The Swerve and Christian Humanism

On Thursday, January 22, 2015, the Revs. Joseph Johnson and Phil Dripps will present on The Swerve: How the World Became Modern by Stephen Greenblatt and Christian Humanism & the Reformation by Erasmus, ed. John C. Olin.

The Vision of Islam (see change of location)

On Thursday, November 13 Rev. Ron Graham will lead our discussion of Sachiko Murata and William Chittick's The Vision of Islam at First United Methodist Church of Elmhurst (232 S. York).  

The change of location is an accommodation for a special guest.  Ron has made arrangements for Professor Inamul Haq of Elmhurst College to join us from Noon-2:00 p.m.  Prof. Haq uses The Vision of Islam as an introductory textbook for Muslim and non-Muslim students alike.  

The authors explore basic Islamic beliefs and four dimensions of Islam, including practice, faith, spirituality, and history from a Muslim point of view. They incorporate teachings from the Koran, sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and other traditional writings.

At a time when Muslims are frequently portrayed as terrorists, this session is an opportunity to learn more about Islamic faith from a respected Muslim practitioner, teacher, and leader.

God Is Here to Stay

On Thursday, September 25, 2014, Dr. Al Brunsting will present on the book he co-authored with Thomas McFaul, God Is Here to Stay: Science, Evolution, and Belief in God.

The book explores the question of God's existence from the perspective physical science and human experience.    McFaul and Brunsting construct a scale of confidence on how scientific discoveries affect religious belief.  They agrue that science and religion have become increasingly mutually supportive. 

Renaissance and Reformation

On Thursday, May 22, 2014, Rev. Emery Purcell will present on William R. Estep's Renaissance and Reformation, a historical exploration of the Reformation and its relationship to the Renaissance.  Estep considers major firgures, including Wycliffe, Huss, Erasmus, Luther, Zwingli, and Calvin.

Also, we will select books and assign presenters for the coming season, so bring your recommendations. 

Truth Speaks to Power

On Thursday, November 14, 2014, Rev. Doug Bowden will present on Walter Brueggemann's Truth Speaks to Power, a look at the subversive messages found within the Old Testament. Brueggemann asserts that the Bible presents a "sustained contestation" over truth.  The text is nuanced so as to contradict a face-value reading.  This type of nuanced reading subverts the authority of power.  Brueggemann proposes that as readers and interpreters are always contestants for truth, whether we recognize ourselves as such or not.

Challenging Nature

.On Thurs., Sept. 26, 2013, Rev. Chris Walters will present on Challenging Nature: the Clash of Science and Spirituality by Lee M. Silver. 

Biotechnology is changing our lives and the way we interact with the rest of the world, from stem cell research, genetically modified crops, animals developed with organs for human transplant. However, as the technology becomes more precise and transparent, it also becomes more contentious.

Silver argues that Christian fundamentalists opposed to embryo research and New Age organic food devotees are both driven by a similar fear that science challenges a natural order. 

A molecular biologist at Princeton, Silver examines new dimensions of the contentious debate between science and religion over cloning and other biotechnologies, and brings fresh insights to it.

Science and Religion

Thursday, May 23

10:00 a.m.

Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, IL

 

In May, Mr. Walker Bowman, who is a retired scientist, will present on the subject of science and religion.  It has been said that science relies on objectivity whereas religion relies on subjectivity. 

 

In Science and Religion: Historical and Contemporary Issues Ian Barbour explores process philosophy as a bridge for religion and science.  This edition is a revised and updated version of Religion in an Age of Science.

 

Our discussion will be greatly enriched by Walker's insights from the scientific field as a person of faith. 

 

Also, this is the month we will plan the next season, so please bring your suggestions.  There are already two recommendations:

 

(1) Chris Walters has recommended and offered to present in September on Challenging Nature: The Clash of Science and Spirituality at the New Frontiers of Life by Lee M. Silver

 

(2) H. D. Mitchell and Emery Percell have recommended Waiting for Gospel: An Appeal to the Dispirited Remnants of Protestant Establishment, by Douglas John Hall.