It is awfully quiet in here

[Dave-W]

Sadly, egalitarianism isn't as uniform irl for me, especially acceptance of the ordination of women. My own parish is fine, but beyond that it can get "interesting" very fast.

I am sure your experience of that is not unique. Not by a long shot.

 

[Tigger45]

Sadly, egalitarianism isn't as uniform irl for me, especially acceptance of the ordination of women. My own parish is fine, but beyond that it can get "interesting" very fast.

A previous female pastor of ours once told us she averaged about one hate mail letter a month. I’d think they’d be primarily from outside of the congregation. Some people just need to complain I guess.

 

[Paidiske]

Ouch. I must admit I don't get physical hate mail. (I did once get mailed some fishnet stockings, but I think that was intended as a compliment... ).

 

[bekkilyn]

I get physical hate mail every day I open the mailbox, and after seeing it loaded down with junk, find myself exclaiming, "I hate mail!" Then off to the recycling bin I go!

I've never gotten fishnet stockings before though. Maybe they're afraid I'll wear them on my head during a sermon like I did with a pair of hot pink pants...

It baffles me how people can claim to follow Christ and then do something intentionally hateful to another person though. Though I admit I'm getting pictures in my mind of Grandpa Simpson writing all of his crazy complaint letters.

 

[Dave-W]

It baffles me how people can claim to follow Christ and then do something intentionally hateful to another person though.

Indeed.

 

[bekkilyn]

I thought we had a general thread in this group somewhere, but since I can't find it, I'll post here in order to continue to "unquiet" things. Just found this amusing!

 

[Paidiske]

Pockets. Yes! Why are so many women's garments made without pockets???

I listened to a very good podcast yesterday discussing the Song of Solomon from a feminist point of view, and I wanted to share it here, but I don't think I can because at the end there's a bit of discussion that might be taken as promoting homosexuality. (That wouldn't be my purpose in posting it but it could be taken that way).

But it was a very interesting discussion as a whole, and I thought it might be worth asking how others here receive the Song of Solomon, as a piece of Scripture?

 

[bekkilyn]

Pockets. Yes! Why are so many women's garments made without pockets???

I listened to a very good podcast yesterday discussing the Song of Solomon from a feminist point of view, and I wanted to share it here, but I don't think I can because at the end there's a bit of discussion that might be taken as promoting homosexuality. (That wouldn't be my purpose in posting it but it could be taken that way).

But it was a very interesting discussion as a whole, and I thought it might be worth asking how others here receive the Song of Solomon, as a piece of Scripture?

Could you link the podcast, or if against the TOS, PM it to me?

I view it as very sex positive and not necessarily representing "traditional marriage". I also see deeper meanings that relate to Christ as the bridegroom with love that is both fully human and fully divine. The poetry is also a wonderful focus for contemplation and meditation.

 

[Dave-W]

But it was a very interesting discussion as a whole, and I thought it might be worth asking how others here receive the Song of Solomon, as a piece of Scripture?

I find it runs counter to what most of the ECFs say about sex. As with all Hebrew scripture and especially the poetry sections, there are multiple levels of meaning. We Christians seem to focus in on only one level - as an allegory. But with those multiple levels you have to start off with the plain meaning which is called Peshat. And the Peshat level of SoS is VERY erotic. So much so that in his commentary on SOS “Biblical Lovemaking” Hebrew scholar Arnold Fruchtenbaum actually refused to translate a couple of passages, saying they were too intense and would be offensive to christian sensibilities.

The plain meaning has a lot of erotic imagery and describes many different sexual activities, probably 90% of which is about HER (Shulamite’s) pleasure. And I think that is an indication of where God’s concern is.

 

[PloverWing]

I'd be interested in the link too, either here or privately.

To be honest, I have trouble doing very much with the Song of Solomon as Scripture. I'm glad that it's in the Bible as a statement that sexual love is pleasing to God (yay!), but I don't really get much out of it beyond that general statement. It doesn't really work for me, either as erotic poetry or as spiritual metaphor. So a podcast that could bring this book alive for me and make it "click" would be great.

 

[Dave-W]

Hello?? Hello? Hello? Hello?

 

[Paidiske]

Hellooo!

I've been so busy the last few months I haven't had a lot of time for CF.

How are you doing, Dave?

 

[Gregorikos]

Hello?? Hello? Hello? Hello?

HEL-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

 

[Dave-W]

Hellooo!
I've been so busy the last few months I haven't had a lot of time for CF.
How are you doing, Dave?

Doing ok. Quite busy, being a new elder and a lead role in our upcoming (week and a half away) Purimspiel "Goys and Dolls." I play Mordecai.

 

[Paidiske]

Well, the story of Esther might provide lots of fodder for reflection on Egalitarianism...

 

[archer75]

I suppose...even I could start a thread in here! What a thought!

 

[bekkilyn]

I've been taking a bit of a sabbatical from CF, primarily because I've been super busy, but I'm more or less still here!

 

[public hermit]

I've been taking a bit of a sabbatical from CF, primarily because I've been super busy, but I'm more or less still here!

You were missed. I hope your ministry has been going well.

 

[bekkilyn]

You were missed. I hope your ministry has been going well.

It has! Thank you!

We've just had a lot of things going on with preparing for Ash Wednesday and Lent, and a couple bouts of crazy weather, and my Course of Study classes, my work at the zoo, and some various outreach activities my churches have been involved in. All very wonderful things and the Spirit has been moving in many positive ways, but not leaving much time to spare!

 

[Dave-W]

Been working on our PurimSpeil. (play based on the book of Esther)

I am playing Mordecai and our performance is Saturday evening.