First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School class for Next Sunday's Class, March 1st for Wednesday, 25 February 2015 from Ben Christiansen

First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States "Heart of Christianity" Sunday School class for Next Sunday's Class, March 1st for Wednesday, 25 February 2015 from Ben Christiansen
Hi to All:
Next Sunday we'll discuss Chapter 8, pp. 117-130. Here are some question and issues to ponder as preparation for our discussion.
1. P. 119, bottom Parag. and p. 120. How has the development of language, starting with our ancient ancestors more then fifty thousand years ago, aided in the concept of god. [It's interesting to me that Geering uses the expression 'thought world' several times (p. 119, p. 121, and p. 126)]. Your thoughts, in a 'world thought' manner?
2. Pp. 122-123. What is 'henotheism' and how did it shape the culture of monotheism?
3. P. 123. Geering writes about 'the birth of God' in terms of human birth. Do you agree that human birth is an apt metaphor? Your comments?
4. P. 123. What is the basic essence of the Babylonian Exile? (The SDSCS lecture by Rus Fuller, PhD, on April 27 at 7:00-8:30 pm will address this issue in detail).
5. P. 124, 1st full Parag. Geering traces the Christian Bible back to its origins and to the 'cultural maelstrom' from which the Old and New Testaments arose. Can you briefly recount this tracing?
6. P. 126, all of it. Do you agree with Geering's assertions in this page of text? Why or why not?
7. P. 127. With our evolved ability of rational thought, are we 'hardwired' to project ourselves onto the external world and eventually onto God and the values we aspire to acquire, including unity and unification? If so, how so?
8. P. 128, 1st two full Parags. What do you think of monism and God in the same classification? Can these two concepts work together?
9. P. 129, middle of page. Do you subscribe to the assertion: "The idea of 'God' came to function as a symbol affirming the unity of the universe"? Why or why not?
10. Pp. 129-130. Do you like how Geering explains the issue of how the ancient idea of God has led us into the modern world? Your thoughts?
I look forward to participate in a rousing and active discussion next Sunday. Meanwhile, stay safe, help others as you can, and... well, hasta domingo, Ben
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