Diana Eck is a feminist theologian who believes that Christian theology has been dominated by some exclusive thinking. She is also a pluralist who has come to appreciate other world religions.
In her book Encountering God we find this thought:
"Liberation theology, feminist theology, and pluralist theology are all major currents in the Christian tradition today. All three are about the redefinition of the we in theological thinking and the renegotiation of the we in our common political and cultural life. They are all attempts to reconstruct more inclusive and more relevant forms of Christian thinking and Christian engagement."
Diana Eck grew up in the oldest United Methodist Church in Montana. The founder of the Iliff School of Theology was one of the founding pastors. Brother Van was a circuit riding preacher who established many of the churches in the west. Brother Van established Diana's church as one of his churches.
From the United Methodist church in Montana Diana was able to launch a life-long study of religion that included significant research among the Hindu people in India. Her observations of other religious traditions, instead of detracting or diminishing her understanding of the Christian faith, deepened it.
What we see with Diana Eck is the example of what it means to grow up in a mainstream in such a way that one is able to see the people in the margins. The stronger our faith is for us the more we are able to look beyond it to see what we all have in common.
The sermon will look at the Christian mainstream and the margins. It will look at the Last Supper and the Foot washing. It will revisit Paul's Athens when he said, "As I was going through your city and looking at the things you worship, I found an altar with the words, 'To an Unknown God.' You worship this God but you don't really know him.'"
What about the God we worship and the God others worship? Is it the same God? Can we move to pluralism in a world where religions collide? Is it possible that God is God of all people?
At the Last Supper Jesus created community with the bread and the cup. Then he turned the community loose with the washing of the feet.
At the Last Supper, in John's Gospel, Jesus gave us identity and imperative.
We celebrate what we have in common and we reach out to those who do not have what we have in common.
What do you think about pluralism? Is Christianity exclusive claim to truth? Do others have it as well?
Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment