The Days Go By
Jan. 14th, 2004 07:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
qos. . . and still not much new going on.
I'm currently reading Jesus: A New Vision, by Marcus J. Borg, for my Christology class that meets for the first time this weekend. He writes very simply and clearly, and it's interesting enough, but nothing about it grabs me.
The point that I find most interesting is his distinction between "the historical Jesus" and his understanding of his identity and mission, contrasted with The Living Christ. Borg asserts that even if Yeshua of Nazareth did not fully understand what he was to become (or become again, after his death?), it does not invalidate the reality of the Living Christ. It's an interesting perspective that I hadn't considered before, but not something that moves or excites me.
I am looking forward to an entire weekend of theological study with Fr. R. The class is at an extension campus, so I'll be driving about 50 miles to the "other" campus on Friday evening after work. Actually, I'll be driving to a hotel near that campus, enjoying a quiet evening by myself, probably staying in and reading, and then driving a mere 10 minutes to class in the morning. I'll also be staying over Saturday night because class goes from 9am to 4pm Sunday. It will be a nice break from being a householder and parent.
I'm currently reading Jesus: A New Vision, by Marcus J. Borg, for my Christology class that meets for the first time this weekend. He writes very simply and clearly, and it's interesting enough, but nothing about it grabs me.
The point that I find most interesting is his distinction between "the historical Jesus" and his understanding of his identity and mission, contrasted with The Living Christ. Borg asserts that even if Yeshua of Nazareth did not fully understand what he was to become (or become again, after his death?), it does not invalidate the reality of the Living Christ. It's an interesting perspective that I hadn't considered before, but not something that moves or excites me.
I am looking forward to an entire weekend of theological study with Fr. R. The class is at an extension campus, so I'll be driving about 50 miles to the "other" campus on Friday evening after work. Actually, I'll be driving to a hotel near that campus, enjoying a quiet evening by myself, probably staying in and reading, and then driving a mere 10 minutes to class in the morning. I'll also be staying over Saturday night because class goes from 9am to 4pm Sunday. It will be a nice break from being a householder and parent.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-14 09:23 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-15 06:05 am (UTC)On reflection, it occurs to me that perhaps one reason Borg isn't grabbing me is that I'd already come to his conclusions on a non-conscious (non-thematic, to use Rahner's language from last quarter!) level. Since I have had personal experience of "the Living Christ" from a young age, the debate about who Yeshua was and/or knew himself to be seemed a bit beside the point from a spiritual perspective. Especially since my younger self would not have understood what kinds of techniques might have been used to try to address the question.
I find the techniques interesting now, but still don't feel any particular 'zing' about this topic.
I'm trusting that once I get into class on Saturday, Fr. R's lecturing style will help generate more intellectual excitement than I've been experiencing this week.
I'm feeling frustrated because I still feel like my brain is operating at about half capacity these days. I feel like my thinking and my writing have been completely without zest since just before the holidays.
A visiting Swedenborgian student from PSR will be coming over for dinner this evening, and I'm looking forward to a late evening of "shop talk"!
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-15 08:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-16 05:32 am (UTC)I visited PSR last spring during their "Ministry as Vocation" adminssions weekend, and was very impressed by the students, faculty, and staff. In fact, I physically ached to remain there, it felt so "right" for me.
And you have to love a theological school/group that has "A Heretic in Good Company" t-shirts in their bookstore!
I haven't visited your personal website in a while. Do you have a place where you tell your spiritual story? You've obviously been on a very interesting journey, and we seem to have had some similar experiences but ended up making some different choices. I'd like to know more about where you've been and what led you to where you are now.
(no subject)
Date: 2004-01-16 08:41 am (UTC)not as such. i did a life story exercise with my ritual group of two years ago; i'll put it in my journal for you to read. :>
writing the story of my spiritual journey is a good idea. maybe i will make that an assignment for myself.