A beautiful way for me to start this Sunday. I often reflect on your messages and talk to my husband about how wonderful it is to expand my views. Or rather blow up my old literal understandings if these familiar passages of scripture. I can’t tell you enough what a gift your ministry is to me. Thank you Diana.
Diana, I love your story about Sallie McFague. In spring 1976 at Vanderbilt Divinity School, I took her course on Religious Biography. I mention the date because that may have been the first time she taught it. I still have her syllabus and extensive bibliography. My classmates and I read autobiographies and biographies of Dorothy Day, Malcolm X, Gandhi, John Woolman, Augustine, Richard Rubinstein, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Elie Wiesel and Black Elk. Over years of teaching that course, Sallie further developed it further and varied the reading assignments to include other people of faith who had a “working theology,” one that actually functioned in their lives. Around the time I took her course, Sallie published "Speaking In Parables: A Study in Metaphor and Theology," which contains a chapter on autobiography.
Sallie’s lectures were so intellectually dense that I never felt that my notetaking was adequate. Nevertheless, Sallie and her course have had a tremendous impact on my life. Her books on religious language and on the environment have been companions in my work as a campus minister, college teacher, and curriculum writer. And my current project--collaborating with Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary) on his biography--owes much to Sallie McFague.
I can hardly wait for Sunday morning to get coffee made and settle in for your email from The Cottage. I've never been disappointed. Today's message was extraordinary. Will print this, ; it's a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
Sallie McFague’s book, “The Body of God,” was one of the greatest influences in keeping me in the church and the ordained ministry. It was the early 1990’s and I had one foot out the Christian door. I read and re-read that book and other writings of McFague’s, underlining as I went through the chapters. Her ecological theological perspective breathed new life into my conversations, sermons and confirmation classes. She gave me a framework upon which to rebuild my theological homeplace. I am forever grateful to McFague and was so pleased to encounter your own the ecological interpretation to the Pentecost story. It was good news.
Wonderful! It’s amazing how a spark of the spirit can find us when we need it most. Like here and now. For me, it’s Diana Butler Bass. Now, I’m looking forward to experiencing Sallies McFague’s work.
All creation on Mother Earth was put here for a purpose and we are all deeply connected. The spirit world is connected to life on earth, the water is connected to the land, and the sky is connected to the ground. Our connection to the land and to our Mother Earth can directly affect our spiritual wellbeing, which will then affect our physical health, our emotional health, and our mental health as well.
I want to also thank you for bringing people like Sallie McFague, John O’Donohue, and Jeff Sharlet together in one essay and validate it and tie it all together. Thank you for expanding the scope of my spirituality.
I have always loved Pentecost for the idea of God’s words spoken in every language for everyone to understand as the people gathered to receive The Holy Spirit! And now you’ve given us a more powerful metaphor of the importance of this celebration; “Reading Pentecost through the lens of these ancient symbols it employs reveals the opposite story: God has escaped the reaches of heaven and has come to make a home with us, here on earth.” Amen! And for some reason, this spiritual celebration always makes me think of the band Earth, Wind, & Fire, especially this song,
Though I have never seen this vision of Pentecost, but it has always been my favorite Sunday of the Christian calendar. The gift of the Spirit is the greatest gift we have been given to walk this human journey. Thank you for your sharing.
Yes! The gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost has always been my favorite holiday, validating the importance of the church community following Easter. Now, it’s even more powerful to me, connecting us to the power of Mother Earth!
"The Last Days are the First Days of a new kingdom." I love that thought so much. I work with the unhoused and those experiencing substance use issues. In my own life I know that the last days of my own homelessness and addiction were the first days of a new being and a new way of being. Your description of the four elements touched on the journey out of addiction as well, and the liminality of each element - holding a precious threshold of that new being, that new kingdom. Thank you for sharing this.
And as a Vancouver resident, I hope you enjoyed the beauty of our city nestled between sea and mountain.
I wish for you all the blessings and goodness of this day.
Hooray for Sallie, Hooray for Diana, Thankful you saved your sermon notes! Hooray for and Happy Pentecost 2023.!!! A time today to reconnect with my theology and know that I am on tract with others both ancient and present day. In gratitude for this time to read and be with this community. And on a personal note I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to gift my daughter The Cottage this May. I will text here to be sure and check in with today's Musings.
What an inspiration! You give hope to environmentalists as you uphold the creative nature of Creator through the posited elements of earth, water, wind and fire. You remind me of growing up on Prince Edward Island and being in awe of waters providing seafood, irrigation for potatoes, and beauty in the form of rivers flowing to the sea. Fire gave us light vis lamps on the table, heat during our long cold winters and cleansing of forests from time to time, producing an abundance of new growth of trees and berries. Wind began to power wind turbines on the Western end of the island, producing rentable energy. The red earth of P.E.I. grew the best potatoes on earth, and the stunningly lush green hills and dales attracted visitors “from away.” Life was ( and continues to be) a precious gift, overcoming crises including economic struggles, storms and the degradation of nature. But the Spirit inspired renewed and motivated and give thanks, continues to do so today.
Thanks for reminding me of this through your most inspirational take on the Pentecost story. I trust my use of solar panels, an electric vehicle, a heat pump, and land for gardening are in a small way a sign that creation is renewing itself despite us. And I too find renewal as I grow mentally and spiritually and in relationship with others. Pentecost is real!
A beautiful way for me to start this Sunday. I often reflect on your messages and talk to my husband about how wonderful it is to expand my views. Or rather blow up my old literal understandings if these familiar passages of scripture. I can’t tell you enough what a gift your ministry is to me. Thank you Diana.
Great message!
Thanks Diana,
This sermon certainly deserved to be resurrected!
Dr. McFague was right. Wish we had the original, but this was sufficient.. Thank you DBB.
Diana, I love your story about Sallie McFague. In spring 1976 at Vanderbilt Divinity School, I took her course on Religious Biography. I mention the date because that may have been the first time she taught it. I still have her syllabus and extensive bibliography. My classmates and I read autobiographies and biographies of Dorothy Day, Malcolm X, Gandhi, John Woolman, Augustine, Richard Rubinstein, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Elie Wiesel and Black Elk. Over years of teaching that course, Sallie further developed it further and varied the reading assignments to include other people of faith who had a “working theology,” one that actually functioned in their lives. Around the time I took her course, Sallie published "Speaking In Parables: A Study in Metaphor and Theology," which contains a chapter on autobiography.
Sallie’s lectures were so intellectually dense that I never felt that my notetaking was adequate. Nevertheless, Sallie and her course have had a tremendous impact on my life. Her books on religious language and on the environment have been companions in my work as a campus minister, college teacher, and curriculum writer. And my current project--collaborating with Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary) on his biography--owes much to Sallie McFague.
I can hardly wait for Sunday morning to get coffee made and settle in for your email from The Cottage. I've never been disappointed. Today's message was extraordinary. Will print this, ; it's a keeper. Thank you for sharing.
❤️
Sallie McFague’s book, “The Body of God,” was one of the greatest influences in keeping me in the church and the ordained ministry. It was the early 1990’s and I had one foot out the Christian door. I read and re-read that book and other writings of McFague’s, underlining as I went through the chapters. Her ecological theological perspective breathed new life into my conversations, sermons and confirmation classes. She gave me a framework upon which to rebuild my theological homeplace. I am forever grateful to McFague and was so pleased to encounter your own the ecological interpretation to the Pentecost story. It was good news.
I love that book, too, Ellen.
Wonderful! It’s amazing how a spark of the spirit can find us when we need it most. Like here and now. For me, it’s Diana Butler Bass. Now, I’m looking forward to experiencing Sallies McFague’s work.
Here is one basic source https://tribaltradeco.com/blogs/medicine-wheel/medicine-wheel-teachings-native-medicine-wheel-system-explained
THANKS! Love this:
All creation on Mother Earth was put here for a purpose and we are all deeply connected. The spirit world is connected to life on earth, the water is connected to the land, and the sky is connected to the ground. Our connection to the land and to our Mother Earth can directly affect our spiritual wellbeing, which will then affect our physical health, our emotional health, and our mental health as well.
I want to also thank you for bringing people like Sallie McFague, John O’Donohue, and Jeff Sharlet together in one essay and validate it and tie it all together. Thank you for expanding the scope of my spirituality.
I have always loved Pentecost for the idea of God’s words spoken in every language for everyone to understand as the people gathered to receive The Holy Spirit! And now you’ve given us a more powerful metaphor of the importance of this celebration; “Reading Pentecost through the lens of these ancient symbols it employs reveals the opposite story: God has escaped the reaches of heaven and has come to make a home with us, here on earth.” Amen! And for some reason, this spiritual celebration always makes me think of the band Earth, Wind, & Fire, especially this song,
Serpentine Fire ~
When I see your face
Like the mornin' sun
You spark me to shine
Tell all the world
My need is fulfilled
And that's a new design
As long as you're near
There is no fear
Of a victory
~ Earth, Wind, and Fire
Amen
Though I have never seen this vision of Pentecost, but it has always been my favorite Sunday of the Christian calendar. The gift of the Spirit is the greatest gift we have been given to walk this human journey. Thank you for your sharing.
I so agree. Bsides the gift of the Resurrection, the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost comes in second.
Yes! The gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost has always been my favorite holiday, validating the importance of the church community following Easter. Now, it’s even more powerful to me, connecting us to the power of Mother Earth!
"The Last Days are the First Days of a new kingdom." I love that thought so much. I work with the unhoused and those experiencing substance use issues. In my own life I know that the last days of my own homelessness and addiction were the first days of a new being and a new way of being. Your description of the four elements touched on the journey out of addiction as well, and the liminality of each element - holding a precious threshold of that new being, that new kingdom. Thank you for sharing this.
And as a Vancouver resident, I hope you enjoyed the beauty of our city nestled between sea and mountain.
I wish for you all the blessings and goodness of this day.
Beautiful!
I love Vancouver!
It's time you came back, Diana! BC's west coast is wondrous.
Enjoyed meeting you here at my book table during my bookselling days.
Kudos to you for doing this substack, a sanctuary of progressive common sense.
Hooray for Sallie, Hooray for Diana, Thankful you saved your sermon notes! Hooray for and Happy Pentecost 2023.!!! A time today to reconnect with my theology and know that I am on tract with others both ancient and present day. In gratitude for this time to read and be with this community. And on a personal note I am also grateful to have had the opportunity to gift my daughter The Cottage this May. I will text here to be sure and check in with today's Musings.
I would agree with Sally. Beautiful.
Thanks, Steve.
What an inspiration! You give hope to environmentalists as you uphold the creative nature of Creator through the posited elements of earth, water, wind and fire. You remind me of growing up on Prince Edward Island and being in awe of waters providing seafood, irrigation for potatoes, and beauty in the form of rivers flowing to the sea. Fire gave us light vis lamps on the table, heat during our long cold winters and cleansing of forests from time to time, producing an abundance of new growth of trees and berries. Wind began to power wind turbines on the Western end of the island, producing rentable energy. The red earth of P.E.I. grew the best potatoes on earth, and the stunningly lush green hills and dales attracted visitors “from away.” Life was ( and continues to be) a precious gift, overcoming crises including economic struggles, storms and the degradation of nature. But the Spirit inspired renewed and motivated and give thanks, continues to do so today.
Thanks for reminding me of this through your most inspirational take on the Pentecost story. I trust my use of solar panels, an electric vehicle, a heat pump, and land for gardening are in a small way a sign that creation is renewing itself despite us. And I too find renewal as I grow mentally and spiritually and in relationship with others. Pentecost is real!
Thank you.
One of my family's most memorable vacation trips was to P.E.I. where we camped. Thanks for sharing your memory of this beautiful island.
Wonderful -- perfect for a pair of Christians exiled from the dogma, hiding out with Unitarians, loving the Word from folks like you.