Quotes & Sayings


We, and creation itself, actualize the possibilities of the God who sustains the world, towards becoming in the world in a fuller, more deeper way. - R.E. Slater

There is urgency in coming to see the world as a web of interrelated processes of which we are integral parts, so that all of our choices and actions have [consequential effects upon] the world around us. - Process Metaphysician Alfred North Whitehead

Kurt Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem says (i) all closed systems are unprovable within themselves and, that (ii) all open systems are rightly understood as incomplete. - R.E. Slater

The most true thing about you is what God has said to you in Christ, "You are My Beloved." - Tripp Fuller

The God among us is the God who refuses to be God without us, so great is God's Love. - Tripp Fuller

According to some Christian outlooks we were made for another world. Perhaps, rather, we were made for this world to recreate, reclaim, redeem, and renew unto God's future aspiration by the power of His Spirit. - R.E. Slater

Our eschatological ethos is to love. To stand with those who are oppressed. To stand against those who are oppressing. It is that simple. Love is our only calling and Christian Hope. - R.E. Slater

Secularization theory has been massively falsified. We don't live in an age of secularity. We live in an age of explosive, pervasive religiosity... an age of religious pluralism. - Peter L. Berger

Exploring the edge of life and faith in a post-everything world. - Todd Littleton

I don't need another reason to believe, your love is all around for me to see. – Anon

Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all. - Khalil Gibran, Prayer XXIII

Be careful what you pretend to be. You become what you pretend to be. - Kurt Vonnegut

Religious beliefs, far from being primary, are often shaped and adjusted by our social goals. - Jim Forest

We become who we are by what we believe and can justify. - R.E. Slater

People, even more than things, need to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. – Anon

Certainly, God's love has made fools of us all. - R.E. Slater

An apocalyptic Christian faith doesn't wait for Jesus to come, but for Jesus to become in our midst. - R.E. Slater

Christian belief in God begins with the cross and resurrection of Jesus, not with rational apologetics. - Eberhard Jüngel, Jürgen Moltmann

Our knowledge of God is through the 'I-Thou' encounter, not in finding God at the end of a syllogism or argument. There is a grave danger in any Christian treatment of God as an object. The God of Jesus Christ and Scripture is irreducibly subject and never made as an object, a force, a power, or a principle that can be manipulated. - Emil Brunner

“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” means "I will be that who I have yet to become." - God (Ex 3.14) or, conversely, “I AM who I AM Becoming.”

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. - Thomas Merton

The church is God's world-changing social experiment of bringing unlikes and differents to the Eucharist/Communion table to share life with one another as a new kind of family. When this happens, we show to the world what love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and life together is designed by God to be. The church is God's show-and-tell for the world to see how God wants us to live as a blended, global, polypluralistic family united with one will, by one Lord, and baptized by one Spirit. – Anon

The cross that is planted at the heart of the history of the world cannot be uprooted. - Jacques Ellul

The Unity in whose loving presence the universe unfolds is inside each person as a call to welcome the stranger, protect animals and the earth, respect the dignity of each person, think new thoughts, and help bring about ecological civilizations. - John Cobb & Farhan A. Shah

If you board the wrong train it is of no use running along the corridors of the train in the other direction. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God's justice is restorative rather than punitive; His discipline is merciful rather than punishing; His power is made perfect in weakness; and His grace is sufficient for all. – Anon

Our little [biblical] systems have their day; they have their day and cease to be. They are but broken lights of Thee, and Thou, O God art more than they. - Alfred Lord Tennyson

We can’t control God; God is uncontrollable. God can’t control us; God’s love is uncontrolling! - Thomas Jay Oord

Life in perspective but always in process... as we are relational beings in process to one another, so life events are in process in relation to each event... as God is to Self, is to world, is to us... like Father, like sons and daughters, like events... life in process yet always in perspective. - R.E. Slater

To promote societal transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework which includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace. - The Earth Charter Mission Statement

Christian humanism is the belief that human freedom, individual conscience, and unencumbered rational inquiry are compatible with the practice of Christianity or even intrinsic in its doctrine. It represents a philosophical union of Christian faith and classical humanist principles. - Scott Postma

It is never wise to have a self-appointed religious institution determine a nation's moral code. The opportunities for moral compromise and failure are high; the moral codes and creeds assuredly racist, discriminatory, or subjectively and religiously defined; and the pronouncement of inhumanitarian political objectives quite predictable. - R.E. Slater

God's love must both center and define the Christian faith and all religious or human faiths seeking human and ecological balance in worlds of subtraction, harm, tragedy, and evil. - R.E. Slater

In Whitehead’s process ontology, we can think of the experiential ground of reality as an eternal pulse whereby what is objectively public in one moment becomes subjectively prehended in the next, and whereby the subject that emerges from its feelings then perishes into public expression as an object (or “superject”) aiming for novelty. There is a rhythm of Being between object and subject, not an ontological division. This rhythm powers the creative growth of the universe from one occasion of experience to the next. This is the Whiteheadian mantra: “The many become one and are increased by one.” - Matthew Segall

Without Love there is no Truth. And True Truth is always Loving. There is no dichotomy between these terms but only seamless integration. This is the premier centering focus of a Processual Theology of Love. - R.E. Slater

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Note: Generally I do not respond to commentary. I may read the comments but wish to reserve my time to write (or write from the comments I read). Instead, I'd like to see our community help one another and in the helping encourage and exhort each of us towards Christian love in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. - re slater

Saturday, July 11, 2020

Homebrewed Christianity - Introducing Black & Intersectional Theology, Part 1-7

an online reading group and exploration

"I Can't Breathe!"

Black Theology

Disrupting & Revitalizing the World

w/ Dr. Adam Clark & Dr. Tripp Fuller | August 2020




An Eight Week Course Introducing
Black Theology & Intersectional Theology

Parts 1-7 + Miscellanea 1-3






8 Weeks + 4 Deep Dives + 4 Special Sessions + Readings + Online Community




“Racism is a profound contradiction of the gospel. No one can be a representative of Jesus and treat others as subhuman. There can be no compromise on this point. Any theology that does not fight white supremacy with all its intellectual strength cancels its Christian identity”  - James Cone

White supremacy is America’s most cherished heresy. It is a theological error entailing the death and domination of black bodies. The White Church has not simply been silent and sidelined in the march toward liberation, but an ideological ally and institutional accomplice of supremacy culture. George Floyd’s last words as he was murdered by the State, “I can’t breathe,” ignited a collective gasp in which a larger multitude and diversity of citizenry had the scales fall off their eyes and found their lips and lungs reanimated to speak, “Black Lives Matter.” 

For some this is a new shout and for others it is too familiar. If black lives matter our life as a species and a church, then it is time to listen to the voices who have already been speaking and living this gospel proclamation. As James Cone, the Father of Black Theology said, “There can be no Christian theology that is not identified unreservedly with those who are humiliated and abused. In fact, theology ceases to be a theology of the gospel when it fails to arise out of the community of the oppressed. For it is impossible to speak of the God of Israelite history, who is the God revealed in Jesus Christ, without recognizing that God is the God of and for those who labor and are overladen.” We hope this online class in Black Theology is disrupting and revitalizing.










We are extremely excited about both the content and the format of this class. Each of the elements are intended to provide all the resources necessary for the engaged nerd like yourself to wrestle deeply with a powerful tradition and texts.

The aim of this course is to explore four major themes that shape Black Theology. Black Theology is critical thinking about the framing stories and interpretive structures that organize and give meaning to black life. It is a way of framing Christian faith through the goal and practice of liberation. As we dig into each of the four themes we will examine a number of short reading selections, receive lecture from Adam in conversation with Tripp, hear from a different special guest scholar, QnA time, and engage the community in the online group.

Can't join live? Want to save the content for later? No problem! ALL THE CONTENT OF THE CLASS WILL BE RECORDED AND SHARED AS BOTH AUDIO and VIDEO TO THE CLASS. SO go ahead and join.


The Four Major Themes of Our Reading




Is Christianity a White Man’s Religion? Can Christianity be separated from Empire?




How is Black Theology conceived as a theology of liberation? What are its sources and norms?




What is the significance of Hagar to black women’s experience? What is the Womanist critique of the Cross and turn towards the ministerial vision of Jesus?




Who is Christ for us today? What is the connection between the cross and the lynching tree?




Meet Adam

Dr. Adam Clark is Associate Professor of Theology at Xavier University. He is committed to the idea that theological education in the twenty first century must function as a counter-story. One that equips us to read against the grain of the dominant culture and inspires one to live into the Ignatian dictum of going forth "to set the world on fire." To this end, Dr. Clark is intentional about pedagogical practices that raise critical consciousness by going beneath surface meanings, unmasking conventional wisdoms and reimagining the good. He currently serves as co-chair of Black Theology Group at the American Academy of Religion, actively publishes in the area of black theology and black religion and participates in social justice groups at Xavier and in the Cincinnati area. He earned his PhD at Union Theological Seminary in New York where he was mentored by James Cone. 




Meet Tripp

Dr. Tripp Fuller is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Theology & Science at the University of Edinburgh. For over 12 years Tripp has been doing the Homebrewed Christianity podcast (think on demand internet radio) where he interviews different scholars about their work so you can get nerdy in traffic, on the treadmill or doing the dishes. Last year it had over 3.5 million downloads. It also inspired a book series with Fortress Press called the Homebrewed Christianity Guides to... topics like God, Jesus, Spirit, Church History etc. Tripp is a very committed and (some of his friends think overly ) engaged Lakers fan and takes Star Wars and Lord of the Rings very seriously.



---------------------------------------------


PARTS 1-7
+
MISCELLANEA 1-3


PART 1
September 3, 2020 By Tripp Fuller

We had a bunch of questions and we attempted to answer them! The questions came from all the cool people in our Black Theology reading group. If you want to join and get access to the readings, deep dive lectures, and more than head over here. Here's the books we recommended: Making a … Read moreabout From Lebron James to the Black Panther: Black Theology QnA w/ Adam Clark


PART 2
August 25, 2020 By Tripp Fuller



PART 3
August 10, 2020 By Tripp Fuller



PART 4
August 5, 2020 By Tripp Fuller

Dr. Adam Clark is here as we kick off the Black Theology Reading Group. This episode is not just a description and invitation to join the reading but, an outline of the centering questions of the class. If you don't want to miss out on some amazing reading, lectures, conversation, and community … Read moreabout Adam Clark: What is Black Theology?


PART 5
January 12, 2022 By Tripp Fuller

In this episode you get a preview of what is going on in the Upsetting the Powers reading group. Each week we will be featuring a live session where Adam Clark and I discuss the week's theme, reading, and class questions... but wait...there's more :) there will also be an interview in which Adam … Read moreabout Serene Jones & Adam Clark: Theology Matters and the Legacy of James Cone


PART 6
August 24, 2020 By Tripp Fuller

Dr. Monica A. Coleman is back on the podcast and it is fun ride! Adam Clark and I were thrilled to welcome her as a special guest in the Black Theology reading group (which you can still join). Monica A. Coleman is committed to connecting faith and social justice. She is a widely sought speaker … Read moreabout Monica A. Coleman: Process Womanist Theology


PART 7
June 10, 2020 By Tripp Fuller

Dr. Reggie Williams is the Associate Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary and author of Bonhoeffer's Black Jesus:Harlem Renaissance Theology and an Ethic of Resistance. The book is an analysis of exposure to Harlem Renaissance intellectuals, and worship at Harlem’s … Read moreabout Reggie Williams: Bonhoeffer’s Black Jesus


* * * * * * * *


MISCELLANEA - 1
April 16, 2019 By Tripp Fuller

This summer we are hosting a class with the one and only John D. Caputo. I am super excited about it and would love to all ye interested nerds to check it out and join the fun. Here's the reading for the class … Read moreabout Theology of Culture: a class with John D. Caputo


MISCELLANEA - 2
June 22, 2017 By Tripp Fuller

I am excited to share this special conversation with Frederick L. Ware with you. Dr. Ware is author of African American Theology, which is a seriously excellent introduction and ready for your reading pleasure. He is the Associate Professor of Theology at Howard University Divinity School in … Read moreabout An Introduction to African American Theology with Frederick Ware


MISCELLANEA - 3
December 6, 2016 By Tripp Fuller

In this single episode you are going to hear from three different feminist theologians, so buckle your theological safety belt and get ready to ferment some serious wisdom bombs! This theological extravaganza was recorded live at Blue Star Brewing Company in San Antonio during the American … Read moreabout Christian Feminist Theology with Elizabeth Johnson, Monica Coleman, and Cindy Rigby
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