what God shaped us for
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Barbara
Jan 5, 2008, 11:37:20 AM1/5/08
to Episcopal Bible Discussion
Today's Taize reading from Isaiah has great meaning for me, partly
because of a course I have taught almost every semester since we came
to West Virginia (and once in summer school). It's called Origins and
it explores various themes on the origins of things and concepts
through many different perspectives: science, myth, psychology,
history, art, etc. One of the overarching issues in the course is that
different academic disciplines ask and answer different kinds of
questions, even if the subject of the study is the same.
The example that is relevant to today's reading about God's creation
of us (and one that gets many of the students upset) is how we talk
about the origins of the universe from the perspective of science and
from the perspective of "sacred story" or "myth." I don't believe that
the Genesis account of creation is meant as a scientific report but
that it does tell us that God is responsible for our existence, not
only at the beginning, but also now and into the future. In the class
we talk about the information the Bible and other sacred writings tell
believers about their relationship to the divine and the rest of the
universe, while science is interested in mechanisms and natural
phenomena.
Today's reading is important not just for the course, but also for how
we live our lives. Because, if we are made by God, that raises issues
about what we owe God for our existence and how we should relate to
the rest of God's creation. I think that's why today's Taize
meditation talks about treating others the way we would treat Jesus.
There was a song back in the 1990's by Joan Osbourne called "One of
Us," which asks the question, "What if God was one of us?" Here's a
YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epow4VXhnW0
It seems more and more important to me to remember that, if we are
created in God's image, then everyone, no exceptions, is in that image
and should be treated as we would treat God/Jesus.
I wish I could do a better job of that, but I think it helps to
remember it as much as we can.
because of a course I have taught almost every semester since we came
to West Virginia (and once in summer school). It's called Origins and
it explores various themes on the origins of things and concepts
through many different perspectives: science, myth, psychology,
history, art, etc. One of the overarching issues in the course is that
different academic disciplines ask and answer different kinds of
questions, even if the subject of the study is the same.
The example that is relevant to today's reading about God's creation
of us (and one that gets many of the students upset) is how we talk
about the origins of the universe from the perspective of science and
from the perspective of "sacred story" or "myth." I don't believe that
the Genesis account of creation is meant as a scientific report but
that it does tell us that God is responsible for our existence, not
only at the beginning, but also now and into the future. In the class
we talk about the information the Bible and other sacred writings tell
believers about their relationship to the divine and the rest of the
universe, while science is interested in mechanisms and natural
phenomena.
Today's reading is important not just for the course, but also for how
we live our lives. Because, if we are made by God, that raises issues
about what we owe God for our existence and how we should relate to
the rest of God's creation. I think that's why today's Taize
meditation talks about treating others the way we would treat Jesus.
There was a song back in the 1990's by Joan Osbourne called "One of
Us," which asks the question, "What if God was one of us?" Here's a
YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epow4VXhnW0
It seems more and more important to me to remember that, if we are
created in God's image, then everyone, no exceptions, is in that image
and should be treated as we would treat God/Jesus.
I wish I could do a better job of that, but I think it helps to
remember it as much as we can.
Beth Rankin
Jan 5, 2008, 5:30:40 PM1/5/08
to episcopal-bib...@googlegroups.com
Sat, 5 January
O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Is 64:3-8
O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Is 64:3-8
I think the concept of predestination vs free will is interesting. Some people, I think, cop out of working through their situation which may be less than desirable by saying it was all God's plan. I believe there is a mix at work.
There have been times in my life that something happens that seems to be completely outside my personal influence...sometimes it has been a gift or hardship that had been apparent very quickly, other times it took the seasoning of time to become more clear. Regardless of how I
recognized any benefit, the action itself seemed to be outside me. It has happened enough times for me to ackowledge that there is Something out there which is shaping events.
On the other hand, I think we also can modify our situations, presenting a willingness, perhaps, to change the timing or the tenure of the event. Our action or inactivity may in effect result in more "hands on" molding, so to speak.
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Barbara
Jan 6, 2008, 1:23:54 PM1/6/08
to Episcopal Bible Discussion
Yes, I think that a lot of that on-going shaping is really important
for our inner growth/peace and for our ability to serve God by serving
others. Many times the unpleasant things that have helped me grow then
help me have patience or empathy or forbearance to deal more kindly
and helpfully with others than I would have before the bad thing
happened to me. I've had some bumpy patches in the last few years in
which various people hurt my feelings, some at work, some in
friendships. When someone rubs me the wrong way now, it is much easier
than a few years ago to wait a few beats and do what I can not to make
my reaction hurtful to that person.
Barbara
On Jan 5, 5:30 pm, Beth Rankin <sunbea...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Sat, 5 January
> O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
> Is 64:3-8
>
> I think the concept of predestination vs free will is interesting. Some people, I think, cop out of working through their situation which may be less than desirable by saying it was all God's plan. I believe there is a mix at work.
>
> There have been times in my life that something happens that seems to be completely outside my personal influence...sometimes it has been a gift or hardship that had been apparent very quickly, other times it took the seasoning of time to become more clear. Regardless of how I recognized any benefit, the action itself seemed to be outside me. It has happened enough times for me to ackowledge that there is Something out there which is shaping events.
>
> On the other hand, I think we also can modify our situations, presenting a willingness, perhaps, to change the timing or the tenure of the event. Our action or inactivity may in effect result in more "hands on" molding, so to speak.
>
> ---------------------------------
for our inner growth/peace and for our ability to serve God by serving
others. Many times the unpleasant things that have helped me grow then
help me have patience or empathy or forbearance to deal more kindly
and helpfully with others than I would have before the bad thing
happened to me. I've had some bumpy patches in the last few years in
which various people hurt my feelings, some at work, some in
friendships. When someone rubs me the wrong way now, it is much easier
than a few years ago to wait a few beats and do what I can not to make
my reaction hurtful to that person.
Barbara
On Jan 5, 5:30 pm, Beth Rankin <sunbea...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Sat, 5 January
> O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.
> Is 64:3-8
>
> I think the concept of predestination vs free will is interesting. Some people, I think, cop out of working through their situation which may be less than desirable by saying it was all God's plan. I believe there is a mix at work.
>
> There have been times in my life that something happens that seems to be completely outside my personal influence...sometimes it has been a gift or hardship that had been apparent very quickly, other times it took the seasoning of time to become more clear. Regardless of how I recognized any benefit, the action itself seemed to be outside me. It has happened enough times for me to ackowledge that there is Something out there which is shaping events.
>
> On the other hand, I think we also can modify our situations, presenting a willingness, perhaps, to change the timing or the tenure of the event. Our action or inactivity may in effect result in more "hands on" molding, so to speak.
>
Cyndi Spencer
Jan 7, 2008, 12:23:20 PM1/7/08
to episcopal-bib...@googlegroups.com
I really enjoys all the posts to the group. It is rarely ALL about ME. If a person is rude and or angry they probably have some issue that they are dealing with that I know nothing about and I receive the blunt of the situation. It has taken years ( the shaping of my spirit) but I attempt to see a heart, mind and a soul in each person I interact with daily. I have to pray for some people more than others. And some days I have to pray for myself so that I don't hurt anyone along the way do to my expectations and or resentments.
I like the idea of being shaped and molded. It gives me the hope that I can continually change and seek out opportunities to be a better person.
On Jan 6, 2008 1:23 PM, Barbara <barbara...@gmail.com> wrote:
Yes, I think that a lot of that on-going shaping is really important
for our inner growth/peace and for our ability to serve God by serving
others. Many times the unpleasant things that have helped me grow then
help me have patience or empathy or forbearance to deal more kindly
and helpfully with others than I would have before the bad thing
happened to me. I've had some bumpy patches in the last few years in
which various people hurt my feelings, some at work, some in
friendships. When someone rubs me the wrong way now, it is much easier
than a few years ago to wait a few beats and do what I can not to make
my reaction hurtful to that person.
Barbara
Ed Dorsey
Jan 7, 2008, 12:31:31 PM1/7/08
to episcopal-bib...@googlegroups.com
I think the single most important thing I have learned in the recent past is how little control I actually have in this world. Accepting this has enabled me to let go of many things that contributed to my anxiety/stress/worry. As for predestination, I agree that those professing this in its purest form have done more than accept lack of control; they have abdicated personal responsibility. If I have no control over something, it doesn't matter who does; simply that I do not. Faith helps me to consider that a loving God may be the one controlling a situation, which gives me hope.
--
Have a great day, unless you've made other plans!
Have a great day, unless you've made other plans!
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