Greg Wolfe, Heather Hawkins and Bryan Burton respond to audience questions and comments. Robert Deeble brings us another song "The Secret Life Of Emily Dickinson, from his "13 Stories" album and playwright and actor Jeff Berryman reads the late Stanley Kunitz' poem "The Layers. Originating from Hales Ales Brewery and Pub our first live "The Kindlings Muse" draws to a close. We love to hear your comments–post them below.
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Don't miss the "The Da Vinci Code" discussion on at Dick Staub's podcast, "The Kindlings Muse." Also this Sunday The Hallmark Channel carries a special on Opus Dei and another titled: "The Da Vinci Code: Fact and Fiction?" Dick Staub appears on the panel moderated by Krista Tippett, host of "Speaking of Faith," public radio's weekly conversation about religion, produced by American Public Media and broadcast on more than 165 public radio stations. Other panelists include Jill Levine – professor of New Testament Studies, Vanderbilt University and Ed Murray – president and chief executive officer, Faith & Values Media. Check local listings. The last we heard the "Da Vinci" broadcast was scheduled for 9AM Eastern and Pacific, 8 AM Central, 7 AM Mountain Time and 6AM Pacific. The show was taped in front of a live audience at Minnesota Public Radio. (In the spirit of Garrison Keillor, only MPR would produce a TV show in a radio station!)
Dan Browns "The Da Vinci Code." Does this book and movie threaten to overturn central elements of Christianity? What is the fact and fiction of it all? Our panel of Greg Wolfe, Heather Hawkins and Bryan Burton share their views on three essential questions: 1) Is "The Da Vinci Code." Anti-Christian? 2) Does it claim to be true? 3) Will it affect people's beliefs? Enjoy and tell a friend about "The Kindlings Muse."
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Look in the Columbia dictionary for a definition and you read: "Believing that a Catholic can lead a holy life without taking religious vows, lay members pledge to serve God in worldly vocations." "Opus" is a Latin word meaning "the work proves the craftsman." The Apostle Paul put it this way:" We are God's workmanship. As an organization Opus Dei has attracted derision in some circles because it is secretive, practices disciplines like self-immolation and is conservative in what for some are distressingly pre Vatican II ways.
The Hallmark Channel will carry a special on Opus Dei Sunday June 11 (check local, listings) and you will see how little resemblance the organization bears to Dan Brown's hapless albino Silas. You'll learn the cilise, strapped tightly around Silas leg dripping with blood, was actually used by Pope John Paul and Mother Theresa and never draws blood. It is a reminder of Christi's suffering producing a single-minded focus on identifying with Jesus, kind of a step above fasting.
After watching the Hallmark special you may conclude as I did that Opus Dei seems a tad on the legalistic side. I'm sure individual members are tempted with the smug self-righteousness I've seen in Protestant fundamentalism. But that Dan Brown could portray such a distorted image of Opus Dei is in keeping with the wild, National Enquirer-style conspiracy weaving of his entire book. Reviewers who call The Da Vinci Code extensively researched are the students you knew who used Cliff Notes and "The Onion" for their term papers. Our suspicions and concerns about Opus Dei say more about us than Opus Dei.
As far as I can tell the members of Opus Dei are seeking to live sanctified lives in the real world. Their roots are in Jesus who challenged his followers "if anyone wants to be my disciple, you must deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. The early believers shared all things in common, worshipped daily, praying and fasting, as do members of Opus Dei today.
That one can live a holy life without taking special vows and joining a monastic, cloistered community, is exactly the message of Jesus. Today's easy breezy Christianity bears little resemblance to Opus Dei, but then it bears little resemblance to Jesus and his disciples either.
Yours for the pursuit of God in the company of friends, Dick Staub.
This episode of The Kindlings Muse originated from Hales Ale Brewery & Pub on Monday May 22. Our subject is "Irreligious Seattle and The Spiritual Book Craze." On today's podcast in segment two we introduce Greg Wolfe Editor of Image a Journal of "Art-Faith-Mystery, " Heather Hawkins a Seattle actress and Bryan Burton theologian, a graduate of Queens College in Belfast Ireland for a discussion of whether based on their personal experience, Seattle is really irreligious. Enjoy. Tell a Friend. And come back for more.
Soon you'll be able to subscribe The Kindlings Muse as an iTunes podcast.
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This is the very first official Kindling's Muse Podcast. It is the introductory segment from the 90-minute Kindlings Muse Broadcast originating live from Hales Ales Brewery and Pub (http://www.halesales.com/) on Monday May 22. Our subject is "Irreligious Seattle and The Spiritual Book Craze." On today's podcast I answer some frequently asked questions about The Kindlings Muse. On tomorrow's podcast you will hear: Greg Wolfe Editor of Image a Journal of "Art-Faith-Mystery" Heather Hawkins a Seattle actress. Bryan Burton theologian, a graduate of Queens College in Belfast Ireland.
Enjoy. Tell a Friend. And come back for more. Soon you'll be able to subscribe The Kindlings Muse as an iTunes podcast.
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