theology panel

Tuesday morning June 17th.
Last evening, during our Theology Panel conference call, the five participants; Jim Ramelis, Rich Warden, Bill Peltz, Steve Rockwell and Bo McGruffy (sp?), discussed the topic of a Theology of Social Responsibility.

We developed a list of topics that might fit under that label. Included might be:
Economic Justice - Corporatism
Gay Rights - Same sex marriage
Immigration - Undocumented worker rights
Global Stewardship
Health care - universal coverage
War Veterans Care - rehabiliation

Added to that list might be, from prior postings:
Stem Cell Research
Separation of Church and State

We discussed areas were we might find common ground with Evangelicals, especially young folks.

From an June 1, 2008 article in the NY Times, by line - Neela Banerjee (www.nytimes.com/2008/06/01/us/01 evangelicals.html) the following appear to be areas of commom ground:
Care for the poor
Environmental protection (i.e. creation care)
Immigrants
Persons w/ HIV/AIDS
Stem cell research
Failing Inner City Schools
Human Trafficking
Support for Senator Obama (informally)

2 areas where we may continue to disagree are Abortion and Homosexuality, which young Evangelicals still consider sins.

The spirit that motivates me to pursue the efforts of the Theology Panel is one that seeks to develop theological underpinings in support of our professed social action goals. At this point I believe a Theology of Social Responsibility best expressed my intent. Let's pursue this further on this evenings conference call shall we.

Please do join us.

Out next Theology Panel conference call is set for Monday June 16th, 8:30 PM EDT Call 218-339-2500 access code 727705*

I would like to further address the purpose of panel (review the proposed Spirit of Conduct) and how it supports the work of The IPC and CL. Plus review the current disccusions on the early chruch fathers and their relevance, if any, to today's issues.

As the agenda is always open, are there any other issues anyone would like to add?

Rich

While my reply to Kety on the Theology Panel was a bit folksy, the areas of greatest interest to me are:

Science and religion
Living energy universe: intelligent process, not intelligent design.

Stewardship: Caring for our world, countering global warming impacts

Near Death Experience

Synchronicity and related works of Carl Jung

Early Christian church fathers
Origen: Preexistence of the Soul and Metempsychosis
Pelagius vs Augustine: Loving God & Mans Depravity

The Gospel According to Jesus
What did Jesus actually say?
Jesus as Messenger, the Wayshower

Progresssive Christian Theology for the Modern World
Social Justice programs

I encourage others to share their theological interests. It is from this sharing that the panel will take its direction. It truly is your candy shop.

Rich

I offer these notes to provide some insights into the energy four of us shared during last Monday's Theology Panel conference call. As these are just my notes I invite Rev. Roger, Rev. Jim and Rev. Nancy to add their notes to these.

Rev. Roger noted that he was from the Prince of Peace congregation in Anniston, AL. Raised Baptist he moved to the Anglican Church, but due to internal church politics in their first church where I believe he said his wife was unsuccesfully nominated for Bishop, he and his wife left and joined a progressive Anglican church. He's now part of the creation effort building The Progressive Christian Alliance, a "non-denominational denomination"! He does enjoy a good social justice campaign and a good theological discussion.

The Rev. Jim Ramelis, who lives "way out in the sticks" of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, has a degree in Religious Studies. His studies in A Course in Miracles lead to his ordination. He's prime interest is in the basics of social justice; would like CrossLeft to push for basic universal progressive themes such as immigration reform, universal healthcare for all and the like.