brianpat's blog
The Last Post
As we enter 2009 a question presents itself: Will it be possible to maintain any freedom of religious belief for those of us who have an absolutist understanding of Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life in the “new mix of politics and religion”?
As I close this two month, once a week blog, I want to thank George Hunsberger for inviting me to share my thoughts with a larger audience. After three years as mentor of the Journey Group
Governance and Religion
Ronald Rolheiser, The Shattered Lantern: Rediscovering a Felt Presence of God suggests that “the existence of God, like the air we breathe, need not be proven. It is a question of developing good lungs to meet it correctly.” He suggests that “the way back to a lively faith is not a question of finding the right answers, but of living in a certain way.”
Living in a certain way?
Identity and Change in the Network Society
How can a person be both “in Christ” and in a cultural identity connected to family, society at large, and one that is politically acceptable or correct?
Hope in Time of Abandonment
As the New Year of 2009 rapidly approaches, Jacque Ellul (Hope in Time of Abandonment) challenges me - once again - to wait and walk in hope content to live in the incognito!
I’m the Only One
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Hope in time of abandonment.doc | 34.5 KB |
Why History Matters: And Why Christian History Matters in Particular
I have just completed the reading of a small booklet by Ted Byfield, General Editor of The Christian History Project http://www.thechristians.ca/home.html. Byfield sees our culture facing a crisis. His extensive essay is a critique of the philosophy of John Dewey and its application by “educators” to our culture. He pleads for a return to the study of history to gain lost perspective. This posting is my reflection.
Emerging Churches within Denominational Structures
The Theology News & Notes of Fuller Seminary (Fall Editon) deals with the subject of Emerging Churches within Denominational Structures. The topic is introduced by Eddie Gibbs. One major area of 'church' missed is that of rural ministry. This entry is to attempt to bring this oversight - to bring the rural voice - into the conversation.
Prime Movers, Facilitators/Change Agents, and Intermediaries
The question: How to bring the concept of Christian mercy into the hard realities of the governance of our society as Christendom experiences meltdown?
Governance - Faith Communities and Social Enterprise/Economy
My current interest is in the whole world of governance - how we govern ourselves in the great global transitions going on.
On November 7th I was elected to the board of directors of the Alberta Community Economic Development Network Cooperative AB CED Network Coop
