Tolle, Lege discussion

Hi, I'm Rosemary, and I'm a dork for brainy theology.

I'm a very politically liberal and yet fairly theologically orthodox (well, maybe just compared to others in my Meeting) Quaker Christian.

I enjoy pop theology like Rob Bell as much as the next person, but I really wanted a space to get at some of the meatier books which I often struggle to get through on my own.

I'm a nurse by training and I've taken no formal theology classes, but I went to a small liberal arts college which carried on the very best tradition of getting us all to read widely and think for ourselves. This makes me, simultaneously, utterly incompetent to moderate this group and also peculiarly qualified.

Anyway, when I'm not nursing I'm reading, Quakering, chatting on Goodreads, volunteering with EMS, spending time with my husband and cat, or pursuing one of my very many and varied other interests.

That's it!

Hi, I'm Tim from Minnesota. I am generally sympathetic with your aims, although I'm not sure how much time I'll have to devote to this. I would be interested in reading some of the (Christian) spiritual classics, e.g.The Imitation of Christ. I would be willing to read The Cost of Discipleship again.

I guess we can see if the group reaches a "critical mass."

Yay! I'm excited to have only one more; I think others will be more willing to join as it nears that "critical mass."

I don't really know how to advertise or promote a group here, so I'm going on hope. ;-) We can wait a week or so and see how it goes.

Hi Bill! It'll be great to have your energy here. I'm not going to administer any doctrinal tests, so I think you're safe. ;-)

All right, I set up some more topics and folders and whatnot. I'll be away the rest of the day- I'm running a 5k in a couple of hours plus my folks are visiting- so have fun, lads and lassies!

I'm so excited to see some new people here! Does anyone want to say hi?

Oh, I'm glad you're here! I'm an RN and EMT, and close to my NP, so we're in the same business. ;-)

Sorry I've been quiet, folks- I work blocks of 12-hour shifts and don't have energy for GR during them. I'm back until the next block!

Good morning! I just joined the group, and I'm looking forward to participating.

I live near San Antonio, Texas with my chickens, dogs, cat, 9yr old son, and husband. I homeschool my son, and take care of the paperwork for our cabinetry business.

I took a 20 year break from church, but last year I started attending a non-denominational church in the area. I was a Catholic as a teenager, but don't really identify with the label right now.

I love 19th century literature, and I also enjoy reading medieval works (if I can muddle through the language). I am partial to the female mystics...Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila. I would like to temper my reading with some of the male mystics...John of the Cross, for example. I have not done that yet.

I'm looking forward to the reading in this group. I saw quite a few books on the group bookshelf marked as "read". Did you read all of those as a group, or are they actually for future reads, or Rosemary's own reads?

In the near future, I was planning to read "Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine" by Wayne A. Grudem and/or "The Hermeneutical Spiral: A Comprehensive Introduction to Biblical Interpretation" by Grant R. Osborne. Has anyone read either of those, and what are your thoughts/opinions if you have?

Den wrote: "Good morning! I just joined the group, and I'm looking forward to participating.

I live near San Antonio, Texas with my chickens, dogs, cat, 9yr old son, and husband. I homeschool my son, and ta..."

Systematic Theologyby Grudem is a pretty traditional, conservative, evangelical systematic theology. Grudem is Reformed (Calvinist), but also charismatic. One nice feature of the book is a list of "questions for personal application" at the end of each section, a complete bibliography on the topic covered, a Scripture memory passage and a hymn.

Thanks, Tim. I like to purchase the books that I know I will go back and use for reference from time to time (whereas novels and such I usually just check out). I was thinking that Grudem was one that I should go ahead and purchase for my personal library. I love a good, complete bibliography (shows how much of a nerd I am!), so that alone makes me want to read it.

Bill wrote: "Den wrote: "I love 19th century literature, and I also enjoy reading medieval works (if I can muddle through the language). I am partial to the female mystics...Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwi..."

I saw it! It was pretty good, but it was more of a biographical sketch of Hildegard without too much on her real religious philosophies and visions...I suppose most people wouldn't find her inner workings nearly as interesting as I do. The movie is in German with subtitles, but gave me an opportunity to brush up on all my high school German classes. Man, have I forgotten a lot!

Hi All.
I just joined the group and look forward to joining your discussion. I was (and still am) the quiet kid in the class. I like to listen and find discussion makes my reads more meaningful, but I don't consider myself in any way a heavy thinker.
The last book I read of this genre was called Jesus Interrupted by Bart Ehrman--it was interesting, but made me sad. One of his messages seemed to be the more you know of the Bible, the less you believe.
I was raised a Catholic, but left the church when I left home at 17. It wasn't until I had my own children, that I felt there was a void in my life and a desire to raise the kids "churched". I have been a member of the PCUSA (Presbyterian) for about 15 years now. The Presbyterian churches are governed by elders (greek:"prebyteros") elected from and by their congregations. Our elders "call" a minister. I guess that's the main difference between us and many other Protestant denominations. We are a Bible based reformed church. Although stats show we are evenly split on the political spectrum, I do tend to lean to the left.
I live outside of Philadelphia, PA--still quite a few Quaker congregations around here, Rosemary. My kids are near grown now (17 and 20). I have lived with my husband for 30 years and he puts up with my reading and I put up with his constant viewing of the Phillies.
I look forward to our discussions.

Hi, Jenny. Welcome to the group!