tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25560965.post61601706617143486..comments2023-05-05T00:45:20.298-07:00Comments on Caught by the Light: Bullet Train TheologyBr Richard Edward Helmer BSGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04603206783767329399noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25560965.post-62566679173164233892007-06-14T07:32:00.000-07:002007-06-14T07:32:00.000-07:00I would even go so far as to argue story is the ba...<I>I would even go so far as to argue story is the basis of theology. Everything else is fancy brain gymnastics!</I><BR/><BR/>Richard, amen. It's all about the stories. I'm from the South, you know, and we love the stories.June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25560965.post-63714047592959791132007-06-14T05:47:00.000-07:002007-06-14T05:47:00.000-07:00Dear Mimi,I'm not really in a position to evaluate...Dear Mimi,<BR/><BR/>I'm not really in a position to evaluate the intellectual and education level of the parish I serve against the norm of the greater church. I can say that we have people all over the spectrum, but most of the members I know of have at least an undergraduate degree.<BR/><BR/>When I preach, I try to avoid the temptation to "dumb things down." It's both patronizing to the congregation and frustrating if I cannot speak out of my own authentic space.<BR/><BR/>One thing I do endeavor to, though, is to tell some kind of story in relationship with the lections of the day. Story seems to have a universal quality of cutting across all kinds of intellectual, social, age, faith, and educational divisions. And people remember it, even if they don't care to try to grasp the theological content.<BR/><BR/>I would even go so far as to argue story <I>is</I> the basis of theology. Everything else is fancy brain gymnastics!<BR/><BR/>A long answer to a simple question. Thanks for visiting and your kind words regarding what I'm now calling my jet-lagged sermon!Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07474786207149076221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25560965.post-2377524064431301992007-06-13T09:53:00.000-07:002007-06-13T09:53:00.000-07:00Richard, you're a mystic! This one truly resonate...Richard, you're a mystic! This one truly resonates with me. Liminality is my companion also.<BR/><BR/>Is your congregation above the norm in intelligence and and education? I loved your sermon, but when I think of how it would be received in my parish, I can't really say. Maybe I underestimate my fellow parishioners.June Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01723016934182800437noreply@blogger.com