Melchizedek

According to Robinson, Melchizedek is a Greek text translated into Coptic and dates from the late second to early third century. It was likely favored by Egyptian Sethian Gnostics with a fascination for Melchizedek. (page 598)

The text has three parts: "(1) a revelation mediated by the angel Gamaliel (1,1-14,15); (2) a liturgy performed by the priest Melchizedek on behalf of his community (14,15-18,bottom); and (3) a revelatory vision to Melchizedek by unnamed heavenly 'brethren,' probably including Gamaliel (18,bottom-27,10). (page 595)

Highlights:

• An unusual (for a gnostic source) polemic against docetism:
  "Furthermore, they will say of him,
  'He was not born,' though he was born;
  'he does not eat,' though he does eat;
  'he does not drink,' though he does drink;
  'he is not circumcized,' though he was circumcized;
  'he is without real flesh,' though he did endure suffering;
  'he did not rise from the dead,' though he did rise from the dead."
• "O essence of [every aeon, A]BA[BA AI]AIAI ABABA (read: Primal Father)
  O divine Autogenes of ...,
  O movement of every nature, Mother of the aeons, Barbelo
  O firstborn of the aeons, Aithops Doxomedon Domedon,
  O possessor of lives, Jesus Christ,
  O commandeers in chief, luminaries, power--Harmozel, Oroiael, Daveithe, Eleleth,
  And you, luminons immortal aeon, Pigeradamas,
  And you, good God of the virtuous worlds, Mirocheirothetou,
  I call upon all of you through Jesus Christ, Son of God. (page 600)
• "When he came he caused me to be raised up from ignorance and the fructification from death to life. (page 603)"

Spring 2011 Grad Study: Nag Hammadi Library

Graduate students and friends will study the Nag Hammadi codices this spring. The primary text for the study will be The Nag Hammadi Scriptures: The Revised and Updated Translation of Sacred Gnostic Texts, edited by Marvin Meyer. A sketch of the semester's study follows.

• January 18 - Meet & Greet
• January 25 - Preface (p xi-xiii), Introduction (p1-13)
• February 1 - Snow Day
• February 8 - Thomas Christianity (777-783), Book of Thomas (p235-246)
• February 15 - Gospel of Thomas (p133-156)
• February 22 - Dialogue of the Savior (p297-312)
• March 1 - The Sethian School of Gnostic Thought (p784-789), Gospel of Judas (p755-770)
• March 8 - Mardi Gras Break
• March 15 - Secret Book of John (p103-132)
• March 22 - Spring Break
• March 29 - Melchizedek (p595-606)
• April 5 - The Valentinian School of Gnostic Thought (p790-794), Tripartite Tractate part 1 (p57-77)
• April 12 - Tripartite Tractate part 2 (p77-102)
• April 19 - Gospel of Philip (p157-186)
• April 26 - Hermetic Religion (p795-798), Prayer of Thanksgiving (p419-424)
• May 3 - Gospel of Mary (p737-748)
• May 10 - Meet at Jarlings

Session 8: Methodism

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

It is said that Methodism is holds the "extreme center". This may sound like Methodists are the great fence-sitters in the landscape of Christian tradition. However, as we will discover, Methodists tread a path of balance that embraces heart and intellect, "high church" and "low church" worship, salvation of individuals and of the world, and grace and holiness.

1. What does it mean to you to be part of a Christian movement rooted in the "extreme center"?
2. How do you approach faith with passion and intellect?
3. How is/can God working through you, your congregation, and the ecumenical community to change lives, transform the world, and reform/revitalize the church?

I hope you'll join us in this final session of Christianity's Family Tree, in which we will examine Methodism, including its roots, beliefs, and practices.

Chapter 5: Anglicanism

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Tuesday night we will explore the context and gifts of Anglicanism as it emerged from western Christianity. Our study will include the history of British reformation, Anglicanism's contribution of the via media, and the valuable emphasis on a rich devotional life.

Join us tonight at 8:15 pm in the Wesley Student Lounge (located in the room across from Etc. Coffeehouse in the Wesley Foundation).

Yoga

The Hindu practice of yoga has been in the news recently. Southern Baptist Seminary President Albert Mohler denounced the Hindu practice of yoga as incompatible with a Christian pathway to God. He has received many reactions--for instance, a Huffington Post opinion piece and a post on the EmergingUMC blog). Mohler has continued the dialogue, such as it is, with his response to criticisms.

According to Paul Laughlin's book Getting Oriented: What Every Christian Should Know about Eastern Religions, but Probably Doesn't, yoga--a Sanskrit word literally translated as "to yoke"--is defined as:

"(1) any one of a number (usually three, four, or countless) of spiritual disciplines recognized in Hinduism as effective in making the crucial (and inevitable) connection between one's atman and Brahman--also sometimes called a marga (path); or (2) a specifically physical practice or technique associated with hatha (i.e., bodily exertion) yoga.(290)"

"The purpose of hatha yoga is to release [energies from their concentrated centers throughout the body--centers that affect organs in their immediate vicinity--] and bring them into alignment, thereby facilitating the journey toward realizing true, mystical raja yoga [spiritual discipline aimed at mystical insight], which links atman (one's individual spiritual essence) to Brahman (the Absolute Spirit). Ideally the kundalini [a coiled spring of energy thought by some yogis to be at the base of the spine] would also be uncoiled, thus releasing its power to flow up the spine and connect the chakras [energy centers] from bottom to top. (96)"

You can learn more about yoga from two interviews on The Body's Grace and Meditation in Action from Speaking of Faith.

From what I have read about the controversy, I would characterize Mohler's statements as

1. not denying the physical fitness of yogic exercises;
2. not denying the spiritual value of yoga for Hindus;
3. believing yoga ceases to be yoga when its exercises are divorced from its spiritual dimension; and
4. denying the spiritual value of yoga for Christians.

What is your response?

• Is yoga still "yoga" when stripped of its spiritual dimension?
• What are the challenges in porting a Hindu practice into a Christian way of life? Is it still truly yoga once the adaptations are made?
• Is there value for Christians in the practice of yoga that maintains its spiritual dimension? Is there danger?
• Are there spiritual practices you feel are uniquely Christian?

Spiritual Disciplines

John Wesley believed in the power of frequently practiced spiritual disciplines. The Balance Group has recently visited this Wesleyan emphasis. I have appreciated the challenging conversations wherein we struggle with how to practice these disciplines amidst the busi-ness of school, work, and homemaking.

My parents recently asked me what I thought of the fringe "church" in Florida with designs on burning a copy of the Quran, Muslims' primary sacred text. Any assumption about the intent of the group's leader is unfair, but I responded quickly with the speculation that the group's leader got what he wanted--media attention. The conversation moved on to questions about Islam. I shared what I knew about the five pillars of Islam. Impressed by the frequency and regularity of spiritual disciplines at the core of Islam, my mom responded (and I'll paraphrase) "Muslims are very good at faithfulness."

Surely embedded in this statement could be a mix of emotions, including guilt and awe.

The grad study recently discussed the eastern Orthodox appreciation for the "cloud of witnesses" who accompany Christians on their journey. I noted that my great grandmother remains one of those witnesses to me for her radical trust in God and the practice of spiritual disciplines as second-nature, even as she struggled with Alzheimers disease.

As we struggle to improve our practice of spiritual disciplines, I see a vision of practice that focuses on awe rather than guilt. Awe of God. Awe inspired by the faithful cloud of witnesses. Then, also, I am encouraged by a recent blog post on Experimental Theology that relates a personal story of how one person has experienced joy in sharing the Book of Common Prayer (a valuable Anglican resource for anyone interested in spiritual practices) to his children.

Who are the witnesses who inspire you? What are the meaningful, effective ways you practice spiritual disciplines?

Fundraiser for Eastern Illinois Food Bank

The Champaign Taste blog reports that a local foods cookout will be held on Thursday, September 9, 2010 from 5:00-7:00 pm in front of Common Grounds Food Coop in Urbana's Lincoln Square. The cost of the event is $12 with all proceeds going to the Eastern Illinois Food Bank.