Readings on Faiths: In the beginning…Creativity
A Book Group Exploring the Diversity of Religion
| WHAT? | Learning Circle |
| WHEN? | November 18 – December 2, 2024 Meets weekly on Mondays 8:30 – 9:30 AM Pacific / 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Eastern |
| WHERE? | Online Via Zoom |
| WHO? | Terry Goddard |
Readings on Faiths Around the World is a book group that reads and discusses books covering the vast diversity of world faiths. Of course, the standard seven world religions will be included but we will also explore less well-known religious/spiritual groups including Afro-Caribbean, Bahá’í, Humanist, Jain, Pagan, Zoroastrian, and more. The only prerequisite needed for this group is a desire to learn more about the world’s religious traditions.
Please come to each session having read the assigned section and be prepared to participate in the discussion with the group. Future books to be discussed, and dates will be provided here as the sessions are scheduled.
Upcoming
In the beginning … Creativity, by Gordon Kaufman, argues that our language about God and the things of God – God-talk – lost their relevance in the latter part of the twentieth-century. He bases his claim in part on current scientific thinking in areas like evolutionary biology and astrophysics and cosmology. Moreover, cultural influences as well as time and place have shaped Christianity (all religions in fact) throughout history.
In this little book Kaufman suggests a different way in which to conceive of God – as creativity. In some ways his claim is not unlike that of Alfred North Whitehead. Whitehead suggested creativity not as God but as the ultimate in the universe. However, in many other ways Kaufman’s thought is very different as his book reveals.
Life no longer will be thought of or experienced as dependent on our unmediated direct relation to a divine being whose character and will are fairly clear and distinct. . . . We will have to work out our lives . . . normed by the directions in which creativity appears to be moving in our part of the cosmos . . . and by the christomorphic (teachings of Jesus) principle.
–Gordon Kaufman, In the beginning…Creativity
How to Join/Access
To access the Zoom meeting information and learning circle resources you must (1) have an account, (2) be logged in, and (3) be enrolled.
If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one by signing up to become a member of the P&F community. Click here to register now.
Once you have an account and are logged in, return to this page, and click on the Enroll in Group button near the top. You will be then automatically enrolled and sent an email confirmation with additional information.
Previously Read
About the Facilitator
Terry Goddard has a PhD from Chicago Theological Seminary in the history of religion. He is retired professor of history and religion. Terry writes a blog, many of which address Loren Eiseley and his thought as well as religious topics.
How to Join/Access
To access the Zoom meeting information and learning circle resources you must (1) have an account, (2) be logged in, and (3) be enrolled.
If you don’t have an account, you will need to create one by signing up to become a member of the P&F community. Click here to register now.
Once you have an account and are logged in, return to this page, and click on the Enroll in Group button near the top. You will be then automatically enrolled and sent an email confirmation with additional information.