August 12th, 2007
We worshipped with the Now The Feast & Celebration setting. Pastor Mark preached and did the Children's Time.
The musicians were Elizabeth, Kelly, David and I. It felt like a strong instrumental and vocal blend as we were playing. The congregation response was great. It is always a treat when David and Kelly can move between piano and David's drumming can get into the mix.
The readings and the Gospel text centered on faith and so did the sermon. Pastor Mark pointed out a definition of faith was in the Hebrews reading:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
We find the antithesis of faith in the First Lesson and the Gospel which start with the words of God and then of Jesus saying “Do not be afraid”.
That fear is the opposite of doubt contradicts the thought that the opposite of faith is doubt. Pastor Mark pointed out that many times doubt can lead to stronger faith. There is an engagement and concern when there is doubt.
He gave many examples. The sermon reminded me of what I read by Marcus Borg.
Marcus Borg, in The Heart of Christianity, speaks of four types of faith. He categorizes them by four Latin terms for faith that each have a distinct emphasis. Briefly, they are:
• assensus: accepting a statement to be true; this might be called "head belief"
• fiducia: trust or reliance on God
• fidelitas: faithfulness, living for God
• visio: a way of seeing reality; in particular, seeing God's grace at work
Borg also lists the opposite of each type of faith:
• assensus: doubt or disbelief
• fiducia: anxiety or worry
• fidelitas: unfaithfulness or "adultery"
• visio: viewing reality as hostile or indifferent
The fiducia type of faith intrigued me most. Pastor Mark gave one example of fear that attacks faith, the panic someone who is drowning feels. A rescuer must sometimes swim down to keep the person being drowned from grabbing the rescuer around the neck.
Borg talked about "swimming" being a good metaphor for faith. Faith buoys spirit and fear or panic pulls spirit down.
Luke gave a presentation after the service about learning and working together with the people of El Salvador. Their history of repression and the challenges that face them is a story that needs to be told. The recent trip by the Oregon cluster was interesting.
Next week is the joint Lutheran and Episcopalian service.
We worshipped with the Now The Feast & Celebration setting. Pastor Mark preached and did the Children's Time.
The musicians were Elizabeth, Kelly, David and I. It felt like a strong instrumental and vocal blend as we were playing. The congregation response was great. It is always a treat when David and Kelly can move between piano and David's drumming can get into the mix.
The readings and the Gospel text centered on faith and so did the sermon. Pastor Mark pointed out a definition of faith was in the Hebrews reading:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
We find the antithesis of faith in the First Lesson and the Gospel which start with the words of God and then of Jesus saying “Do not be afraid”.
That fear is the opposite of doubt contradicts the thought that the opposite of faith is doubt. Pastor Mark pointed out that many times doubt can lead to stronger faith. There is an engagement and concern when there is doubt.
He gave many examples. The sermon reminded me of what I read by Marcus Borg.
Marcus Borg, in The Heart of Christianity, speaks of four types of faith. He categorizes them by four Latin terms for faith that each have a distinct emphasis. Briefly, they are:
• assensus: accepting a statement to be true; this might be called "head belief"
• fiducia: trust or reliance on God
• fidelitas: faithfulness, living for God
• visio: a way of seeing reality; in particular, seeing God's grace at work
Borg also lists the opposite of each type of faith:
• assensus: doubt or disbelief
• fiducia: anxiety or worry
• fidelitas: unfaithfulness or "adultery"
• visio: viewing reality as hostile or indifferent
The fiducia type of faith intrigued me most. Pastor Mark gave one example of fear that attacks faith, the panic someone who is drowning feels. A rescuer must sometimes swim down to keep the person being drowned from grabbing the rescuer around the neck.
Borg talked about "swimming" being a good metaphor for faith. Faith buoys spirit and fear or panic pulls spirit down.
Luke gave a presentation after the service about learning and working together with the people of El Salvador. Their history of repression and the challenges that face them is a story that needs to be told. The recent trip by the Oregon cluster was interesting.
Next week is the joint Lutheran and Episcopalian service.
Labels: El Salvador
posted by Gary at
7:04 PM
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