Volume 3 Issue 15

It will be unconscionable if I do not express my heartfelt conviction that those votes cast next Tuesday for the Bush-Cheney ticket will be in support of the Antichrist. I am fully aware that such a position places me in the extremist category, but I am also fully prepared to defend my conclusion and how I arrived at it. The intention of this website from the outset has been to stimulate and encourage an interactive theological dialogue, and the new web-log format in combination with the guest book commentary comes closer to facilitating this mission than has been possible before in its short history. I welcome a hearty debate of my assertion, and will be disappointed only by a lack of any response at all.
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Readers of TIME magazine had the opportunity to read about “a provocative study [that] asks whether religion is a product of evolution” in the October 25 cover story, “Is God in Our Genes?” The basis of the article is the recently published book by molecular biologist Dean Hamer, “The God Gene: How Faith Is Hardwired into Our Genes” (Doubleday; 256 pages). The distinction made between religion and spirituality (my score on the quiz is 15; what’s yours?) caught my attention, and I’m adding the book to my reading list. Others who are also planning to read it are invited to share their thoughts and opinions on this site. This may be the catalyst to launch the “chat” feature that Rachel has incorporated into GiC’s new design. Future newsletters will detail how we go about “chatting” once I learn how myself J
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This edition is coming to you from snowy Flagstaff, Arizona where we have been visiting Rachel and Steve this weekend. The San Francisco Peaks are spectacular, and it is easy to understand why the indigenous people have long considered this area to be sacred. We will return to Sin City today armed with the spiritual renewal we have experienced here, and with the prayer upon our hearts that on this coming Tuesday the spirit of the living Christ will prevail to the blessing of the whole people of God!
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Until next time…….Shalom!

Volume 3 Issue 14

I have long admired and respected Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong's ability to articulate a progressive theology, and his recent article, "Understanding the Christian Roots of My Political Depression", is an excellent example of why. As the critical presidential election of 2004 draws nigh, I invite you to read his thoughts that so profoundly parallel my own: http://brazoriacountydemocrats.blogspot.com/2004/09/bishop-spong-understanding-christian_21.html
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Progressive evangelicalism may seem like an oxymoron until you get better acquainted with the thoughts of Sojourner's founder and editor-in-chief, Jim Wallis. Wallis is another writer/speaker to whom I am deeply grateful for his ability to clearly state our shared concern of Christianity being co-opted by the zealous Right, and of the disturbing alliance that is emerging between political and religious extremists. Those who don't already subscribe to SOJOMAIL (free) will want to read "A New Confession of Christ": http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.current_issue#3
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The "remodeling" of this Growing in Christ website continues, and I am so grateful to daughter Rachel for the "new and improved" format that she is designing. The Guest Book is up and running and you are invited to "sign" it and provide your own thoughts and comments. The counter on the home page provides an up-to-date report of how many visits have been made to the site along with an invitation to share the site with friends and family. Rachel is incorporating a "chat" feature, and from what I understand it will be a matter of setting specific times that we can carry on real-time "conversations" within our cyber-community of faith. (I haven't yet been able to access the Sermon Archives, but we're taking things one step at a time.) Details will be forthcoming in future newsletters.
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I thank you for allowing me to come into your home or place of work, and pray that GiC will remain true to its mission of stimulating and encouraging theological exploration along with spiritual formation and development. It cannot be overstated that our Creator has gifted citizens of the United States of America with the moral responsibility of voting, and it is in that spirit that everyone is urged to participate in what may fairly be thought of as a political sacrament.
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Until next time, Shalom!


Mark A. Hanna
www.growinginchrist.net

Volume 3 Issue 13

This issue is in memory of my very good friend, Don Cossette (1947 – 2004). I was honored with the request by his family to officiate at his memorial service, and in that process rediscovered what this “ultimate quest” is really all about. It provided me with the opportunity to examine once again the great mystery of where we come from and where we go to, a subject that has sadly been reduced to perfunctory catechism by much of organized religion. Part of that great mystery is our connectedness through the One, and even though many in this cyber community of faith never knew Don personally, I know that your words of comfort and encouragement will be welcomed by Don’s wife, Glenda: GlendaoftheNW@aol.com
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Many of you received my preview announcement of the new and improved Growing in Christ website, but for those of you who are seeing the changes for the first time I express my deep gratitude to daughter Rachel for her dynamic contribution to this ministry. Entering her junior year of studies in communications at Northern Arizona University, Rachel graciously consented to make this site the beneficiary of her multitudinous gifts and talents. She has rightly labeled the project as “under construction”, and I join with all of you in eagerly awaiting the upcoming design changes that will help to make Growing in Christ attractive to an ever-growing audience. Your compliments may be directed to her: jackrach06@yahoo.com
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I pray that it’s not too late, but there just now seems to be a dawning awareness on the part of many of how the upcoming general election is in grave danger of being co-opted by the Religious Right. This is definitely not a new development, and regular visitors to this site know that I have been trying to sound the alarm for some time now. Growing in Christ is not guilty of having blurred the line between religion and politics, but now that it has been so flagrantly violated I will continue to lend my voice to those who urge everyone to vote in what is proving to be the most pivotal election in living memory, and to do so from the conviction of the examined life rather than of prejudiced zealotry. You are invited to go to the “links” page for additional perspectives.
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Unit next time…….Shalom!