Emerging Africa

When I complained about the cheapening of Christmas in a recent newsletter, I was rebuked by a lay-person who suggested that the Gospel is not limited by its present commercial context. The thought stuck. Does the genius of the Gospel lie in its seasonal penetration of secular mores and, if so, what is the extent of this penetration?

Two brothers from Taizé, France are visiting South Africa this month. Itinerary here.

Episcopal theologian Ephraim Radner ruffled ecumenical feathers with his 1998 book The End of the Church, the approach of which Stephen Noll summarized as follows:

Radner understands the Western church since the Reformation (and indeed the whole Christian church since the East-West Schism) as a type of Israel in exile. The rending of the visible church, he believes, was a historic act of disobedience incurring God’s judgment and the withdrawal of the Holy Spirit (in some sense) from the Church. He goes so far as to interpret the secular history of the West as an outworking of this judgment.

Has the Holy Spirit, in any sense, left the church?

One of the 12 marks of the New Monasticism is 'relocation to the abandoned places of empire'. But, what does empire really mean?

Recognizing the North American origin of this phrase, one may assume a distinct, subversive usage.

Here in Africa, 'empire' has profound socio-political implications but with a different usage - one the post-colonial conversation must surely be exploring.

nicpaton has drawn our attention to theological considerations.

What does empire mean to you?

I'm reviewing this book for the WEF's theological commission. I can't reproduce it here, but I'd like to bring a few thoughts to the table, ch by ch. Holmes is the co-founder of Christ Church Deal in Kent, a 'therapeutic community' with some interesting features that may well inform the conversation here. Stay tuned...

I had the time of my life last night, best beloved, wrestling with God in the high throes of 'flu - WWF stuff...

'scuse my ignorance, but did the Evangelists mention that Christ took cold? Sore throat, possibly? Any coughs, sniffles?

Was illness part of Jesus' humanity - or not? I'm no Docetist but I'd have taken comfort in just one verse!

ps. Can we get the health & wealth people on this one?

I'd like to start a blog on African monasticism.

Among other things, it will explore historical expressions of intentional communities in Africa, monastic spirituality and the so-called 'new monasticism'.

I'm wondering how much interest there is in such a topic, and if there's anyone blogging on it already.