing.

how God

breathed

into our empty.

Death couldn’t hide,

Death couldn’t hold our YES!

YES! there was breath

and bread

and blessing!

YES! An empty tomb! YES!

bread broken and blessed on a road! YES!

ARMS OPENED

AND HEARTS BURNING

WITHIN US! YES!

There is breath

and wind

and blessing! YES!

He lives!

among us!

I birthed a bigger dream

more than our hearts

could contain,

more truth than death’s arms could bear!

Dreams lie waiting hidden

in you hearts to be born again

carried to all who long like us for MORE.

My sisters, my brothers,

carry them, bear them.

Bring them to YES!

Bring them to birth

midst the darkness!

By Patricia Clemens Repikoff

From DASHED DREAMS AND DIAMOND

Quiz on November 8th, 2008

I have had a few questions about what will be on the quiz on this coming Saturday. I don't want to give too much away, but I don't want to trick you either.

SOOOO ... you are responsible for the chapters in the Quash/Ward book on heresies, which include Adoptionism, Doceticism and Gnosticism. The required chapters are on mhgs.edu (the e-reserve), but you are also suppose to read one other chapter. I would suggest you choose one of the following: chapter 1 (Arianism, which we have discussed in class, so it is fair game), chapter 3 (Nestorianism, which is on the vocab list, so it is fair game) or chapter 9 (Pelagianism, just good to know, and may make an appearance on the quiz).

You are also responsible for all the heresies included in the vocab list: pantheism, modalism, pluralism (in some forms) and tritheism. You might also want to be familiar with the definition of heresy itself (always useful).

Remember, you can always study with other people in the class (either in person or over email). Split up the work. Have each person research one or two heresies and give a report to the group. And, always have a dictionary to hand so that you can look up specifics.

Bonne chance!

Luci Shaw

This next Friday, November 7th, 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. I have heard her speak a number of times and have always been drawn in by her soft-spoken wisdom. We are in for an amazing treat!

See you next Friday!

Chelle

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

What is Due?

OK, this post is about your assignments.

First, the final exam is canceled. Sooooo, take a gigantic red pen and cross it out on your syllabus (though not on your computer screen). That should be very satisfying!!

Second, you are still responsible for 8 journal entries. One of those entries (any one of them) should interact in one way or another with both The Return of the Prodigal Son (Nouwen) and The Shack (Young). You are not obligated to do more work, just that one entry should interact with these two books: two different articulations of God's love.

Third, if you have not started on your research paper, you should. (I know, I am a nag.)

Fourth, due December 12th, 2008 is a signed & #'ed (pages that is) bibliography. Be honest about what you have actually read.

Finally, remember that there is a quiz on Saturday morning. "Name that Heresy!!"

My office hours continue to be on Tuesday afternoons. I'm very friendly and I don't bite...most of the time.... Come talk with me if you have any questions. If you can't come in on Tuesdays, just write me an email and we can work out a time.

Peace,
Chelle

Readings for November 7th & 8th, 2008

Hello to you all,

I just wanted to confirm with you the readings for the next class session of the term. There are three categories of readings: 1) required, 2) highly recommended, 3) and recommended. Obviously, you are only obligated to read the first category, but you really should at least glance at the second category. The third category of reading will just help you in general. We will be having an in-class discussion about The Return of the Prodigal Son and The Shack on Saturday (or Friday!), be prepared.

Required Reading:
Richard Bauckham, The Crucified God.
Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
Quash and Ward, Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Forward, Prologue, chapters 2, 5 & 10 PLUS one other chapter of your choice (the book is on reserve in the library).
N.T. Wright, "The Biblical Formation of a Doctrine of Christ."
William Young, The Shack.

Highly Recommended:
Luci Shaw, Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation. (On reserve in the library. There is also a selection on google books.)
Kathleen Norris, "A Word Made Flesh: Incarnational Language and the Writer," (on the e-reserve).

Recommended:
Gregory of Nyssa, "To Ablabius," (on the e-reserve).
Yeago, "The New Testament and the Nicene Dogma," (on the e-reserve).

Happy Reading!!

-Chelle

Wesley Quote from Brent Johnson's Talk on Worship

John Wesley

on

Unity and Diversity within the Body of Christ

From Wesley’s 52 Standard Sermons

Though we have different opinions and worship styles, can’t we still be united? Though we don’t think the same, can’t we love the same? Can’t we be of one heart even when we’re not of one opinion? Of course we can. All of God’s children can unite even though we have small differences. While we disagree, we can still encourage each other in love and good deeds.

My question is this: “Is your heart right, like mine is right with yours?” Most importantly: Is your heart right with God? Do you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord? Do you show your love by your actions? If so, let’s all say, “Yes!” If that is what you want, then your heart is right, and my heart is right there with you.

If so, then take my hand. I’m not saying, “Agree with me.” That’s not necessary. I don’t expect it and I don’t even want it. Nor am I saying, “I will agree with your opinions.” I don’t. I don’t mean “Worship like me” or “I will worship like you.” No. Hold on to what you believe pleases God and I will do the same.

What I’m saying is, First, love me affectionately, as a friend closer than a brother or sister, as a fellow child of God, a fellow-citizen of heaven, a fellow-soldier in the same battle serving the same Lord and leader, our Savior. Love me as a companion in, and heir of the Kingdom of God.

Secondly, pray for me. Wrestle with God for me, that He would continue His work in my life, making me more like Jesus.

Thirdly, challenge me to love and do good works. Yes, prod and provoke me when I seem to be doing my will rather than God’s.

Lastly, don’t just love me with your words, but with your actions, authentically and sincerely. As much as you can (while still keeping your own opinions and worship styles), join with me in God’s work, and let us go on hand in hand.