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Dear HCF,
Happy Sunday! I hope you all feel refreshed and ready to start Fall B :).
This week will be relatively quiet for HCF, with our normal community group and morning prayer. If you're interested in regular lunches or prayers with HCF on-campus at some time in the week, please fill out this when2meet and we'll format the time based on the requests of the people who can come.
Also mark your calendars for a special webinar (geared towards MBAs) on the Theology of Work coming up on November 3 (6-7pm) and November 11 (5-6pm)! We're holding a room to view the November 3 webinar, so come stop by S207 if you're interested and we can watch together.
Grace and Peace,
Anthony, Jake, and Megan
Weekly Reflection - Robert Etter (FTMBA '17)
I just finished reading Desiring the Kingdom by James Smith which discusses the role that cultural liturgies play in forming us. Even simple acts such as shopping could be seen in terms of solemn liturgies reflecting assumptions about ultimate reality. So much of what we do teaches us to value certain things, reinforcing fundamental assumptions about the world. Smith says that every pedagogy assumes an anthropology. What we are led to do, to love, in the world is based on assumptions of who we are. Being made by God, all people are made to love and worship, and everyone worships and seeks some kingdom. Whether in Birmingham or Berkley, we are surrounded by liturgies that pull us from God's kingdom. We are called to worship the world, ourselves, one's own identity and experience in all spheres of life, from economics to sexuality.
I've also been reading the book of Daniel, and Daniel had to live in a world where God was largely a regressive, defeated idea that stood against the values and orientation of a cosmopolitanism society. Daniel was not confrontational, but did the best work he could while remaining faithful before God, regardless of the risk of stigmatization or worse. Following God was a natural part of how he lived in the world, so there was no question of not doing it, and his faith was a seamless part of the work he did. For me I feel the struggle is not just standing for God, but to see where and how to do so. In The Magician's Nephew, the protagonist is tempted to reject God's purposes for his own, and is done so by arguments that seem reasonable and right, even making it look like being faithful would be cruel, unprofitable, or intolerant.
Of course, none of this would be matter if the world and all people didn't have such fundamental worth and potential. Any kingdom but God's, though, ultimately devalues people and teaches us to do the same in some way. Seeing through such arguments, such pedagogy and anthropology, requires commitment to God, to constant prayer for the Spirit's wisdom, guidance, and vision, and constant renewal of an identity solidly rooted in Christ.
Praises and Prayer Requests
PRAISE for a beautiful day and a community of believers at Haas.
PRAYER for God's great and all-sufficient love to be shed abroad in our hearts this week.
Please submit your own praises and prayer requests to your co-presidents and specify whether we have permission to include them in the newsletter. Even if you don't want them to be public, we would be so delighted to share in your blessings and lift up your burdens.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19
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Sunday 10/25 7:30pm
The Qians (2355 Hilgard Ave)
Call Jake to get into the building
Morning Prayer
Thursday 10/30 8:15-9:00am
F430
Theology of Work Webinar
Tuesday 11/3 6:00-7:00pm
S207 (or virtual with link here)
Anything else you want to see?
Contact one of your co-presidents!
Anthony Patterson, FTMBA 2016
Jake Qian, FTMBA 2016
Megan Wong, FTMBA 2016
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