Coffee Shop Theology
In the spirit of the incarnation, and following the lead of Mosaic's Public Theology thing, the web's Open Source Theology, and the apostle Paul's trip to the Areopagus, a few of us are trying to take theological discussion into the public domain; into the place where dialogue happens - in our case the coffee shops of Edinburgh.
We seek to wrestle with our thinking about God through informal conversation which encourages open questioning and, where opinions differ, sincere respect. We seek to create an open community where we can share our passions, concerns and thoughts about the church. We seek to create space for 'the other': a cross-confessional environment where we can challenge each other, open each other's eyes to new perspectives and explore new ways that we can engage with both our shared Christian tradition and our contemporary culture. So if you are waiting for your hazelnut latte and hear a bunch of people in the corner getting excited about God, that'll be us. Get your coffee to sit in, and pull up a chair.
If you are interested in being part of a lively, informal and welcoming discussion on matters relating to (mainly but not exclusively) Christian theology then reply to this thread or email me and we'd love to have you with us. Of course, you could just show up!
9 Comments:
Well, I must admit that I have nothing theological to adda t this stage but just wante dthe claim to being the first person ever to leave a comment on this blog. So that's it then. Credit to you for the Pub, oops sorry, Cafe theology, lets all keep talking and pray we get somewhere towards more answers rather than the pile of questions that seems to be constantly rising.
Stuart's last comment has been moved to a new thread
here
Was Jesus a pacifist?
Jamie,
nice to have met you at pub theo yesterday. I'll try and find some excuse to vistit Edinburgh soon, or perhaps we could meet u o when you are through at ICC?
Cheers.
Very interested to note that you have just read the Ron Buckland book "Children and the Gospel". What did you think of it?
I've just read another of his books, "Children and God" as the Children and the gospel book was out on loan when I tried to get it from the library ;-)
I like his clear, concise style of writing. Me, I like my theology books simple!
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
Buckland's book is good, especially as an intro to child theology. It covers some aspects of child development, as well as how this relates to the theology of sin, the kingdom, evangelism, conversion, the church and the Holy Spirit. There are lots of much-needed challenges to our long-held beliefs about children, espcially as regards original sin and their status before God.
If you want another (more radical) perspective, I'd recommend "Postmodern Children's Ministry" by Ivy Beckwith, which I am reading at the moment. That'll blow your socks off!
Jamie
what do universalists, e.g. Moltmann, make of Luke 13:22-30?
We're going to have a CST session on Universalism soon. Stuart Weir has offered to come and join us for that one and share his thoughts.
In the meantime, the Universalism thread continues here with the vexed question of teeth-gnashing. ;)
"If you want another (more radical) perspective, I'd recommend "Postmodern Children's Ministry" by Ivy Beckwith, which I am reading at the moment"
Hi again Jamie,
Guess what! I have just read the Ivy Beckwith book! It went back to the library just two weeks ago, but I have actually ordered it too. Not that I am acting true to type or anything, but I really liked the front cover.
Yup, I'm one of those gals who buys a bottle of wine based on its aesthetic qualities, particularly on how attractive the label is :::::::I can see you shaking your head now!!::::
I actually stored some of my favourite bits from her book. Here's one:
"God has given children an innate ability to know and love God. Children are strongly attracted to God from birth. This is the quality that needs to be nurtured from birth onward, both at home and in the faith community. Our children need to be told they are Christians and treated as such – invited as full members of the community, given opportunities to lead in the community and loved as Jesus calls us to love each other as a sign of God’s love for the world". (p63)
BTW, I found Chris Leach's "popular theology" book, Children and the Holy Spiirit, to be remarkably similar in outlook to Ms Beckwith's and immensely readable for people from all kinds of backgrounds.
Cheers me dear, off to open a bottle of Blossom Hill Zinfandel (pretty pink colour, lovely label)
Lynn ;-)
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