Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary

Time 2020-12-07 04:02:56

Web Name: Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary

WebSite: http://girardianlectionary.net

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Girardian Reflections on the LectionaryUnderstanding the Bible Anew Through the Mimetic Theory of René GirardFeaturing Opening Comments: Elements of a New Reformation In 2017 the 500th anniversary of the Reformation was celebrated across much of the church. In 2018 and beyond we need to recognize the urgent need for an ongoing New Reformation. For all that was accomplished in the first Reformation, the most important issue was not addressed: ending Christendom, the church s alliance with the sacred violence of Empire, and related theological issues pertaining to violence.This lectionary website offers an anthropological perspective on the deep-seated nature of human violence and the Christian answer to it: Jesus came to save us from our human origins in violence — opening the possibility to nothing less than a new Way to be human. A Start-over. Human Being 2.0. Read with this perspective, the Bible can be seen as an anthropological revelation every bit as much as a theological one. As we learn who God truly is in Jesus the Messiah, we are empowered by the Spirit to begin living into what it means to be truly human. In a world threatened by human violence, this way of reading the Christian message couldn t be more timely. It offers elements for a New Reformation, ongoing within our secular post-Christendom world.In short, “Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary” reads the Sunday texts from the fresh perspective of a Christian anthropology — that is, an understanding of our humanity that sees itself as both (1) deriving from, and deeply resonant with, the Christian revelation; and (2) bridging the gap from that revelation to the modern science of anthropology.Specifically, this anthropology is based on the “Mimetic Theory” elaborated by Stanford scholar René Girard (1923-2015). Girard’s peaceful passing in November 2015 occasioned an excellent beginning place to encounter the groundbreaking nature of this Christian anthropology: a number of tributes to his life and work that offer concise, clear, and accurate introductions to Girard’s “Mimetic Theory.” I have cataloged a number of them on my own tribute page “In Memory of René Girard.” In 2018, the first major biography of Girard s life and work has been published, Cynthia Haven s The Evolution of Desire: A Life of René Girard. See also the learning-resource page and Paul Nuechterlein s Girardian Anthropology in a Nutshell. The significance of an anthropological way of reading the Bible, and the shape of our salvation in Jesus Christ, can be summed up with a quote from acclaimed biblical scholar Walter Wink (1935-2012). Wink was an early supporter of Mimetic Theory, helping to launch the Girardian guild of researchers, the Colloquium on Violence Religion (COV R), in 1990. As he looked back over his own life and career in his memoir, Just Jesus: My Struggle to Become Human, he poignantly writes,And this is the revelation: God is HUMAN … It is the great error of humanity to believe that it is human. We are only fragmentarily human, fleetingly human, brokenly human. We see glimpses of our humanness, we can only dream of what a more human existence and political order would be like, but we have not yet arrived at true humanness. Only God is human, and we are made in God’s image and likeness — which is to say, we are capable of becoming human. (p. 102)“Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary” is about learning to read the Bible as the premier guide on our journey of becoming human — and for a discipleship that lives into a New Reformation of the church.Paul NuechterleinAbout Editor Paul NuechterleinPaul Nuechterlein is a well-respected voice in theological circles. Recently retired after 30 years of parish ministry in ELCA congregations, he is now able to devote full-time to his passion for spreading the Gospel of peace and justice, which he believes is at the heart of Jesus’ faith. With the birth of Paul’s new ministry, Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory, he looks forward to sharing this passion and learning together with other disciples. Learn more Paul offers Discipleship Seminars In Mimetic TheoryEquipping disciples to engage in the politics of justiceExplore hosting a seminar in your locationLearn More Join the Discussion on Facebook This message is only visible to admins.Problem displaying Facebook posts.Click to show errorError: Server configuration issue Contact Paul Nuechterlein*protected email*Donate to the Upkeep of this Website If you are a regular user of this site, please consider a monthly donation — even $5 or $10 per month helps. Since retiring from full-time parish ministry to devote more time to teaching ministry, your donations become more important. Every little bit helps! Thank you! Inviting You to Girardian Lectionary Study via ZoomHave you felt any of the following needs as you ve used this website?You are relatively new to the Girardian perspective and would like the opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversational learningYou consider yourself more of a veteran Girardian but lack a local community of Girardians for further engagement in continuing to learnYou have the regular task of preaching and/or teaching around the Revised Common Lectionary readings and would benefit from a more unified, consistent way to interpret them for your communityJuggling tight schedules, regional geographical challenges, or now the pandemic have made it difficult for you to meet with local colleagues for in-person lectionary study groupsYou are invited to the Girardian Lectionary Study via Zoom on Mondays or Tuesdays, 1:30 pm Central Time. (If either of the two times doesn t work for you, write me [*protected email*]. I m open to adjusting the times.) For all the details regarding benefits and fees, see the Girardian Lectionary Study subscription page.Also New in 2020: All Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory are available as virtual seminars via ZoomTo all my readers around the world, this week I ask you to help girardianlectionary.net. From the beginning I made the decision to offer this ministry without requiring a subscription. We depend on donations averaging about $25. If everyone reading this gives $15, girardianlectionary.net can be kept fresh and updated. I will humbly ask your support in a “pledge week” three times a year. This site is possible because of your generosity.Sincere thanks! Paul Nuechterlein*If you’d like to learn more about how mimetic theory impacts the world around us, check out Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory for information on scheduling a seminar.  Note: If you get this popup more than once after November 27, allow cookies for this site. The popup is set to stop once cookies are in place. This is the 2nd of 2 pledge weeks planned for 2017. Note: If you are getting this popup more than once, allow cookies for this site. The popup is set to stop once cookies are in place.Like pledge week on public radio or TV, this is the week I ask for your support! Here s why:For 15 years this site was offered as part of my income as a parish pastor. Since 2015 I have been transitioning to a teaching ministry in the wider church and rely on income from donations to this site to help support that ministry. A couple times a year I will ask you, the users of this site (more than 1000 per day on average), to lend your support.Giving $10 today — or more (especially if you are a long-time user) — is much appreciated!In addition to continual updating of this site, my teaching ministry includes opportunities for interactive learning. Check out Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory and consider inviting me to your community.Thank you for your patronage! Paul Nuechterlein Thank you for contributing to Pledge Week at girardianlectionary.com!Thanks to generous donations of more than 60 users we met our goal for the winter of $2500. We are very grateful for your support of this ministry! (If you would still like to make a donation for this pledge period, donate here.) The next Pledge Week will begin in March.Another way to support the work of this teaching ministry is to inquire (*protected email*) about scheduling a seminar in your community, designed to help others learn about the interpretative tool that informs this site. Here are two currently featured seminars: Christian Faithfulness and Economic Justice Strategies for Reading the Bible There is a wide range of topics that can be tailored to the needs of your community. For more information, see Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory.Schedule a seminar today!Now featuring weekly Opening Comments: Elements of a New Reformation To all my readers around the world, this week I ask you to help girardianlectionary.net. From the beginning I made the decision to offer this ministry without requiring a subscription. We depend on donations averaging about $25. If everyone reading this gives $15, girardianlectionary.net can be kept fresh and updated. I will humbly ask your support in a “pledge week” three times a year. This site is possible because of your generosity.Sincere thanks! Paul Nuechterlein*If you’d like to learn more about how mimetic theory impacts the world around us, check out Discipleship Seminars in Mimetic Theory for information on scheduling a seminar.  Note: If you get this popup more than once after April 2, allow cookies for this site. The popup is set to stop once cookies are in place. This is the 1st of 1 pledge weeks planned for 2018.

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Understanding the Bible Anew Through the Mimetic Theory of René Girard, edited by Paul Nuechterlein.

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