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How to Catch God in a Butterfly Net
A free e-book (copelandwrites.com) of theological essays and absurdities detailing the spiritual shifts in the mind of a questioning Christian
128 pages, ebook
Published March 1, 2020
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About the author
Stephen Copeland
4 books5 followersStephen Copeland is an author and storyteller who writes regularly for Franciscan Media and the St. Anthony Messenger. He is the author of In the House of Rising Sounds, Where the Colors Blend, and collaborator on Franciscan Lectio. He obtained his bachelor's degree in journalism and Bible from Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana, and Master of Theological Studies degree from the Franciscan School of Theology at the University of San Diego. Stephen's work can be found at www.copelandwrites.com.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 11, 2021
I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I have not read Stephen Copeland’s first book, “Where the Colors Blend,” which was a story of his seven year journey of deconstruction and, presumably, reconstruction. “How to Catch God in a Butterfly Net” was written in response to people asking Copeland about his theology following this journey. I understand that Copeland is offering this e-book free when ordered from his website, an admirable, selfless offering to be sure.
The title is a metaphor meant to describe Christianity’s (and perhaps any religion’s) tendency to attempt to not only capture God in order to better understand and relate to Godself, but to trap or pin down God through certainties, doctrines, dogmas, and formulas.
The challenge for those locked into those structures is to let God go, and the challenge for those who have not only abandoned God but the net itself to rediscover beauty, meaning, and purpose.
Written as a series of 12 essays that build upon one another, Copeland offers up a theology that has evolved, and continues to evolve. He does not seek to convert his reader, but simply offers up his ponderings at a point in time in his own faith journey. Each essay ends with a parable, in a style that reminded me of Peter Rollins’ writings. The thought exercise I found was most profound was following the essay “Elevate Jesus Over Trinity,” called “Parable: Social Experiment in Heaven.”
The essays, in Copeland’s words, are “somewhat academic, and absurdities, which are satirical, hyperbolic, or, well, absurd.” Copeland’s audience is evangelicals who wonder why there is a mass exodus of younger (and presumably older) people from churches, and spiritual seekers “who no longer feel at home in the churches of their youth, but are still mysteriously drawn to the Christian message.”
Copeland is equally critical of Protestantism as Catholicism, and of conservative evangelical theology as progressive Christianity. His path has led to mysticism and contemplation, and he often promotes a practice of introspection in his essays, perhaps a dangerous practice for those who struggle with self-criticism, and need help in dealing with their brokenness and woundedness. More healthy is his encouragement of contemplation, which is also perhaps better explored in community in the early stages of its practice.
Copeland claims his only credential or credibility to be “obsessive wrestling.” He acknowledges that his passion is not meant to claim that he has caught God in a butterfly net.
Copeland pulls heavily from Peter Rollins, Richard Rohr, and Thomas Merton. Being a reader of all three, it is easy to discern their voices within Copeland’s essays, blended with his own voice, and no doubt numerous others quoted in the essays.
Thanks to Stephen Copeland for an honest, intimate, vulnerable sharing of his faith journey.
I have not read Stephen Copeland’s first book, “Where the Colors Blend,” which was a story of his seven year journey of deconstruction and, presumably, reconstruction. “How to Catch God in a Butterfly Net” was written in response to people asking Copeland about his theology following this journey. I understand that Copeland is offering this e-book free when ordered from his website, an admirable, selfless offering to be sure.
The title is a metaphor meant to describe Christianity’s (and perhaps any religion’s) tendency to attempt to not only capture God in order to better understand and relate to Godself, but to trap or pin down God through certainties, doctrines, dogmas, and formulas.
The challenge for those locked into those structures is to let God go, and the challenge for those who have not only abandoned God but the net itself to rediscover beauty, meaning, and purpose.
Written as a series of 12 essays that build upon one another, Copeland offers up a theology that has evolved, and continues to evolve. He does not seek to convert his reader, but simply offers up his ponderings at a point in time in his own faith journey. Each essay ends with a parable, in a style that reminded me of Peter Rollins’ writings. The thought exercise I found was most profound was following the essay “Elevate Jesus Over Trinity,” called “Parable: Social Experiment in Heaven.”
The essays, in Copeland’s words, are “somewhat academic, and absurdities, which are satirical, hyperbolic, or, well, absurd.” Copeland’s audience is evangelicals who wonder why there is a mass exodus of younger (and presumably older) people from churches, and spiritual seekers “who no longer feel at home in the churches of their youth, but are still mysteriously drawn to the Christian message.”
Copeland is equally critical of Protestantism as Catholicism, and of conservative evangelical theology as progressive Christianity. His path has led to mysticism and contemplation, and he often promotes a practice of introspection in his essays, perhaps a dangerous practice for those who struggle with self-criticism, and need help in dealing with their brokenness and woundedness. More healthy is his encouragement of contemplation, which is also perhaps better explored in community in the early stages of its practice.
Copeland claims his only credential or credibility to be “obsessive wrestling.” He acknowledges that his passion is not meant to claim that he has caught God in a butterfly net.
Copeland pulls heavily from Peter Rollins, Richard Rohr, and Thomas Merton. Being a reader of all three, it is easy to discern their voices within Copeland’s essays, blended with his own voice, and no doubt numerous others quoted in the essays.
Thanks to Stephen Copeland for an honest, intimate, vulnerable sharing of his faith journey.
Displaying 1 of 1 review