PennIV

Race

2009-09-25T12:28:00.000-07:00

In the September 17th edition of Penn Current, Greg Johnson writes an article entitled Societal Problems, Personal Solutions. In it, he highlights the research and writings of a Penn Law professor, Amy Wax…particularly her latest book: Race, Wrongs, and Remedies. Several aspects of the article stood out to me and I’m interested in your response.

“Amy Wax…attributes the law of remedies to the issue of race, asserting that although white society is responsible for some of the ills plaguing the black community, most of what ails black America today lies outside the power of others to fix. It is, she says, up to African Americans to help themselves.”

What do you think? As we have begun a conversation about Christian community in our Thursday night large group times – is there anything we’ve learned from scripture that might have bearing on what Dr. Wax is asserting?

If the Christian church has been multi-lingual and multi-ethnic since its inception (Acts 2), what kinds of tensions can be expected as the church continues to invite all people into one community that learns, loves, worships and grows together?

Our Fall Retreat last year was about the scriptural foundation for ethnic reconciliation – Dr. Carl Ellis, Jr. taught us loads – if you’re interested in a copy of those talks, just email me (susieflood@gmail.com).

“Wax says the primary obstacles facing the African-American community include low educational attainment, poor socialization and work habits, criminality, paternal abandonment, family disarray and non-marital childbearing. And, she says, the problems are only getting worse.”

What thoughts do you have about ‘race’ – is it a legitimate means of categorizing people? If not, why not? Check out WNYC’s Radiolab’s episode: Race. If it is – would you, like Wax, maintain that communities can be distinguishably defined along racial lines? Why/why not?

“There’s always going to be people who are prejudiced and people who are biased,” she says. “There’s always going to be people who are misogynist, or anti-Semites, or the like. I just think it’s not a super core part of ordinary life in most cases.”

What do you think? Does your/others' racial/ethnic or gender identity play a part in your daily life/interactions? If not – why do you think so many people care/talk so much about racial/ethnic identity? If so – do biases or prejudice comprise a significant portion of that role? Check out Racial Microaggressions in Daily Life.

“Wax writes that the rhetorical habit of characterizing African Americans as victims of poverty, crime, failing school systems and broken families ignores the truism that people largely create their own environments. “These commonly identified conditions are not solely, or even predominately, imposed from above,” she says. “Rather, they are mostly the product of the actions and choices of participants.”

What do you think? Who creates their own environment? Do we as individuals create our own environment? Do racial groups collectively create their own environment? Do other social groups (families, regions or economic class groups) create their own environment? Do nations?

If you’d rather email or chat in person about this article – I’d love to! I’m happy to share my own thoughts too – just very interested in yours ;c)

A New Year!

2009-09-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

A new academic year has begun - it's wonderful to envision 9 months of growth in connection to God, ourselves, others and creation. This sweet opportunity is worth our attention!

We'll be meeting Thursdays in Huntsman Hall 250 from 7:30-9 (stick around for snacks 'til 10). You can expect prayer (sometimes written, sometimes off the cuff), musical worship, the reading and an offered interpretation of scripture followed sometimes by an activity that you will be asked to participate in, sometimes a discussion you'll be asked to participate in, a chance to hear and to speak about how you've seen God active in the last week.

We have several opportunities for studying the Bible this semester:

NE campus [Sansom E&W; KCECH; Hill; International House]
Tues - 8PM - book of 1 John
Matt: weedcore@gmail
484.557.2013

SE Campus [Quad]
Mon - 8PM - book of James
Steve: sstrawser@gmail
267.718.3628

NW Campus [High Rise North, Dubois, off-campus]
Mon - 7PM - book of James
Emma: emmalb@sas
315.420.0964

SW Campus [High Rise East, High Rise South, Gregory/1928, Mayer, off-campus]
Tues - 7:30 PM - book of 1 John
Susie: susieflood@gmail
267.994.8936

Summer Reading Ideas

2009-04-23T14:41:00.000-07:00

Heart

Tainted Love
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2324
Truth. Sex. Relationships. Dating. Lust. Isolation. Selfishness. Freedom. Impatience. Passion. Angst. Sin. Purity. Courtship. Envy. Beauty. Obsession. Experience. Pornography. Light. Defeat. Gratitude. Hope. Respect. Community. Love.

Wasting Time With God
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2280
When it comes to developing a deep, trusting relationship with God, efficiency and productivity are not the answer. It's far better to "waste" time with him, to just enjoy being with him. After all, that's how any friendship grows.

Signature Sins
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3515
In these pages, the author empathetically and honestly reflects on the ways we manage our behavior to hide our sin and ignore the true poverty of our hearts. But until we deal with the root of our sin, we will be ruled and fooled by it, and miss the freedom Christ died to bring. Exploring common forms of sin and then discovering how our own temperament, culture, family and gender affect the way those sins manifest themselves in our lives will lead us to a place of real honesty with ourselves, God and others. But the book doesn't stop there; it also shows ways to combat our sin so that we can change our hearts, not just our behavior.

Soul

Spiritual Disciplines Devotional
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3503
Through brief daily readings and simple ideas on spiritual practices, this book introduces the core disciplines of the Christian faith. Rather than being another burden to an already full schedule, these devotions provide an opportunity to develop holy habits that will lead you into the joyful, rich life God has created us for.

Sacred Rhythms
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3333
Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God's transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a "rule of life" that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices--individually and in a group context. The final chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation.

My Soul Waits
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3443
In My Soul Waits, Dawn guides us through psalms that reveal the burdens of our souls to God, and in turn reveal God's profound, intimate concern for our pain and a promise to abide with us in it. Readers feeling the sting of loneliness will take great comfort in this very personal book. Those who strive to support the lonely among them will take wise counsel from the Scriptures it expounds. All will encounter a renewed hope in the One who lists our tears only to wipe them all away.

Mind

Picturing the Gospel
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3370
In our image-based culture, people need to visualize something to understand it. This has never been more true about our communication of the gospel. But sometimes our understanding of the gospel gets stuck in a rut, and all we know is a particular outline or one-size-fits-all formula. While we hold to only one gospel, the New Testament uses a wealth of dynamic, compelling images for explaining the good news of Jesus, each of which connects with different people at different points of need.

Discipleship of the Mind
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=985
How do we learn to honor God in the ways we think? James Sire blazes a trail for Christians concerned about the discipleship of our minds. After looking at the attitudes toward God and ourselves necessary for the journey, he introduces us to the basics of the Christian world view. Separate chapters discuss the foundations of knowledge and the relationship between knowing and doing. With an eye to the practical, Sire offers specific suggestions on getting to know what is good and getting to know the world. He also provides valuable insights on how Christians might approach various academic disciplines as disciples of Christ. Here is a book for all who desire to love God with their minds.

Spiritual Theology
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=1542
Chan begins with the principal doctrines of God, sin, salvation and the church. He then progresses to a reflective consideration of the practice of the spiritual life, from prayer to spiritual direction. Unabashedly evangelical and truly ecumenical, Chan grounds his exploration in the sources of the Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox traditions. His work is well abreast of contemporary theological currents and crossculturally conversant from an Asian perspective.

Men and Women in the Church
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2391
Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church. On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus? Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both.

Strength

Wanting to be Her
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3266
As you read this book you will discover that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, and it cannot be airbrushed or faked. In these pages you will discover the true secrets of a positive body image.

Faith On the Edge
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=2212
Do you want to live for Jesus but struggle with what that means day by day? The deep desire of our hearts to be close to God is so easily sidetracked by daily realities. This book is designed to cover the areas of faith and life that you most want to bring together under God's leadership. Following Jesus is a wild and wonderful journey. It is perhaps the riskiest choice you will ever make. And the most rewarding. Come and see.

Living in Color
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3255
With profound wisdom from his own Native American heritage and experience, Woodley's voice adds a distinctive perspective to contemporary discussions of racial reconciliation and multiethnicity. Here is a biblical vision for unity in diversity.

Being White
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3247
Filled with real-life stories, life-transforming insights and practical guidance, this book is for you if you are aware of racial inequality but have wondered, So what do I do? Discover here a vision for just communities where whites can partner with and empower those of other ethnicities.

Loving Your Neighbor

Finding Calcutta
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3472
"Find the sick, the suffering and the lonely right there where you are. . . . You can find Calcutta all over the world, if you have the eyes to see." --Mother Teresa

The Suburban Christian
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3334
Suburbia may be one of the most significant mission fields of the twenty-first century. Here is guidance and hope for all who would seek the welfare of the suburbs.

Practical Justice
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3368
You're well-intended, but stuck in the rut of the everyday. You want to make your life matter. But you don't know where to start. You wonder about everything from whether to give a dollar to a beggar to how to participate in the political process, from whether to shop at Wal-Mart to how much to spend on a car. Kevin Blue has spent his adult life answering these questions for himself and for others. He lives in the heart of Los Angeles, where these questions can't be set aside. And he has led college students through experiences in urban ministry as well as international treks to the poorest parts of the world. In Practical Justice he combines what he has learned with the experiences of others to answer your questions.

The New Global Mission
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/book.pl/code=3301
Christian mission is no longer a matter of missionaries from the West going to the rest of the world. Rather, the growth of Christianity in Latin America, Africa and parts of Asia is eclipsing that of the Western church. In the third millennium of the Christian era, Christian mission is truly global, with missionaries from all places going to all peoples.