Theology Update for the Week of May 8

Dear friends in Christ,

The topic for Sunday’s theology class will be the second creation account in Genesis (ch. 2-3), which I will discuss with particular attention to the question of rule. It is interesting to note that, in chapter one, the sun and moon were created to “rule” the day and the night. Then man was given “dominion.” The fall, in chapter 3, will have consequences in terms of rule also, and all of this leads to the inevitability of political life, even though that does not seem to have been part of God’s original design in chapter 2. I will continue this class, Genesis: Who Are We?, weekly through June 19. We meet on the fifth floor at 10 o’clock, with coffee and tea in the room.

If you can’t make Sunday’s class, I will repeat it on Monday at 12:40pm on the second floor. These Monday classes will run weekly through May 23.

Tuesday, May 10, will be the final session of the Rector’s Christian doctrine class. The topic will be “‘Lord Teach us to pray…’ – Prayer and Spirituality in the Christian Tradition,” and the class will include a short rehearsal for those being confirmed or received. This class meets in Andrew Hall at 6:30pm.

All good things, it seems, come to an end. So do Huck Finn’s adventures. But what a ride we have on the way! I hope you have read Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, but if not, you still have about ten days. The “Good Books & Good Talk” seminar will discuss the book from 6:15 to 7:45pm on Monday, May 16, and if you have read it you are welcome to the conversation.

An upcoming theology lecture, Thinking Theologically about Love and Disease, will be given by yours truly on May 25 at 6:30pm in the church. I will be reflecting on the process of writing my theological memoir, Losing Susan, read some excerpts, entertain questions, and then retire for a reception and book signing. Like all Saint Thomas lectures, this one is free and open to the public.

Peace,
Father Austin