Update, 7/24/05
Boy, one doesn’t realize how much time one is accustomed to spending doing blogging and related activities until one’s computer time is drastically cut down! It’s also a lot easier to write in WordPerfect than on a tablet, and to be able to write while the inspiration is still fresh.
I have a backlog of photos to put up; I hope to get to that sporadically during the next week, & more regularly after that.
Likewise, I’ve got a tremendous backlog of Chautauqua-related stuff to write about and hopefully post, including notes on lectures and the dress rehearsal of the opera, "The Crucible." I’ve resorted to purchasing tapes of lectures I've heard because my notes and memory are not adequate to do them justice.
Most excitingly, I was able to hear Robert Seiple speak a few times and was thrilled to hear a major speaker at Chautauqua not compromising the gospel! I am not typically one to wear my heart on my sleeve, but will confess that I was moved to tears a few times by his words, especially when he quoted Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful...are the feet of those who bring good news” in the context of discussing major world problems. Our worst problems have not so much to do with general misfortune as with man’s inhumanity to man, which only the gospel can adequately address.
The topics of discussion at Chautauqua have centered around justice and peace – things that seem to be on the minds of a lot of people. I mentioned at Intellectuelle that much of the discussion seems to be about ways to find common ground, promote ecumenism, and accept pluralism in order to make everyone happy so things like 9/11 and the war in Iraq won’t happen any more. But Seiple maintained -- boldly, generously, and humbly -- that the path to justice and peace must start with confession and forgiveness, leading to reconciliation. He acknowledged that people do terrible things to one another, but affirmed that we have a true and real hope in God through Jesus even though sometimes we may not see the payoff of our efforts toward reconciliation within our own lifetimes. He also spoke of the importance of story, and of – here I go again – relationship. Good policy and good government can effect change, but even those are borne of honest relationship based on reconciliation of wrongs, which motivate people of influence to do good things. That is the witness we are all called to – a witness of what the gospel truly means.
I pray that Seiple's message may take hold in the hearts and minds of Chautauquans everywhere.
I have a backlog of photos to put up; I hope to get to that sporadically during the next week, & more regularly after that.
Likewise, I’ve got a tremendous backlog of Chautauqua-related stuff to write about and hopefully post, including notes on lectures and the dress rehearsal of the opera, "The Crucible." I’ve resorted to purchasing tapes of lectures I've heard because my notes and memory are not adequate to do them justice.
Most excitingly, I was able to hear Robert Seiple speak a few times and was thrilled to hear a major speaker at Chautauqua not compromising the gospel! I am not typically one to wear my heart on my sleeve, but will confess that I was moved to tears a few times by his words, especially when he quoted Isaiah 52:7, “How beautiful...are the feet of those who bring good news” in the context of discussing major world problems. Our worst problems have not so much to do with general misfortune as with man’s inhumanity to man, which only the gospel can adequately address.
The topics of discussion at Chautauqua have centered around justice and peace – things that seem to be on the minds of a lot of people. I mentioned at Intellectuelle that much of the discussion seems to be about ways to find common ground, promote ecumenism, and accept pluralism in order to make everyone happy so things like 9/11 and the war in Iraq won’t happen any more. But Seiple maintained -- boldly, generously, and humbly -- that the path to justice and peace must start with confession and forgiveness, leading to reconciliation. He acknowledged that people do terrible things to one another, but affirmed that we have a true and real hope in God through Jesus even though sometimes we may not see the payoff of our efforts toward reconciliation within our own lifetimes. He also spoke of the importance of story, and of – here I go again – relationship. Good policy and good government can effect change, but even those are borne of honest relationship based on reconciliation of wrongs, which motivate people of influence to do good things. That is the witness we are all called to – a witness of what the gospel truly means.
I pray that Seiple's message may take hold in the hearts and minds of Chautauquans everywhere.
posted by Bonnie at
11:54 AM
3 Comments:
Interesting post Bonnie - I had not heard of Chatauquans before.
I agree - some do promote pluralism in an effort to solve problems.
I think we can work together but remain distinctive - and then there are some such as extremists who won't be able to be negotiated with.
Just some thoughts.
By
Catez, at 5:18 AM
You're right, Catez, about there being some (dare I say many) who are only willing to negotiate to a certain point. Past that point, they become hostile over differences.
I don't know that it is possible for someone to differ profoundly with another yet not hold that person's egregious "differences" against them, outside of having a deep relationship with God in Christ. Even those who claim to be moral relativists are revealed not to be when push comes to shove.
The only way around this is to become a people-pleaser rather than a God-pleaser, although the ones who compromise in this way will tell you that they are pleasing God! *sigh*
By
Bonnie, at 10:43 PM
Thanks for your thoughtful reply Bonnie.
That is true what you said about the moral relativists not being when it comes to the crunch.
There will be differences. Although I think there can be agreement on issues, e.g. some muslims are speaking quite strongly against extremism and willing to cross bridges on that. We aren't gpoing to agree on the gospel but we can agree on terorism.
But yes, I get what you are saying. Spiritually the difference is there and the hostility is toward Him.
By
Catez, at 9:11 AM
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