Lenten Discussion of Elizabeth A. Johnson's book

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - Feb. 25, 2019 - PRLog -- Voice of the Faithful NJ will have a Lenten Book Sharing on Sunday, March 24th at 3:30 PM at St. Mark's Lutheran Church 100 Harter Rd., Morristown, NJ.

Johnson has written the book as a dialogue between a teacher (Elizabeth) and her student (Clara), following the style that Anselm used in his 11th-century work, Cor Deus Homo. In that book, Anselm develops his ideas on atonement theology and these are the ideas Johnson is refuting in Creation and the Cross. But Johnson wants to bring the reader to a lived spirituality that grows out of her theology. What she suggests as an alternate path to understanding the cross is a "theology of accompaniment." After an introduction to earlier chapters of the book, our sharing will focus on Book VI, "Conversion of Heart and Mind: Us," pp 195-226

"The Creator is also the Redeemer who accompanies the whole natural world with saving compassion."(p196)

And so her focus in this last chapter is our conversion—"rearranging the faith furniture"-- from one theology to another, from atonement to accompaniment.
She proposes five "thought experiments" to rejuvenate our imagination and lead to such conversion. (pp 199-221)  You might want to think about which of her "thought experiments" speaks most deeply to you.

Throughout this chapter (and the entire book) Johnson uses both the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures to ground her theology. You might want to share one or two passages that surprised you or moved you to a new spiritual place.

We will conclude by praying together Psalm 67 (Copies will be provided.)

All Are Welcome! See more at http://www.votfnj.org/index.php/12-homepage-content-slide...