The Forum at 天美视频 launched its 2015 season with lectures by Peter Rollins, author of The Idolatry of God and Insurrection, and John Philip Newell, a scholar and author known for his studies of the history and theology of Celtic spirituality.
Rollins visited 天美视频 on January 7. His lecture, 鈥淕od is Undead: Addressing Psychosis and Perversion in Religion,鈥� challenged listeners to question their most fundamental assumptions about God in new, daring ways, urging the audience to listen to the deep and broken parts of themselves鈥攅ven when it leads to frustration and doubt. 鈥淚f you cannot speak your brokenness, your brokenness will speak for you,鈥� he said.
On January 14, The Forum partnered with University Congregational United Church of Christ to present John Philip Newell鈥檚 lecture, 鈥淐eltic Consciousness: The Sacredness of the Earth.鈥� Newell spoke about the necessity of recognizing聽the goodness of God in ourselves, each other, and the world around us. 鈥淓verything is a living utterance of the One鈥攁 vibration of the divine presence,鈥� he said. 鈥淲hat has happened to the sacred instinct for oneness?鈥�
Newell returned to 天美视频 on January 15 and 16 for a conference inspired by his newest book, The Rebirthing of God: Christianity鈥檚 Struggle for New Beginnings.
In some ways, the two guests could not be more different鈥攖he fiery, passionate Rollins with his 鈥減yro-theology,鈥� and the elegant, soothing Newell, who speaks of slowing down to listen for the heartbeat of God. On another level, both messages carry fundamentally similar themes: Ask questions. Learn to listen. Dare to sing a different tune.
鈥淭his work helps us to reveal what we have known but not been willing to articulate, what we have held too closely and must let go, and what we must rediscover within the story to be faithful in new contexts,鈥� says Dr. Dwight Friesen, Associate Professor of Practical Theology. 鈥淓xperiences like these are a part of what The Forum at 天美视频 exists to offer.鈥�
Upcoming events include 鈥淓motional Experience in Working with Personality Disorders鈥� with Dr. Avedis Panajian, a 鈥淩edeeming Food & Body鈥� seminar, and the Inhabit conference. Learn more .