On February 13, Rev. David Randall-Bodman will begin an extended worship series based on Fr. Richard Rohr’s book, The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe.
Who is Richard Rohr? Fr. Rohr is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province. He is the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation and academic dean of the CAC’s Living School. An internationally recognized author and spiritual leader, Fr. Richard teaches primarily on incarnational mysticism, nondual consciousness, and contemplation, with a particular emphasis on how these affect the social justice issues of our time.
Richard Rohr’s main point in his book is that “everything visible, without exception, is the outpouring of God.” He challenges many orthodox Christian beliefs. He wants to liberate the Christian faith from its “clannish” history. Rather than being Jesus’s last name, Christ means life in its fullness.
Fr. Rohr’s book invites us to envision Christianity in a new and different light. Rather than believing in the right things or saying the right words, at the heart of Christianity is a worldview that sees all of life as sacred. Many of us grew up believing that a “rational assent to the truth of certain mental beliefs, rather than a calm and hopeful trust that God is inherent in all things, and that this whole thing is going somewhere good.”
This worship series will stretch us. It will also provide an overview of an understanding and practice of Christianity that Fr. Rohr has been practicing for decades. The Universal Christ invites us to enter into mystery and experience God rather than trying to figure God out.
Pastor David and the entire staff are excited by the prospect that together we will develop a deeper appreciation for and practice of the religion of Jesus.
To Delve Deeper, Join The Universal Christ Book Study on Tuesday, February 15th
The learning continues on Tuesday evenings beginning February 15, 2022 from 7-8:30 pm when those who want to delve deeper into the Universal Christ materials come together to discuss the themes that Pastor David presents on Sunday mornings. All are welcome to join in the book study.
You will want to get a copy of The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope for, and Believe. Copies are available on Amazon and directly from the Center for Action and Contemplation (cac.org). If you'd like to join the book study but cannot afford the book, please contact Beth Astarte at ba@bethelbeaverton.org and a copy will be provided for you.
We will be offering the class only on Zoom. Here's the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82579532974?pwd=OVhLaGdsclJVbmNHeEN4TkxrZlFxZz09.