A SPIRITED ASSESSMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN STORY IN THE LIGHT OF EARTH-BASED WISDOM and today’s sciences
Questions explored
- Might recent breakthroughs in Nature’s natural sciences (especially astronomy, ecology, evolutionary biology, paleoanthropology) be rewriting foundational Christian worldviews?
- Does God’s “voice” dwell mightily in two “scriptures”—Nature & Bible? Does such an understanding degrade or enrich Sola scriptura?
- What about the historic Creeds? Could a more scientific and Earth-wisdom interpretation of the 1st article (Creator) enhance our grasp of the 2nd (Jesus) and 3rd (Holy Spirit)?
- When did historic Christianity regress into anthropocentrism? Did God gift Earth’s biosphere to Homo sapiens, or is the gifting actually that we too have been invited into God’s diverse and interdependent household?
- What images of God contribute to humanity’s often injurious behavior toward Earth’s biosphere? What does it mean for our faith that we are part of a communicating and alive ecosystem? How can we change our images of the Divine to bring about a more beneficial relationship of humans to Earth?
- How do certain images in the church’s hymnody keep us stuck in destructive worldviews? Can we sing our way into a more beneficial relationship with Earth?
- With fresh eyes, what new understandings are emerging regarding creation and fall, original sin, Noah, Israel’s wilderness sojourn, “promised land” theology, the role of prophets, atonement theories, eschatology, and what it means to follow Jesus today?
Benefits and Takeaways
- Experience a jump in need-to-know scientific knowledge
- Discover new eyes and a new worldview
- A booklet of current and rewritten hymns/songs grounded in ecology-theology themes
- A Worship/preaching/teaching resource for the Season of Lent
- Insights into the central role of worship and preaching
- A non-Pollyanna capacity to boldly embrace both hope and lament
- Wisdom for sustainable living and effective advocacy
Retreat Highlights
- An accessible and deeper appreciation for what the natural sciences can teach us about Christian theology
- Time for journaling, worship, prayer, music, experiences
- Good food, serene surroundings, stimulating discussions, healing relaxation
- Time outdoors on the land
Retreat Goals and Hopes
- to provide meaningful experiences together that will affirm our being cheered on by the whole Universe and by God
- to discover new realizations that our modest lives are part of a much larger story
- to inspire continued deep questioning and learning
- to stimulate a renewed sense of vocation
This retreat is open to people from all faiths and traditions.
Click here for schedule of events, cost and other details.
Retreat Facilitators
Retreat facilitators are Ron Rude and Sharon Reinbott. Ron Rude is a retired ELCA campus pastor and author of Amending the Christian Story: The Natural Sciences as a Window into Grounded Faith and Sustainable Living, whose ministry passion for an ecology-theology-grounded-Christian faith continues to ripen through interactive retreat experiences, and through teaching, writing, and service. Sharon Reinbott is a hymnist and lay theologian who received her M.A. in Culture and Spirituality from the Sophia Center at Holy Names University.
Read more about the facilitators by following the links above.
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