"Three Faces of God" Sermon

I thought this might be of interest…

The following sermon was delivered by Rev. Bruce Sanguin in the Canadian Memorial United Church.  In it, he introduces Wilber's notion of the Three Faces of God and evolutionary spirituality, and discusses these things in relation to the tension that often exists between mainline churches, the “spiritual but not religious” people, and the “eco-crowd”…


 

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Or not!

Here is a link to the transcript, if you prefer reading.

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Hey Bruce,
Not…”Or not!”…{;-)

Which is to say, I really appreciate your posting this. I did watch these late yesterday. This kind of movement into churches of all kinds is very much a key passion for me. It may seem like a small step, but so was the one from Apollo to the surface of the moon.

I truly feel that these kinds of expressions in the public sphere are immensely important.

Thanks also for the transcript link, Bruce.

Cheers

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Would you double-check that link to the transcript, Bruce? It doesn't seem to work. I find reading a whole lot faster than listening, during which I get impatient and inclined to start multi-tasking!

Blessings, OM Bastet

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Hi, OM, it had a problem when I first posted it, but I replaced it with another link almost immediately afterwards, and it worked for me.  I just checked it again and it still is working.  But if it still gives you trouble, here is the url as well:

http://www.canadianmemorial.org/sermons_2/2009_07_12.html

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Bruce,

Thanks for the link to the sermon.  Oh it is so good to see and hear this being preached in christian churches.  I have forwarded it to a couple of my Jesuit friends who are also Wilber fans. 

And emailed Bruce Sanguin to thank him.  He has responded as follows “Our purpose at CMUC is to teach an evolutionary Christian spirituality – the core leaders are using an integral map. Thank God for Ken Wilber”.

Blessings

C

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

This is great stuff! Thanks, Bruce.

I greatly appreciate the folks who are taking the time to bring these multiple perspectives into the congregations, using everyday language and examples to explain some fairly complex ideas.

 
I also appreciate how this sermon delves into the conflict between the “SBNR” (spiritual but not religious) people, the churchgoers, and the eco-peeps / nature mystics. For a time I was involved with the Network of Spiritual Progressives, a group founded by Rabbi Michael Lerner (editor of the magazine Tikkun). One of the NSP's goals is to bring together SBNR people and religious liberals from the various world traditions to work on political, economic, and environmental issues of common concern. A lofty goal made somewhat more difficult, I think, by not (at least initially) addressing a situation in which people presume that “those others” are immature, or narcissitic, or woo-woo, etc.  This sermon looks at the various perspectives / faces of God, delving into the strengths of each as well as the potential pitfalls when one perspective is heavily emphasized and the others are ignored.


I still find myself angry or frustrated when I'm interacting with some SBNRs who assume that intelligent or courageous people could not possibly be churchgoers. I hear them say the most condescending and patronizing things about church in general (often presuming that “church” equals “fundamentalism”)  …. and watch helplessly as an invisible wall arises when I mention that I am a member of a church. Granted, I know that many people have been turned off or even wounded by experiences with institutional religion in their childhood. But to find yourself simply, and sneeringly, written off ….


Certainly I should understand; I used to write people off too – at least interiorly – in my younger “anti-religious” days. It still doesn't make the conflict any easier today …


Okay: mini-rant over. I enjoyed this sermon, and I am heartened by a myriad of other things I see happening in some churches these days that show that deeper, broader perspectives are taking root.


Yay,
Mary

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

thanks, good stuff, Bruce!

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Thanks Bruce - finally got to it.
I particularly like the acknowledgement that each of the three faces is/can be a portal into the other two.

Julie

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

     I really liked this sermon and am encouraged by what he has to say. I must confess that I am one of those SBNR types, and I'm not fond of organized religion, but this really helps me. This makes me want to go to this guy's church. Anyone want to move to Canada with me?

 Notice this guys use of language and blending though. Blending is the communication technique that lets the other person know you are on their side. He blends in with the church because he is their pastor but he also because of his language (we). From the beginning of his sermon he focuses on the group he is addressing (“a certain age and a member of the church for decades”) and even manages to call them “a bit of a lightweight,” even though he shows that it's the SBNR people. He actually then uses scripture to justify critical thinking and Integral thought!  Usually another scripture is used to justify thinking along the lines of the church.

More than that though he challenges us to enter into a new relationship with God (Spirit), though. I really loved his example. I think we can learn from this guy's communication skills. I'm really interested in this guys book now (anyone who's read it?)

Re: "Three Faces of God" Sermon

Truthseeker –
Your words “I must confess [lol] that I am one of those SBNR types” – makes me wonder if I cast too much aspersion on SBNRs (as I was the first to coin that acronym in my mini-rant above) ….

Just wanted to say that I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with being SBNR (spiritual but not religious.) Probably most people in this pod / group see themselves this way. And though I'm active in church, I have my own pet peeves about organized religion, and often find that I feel most “at home” with my SBNR friends, agnostics (like my husband), and interfaith / interspiritual explorers.

Yeah, if it weren't for the weather, I wouldn't mind moving to Canada …. however, Bruce Sanguin's congregation is not the only church that is waxing integral. It's starting to happen in many places.  :-)

I haven't read any of Sanguin's books, but one book that really touched me years ago was The Mystic Heart by Brother Wayne Teasdale. Brother Wayne was a Catholic monk who also joined an order of Hindu renunciates; he was one of the integral teachers featured at the Integral Spiritual Center (one of Integral Institute's hubs) as well. He died a few years ago, but left behind some engaging and readable writing about the inner wisdom and spiritual treasures of the world's diverse traditions –proffering insights that include yet also transcend organized religion.

Cheers,
Mary