A Thirsty God (Mother Teresa)

Early in Mother Teresa's career she was inspired by Jesus' last words on the cross "I thirst" and his discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well, where he asked her for something to drink (John 4:9). The words "I Thirst" became the motto for the Sisters of Charity and would later be found painted or written in every chapel of the society. In Kathryn Spink's biography of Mother Teresa she says this about the motto and its significance:

The Congregation's expressed aim, was to 'quench the infinite thirst of Jesus Christ on the Cross for love of souls'. The importance given to this general aim would be underlined by the fact that in time each one of the Society's chapels throughout the world would be inscribed with the two simple words: 'I thirst'. ... Beyond this lay Mother Teresa's conviction that when Jesus Christ spoke the words 'I thirst' on the cross, he did so as a revelation of God's longing to draw humanity to himself. She saw the cry  as an expression of the same thirst revealed to the woman at Jacob's Well, a thirst which could not be quenched by water alone but by love. She also recognized that the requisite love could only come from God.

In a letter written to Sister Jacqueline de Decker, Mother Teresa said:

What a beautiful vocation is yours - A Missionary of Charity - a carrier of God's love - we carry in our body and soul the love of an infinite thirsty God - and we - you and I and all the dear Sisters and the Sick and Suffering will satiate the burning thirst - you with your untold suffering, we with hard labour, but are we not the same one - 'as your Father in me and I in you', said Jesus.

God thirsts. God thirsts for us and humanity thirsts for God. Lord give us that water to drink that will quench our thirst and then yours as well.

Wheaton Conference on Global Theology

I had the benefit of attending the Wheaton Theology Conference this year on Global Theology. THe lectures by Andrew Walls and Lamin Sanneh stood out as exceptional, but there were many other very interesting lectures there including one on Chinese theology by K.K. Yeo. To listen to the lectures or view them you can go here: http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/lectures-theology11.htm

Why we need to go to Church

"Through worship God trains his people to take the right things for granted. When Christians gather they learn to value every person God has made, big, small, bright, slow, not because they are each individuals with rights (which inevitably conflict) but because each one has been given gifts by God that the Church needs to receive if it is to be faithful. When Christians confess their sins they recall the passion and recklessness of God and realize that every saint has a past and every siner has a future. When Christians listen to Scripture they remember that God's purposes can never be limited by the meanness of the human imagination. When Christians share bread together they rediscover that every person brings different things to the table but each receives back the same. When Christians are sent out they are reminded that each one has a vocation to witness and service and that ordinary discipleship can find an elixir in the words 'for thy sake.' Worship is the time when God trains his people to imitate him in habit, instinct, and reflex." Wells & Hauerwas

Read this post on joy

Ben Myers on his blog Faith & Theology has posted a wonderful blog on joy. READ IT.

The Best Bookstores in the World - Happy Browsing

The BBC & Lonely Planet just published this wonderful article on the top 10 bookstores in the world. For those of you in the southern California area there is a wonderful little bookshop that specializes in Theological books. It is the Archives, if you go there make sure to keep a limit on what you will spend, because without one you'll be in trouble.

Church on the Street

One of my good friends from the University of Aberdeen is leading an incredible ministry to the 'least of these'. We MUST learn from him. If we, academics and students, continue to fear or disregard the homeless we will never see God. Lord give us eyes to see.



Great work, Andy!

The Astonishment of Theological Work

"If anyone should not find himself astonished and filled with wonder when he becomes involved in one way or another with theology, he would be well advised to consider once more, from a certain remoteness and without prejudice, what is involved in this undertaking. The same holds true for anyone who should have accomplished the feat of no longer being astonished, instead of becoming continually more astonished all the time that he concerns himself with this subject. When he considers the subject, however, such a man might find that astonishment wells up within him anew, or perhaps even for the first time. And this time such wonder might not desert him but might rather become increasingly powerful in him. That astonishment should remain or become wholly foreign to him is scarcely conceivable. But should that happen, both he and theology would fare better if he devote his time to some other occupation. . .. If such astonishment is lacking, the whole enterprise of even the best theologian would canker at the roots. On the other hand, as long as a poor theologian is capable of astonishment, he is not lost to the fulfillment of his task.” Karl Barth, Evangelical Theology—An Introduction, Eerdmans, 1963, pp, 63-64.

Finding God in English Grammar

I have been reading Marilyn McEntyre's book Caring for Words in a Culture of Lies. In this wonderful little book she skillfully reminds me of the beauty of English grammar. As a writer and a teacher I need to continually work against lazy writing habits and to pursue the beauty of the written word.

Lewis Smedes wrote in his spiritual memoir that God "liked elegant sentences and was offended by dangling modifiers. Once you believe this, where can you stop? If the Maker of the Universe admired words well put together, think of how he must love sound thought well put together; and if he loved sound thinking, how he must love a Bach concerto; and if he loved a Bach concerto, think of how he prized any human effort to bring a foretaste, be it ever so small, of his Kingdom of justice and peace and happiness to the victimized people of the world. In short, I met the Maker of the Universe, who loved the world he made and was dedicated to its redemption. I found the joy of the Lord, not at a prayer meeting, but in English Composition 101." May we pursue excellence in every way and, as Sinead O'Connor sings, "make something beautiful for God."

A Soul & Neuroscience Event (Watch it Online)

During Sept. 23-24, 2010, I hosted Joel Green from Fuller Theological Seminary for a two part lecture series exploring the concept of the Soul and neuroscience. It well attended and created many wonderful conversations on our campus. If you would like to benefit from the lectures you can see them on youtube: Lecture 1: "What Are They Saying About the Soul?: The Bible, Science and the Soul" and Lecture 2: "Neural or Sacred?: Minds, Souls and Humans". Happy viewing!

The Holy Spirit in the World Today Conference

Last week Archbishop Rowan Williams, Miroslav Volf, Jürgen Moltmann, David Ford, Thomas Smail and other notables came together at Holy Trinity Brompton Church to discuss the role of the Holy Spirit. The audio files for the lectures including the discussions can be downloaded from the St Mellitus College website. More info on the conference can be found on Holy Trinity Brompton's website.

Prof. Jeremy Begbie at UC Berkley, 2001

This is an hour presentation Jeremy Begbie gave on Theology and Music at UC Berkley in October 2001. Prof. Begbie is a systematic theologian who focuses on music and theology. He is the most brilliant and engaging presenter. Enjoy this lecture.

Life in the Spirit - 2009 Wheaton Theology Conference on Spiritual Formation

Last year, 2009, The Wheaton Theology Conference was on Spiritual Formation and Theology. The keynote speakers were Gordon Fee and Dallas Willard. Their contributions, with the other presenters, are now available in the book Life in the Spirit: Spiritual Formation in Theological Persective. You can also listen to the presentations on Wheaton's website: http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/lectures-theology09.html.

Wheaton Theology Conference on the Work of N.T. Wright

This weekend was the Wheaton Theology Conference entitled "Jesus, Paul and the People of God: A Theological Dialogue with N.T.Wright." Papers were given by N.T. Wright, Richard Hayes, Marianne Meye Thompson, Jeremy Begbie, Markus Bockmuehl, Kevin Vanhoozer and others. It was a tremendous treat. And guess what ...  all of them can be viewed or the MP3 can be downloaded for free from WETN, the Wheaton College TV Channel, <http://www.wheaton.edu/wetn/lectures-theology10.htm>.  Wright's three talks, in particular, will encourage and inspire you.

NT Wright on Colbert Report about Heaven

This is a rather funny interview between the Bishop N.T. Wright and Stephen Colbert on the bishop's recent book Surprised by Hope.

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Bishop N.T. Wright
www.colbertnation.com
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Rowan Williams: "Early Christianity and Today" given at Gresham College

Here is a nice short lecture given by Archbishop Williams on the significance of the early church for today.



In 2009 for Holy Week Archbishop Williams also gave a three part lecture on the history of the church and prayer. They can be listened to here: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/2373

A great NPR series on Prayer & Science

This past summer NPR had a great 5 part series on prayer and the brain. Check it out: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=110997741

Larry Hurtado Lecture on the Divinity of Jesus Christ (Wesley Ministry network lesson 1)

Larry Hurtado Lecture on the Divinity of Jesus Christ

Anselm's Prayer

Teach me to seek You, and reveal Yourself to me as I seek, because I can neither seek You if You do not teach me how, nor find You unless You reveal Yourself. Let me seek You in desiring You; Let me desire You in seeking You, let me find You in loving You; let me love You in finding You.

(Proslogion, chpt. 1)

Archbishop Rowan Williams on Lent