Sunday, December 28, 2008

All That Has Ever Been Hoped For

Sometimes I ask myself why I'm in seminary. I think it's a good question to ask, however scary. One of Emily's friends is in law school, doesn't enjoy it and is struggling. I enjoy seminary a lot and feel quite comfortable here, but the question of "why seminary?" can quickly lead to "so what are you going to do next?"

Recently, I have been leaning more towards seeking out a teaching role rather than a pastoral role. Not only does the idea of being a role model for high schoolers and teaching them how to think with more nuance excite me, but also having so much more contact time with them than the average parish ministry. I'm interested in community building and teaching people not to just deconstruct their world but also reconstruct

In the meantime, I'm in Seminary, wondering why I'm here, "searching for the living among the dead." I found this post to have a very thoughtful answer:

“I'm searching through all that has ever been hoped, in praise of what can never be known.”

In praise of always searching and never knowing,
yet ever hoping.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Savior Season

After reading David Brook's recent column, I am left to wonder... If we are really facing an historic inauguration day, vastly re-centralizing our government, throwing money left and right and are running on high anxiety, then it sounds like we're in need a of a Savior.

'Tis the season for saving, not spending.

Check out this provocative Advent video about gift ideas for this season:

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Perishing from the Injustice We Permit

Today is the 60th Anniversary of the signing Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Amnesty International has two powerful videos, one shorter and one longer, in honor of this day and for its continued support from our leaders... and us!



"The Price of Silence"




From Jurgen Motlmann's book, The Source of Life (p. 110):

"The poor are crying out for justice first of all, not for prosperity; and we ourselves are perishing from the injustice we permit, even if we are leading comfortable lives.

The hunger for justice is a holy hunger;
the thirst for righteousness is a sacred thirst.

It is a hunger and thirst of the Holy Spirit itself.
May that Spirit fill us through and through."

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Equality in Marriage

I support equal marriage rights for two willing people, regardless of gender. I think it is a travesty that we allow some to marry and others not to. Essentially, it comes down to whether or not you believe people are created gay or choose to be gay. If you're not convinced, please befriend more gay people. We all have a lot in common; it just takes getting to know each other. We have nothing to fear but fear itself.

I've collected three videos that poignantly highlight the issue.

First, the serious (Keith Olbermann goes on what I characterize as a mercy-diatribe):



Second, the funny (Princeton students ban Freshman from walking on sidewalk - a creative way to point out the silliness of it all and what an obstruction of justice it is):



And finally, a discussion (Mike Huckabee & John Stewart talk about same-sex marriage on the Daily Show):



Jon Stewart: [Referring to Huckabee's argument that we're redefining the word "marriage" even though it used to mean slaves couldn't marry, interracial marriages were banned and polygamy is now outlawed]

"Semantics is cold comfort for humanity."