By: Phillip Struckmeyer on February 11, 2017
An Odyssey of Epic Proportion The term odyssey is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as a voyage or series of experiences that give knowledge and understanding through many changes of fortune. To me, LPG5 has been a true odyssey marked by amazing global experiences, an exponential increase in knowledge through diverse exposure to powerful texts,…
By: Jon Spellman on November 22, 2015
Making a distinction between morals and ethics is a bit of a brain-twister for me. I have probably always lumped them into a single thing. The reading this week has been helpful to me in distinguishing between the two, and seeing how they work together, kind of like a hand in glove. Morals can be…
By: Brian Yost on November 21, 2015
In their book The Matrix of Christian Ethics: Integrating Philosophy and Moral Theology in a Postmodern Context, Patrick Nullens and Ronald T. Michener take us on an historical journey of discovery as we explore the approaches taken to ethics and morals throughout the centuries by various philosophers. For many, ethics is based solely on…
By: Dawnel Volzke on November 20, 2015
I’ve grown up in churches for most of my life, and ethics isn’t a subject that has been widely discussed or taught. Instead, I’ve more frequently observed church leaders talk about being holy, living a pure life, and abiding by Biblical principles. Many denominations have developed church disciplines in efforts to articulate their beliefs on…
By: Travis Biglow on November 19, 2015
November 19, 15 Rebooting the Matrix of Christian Ethics I really enjoyed reading some of the philosophical ideas of Aristotle and Plato. It is incredible how they were so enlightened and were able to have insight into society and life. I think it’s a great time for Christian ethics to be rebooted and…
By: Mary Pandiani on November 18, 2015
The classic story, Les Miserables, strikes at the human heart as Fantine, a destitute young woman, must choose between a morally upright life or supporting her daughter, Cosette, and becoming a prostitute. How could a mother choose otherwise? Earlier, this theme of difficult choices begins the story as former convict, Jean Valjean is given a…
By: Phillip Struckmeyer on November 17, 2015
“Christian ethics ultimately probes our deepest sensibilities as humans an how we, as followers of Christ, go about seeking “the good” for others as well as for ourselves.”[1] I was recently in a room of about thirty Wesleyan pastors. The attendance was that of our leading practitioners in the practices of faith-based justice and compassion…
By: Nick Martineau on November 16, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The Matrix of Christian Ethics by Patrick Nullens and Ronald Michener tackle a very difficult topic and do a good job of simplifying it for all to understand. For many, ethics are black and white. Do this, don’t do that, and all the while the actual relationship/people piece gets taken…
By: Dave Young on November 16, 2015
I know I’m not alone in my feelings of frustration, anger, and ultimately exhaustion sparked by terrorist killing of innocent people such as we saw this past weekend in Paris and Beirut. “What can I do?” is a question that sparks frustration and helplessness, while anger at the senseless loss of life is overwhelming. We…
By: Dawnel Volzke on November 6, 2015
David Morgan, author of The Sacred Gaze[1], explores the religious perceptions of people and cultures though various art forms. The title of Morgan’s book captured my attention. Immediately, my thoughts went to a trip that I took a couple of years ago to Italy and the Vatican. Worship in the Italian culture is vastly different…
By: Travis Biglow on November 5, 2015
Seeing too Much November 5, 15 Reading this week is really not about seeing things in a different perspective to me its seeing things that are not there. I grew up going to a Catholic school full of images and relics and they did capture my attention. But culturally the Catholic Church did not have…
By: Brian Yost on November 5, 2015
“Why is it that the contemplation of images exerts the power to arrest the mind and deliver it from the anxieties that fragment the consciousness and bind it to such invented torments as frustration, rage, jealousy, or obsession?”1 Images provoke a reaction. But what reaction to they provoke? In his book The Sacred Gaze: Religious…
By: Jon Spellman on November 5, 2015
Before I begin the serious talk… I just had to share this. Anybody every heard of “Braco the Gazer?” If not, check this out and be ready to laugh, and cry a little when you realize just how desperate people are to believe ANYTHING! Braco doesn’t actually talk, he just stands and gazes at the…
By: Phillip Struckmeyer on November 5, 2015
Sacred Visual Ethnography David Morgan is a Professor of Religious Studies with a secondary appointment in the Department of Art, Art History, and Visual Studies at Duke. He has published several books and dozens of essays on the history of religious visual culture, on art history and critical theory, and on religion and media.[1] With…
By: Nick Martineau on November 4, 2015
At our church we are currently preparing for a community wide Art Auction. Last week we covered every inch of wall space in our building and hung up over 200 pieces of art created by church members sometime during the past 4 years. We’ve also had many local artists donate pieces to be sold during…
By: Mary Pandiani on November 3, 2015
In a recent blog, Leonard Sweet’s Summoned to Lead referenced Leonardo DaVinci’s philosophy of art – Sapere Vedere – knowing how to see.[1] With DaVinci’s remarkable ability to connect science, technology, and philosophy, he advocates that art is not only about the creation but also the process of seeing what is created. Through cross-disciplines, Sapere…
By: Dave Young on November 3, 2015
Many things that carry great weight in Christian thought are eventually challenged by a surge in a contrary view. In The Sacred Gaze, David Morgan argues that the study of images has been undervalued in our understanding of religion. (By “religion” he means all major religions but focuses mostly on Christianity, which is his own…
By: Brian Yost on November 2, 2015
Thanks for the label! Lest thou thinketh me sarcastic, let me assure you that I am serious. Labels often get a bad reputation, but let’s face it, we all need labels. Take the labels off all the cans in your pantry and see if your spouse is pleased. While labels can be misused and unfairly…
By: Dawnel Volzke on October 31, 2015
In their book, Global Pentecostalism: The New Face of Christian Social Engagement[1], author’s Miller and Yamamori discuss the rapid growth of Pentecostalism in the developing world. Global Pentecostalism is one of the fastest growing religious movements in the world today. My exposure to the Pentecostal church thus far has been negative, so I approached this…
By: Travis Biglow on October 30, 2015
Pentecost the Origin of our Pentecostal Faith October 29, 15 Reading that many Pentecostal movements are doing things that their denominations have never done is right on line with my thought process. They are moving away from structured ecclesiastical structures to Pentecostal movements that are being blessed and not so structured. Even though…