As one of the behind the scenes helpers of Big Tent Christianity, I can honestly say that I feel like last week’s Phoenix event was very successful. I know that others are weighing in on things that they would have liked to have seen or things that we can do differently next time – and I agree with many of these suggestions; I think we all do.

But before we focus on the 10% that could use adjustment, I want to highlight four things that I think were done right and which made this an overwhelming hit: partnership, dialogue, facilitation and leadership.

Partnership: we partnered with people. The Arizona Center for Contemporary Theology, The Desert Emergent Cohort and the Beatitudes Church were wonderful hosts and friends to Big Tent.  We didn’t pick some random city off the map, we responded to an invitation. We didn’t book some conference center or large hotel to stage the event, we were hosted by a congregation.

This shift in theological dialogue is not primarily about ideas but about relationship – not about impressiveness but about connection. If the main concern was to stage a big event with nationally known speakers then you would do that differently than what we did in Phoenix. I loved the connections that we made and the way that they were made.

Dialogue: we had conversations. Carol Howard-Merritt was the first speaker and set the perfect tone. David Felton spoke with an honesty that carried weight because of his position and location.

Eliacin Rosario-Cruz in conversation with Brian McLaren about the practices and rhythms of faith and life.

Nadia Bolz-Weber in dialogue with Richard Rohr about conflict and reconciliation.

Anthony Smith in dialogue with Tripp Fuller about Pentecost and post-Colonial realities.

Rachel Held-Evans taking on Marcus Borg in the Evolution break-out session.

Brian Ammons’ letter to the Bishop.

Mark Scandrette’s spoken word prayer-benediction-exhortation.

This is the upside to a conference like this. There are always limitations to this sort of event, but one of the advantages it that we get to listen in on conversations that we would never get to hear otherwise.  When Shane Hipps, Spencer Burke, and Barry Taylor were talking about technology and spirituality, I was so happy to be in that room.

Facilitation: we organized and empowered. There were many moments where I thought to myself “I love this moment”.  We had Main-Liners, Emergents, Evangelicals, Neo-Monastics, Pentecostals, Conservatives, and ‘Nones’  talking about Prayer, Evolution, Technology, the Bible, Sex, the Church, Demons, Intentional Communities, and Race.

This happened in break-out sessions, over coffee breaks, in main sessions, over meals and at late-night mixers.

Leadership: The simplest way to say this is that Big Tent is one branch on a big tree. When you have an internationally acclaimed Theologian like Philip Clayton who gets a vision and a subsequent grant to “Transform Christian Theology” and he does this – not by writing a 3 volume systematic theology – but by being in dialogue with others and facilitating conversation between others … I think that is really saying something.  Something that is probably too easily overlooked or taken for granted in this age of cynicism where it is easier to make sarcastic quips from the back row than to make substantial contributions on the front line (I am preaching to myself here).

I loved Big Tent Phoenix – and not just because I was on the planning team. I was on the planning team because I love what this is and what it represents and what it can become.

There will be things that will be different at Big Tent NY or Big Tent San Fran or Big Tent Portland-Seattle.  (I am making those up because I am hoping for them)

In addition to the Denominational diversity there is always an eye toward Gender and Race representation. The theological and ecumenical voices will be increasingly complimented by the thoughtful practitioner.

One thing is for sure: Big Tent Phoenix was a moment – a living moment. Heads and hearts were enlivened, lives and communities were influenced. Seeds were planted. I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it and I look forward to seeing where it  goes from here.

you can connect with Bo at his blog http://aneverydaytheology.blogspot.com/ or on FaceBook

The Great Work was published at the dawn of the 21st century. In it, Berry, who uses the title of geologian, eloquently tells the story of the planet’s 3.4 billion year history, describing all of the ‘moments of grace’, when life flourished and unfolded. He passionately encourages us all to find our own time as another moment of grace when the Cenozoic era ends and we enter into what he hopes will be an ‘Ecozoic’ era, rediscovering a mutually beneficial relationship with nature. His words will continue to inspire us to search for a new cosmology – one in which humans are the consciousness of the universe and exist for the perfection of the universe rather than the other way around.

Berry’s thinking has influenced me quite a bit, obviously. Probably the most apparent way is that I never use the word ‘stewardship’ when talking about our relationship with creation. I prefer words like ‘kinship’ and ‘partnership’ because in these terms, a mutually beneficial relationship and intrinsic worth is implied. As Berry puts it, ‘the universe is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects.’

So I encourage you to check out some of Berry’s writings or revisit them; they will prod you to want to participate in the great work of planning for a new universal community. His writings are a huge reason why I don’t do things that normal 27-year-olds do; instead I saunter off into the wilderness for 5 months at a time and sit around and dream about how to create communities that will improve our relationship with Creation.

I’m grateful for Tom’s great work, a work that continues.

You can download the first 50 pages of the book on the website.

Michael’s blog is definitely worth reading: thankgodforevolution.com/category/blog

The post we translate into piratespeak in the introduction is ‘God is NOT a Supernatural Terrorist.’

San Antonio is well-represented this week with calls from Paul Soupiset and Pete Zimmerman. Great to hear from you two.

Next week we’ll be back without the pirate and flu voices.

Email: podcast[at]homebrewedchristianity.com

Call in: 678-590-BREW (Click to Skype us.)

Tripp posted some new videos on the Transforming Theology YouTube Channel, so we thought we’d take this opportunity to do a little Darwin recap.

John Cobb discussing Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and the trouble with the traditional debate it creates in the church

Discussing the problem of genetic determinism and materialism in neo-darwinism and offering an alternative from a process perspective

Discussing the religious critique of evolution, the emergence of ID, and how process thought moves past the impasse

Pastor Bob Cornwall:

Charles Darwin on Religion

An interesting article by Professor John Hedley Brooke of Oxford University, which offers a look into Darwin’s thoughts about religion and science.

Evolutionary Explanation of Religion

As a Christian (and as a pastor) I confess faith in a creator. At the same time, I accept the findings of science that suggest that we have evolved from a common ancestor of all that exists.

Tony Jones:

Mrs. Darwin Would Be Proud

Charles Darwin’s wife, Emma, famously disliked her husband’s theories, and he actually wrote On the Origin of Species in a way that he hoped wouldn’t be offensive to her.  Well, it seems that a sesquicentury later, the two are still locked in a struggle for the hearts and minds of Americans.

NPR:

Taking Darwin Personally

Why do Charles Darwin‘s ideas generate such strong resistance? Maybe because it hurts people’s feelings. But does accepting our place in the animal kingdom make us any less miraculous?

Students Reconcile Darwin’s Theories with Faith

The state of Kansas has been publicly wrestling with how or whether to teach Darwin‘s theory of evolution in the public schools. At the University of Kansas, some students are studying biological sciences despite devout Christian faith and a strong belief in the biblical story of creation. They face internal struggles similar to the ones Darwin himself must have felt as he wrestled with his scientific theories about evolution.

Drew Lumpkin:

Evolution of Religion

Is there an evolutionary benefit, among early humans, that could explain biologically and psychologically why religion perpetuated itself? Oversimplified, how and why did religion emerge?

and ‘one big omnipost covering several facets of Darwin’s birthday.’

Tripp Fuller

Response to Drew’s Evolution of Religion: Darwin and the Evolution of Religion

James McGrath

‘A Closed Challenge to Neo-Darwinists’ and his report from Sunday School on being ‘Fearfully and Wonderfully Evolved.’

John Shuck

Shares his Evolution Sunday sermon, ‘Solar Living.’

For fun:

Ways Charles Darwin Could Jump the Shark

For fun another perspective:

Al Mohler

Efforts to resolve this challenge generally involve a misunderstanding of biblical Christianity, a misunderstanding of evolution, or a misunderstanding of both.

Annotated list of Al Mohler’s articles on Darwin.

Finally: HBC 37, 43, 44, and 45 (wait for it…coming soon)

Tripp’s conversation with Daniel is very engaging and thought-provoking. Don’t miss this one.

Also check out:

Reviews from Scot McKnight, Bob Cornwall, and Mike Clawson

And it’s a big podcast week for Daniel: TheNickandJoshPodcast.com (ep 104)

Let us know your thoughts on evolution and faith so we can continue the conversation. Leave us a message at 678-590-BREW.

Hey, you know that old conflict between religion and science? Remember the Scopes monkey trial in 1925 or the 1960 film about the case? How about the legislative battles of the last few years in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Kansas over the mandatory inclusion of intelligent design alongside evolution in public schools?

Waiting for worldviews to change to accommodate new science is like watching the emergence of multicellularity. Keep in mind that Darwin’s On the Origin of Species is only 150 years old. Copernicus’s On the Revolutions of the Celestial Spheres was published in 1543. That book wasn’t completely dropped from the Vatican’s list of banned books for another 300 years. (I wonder if foundation-shattering books would fly under heresy radars if the titles didn’t start with “On the…”)

Chuck, on the other hand, just got fast-tracked! On Darwin’s 200th birthday, the Vatican is officially on board with evolution! Also, more than 800 pastors and rabbis are celebrating “Evolution Weekend.”

NPR reported that even in The Bible Belt there is a quiet shift away from biblical literalism. Henry Green, a Southern Baptist minister in Maryland is one of the pastors now preaching about evolution in the pulpit.

“Well, guess what, I believe God created,” says Green, “but I also believe that the scientists have it right in understanding that creation.”

This shift that’s taking place integrates contemporary science with spiritual insights in religious texts. As a minister myself, I think this piece is a necessity when it comes to getting our flocks on board with healing the Earth as an integral part of faith.

When we can no longer remember when religion and science were at odds with one another – when as one species we recognize that we have only been here for a blink of an eye in the history of life on Earth – we’ll be unified in seeing the seriousness of the violence against Creation/Earth that we’ve done in our short lifespan. Maybe then we’ll have the common will needed to restructure our institutions and businesses in life-giving rather than destructive ways. Maybe we’re ready to pick up the shovels now.

Evolution Weekend gives me hope for that kind of future.

You can find all of my Sustainablog posts here. As we get closer to Lent, check out my Green Lent series from last year.

What Does Lent Have To Do With Sharpening Green Habits?

Spanish Literature and Religious Environmentalism: A Green Lent Update

Eco Palm Sunday: A Green Lent Update

No Easter Faith Without Environmentalism

Our talk covers:

disenchantment in the modern era
a new cosmology that encourages a deeper relationship with God and creation
viewing the gospel through an evolutionary, ecological lens

Bruce is the pastor of Canadian Memorial United Church in Vancouver, British Columbia and author of Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos and The Emerging Church: A Model for Change and a Map for Renewal.

We also have a little fun with the legendary band Devo…in honor of Darwin’s 200th birthday (on Thursday) and 150th anniversary of On the Origin of the Species. Listen to find out the connection.

Thank you Deacon Kevin for calling the Homebrewed Hotline (678-590-BREW) and sharing how HBC has brought you closer to your brother. The entire Homebrewed Diaconate is invited to call us and share your story of how the podcast has improved your relationships.

Also check out Episode 26 with Bruce Sanguin and Tripp’s review of The Emerging Church on Emergent Village.