We are back again. This time it’s very early, and the sun is rising. And the kindly looking bishop takes the pulpit. “Our scripture reading for today comes from the gospel according to John: “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voiceContinue reading “Easter Sunday (or,Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)”
Tag Archives: miroslav volf
Holy Saturday, the day of waiting (or, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)
Christ is dead in the tomb. Everything is suspended.The congregation is silent, sitting and mourning the death of Prince, a black youth murdered by a police officer (or all of us), and the death of Christ, murdered by jealous rivals (or all of us). Miroslav Volf steps to the front and speaks in a slightlyContinue reading “Holy Saturday, the day of waiting (or, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Miroslav Volf & NT Wright have a conversation about bodies)”
Good Friday: The Day God Dies (or Ta-Nahesi Coates, Miroslav Volf & N.T. Wright have a conversation about bodies)
We are all gathered in a small chapel for our normal good Friday service, the candles are lit, the incense is ready, but then Ta-Nahesi Coates stands up in the middle of the service, faces the congregation, and begins to speak: “When a black man dies, everyone wants to talk about forgiving the killer.They want to weave hisContinue reading “Good Friday: The Day God Dies (or Ta-Nahesi Coates, Miroslav Volf & N.T. Wright have a conversation about bodies)”
An Uprooting
But we can’t receive that grace if we don’t think we need it. For reconciliation and restoration to occur, we have to acknowledge there’s a problem… The question is not, “What is Jesus telling black people in this moment?” The question is, “What is Jesus telling me in this moment? Me, a white person?”
Identity & Reconciliation: A quick reflection on “The End of Memory”
Volf ends his book talking about how it should have a warning label because it is hazardous to two cherished notions: 1. We should remember wrongs solely out of concern for victims and 2. We should forever remember wrongs suffered. It seems crazy to argue that we should remember in a way that is fair, andContinue reading “Identity & Reconciliation: A quick reflection on “The End of Memory””
2. Two Part book Summary: The End of Memory, Miroslav Volf
This is a continuation of my summary of the book The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent World by Miroslav Volf. For part one, go here. The last part of the book, part three, asks the question how long we should remember. I don’t know how many reconciliation seminars I’ve been to thatContinue reading “2. Two Part book Summary: The End of Memory, Miroslav Volf”
1. Two part Book summary: The End of Memory by Miroslav Volf
My birthday, senior year of college, I missed hearing one of my favorite authors, Miroslav Volf, speaking at Taylor. My loving fiancé attended his talk, and got his most recent book (at the time) autographed for me. This book has been sitting on a shelf in the attic in Minnesota for the past three years,Continue reading “1. Two part Book summary: The End of Memory by Miroslav Volf”
Stories and Social Justice (a sandwich)
sometimes I get this longing for something beautiful. I hear sermons on theological abstract principles that don’t inspire me, so I go home and write what would have inspired me.
Justice Isn’t Blind (part 2)
In Justice Isn’t Blind (Part 1) I argue that I don’t like an emphasis on non-racialism, because I don’t think it promotes equality. The reason I gave is because our past history of injustice based on race means that certain racial groups today are still economically advantaged and disadvantaged. A blind application of formal equalityContinue reading “Justice Isn’t Blind (part 2)”
The Path From Indifference Starts with a Step
“I go about my own business…I reason: the road from Jerusalem to Jericho will always be littered by people beaten and left half dead; I can pass–I must pass–by each without much concern. The indifference that made the prophecy, takes care also of its fulfillment.” –Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace, p77. This week I’ve beenContinue reading “The Path From Indifference Starts with a Step”
Stephanie Ebert 