Video and an Interesting Article

Here is a link to the video that we watched in class today. This really is the "anti-Church" experience, so please find humor, not instruction, in its contents. ;) The skit is from a show called "That Mitchell and Webb Look."




On a different note, Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times recently wrote an article about the Christian contribution to world aid, especially World Vision. Provocative reading. Here is the link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/opinion/28kristof.html

Enjoy!
Chelle

Assignments Due

Hello to you all!

As dates, classes and assignments have gotten a bit turned around in the past few weeks, I thought that I would just post the remain assignments and due dates for the remainder of the class. Here you go:

1. March 17th: Reading Summary, The Church
2. March 24th: Reading Summary, Eschatology
3. March 31st: Pub Quiz on Millenarianism (based on Stan Grenz's book, The Millennial Maze, chapts 3-6, pgs. 65-173)
4. April 7th: Research Papers/Creative Projects
5. April 14th: Journals

Keep in mind that the reading summaries should be short, they don't have to be a comprehensive overview. The upcoming Pub Quiz will be taken in teams of not more than 5 people (please don't be late!). Let's have a breakfast potluck on that day as well. So think about what you can bring.

Also, if you want to present anything to the class, just let me know. This can be your creative project, a short overview of your research paper, or even "what you learned this year" in your theologian/reading groups. I would like to give space to student sharing!

If you need help on anything, just come talk to either Jordan or myself.

Cheerio!
Chelle

Dr. Serene Jones

I was driving in my car yesterday and was listening to the Tavis Smiley Show. He was interviewing a number of sucessful women in honor of Women's History Month. Included in the list of women was Dr. Serene Jones, President of Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She was talking about her new book Trauma and Grace. I recently purchased this book, so was excited to here her talk about it. This book sounds very good, and I think that at least one student needs to write their research paper on it.

In essence, the book talks about God's grace in the midst of trauma (hence the title, Trauma and Grace!). This sounds like a very integrative book. Jones develops a theology that takes very seriously the trauma that humans experience in life. So, check it out!

Peace,
Chelle

An Interesting Article

Here is an interesting article for all of you. It is about Evangelicals and their propensity to give. Specifically it is about World Vision. Something to make you think about the role of faith-based organizations in the bringing about of social justice.

Enjoy!
Chelle

Fasting During Lent

In class I mentioned that Lent is traditionally a time to fast. We fast to prepare for Easter. We also fast so that we might give. It is simple, really. Choose one thing from which to fast (e.g., coffee, soda, chocolate, movies, etc.) and save the money you would have spent on that thing. Then, at the end of Lent, give that money to a specific charity or NGO. Here are a few ideas. If you have others that you would like to share, please let me know and I will post them.

Blood:Water Mission (clean water in Africa)

Friends of the Orphans (Haiti--Cheryl Goodwin's daughter works for this organization)

Haiti Partners (A friend of mine, Peter Heltzel, recommends this group)

If you want something closer to home, you could support the cafe that Ron Ruthruff's wife, Linda, started: Street Bean Espresso. Or New Horizons Ministries, which is across the street from the Cafe. (They work with at risk youth on the streets of Seattle. Dan's wife volunteers there.)

Obviously, there are many more organizations out there that you could donate to, but you get the idea. There is a lot of need out in the world, and this is a great way to participate in that work.

Peace,
Chelle

Funny

So, I don't know if this is for real or not, but it is amusing. (I don't think this is real archival footage, I think it is a spoof... but it does make me laugh!)

Changes in Syllabus

Hello to you all,

I just wanted to remind you that the doctrinal position paper on the Eucharist is not due until March 3rd (the week after reading week). Also, Tim Conder is now coming to speak in our class on March 10 and Dr. Dwight Friesen will be speaking on March 17th (everyone wear green!).

Have a great weekend! May you get all of your work finished... I know that you are all working very hard right now.

Peace,
Chelle