AEF Conference: Panel Discussion #6 (final)

The final panel discussion for the anaugural conference of the AEF Call included (L-R): Frederica Mathewes-Green, Howard Snyder, Lauren Winner, Aaron Flores, Brian McLaren, Hans Boersma.

The panel was guided through a final round of reflecting on all six sections of the Call.  I wish that more of the panel discussion had been like this one -- not that discussion in response to each speaker's presentation wasn't helpful -- it's just that this round (and emphasis) seemed especially relevant and  productive.  Highlight's included Brian's thoughts on the importance of teaching the biblical "narrative" rather than a set of propositional truths taken from the scriptures:

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Brian went on then, to talk about how the biblical narrative greatly needs to be reflected in our hymnody and our musical expressions of worship:

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Howard Snyder seemed to agree:

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And then, Brian shared some summary thoughts regarding what evangelicals need to change as they move into an ancient evangelical future:   

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On an aside -- Brian mentioned this week that instead of referring to the biblical narrative as a "metanarrative", he's increasingly prefers to use the term "redeeming narrative" -- i.e. not the narrative that overrides all others, but rather the narrative that redeems the value and worth from all other narratives.

 

Adding to Brian's thoughts, Lauren Winner pointed out that spirituality isn't something we "practice", but rather something that's already going on and which we choose (or refuse) to enter:   

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Though I personally appreciated the deep and thoughtful contributions from panel members -- especially Brian McLaren, Frederica Mathewes-Green, and Howard Snyder -- Aaron Flores brought an interesting and divergent opinion on much of what had been shared: 

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I'd really enjoy hearing your thoughts in response to any of what has been shared above.

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Comments

[seraphim/seattle]

you've asked for comments and thoughts in each post... so mostly... thank you for making all of this available. seriously... such a rich conversation.

[John]

Hi, Im from Melbourne.

ALL narratives are exactly and only that--narratives or stories which attempt to explain Humankinds relationship to and understanding of the Infinitely Radiant Mystery in which all of this is arising.

ALL of which were and are made in time and space and inevitably a projection of the culturally determined mind forms of those who made (make) it, and the depth of their Spiritual Illumination.

With that in mind please check out this reference re to who owns the Holy Brightness.

1. www.adidam.org/flash/truthandreligion/index.html

Meanwhile in this day and age ALL of the HUMANLY made Sacred Scriptures of the entire Great Tradition of Humankind are freely available on the internet. And as such they are the common inheritance of all of us.
And we are also witnessing (and participating in) a global fight to the death war. A war between the mind made idolatries created by the would be world conquering political "religions" which originated in the Middle East.
Both claiming to possess the one true faith/revelation/way etc etc.