Comments on: A Theology of California? Call for Papers

By: Brettongarcia

Brettongarcia — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 22:34:58 +0000

The existing theology of Texas and the southwest, has many huge problems.

Notably, the local Catholicism seems to have accepted far too many syncretistic elements; from the native belief in magic, in Indian/Histpanic communities.

The emphasis here is on “touch-the-statue-and-get-a-miracle.”

Basically, it’s the foretold belief in magic, and sorcerers, and magical objects. It’s not Christianity at all, in my opinion.

By: Jesse

Jesse — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:13:09 +0000

If you’re interested in how this theology of place works in other regions works you may be interested to know something similar is happining on the other coast. The Canadina Theological Society is holding their annual conference on this very topic.

http://cts-stc.ca/2010/call-for-papers-cts-2011-annual-meeting/

By: Brettongarcia

Brettongarcia — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 20:22:32 +0000

With the next giant earthquake – The Big One – always in everyone’s mind in California, I have no doubt that an Eschatological/Apocalyptic theology, has always been boiling on the back burner, in that state.

Oddly enough though, in California life style, the particular take on the end times seems to be that, far from taking that as a message to be more conventionally moral, it is time instead to “eat, drink, and be merry; for tomorrow we die.”

Except for the conservatives, living in the hills of Sacramento. Above the high-water line of the Sunami.

By: Jeremy Alder

Jeremy Alder — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 16:50:01 +0000

This is really interesting. I’ve been thinking quite a bit about theologies of place/geography, particularly with reference to my own state of Texas. We need a theological articulation of Texas to combat the many false myths surrounding it. I’ve envisioned a series of state and city focused theologies. It seems that a theological lay of the history/land/culture could be incredibly useful for those engaged in ministry in those places…