Peter Rollins's Blog, page 56

Pyro-theology lectures (part 4)

Watch live streaming video from ssuca at livestream.com

This is part 4 of a series of lectures I gave at St. Stephen's University on the subject of Pyro-theology.

Pyro-theology lectures (part 3)

Watch live streaming video from ssuca at livestream.com

This is part 3 of a series of lectures I gave at St. Stephen's University on the subject of Pyro-theology.

Pyro-theology lectures (part 2)

ssuca on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

This is part 2 of a series of lectures I gave at St. Stephen's University on the subject of Pyro-theology.

Pyro-theology lectures (part 1)

ssuca on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free

This is part 1 of a series of lectures I gave at St. Stephen's University on the subject of Pyro-theology. The actual lecture begins after 7.5 mins.

Discovering our own monstrosity

This video is part of a promo series for the new book Church in the Present Tense. I have written two chapters for the book entitled: 'The Worldly Theology of Emerging Christianity' and 'Tranformance Art: Reconfiguring the Social Self'

Which is Stronger: Grace or Law?

Aesop was such a powerful and insightful storteller. I was recently reminded of this one that beautifully sums up the nature of grace and its transformative effect,

—

A dispute once arose between the Wind and the Sun, which was the stronger of the two, and they agreed to settle the point upon the issue – that whichever of the two soonest made a traveler take off his cloak, should be accounted the more powerful.

The Wind began, and blew with all his might and main a blast, cold and fierce as a Thracian storm; but the stronger he blew, the closer the traveler wrapped his cloak around him, and the tighter he grasped it with his hands.

Then broke out the Sun. With his welcome beams he dispersed the vapor and the cold; the traveler felt the genial warmth, and as the Sun shone brighter and brighter, he sat down, quite overcome with the heat, and taking off his cloak, cast it on the ground.

Thus the Sun was declared the conqueror; and it has ever been deemed the persuasion is better than force; and that the sunshine of a kind and gentle manner will sooner lay open a poor man's heart than all the threatenings and force of blustering authority.

I am a mask

There is a story (perhaps apocryphal) about one of the greatest theologians of the 20th century who, at the very height of his fame, was invited to participate in a high society masked orgy. These events were attended by many well known individuals and so everyone who participated was keen to keep their true identity a secret. As such the only thing that people wore was an operatic mask that would cover their face, ensuring anonymity. The great theologian accepted the invitation and arrived at the house on the given night. When he entered the vast room where the orgy was to take place he was confronted by the sight of dozens of guests who were naked except for the facial covering that hid their identity.

When the host saw this theologian enter the room he was aghast, for he was wearing nothing, not even a face covering. The host ran up to him and pulled him to one side saying, "This is a masked event so that people can hide their identity, what are you doing without a mask?"

To which he replied calmly, "why my dear friend, what you see is my mask"

To find out the point that this theologian was making have a listen to this interview I gave at Mars Hill with Rob Bell last year.

UMC, TN

For more information visit the website.

Wild Goose, MO

Wild Goose is not a conference or a convention; it's a gathering, for three days in June 2011, for anyone who wants to interact with justice, spirituality, and art.  You're invited to participate with us in conversations with key figures in politics, social justice, environmental care, and peace building, to hear musicians at the top of their game from Michelle Shocked to Over the Rhine, and Derek Webb to the Lee Boys, and shape the future of spiritual activism in North America by making your own contribution to the questions of how to live well amidst rapidly changing culture.  We'll have fun activities for kids, great food, and a relaxing, informal atmosphere that encourages real interaction between contributors and participants.  This is the first year of the festival, and you're invited to be part of the founding Wild Goose community.

To find out more visit the website.

Pitch and Praise, OH

Pitch & Praise is a camping retreat for high school students that draws nearly 2,000 people to Braeside Camp in Paris, Ontario, on the long weekend in May. There's something for everyone at Pitch. The weekend includes sports tournaments, concerts, games rooms, skateboarding, movies, optional seminars, swimming, talent shows, comedy acts, an open-mic stage, teaching sessions, small group interaction and more. About a dozen denominations are represented at this event which has been running now, for 36 years.

For more information visit the website.