Monday, April 20, 2009

Welcome Mat

I'd like to introduce John Leggett fromKairos Corner: a Presbyterian Pastor Reflects on Times Alive with the Possibility of God.

Welcome, Pastor John!

I've been wondering, and perhaps now is a good time to ask - does anyone know what happened to the blogger we used to have whose blog name was Kairos? Have I just lost track of him, or did he stop blogging after the twins were born?

This week the PC(USA) Blog received an email about a book publishing this June. Note that I have not reviewed the book, so this is not an endorsement, though I do think it sounds interesting. [A] way to look at religion as a tool with which we may create closer ties to all humanity and begin to create a just and sustainable society—to face with confidence the uncertainty of our lives.
All My Bones Shake: Seeking a Progressive Path to the Prophetic Voice
Robert Jensen
From Soft Skull Press: Paper | 5 1/2" x 8 1/4" | 256 pgs. | ISBN: 978-1-59376-234-6 | List: $15.95

Follow the link above to the publisher's website to learn more about both book and author. Professor Jensen might be of special interest to Presbyterians because he is a member of a PC(USA) church in Texas . . . and he's also an atheist. See what I mean? Interesting!

I don't want to over-shadow the blog welcome of Rev. Leggett, so I'll give him another shout-out down here. Welcome to the conversation, Pastor John!

9 comments:

Stewart said...

The blogger you remember as Kairos is still blogging. You can find him at http://kairosblog.com/blog/.

Sarahlynn said...

Thank you!

Jody Harrington said...

Dr. Jensen is on the rolls of the church as a "baptised" member not a full member. He was baptised as an infant but is now an avowed atheist.

This was the subject of an ecclesiastical court case a couple of years ago. The Synod of the Sun PJC directed the church in question to remove him as a full member because the Book of Order requires profession of faith in God and Christ for full membership.

Sarahlynn said...

I appreciate the clarification. Thank you!

Stushie said...

I'm not so sure that we should be advocating atheist books on a Presbyterian website, Sarahlynn.

It might be interesting, but it could also be seen as condoning some of his mistaken beliefs.

I've just written a post about Episcopalian Bishop Schori's latest controversial remarks and how it relates to modern heresy.

Sarahlynn said...

"I'm not so sure that we should be advocating atheist books on a Presbyterian website, Sarahlynn. It might be interesting, but it could also be seen as condoning some of his mistaken beliefs."

I agree, and think a comment to that effect is an entirely appropriate response here. Note that I was careful to say that "this is not an endorsement."

I do think the whole situation in interesting. I think the book is interesting; I think the author is interesting. While I suspect that I might not agree with him on a number of issues, I think he's very interesting and gets people talking.

Is your opinion that we should ignore this sort of thing, pretend that it's not out there?

Stushie said...

I don't pretend that it's not out there, SarahLynn. In fact, I think I'm one of the most vociferous opponents against this kind of junk theology.

I'm for Presbyterians learning and reading more about their own belief system rather than being sidetracked by people who are just out to be controversial.

Maybe during the week of Calvin's birthday, we should have five presbybloggers write what Calvinism means to them?

Sarahlynn said...

I love that idea and would enjoy writing a little piece about Richard Mouw's Calvinism in the Las Vegas Airport: Making Connections in Today's World (which I really enjoyed).

John Shuck said...

This is fun. I don't think Jensen's writing is "junk" at all. He is a Presbyterian. I'll be happy to do a review of his book here.