About us Table Talk is a regular, "free-wheeling", and inspiring monthly program. We meet approximately every three weeks after the Sunday service. Bring a sandwich. We end no later than two pm. We read about and discuss contemporary and emerging ideas on Christianity and how they can help us on our personal faith journeys. Change in our own knowledge and refining our beliefs is encouraged.
There is no fixed agenda except some time is included to review the latest contemporary books on matters related to the Christian religion, our lives, the past and the future.
It's September, 2017 and time to be thinking about what might add a little zest to our contemplative lives. Barbra Brown Taylor always has something meaningful to say. A portion of her book, "Learning to Walk in the Dark: pp 138 - 148 will be discussed at our next meeting - scheduled for Sunday, October 1st. Everyone is welcome to share your thoughts in the library after coffee. Possibilities for November meetings: a DVD with Brian Swimme or thoughts from a recent book by Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
Create a Prayer We are encouraged to continue growing and changing. God continues to speak through us so we may share with others towards a better understanding of ourselves and the world around us. A member of our group took a closer look at the Lord’s Prayer and has interpreted this way. Spirit of the created universe. May we be aware of your presence and reach out to all creation in love. May we have what is needed to sustain us and the world. May we be aware of the hurt we cause and show compassion to those in need. May we resist greed and pride, and suppress our ego so that we may serve with understanding and an open mind. For we ourselves are responsible for our happiness and the wellbeing of the world. Book Reports: You may view our book reports in PDF format. Scroll to the bottom and select the book report that you would like to review.
The Uniqueness of the Human SpeciesWe are truly extraordinary. Human specialness is central to the Christian religion. “The human brain is the most complex object known to exist in the universe. If human lives are not valued, nothing else is safe.” (Marilynne Robinson – Absence of Mind) The prefrontal cortex (frontal lobes) which is the most recently evolved part of the human brain performs the most advanced and complex ‘executive’ functions in all of the brain. They reach significant development only in humans’ arguably, they make us human. (Elkhonon Goldberg – The Executive Brain)
We can speak of the moral sensitivity and spirituality of the human species. Humankind are religious animals conscious of their own divine nature (made in the image of God and displaying amazing creative powers).
Human beings have a self-reflective capacity. “Human beings are the Universe become conscious of itself.” (Elizabeth Johnson). Thus self consciousness or consciousness makes humans categorically different from their animal kin.
Charles Schulz, The Gospel according to Peanuts Annotated BibliographyOutline – Author Name, about the author, books.
Armstrong, Karen. - (born 14 November 1944 in Wildmoor, Worcestershire) is a British author of numerous works on comparative religion
Borg, Marcus J. - (born 1942) is an American Biblical scholar and author. He is a fellow of the Jesus Seminar, holds a DPhil degree.
Borg, Marcus & Crossan, John Dominic
Campbell, Joseph. - (March 26, 1904 – October 30, 1987) was an American mythologist, writer and lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. His work is vast, covering many aspects of the human experience. His philosophy is often summarized by his phrase: "Follow your bliss."[1]
Dowd, Michael.
Dyer Dr. Wayne .
Good, Jack. is an author, writer, and retired pastor of the United Church of Christ.
Hall Douglas John
Harpur, Tom. - (born 1929) is a Canadian author, broadcaster, columnist and theologian.
Meyers, Robin. born in Oklahoma City, and grew up in Wichita, Kansas. is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), a tenured professor in the philosophy department at Oklahoma City University, an author, a syndicated columnist, and an award-winning commentator for National Public Radio.
O’Murchu, Diarmuid. - a priest and social psychologist from Ireland. O'Murchu discusses how certain concepts from the modern quantum theory may point to deep spiritual truths, while admitting that this interpretation does not ring true to mainstream scientists
Sanguin, Bruce.
Snider, Phil & Emily Bowen
Spong, John Shelby. (born June 16, 1931 in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States) is the retired American bishop of the Episcopal Church Diocese of Newark (based in Newark, New Jersey). He is a liberal Christian theologian, religion commentator and author. He calls for a fundamental rethinking of Christian belief, away from theism and from traditional doctrines.
Tabor, James D.
Taylor, Barbara Brown.
Vosper, Gretta. - is pastor of West Hill United Church in Toronto, and founder and chair of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity, an organization that provides resources and support to those exploring the boundaries of Christian thought both within and outside of their congregations.
Wilson, Barrie. - is Professor, Humanities and Religious Studies, York University, Toronto. As an academic historian and philosopher of religion, he specializes in three centuries: the 1st century BCE and the first two centuries CE
Wright, Robert. - (born 1957) is an American journalist, scholar, and prize-winning author of best-selling books about science,
http://www.cbc.ca/tapestry/ Contact:For more information about Table Talk please contact Paul Boughton 705-445-9393 |