Dear friends in Christ,
The Nativity in Scripture.
The Theology of Christmas class continues on Sunday, December 10. This session looks closely at the story of the Nativity found in the Gospel of St. Matthew, observing how the Matthean narrative addresses the issues of his particular community. The remaining classes in this series are on December 17 and 31. Note there is no class on December 24.
The Rector’s Christian Doctrine class.
Newcomers to Saint Thomas are invited to the Rector’s Christian Doctrine Class, which is a comprehensive introduction to the Christian faith as received and understood by the Episcopal Church. The first session is on Tuesday, January 9 at 6:30 p.m. The sessions continue on most Tuesday evenings through May 8. Although the course is specifically attuned to those who are considering confirmation or reception into the Episcopal Church (the ceremony occurs on May 13, 2018), it is fitting for anyone who wishes to explore Christianity, or who wishes to be refreshed in the faith. Everyone is welcome. See complete details on the website, or contact David Daniel at [email protected] with any questions about membership at Saint Thomas.
Audio of the Fall Theology Lecture available.
The audio of the lecture offered on November 8, “God is One: The Perfect Unity of the Triune God,” is now available on the Saint Thomas website here. The talk by Dr. Sonderegger was thought-provoking and well worth a listen, if you couldn’t be there, and probably helpful to hear again even if you were.
Christmas angels, Christmas dreams
As the Sunday class thinks through the theology of Christmas, I was delighted to come across a short article from last year, authored by the Anglican priest and theologian Sarah Coakley. In Angels and Dreams: ‘Second Naivete’, Christmas and the Christian Imagination, Coakley draws our attention to the way in which (we) modern people find ourselves instinctively skeptical of Biblical supernaturalism. The answer, which she draws from the psychiatrist and literary scholar Iain McGilchrist, is to nurture our capacity for imagination. She writes, “To enter rightly into the birth narratives [of Christ in Scripture], we are required to respond richly at more than one level, and these levels are related in a crucially distinct way in order that this ‘second naivete’ can work aright.” She uses the examples of the presence of dreams and angels in Matthew’s gospel, which are the subject of the class on Sunday, December 10. As we enter fully into the Advent season in our liturgies, I think Coakley’s advice can help us enter into it fully in our own minds and imaginations as well.
Yours in Christ, Joel
