|
| |
|
Ghost Ranch Seminar, Summer 2000
with Ross and Gloria Kinsler |
|
A Very Timely Seminar!
Ghost Ranch
gathering with authors Ross and Gloria Kinsler,, in the summer of 2000,
considered the meaning of
Sabbath and Jubilee for our living today.
by Jane Hanna
| For an updated essay on Jubilee
and global justice, after 9/11 and the "war on
terrorism," check out the Kinslers' JUBILEE
MEMO 2001/2 [1-19-02] |
 CONVERSATIONS WITH ROSS AND
GLORIA KINSLER was not the most "eye-catching" title for
the Witherspoon-sponsored seminar at Ghost Ranch in early July. For
those who read the content description and knew something about the
Kinslers' reputation, there was no hesitation about signing on. Thirteen
of us gathered for a most extraordinary, stimulating, challenging and
thought-provoking Bible study. Spirits were high as we tackled some of
the most critical issues facing the world today, studying and pondering
God's intent for us in times such as these. We sang, celebrated,
worshiped and struggled together to discern what it should mean for us
to truly honor a Biblical Sabbath and Jubilee lifestyle.
We came to the seminar in general agreement about the global reality of
economic polarization and ecological destruction, both consequences of
our consumer culture. We explored ways we might live faithfully and
responsibly within this current reality.
The Kinslers' book, The Biblical Jubilee and the Struggle for
Life, was
designed to be used as a study guide for groups wishing to
understand the Biblical Sabbath and Jubilee tradition. The book outlines
the approach used during the week as we examined the current global
rich/poor gap and environmental crisis.
We explored in depth the Sabbath/Jubilee texts in both Old and New
Testaments as key to the Biblical message of God's intent for creation.
It became clear that the Holy One's plan for humanity was "enough
for all," enunciated over and over in a variety of ways and
situations throughout the Bible. It would seem to be the clearest of
God's commands and Jesus' understanding of God's plan for humanity. Is
it "human nature" that has allowed us to overlook this major
Biblical concern throughout most of Christian history? Perhaps it is
simply human greed, a major sin we prefer not to recognize.
There is something about the beginning of a new millennium (despite its
being measured in human time and not God's) that has awakened an
interest and concern for God's Jubilee instructions. Perhaps it is also
a growing and painful recognition that our planet and its life forms are
in jeopardy as the disparities of today's global economy escalate. In
the process, the real wealth provided by God's resources is being
plundered and depleted faster than it can be replenished, in sharp
contrast to God's instructions to the Hebrews.
 Beginning
with the Exodus story of Moses and the liberation of the Hebrews from
slavery in Egypt, God's message is that the oppression of domination
systems of pharaohs, kings and empires was not the Creator's intent for
humanity. Salvation meant freedom from control. It was the spirit of
liberation that provided the vision for a Sabbath/Jubilee system.
Periodically land and animals were to be given rest, people released
from slavery and debt. Jubilee was meant to be a restoration of right
relations with each other, the earth and God.
When Israel adopted the practices of the domination structures of their
neighbors and forgot the covenant made with God, the prophets reminded
the people of God's intent. Jesus began his ministry with the reading
from Isaiah that declared God's preference for the poor and oppressed.
His ministry, expressed in parables, was one of inverting prevailing
orthodoxy. "So the last will be first, and the first last."
(Matt. 20:16)
Descriptions of the early church in Acts indicate that all came together
and had all things in common; there were no needy among them because
possessions and goods were distributed to all as had need. Discerning
what Jubilee means for our individual and communal lives challenged us
in considering how we should respond. As a people committed in faith to
the Jubilee vision for our world today, we are called to practice the
divine mandate for social and economic justice, to care for all
creation.
The Kinslers' book may be ordered from Orbis Books (#289-3), $17 plus $4
shipping. Call 1-800-258-5838.
THE AUTHOR: Jane Hanna, the main organizer of
this Ghost Ranch event, lives in Santa Fe, and is the president-elect of
the Witherspoon Society. |
| |
|
Visit
our lively
new website! |
|
GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
 |
Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
|
Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
|
Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
|
| |
|
If you like what
you find here,
we hope you'll help us keep Voices for Justice going ... and
growing!
Please consider making a special
contribution -- large or small -- to help us continue and improve
this service.
Click here to send a
gift online, using your credit card, through PayPal.
Or send your check, made
out to "Presbyterian Voices for Justice" and marked "web site," to
our PVJ Treasurer:
Darcy Hawk
4007 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA 15044-8312 |
| |
|
Some blogs worth visiting |
|
PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
| |
|
Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
| |
|
John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
| |
|
John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
| |
|
Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
| |
|
