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Here’s that file Leslie.

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Gordon, I really resonate with what you’ve written here, especially your first sentence and last paragraph. I agree with you 100%, and have often thought that there must be a Jewish part of me who wants to celebrate this approach to scripture.

Yes, Jennifer, I’m with you on this. Very nice reflection on Rabbi Artson’s work.

Kent and Charles,
I’d like to push back just a bit on the idea that people who are not “creatively self-actualizing” are in a way pathologically non-responsive. I’m thinking of people who devote themselves to their families, and who raise children who are solid citizens, and maybe they focus too on their work, doing that well. But they’re not activists. And yet, they may be the ones taking a covered dish to the neighbor who was just widowed. I remember hearing Caroline Myss say that everyone in the self-help/new age movement thinks they should be called to some big job to save the world, but what if they’re called just to be one light on their local block? What if they’re just a really good parent? Or a loving spouse? If you would say that is in itself being creatively self-actualized, then I’d agree with that and have no argument. Good discussion!

Charles, thank you for this reflection on the session last week. Really nice observations that I resonate strongly with. I also recall that First Nations people don’t have a word like “religion.” It’s all of a piece for them.
I have read Wilfred Smith’s book on Faith Vs. Belief and very much appreciated it. I refer to it often. Thanks for the link to this other book of his!

Thank you Charles! I look forward to taking a look at this. Much appreciated.

Thank you Jace, for this meaty contribution to the discussion. I especially appreciate your reflections on Jesus.

Hi Leslie,
I’ve asked Rabbi Artson to send me the file and we will share it once I have that. Thanks for asking!
Sheri

I would just add that initial aim does not equal eternal object. The aim is God’s vision, how that vision is translated into actuality is by use of eternal objects. One aim might incorporate multiple EOs in a pattern dreamed up, we might say, by God.

Glad to be in conversation!

Thank you Bill!

Hi Scott,
So glad that the readings and Rabbi Artson’s talk spoke to you. I once heard someone say that rather than thinking of ‘creatio ex nihilo’ as creation out o nothing at all, we might think of is as creation out of no-thing, meaning out of the field of limitless potentials but no actuals. That idea makes good sense to me.
Sheri

Thank you Wei-dong for this thoughtful post! I do agree that we can share process thought more intentionally, as it does seem to resonate with many who are no longer satisfied in their traditional religious approaches. Doug King of Presence International and I recently did a course together where he brought in integral theology (using spiral dynamics to look at the Christian biblical narrative) and he is part of the evolving leaders initiative and his group is pursuing the idea of finding a unitive narrative for the world. He think process theology would add much to the discussion and I agree.

I agree wholeheartedly Rolla! He brought such depth and delight to us last night and I am very grateful for that.
Sheri

Thanks Elvi for sharing what spoke to you from Rabbi Artson’s writings. I too very much appreciate this take on the diversity of religions, and agree with you that appreciation would such a better response to that diversity.