1053 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7f0257109da43237eaea185d0c6dda04.jpg d000a13bd1652cafdf7240dab95fbbff Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Seidman Rare Books. PS2359.M468 W48 1899 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0134 Title A name given to the resource When Knighthood Was in Flower Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hale, Frank G. [Gardner] (Designer) Description An account of the resource Binding of When Knighthood Was in Flower, by Edwin Caskoden (Charles Major), published by The Bowen-Merril Company, 1898. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1898 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0fbc5fd9862e7238cab1e0598b864ed4.jpg b4f7e3c72b0c4226bcd6d29d35a07943 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Lincoln and the Civil War. PS1556 .W4 1903 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0214 Title A name given to the resource When Malindy Sings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Armstrong, Margaret (Designer) Description An account of the resource Binding of When Malindy Sings, by Paul Laurence Dunbar, published by Dodd Mead and Company, 1903. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1903 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/23a61955f83e77ce8d2518a3dc30addf.mp3 e312430e9102f44c51af5d83bcaab219 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost II Scripture Text Isaiah 1:3, Acts 7: 51 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19900617 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990-06-17 Title A name given to the resource When the Church is God's Enemy Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on June 17, 1990 entitled "When the Church is God's Enemy", on the occasion of Pentecost II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 1:3, Acts 7: 51. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/150579ce89eec17329090218cac9c295.pdf cea7f6253bb4c485f347c73fa36fa206 PDF Text Text When the Crisis Comes – It’s Too Late From the sermon series: Now – But Then Text: Isaiah 11:9; I Corinthians 13:13; Luke 1:37 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent II, December 10, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon Our Advent theme comes from Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians in the 13th chapter, where he sets in contrast, “Now - But Then.” He writes to this congregation that was bubbling over with spiritual gifts and enthusiasm run out of control, and he urges them to seek the best gift, the gift of love. And in the context of that discussion, he suggests that there are three things that remain faith, hope, love. He encourages the Corinthians to major in faith and hope and love as that which matter eternally. And in the remaining three weeks of the Advent season, I want to consider with you faith and hope and love. First of all, faith, or maybe the word that for us says it better - trust, that basic orientation of life that is trusting: trusting in God, trusting in life's meaning, in the goodness of reality. To trust is to have a place to stand and to be and then to be free to be in the fullness of every moment. To live by faith is to live by an eternal verity. The gift of faith, the gift of trust enables us to negotiate the passages of life, come what may. And that's really the issue of this message. I want to suggest to you that the time to cultivate basic trust is before you need it. I think it's at the Advent season that we feel the stark contrast between what is and what might be. It is at this season of the year that we are called to remember that we are people on the way, we are in a process, something's happening, we're going somewhere, there is something developing, something emerging, invisible, unseen. And yet, we're caught up in that process. And to remember, that is to be reminded that what is falls so far short of what might be. To be human is not to be locked in to the present, the present moment. It is to be free to unlock from this moment and to travel backward in time through memory and to experience again the joys of the past or the pain of the past. To be human is to have that gift of consciousness that allows us to unlock from this present moment and to travel into the future and to conceive of what might be, to dream of another possibility. In the Advent season we recognize that it's precisely because we are people on the way, going somewhere we have been and we will be, and the contrast between what is and what might be can be a painful contemplation. And it is only if we © Grand Valley State University   �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 2   have received the gift of trust that we are able to negotiate every moment with a certain freedom and serenity. Isn't it remarkable that from ancient time humankind has conceived of something different than that which is? Take the dream, the vision of Isaiah, as we read it a moment ago. There, 2500, 2800 years ago there was a contemplative, there was a religious spirit that was contrasting that which was his context with that which was his dream. He dreamed of a day when there would be a ruler upon whom the spirit of God would fall, a ruler who would not judge by what his eyes saw or his ears heard, a ruler who would discern down into the depths of things. A ruler would arise who would rule with equity, with justice. He would be concerned for society's most vulnerable ones; he would rule with righteousness, and that righteous rule in the arena of history would spill over into nature so that the lion and the lamb would lie down together and the child could play over the adder's den, and they would not hurt or destroy in all God's holy mountain. What a dream! What a vision! Campaign '96 is warming up. Wouldn't we love such a candidate for office? Wouldn't it be great if we could cast our ballot next November for one upon whom the spirit of God would dwell in fullness, who would judge with equity and rule with righteousness and bring in God's peaceable kingdom? Luke believed that that one arrived in the child of Mary's womb, a child conceived by the Spirit of God, a child who would bring about that peaceable kingdom. Mary laid hold of the vision and sang a song of praise, The Magnificat, which we noted last week, about this child who would raise up the lowly and bring down the arrogant. And yet it seems as though history continues to go along, business as usual. Well, that's not a new problem. It was recognized 2000 years ago. The second Letter of Peter, if you want to refer to it – there were scoffers then who were saying to the likes of St. Luke, "Where is the day of his appearing? It looks pretty much like the same, tired old world to me." And, of course, it is, isn't it? Even 2000 years later. The Advent season gives us opportunity to reflect on the fact that something's happening. We're moving, we're going somewhere. And we can dream of something quite other than that which confronts us. And yet, troops move into Bosnia where there's a paper peace but no peace in the human heart. And Israel still reels from the assassination of its leader who was seeking peace. And if not on the national or international scene, there are those within our own community who enter into crisis, the kind of crisis that makes us wonder what it's all about and if it's all worth it, and if anybody, anybody is managing this cosmos into which we are caught up. The issue before us this morning: St. Paul says faith is that which abides, but, can I believe it? Can I hold on to the vision? Can I dream the dream? Can I be set free in the present moment because I believe that this present moment does not proscribe the parameters of my possibility? © Grand Valley State University �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 3   You'll never gain trust by observing life. That's my point this morning. It is trust that you must bring to experience. It is faith that you must bring to the ongoing story. You'll never gain faith or come to trust simply by observing the story. One of the great historians of a former generation, H.A.L. Fischer, in his History of Europe, wrote these words, "One intellectual excitement has been denied me. People wiser and more learned than I have discovered in history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following another, as wave follows upon wave. Only one great fact with respect to which, since it is unique there can be no generalizations, and the only safe rule for the historian is that he should recognize in the development of human destinies the play of the contingent and the unforeseen." That's a good statement. If you go out to the beach today, you'll find one wave crashing on the beach after another - wild, stormy water, wave upon wave crashing on the beach. And Fischer says, "As I observe history, that's what I see." One emergency after another, one crisis after another, one valley of darkness after another. And I see no predetermined pattern. I see no rhythm. I see no pattern. Honestly, as I look at it as an historian, that's all I can see. And as an historian, that's all one can see if one starts out with a blank sheet, if one would simply, neutrally, somewhat objectively survey the human story, then one cannot say it more eloquently than Fischer has said it. The pattern is not in there to be seen. The pattern is imposed by those who have faith and that are given eyes to see it. I picked up a book last night, which someone sent me. I've been dabbling, you know, in cosmology, physics, astronomy, that sort of thing. But, this book is entitled, God and The New Biology, by an Oxford biologist, Arthur Peacocke. Fascinating discussion in which he acknowledges that it is in physics and cosmological speculation that science is giving us a sense of mystery before this unfolding cosmic drama. But, in molecular and sub-molecular biology as well, there is tremendous ferment and some breakthrough as to the development of the human person and indeed all living structures. And Peacocke suggests a sense of God more immanently involved in that process than we have yet conceived. But he also honors that which has come to light, and that is that there isn't some prescribed pattern, but rather there is both law and chance. And he suggests that the Creator has put into the structure of things a kind of law, a kind of regularity, a kind of structure that gives some stability, but within that, in its sub-molecular structure, as we learn from quantum physics, there are things that happen at that sub-molecular level that can only be described as chance. Unpredictable! Unprogrammable! And Peacock says that's precisely the point at which creativity is possible. In other words, reality is an open system, not closed. © Grand Valley State University �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 4   I think the Christian tradition, or religious people generally, would love to have the system closed and to know that from the beginning to the end it is all determined. That's been used as a kind of security blanket to remove us from the sense of life's fragility and the peril to which our lives are always exposed, but it is not so, really, and we know it, too, out of our experience. H A.L. Fischer is right! One wave after another - that's the way we live. God answers prayer, yes. This one was healed. God answers prayer, maybe not. That one wasn't healed. In all of the existential experiences of our life we would so much love to be able to boil it down and get a finger on it, tie it in a package and put a bow on it and say, "Now, there. That's it. A manageable universe and a secure human existence." But, we know it is not so. It is not so! How, then, can I live? How, then, can I be set free from the constant anxiety of the next moment and tomorrow? By trust. By faith that I do not derive from the observation of the story, but that I bring to the story. Because I believe beyond what is observable that there is something happening, and that this process which is going somewhere will have an end which will not be nothing, but something, an end which will not be no one, but someone. Do you want me to prove it to you? Of course, I can't. That's my point. That's my faith! I trust that. And that's the great divide. Those who live with that trust and those who live perhaps with an agnosticism that says I don't know, or a bitter cynicism that says I don't believe it. Those are the choices. Well, how do you come with such trust? With some struggle, I would hope. And it is a gift not at our disposal. But a season like this does give us those moments of reflection. And if one longs for some breath as the Advent carol says, some pulse of being stirring as in a heart of stone, if in the longing of one's heart there is at least that openness – at the end of the day, in a moment of reflection – to that light as a falling star across the consciousness of the night of the heart, then perhaps we may be probing the edges of that gift of faith which is a gift of God that is the promise of Advent. And to live by such trust is not to denigrate the present in favor of the future. It is to give a promise for the future that releases us to delight in the present, fully to live, with a measure of peace and joy. The gift of Advent. The gift of the Child. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/74a30e714c780cff96a7e6176a23fc75.mp3 6b2e6007e6461b2ca078e5b8b93295e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent II Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Isaiah 11:9, I Corinthians 13:13, Luke 1:37 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Arthur Peacocke, God and the New Biology, 1987. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951210 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-10 Title A name given to the resource When the Crisis Comes - It's Too Late Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 10, 1995 entitled "When the Crisis Comes - It's Too Late", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of Advent II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 11:9, I Corinthians 13:13, Luke 1:37. Advent Emergence Faith Love Shalom Trust https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/743ff3adc79d552a024c8db48db83ba1.mp3 d02c5dba2bd6e835587cf21ebb184449 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Midweek Lent Series Songs in the Night Scripture Text Psalm 31 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19980325 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998-03-25 Title A name given to the resource When the End is Near Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 25, 1998 entitled "When the End is Near", as part of the series "Songs in the Night", on the occasion of Midweek Lent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 31. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/24a77abf5457eca77029a99ec21a191d.jpg 5ea25134a26963bb03f6947d848983c8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Seidman Rare Books. PS3509.R55 W48 1901 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0401 Title A name given to the resource When the Gates Lift up Their Heads: A Story of the Seventies Description An account of the resource Binding of When the Gates Lift up Their Heads: A Story of the Seventies, by Payne Erkine, publlished by Little, Brown, & Company, 1901. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1901 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/53ec81a4c2da867379dc793a1d54c8e9.pdf c25d16ccfde77f478201f553088b4202 PDF Text Text When the Heart is Surprised by Hope Lamentations 3:20f Richard A. Rhem Lakeshore Interfaith Community, Mother’s Trust Ganges, Michigan August 10, 2008 Prepared text of the sermon The Psalm to which I direct your attention this morning is actually not in the Psalter but in a writing called Lamentations. To lament is a frequent poetic utterance in the Hebrew Scriptures. There are many Psalms of lament in the Psalter but Lamentations, which you find immediately after Jeremiah, is a writing consisting of five poems – all laments – thus the title Lamentations. Following Jeremiah and because Jeremiah is often called the Weeping Prophet, Lamentations is traditionally attributed to him. However, we really don’t now who the author was. This we know – his is perhaps the most eloquent outpouring of grief ever recorded. And if we are not sure who the author was, we can be certain of the historical situation that called it forth. In the year 587 BCE the Babylonian Imperial Forces successfully moved into Jerusalem, destroying the Royal Residence, the Temple, the city walls and took all but the poor and elderly into captivity to Babylon for what we speak of as the Exile. That event is briefly recorded in II Kings 25:8-12: In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, in the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon – Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, an official of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. He burned down the house of Yahweh, and the King’s house; and all the houses in Jerusalem, including every great man’s house, he set on fire and burned. The whole army of the Chaldeans tore down the walls of Jerusalem, all around … The rest of the people who were left in the city, and those who had deserted to the King of Babylon, and the rest of the populace, Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, took to Babylon as prisoners. The captain of the guard left only some of the poorest in the country to tend the vines and farm the land. A commentator on Lamentations describes the tragedy and its implications for Israel thus. It is first of all a recital of the horrors and atrocities that came during the long siege and its aftermath, but beyond the tale of physical suffering it tells of the spiritual significance of the fall of the city. For the ancient © Grand Valley State University   �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 2   people chosen by Yahweh it meant the destruction of every cherished symbol of their election by God. In line after line the poet recalls all the precious, sacred things which had been lost or shattered: the city itself, once “the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth;” the city walls and towers, once the outward sign that “God is in the midst of her;” the King, “the anointed of Yahweh, the breath of our nostrils;” the priests, and with them all festive and solemn worship; the prophets, and with them all visions and the living word of God; the land itself, Israel’s “inheritance” from Yahweh, now turned over to strangers; the people – dead, exiled, or slaves in their own land. Every sign that had once provided assurance and confidence in God was gone. (Anchor Bible, Lamentations, p. xv) The outpouring of grief and pain and human disaster is brought to expression in the five poems found in the Lamentations. My title today is “When the Heart is Surprised by Hope”. Does it strike you as strange that I should attempt such a subject from a writing called Lamentations? Well, if you have wondered about it, you are prepared to hear the most important thing I want to say this morning – namely – that hurt is the home of hope. My intention from the text is to suggest that one of the fascinating aspects of human experience is that it is often when the darkness seems to swallow us up that light breaks through. I wonder why that is the case. I wonder if there is some aspect of the vast cosmic dance and our emerging human experience that points to a source of Grace beyond us that is not at our disposal but yet dawns upon us betimes and is a pointer to a healing dimension in our human journey; might there be a bias for life and healing? The author of Lamentations was wrestling with the human condition marked by intense suffering, spiritual desolation and tragedy. The writer is dismayed – If God is responsible for everything that happens then how could God allow this tragedy to fall upon Jerusalem? Does God not see? Is God absent? But this is not satisfactory given the conception of God he holds. Is it then Israel’s sins? Rebellion? Failing to follow the way of holiness and righteousness? Yes – certainly that was true – but was such total devastation not overkill? And there was not only the conviction that God is in total control but there was also Israel’s conception of God as merciful. Certainly God does not willingly grieve or afflict anyone. This suffering poet cannot understand – We see the clash of deeply held convictions. To read through these five poems is to realize the intimacy of Israel’s relationship to God and one could read it and write it off as hopelessly naïve, primitive. God’s direct control of historical events, God’s intervention governing all the © Grand Valley State University �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 3   occurrences on the human historical scene is no longer possible for us who have come to some understanding of the cosmos, of nature in its unfolding, of natural causation – natural disasters bring grief, suffering, earthquakes, tsunamis, fire, flood – and then tragedy brought on by human pride, arrogance, greed and brutality and more. With the dawning of the modern period, questions of God’s involvement in history and human affairs became a major discussion. The great German thinker Leibnitz wrestled with the problems caused by the evolving of human understanding – the Enlightenment period. He reasoned his way to a conception of “the best of all possible worlds”. Theodicy is the endeavor to justify the ways of God in the world – from our perspective, a rather arrogant human undertaking; yet, at the time, a serious matter with great existential implications. But then a disaster struck – the Lisbon earthquake in 1755. It is described in a Wikipedia piece: The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, took place on November1, 1755 at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by a tsunami and fire, which caused near-total destruction of Lisbon, Portugal and adjoining areas. Geologists today estimate the Lisbon earthquake approached magnitude 9 on the Richter scale, with an epicenter in the Atlantic Ocean about 200 km (120 mi) westsouthwest of Cape St. Vincent. Estimates place the death toll between 60,000 to 100,000 people, making it one of the most destructive earthquakes in history. Effect on society and philosophy The earthquake had wide-ranging effects on the lives of the populace and intelligentsia. The earthquake had struck on an important Catholic holiday and had destroyed almost every important church in the city, causing anxiety and confusion amongst the citizens of a staunch and devout Catholic city and country, which had been a major patron of the Church. Theologians and philosophers would focus and speculate on the religious cause and message, seeing the earthquake as a manifestation of the anger of God. The earthquake and its fallout strongly influenced the intelligentsia of the European Age of Enlightenment. The noted writer-philosopher Voltaire used the Earthquake in Candide and in his Poeme sur le desastre de Lisbonne (“Poem on the Lisbon disaster”). Voltaire’s Candide attacks the notion that all is for the best in this, “the best of all possible worlds”, a world closely supervised by a benevolent deity. The Lisbon disaster provided a salutary counterexample. As Theodor Adorno wrote, “the earthquake of Lisbon sufficed to cure Voltaire of the © Grand Valley State University �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 4   theodicy of Leibnitz” (Negative Dialectics 361). In the later twentieth century following Adorno, the 1755 earthquake has sometimes been compared to the Holocaust as a catastrophe that transformed European culture and philosophy. Jean-Jacques Rousseau was also influenced by the devastation following the earthquake, whose severity he believed was due to too many people living within the close quarters of the city. Rousseau used the earthquake as an argument against cities as part of his desire for a more naturalistic way of life. So 1755 was a pivot point in the understanding of God’s direct involvement in natural disasters, historical movements and human affairs generally. It was no longer possible to engage with the poet of Lamentations in his dialogue with the Deity. Granted that. Granted that it was no longer possible to understand God pushing the buttons and pulling the levers of the universe. Nonetheless, the issue with which the author was wrestling was real. And the point I am interested in lifting up this morning is the unexpected, amazing breakthrough of hope in the midst of the darkness. The poet is bereft of any solution to his anguish. But then suddenly, unexpectedly, we hear him say: My soul continually thinks of it And is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, And therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, God’s mercies never come to an end; They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness – From which there comes a beautiful old familiar hymn by that name. And he goes on: The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord. There you have it – to wait is to wait in expectation – to hope – the surprise of Grace – Sometimes the heart is surprised by hope. But this beautiful witness to hope, to the steadfast love of God, to a God of infinite mercy comes from one whose conception of God was quite different from ours – Can we reject his conception of God and divine action and still hold to his witness to the Surprise of Grace? That is really the issue this morning; that is the question I invite you to reflect on with me. I suggest that hope is grounded in the reality of our universe and thus © Grand Valley State University �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 5   we are surprised by hope and hope manifests itself most often in times of deep distress and hurt. In fact, as I claim above, Hurt is Hope’s Home. That is a suggestion of the Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann – Hurt is Hope’s Home. As I was reflecting on this I was reminded of Scott Peck’s The Road Less Travelled. It was 30 years ago that the book was published and for at least two decades it remained on the Best Seller List – which I suspect is an indication that there is a great hunger for hope and Peck addressed a deeply felt need in our human experience. And experience is what he based his claim that there is a Grace that comes to us from beyond ourselves. Out of his psychiatric practice he discovered again and again the amazement of Grace operating in the human being. He writes: “The fact that there exists beyond ourselves and our conscious will a powerful force that nurtures our growth and evolution is enough to turn our notions of self-insignificance topsy-turvy. For the existence of this force (once we perceive it) indicates with incontrovertible certainty that our human spiritual growth is of the utmost importance to something greater than ourselves. This something we call God. The existence of grace is prima facie evidence not only of the reality of God but also of the reality that God’s will is devoted to the growth of the individual human spirit. What once seemed to be a fairy tale turns out to be the reality.” (p. 311) William Styron, the author of Sophie’s Choice who died recently, wrote his own story of suffering deep depression. He called it darkness visible. With the literary gift he possessed he wrote a moving chronicle of his experience with depression and, although he did not relate his experience to our question this morning, he witnessed to Peck’s claim precisely. He said to those battling deep depression – “I can only tell you – one day the cloud lifted.” Peck would say – “the amazement of Grace.” One can simply leave it there, or one can name that reality as does Peck and call it the miracle of Grace – that hope dawns in the midst of our darkness – and point to a truth of our cosmic reality – and name it God. My intention this morning is to celebrate the surprising claim that though Hurt is Hope’s Home, Hope Happens and Hope Heals. I am reminded of a close friend of mine from College and Seminary and years together in the Reformed Church. He went on to become General Secretary of the RCA, Deputy Secretary of the World Council of Churches in Geneva and then General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the U.S. In his midfifties he decided to return to the pastorate but then was diagnosed with cancer. I visited him shortly before he died. He was remarkably at peace. He shared some © Grand Valley State University �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 6   of his journal writings, now published as “Overcoming the Threat of Death: A Journal of One Christian’s Encounter with Cancer.” He tells about how he was about to edit his favorite sermon on his favorite text, a favorite of mine as well. A sermon called “Faith in Spite of Everything,” and it is based on those wonderful words from Habakkuk, “Though there be no grapes on the vine and no cattle in the stall, and all will be lost, nonetheless I will exalt in God my Saviour.” Arie says that up and down the land he preached that sermon on that text “Faith in Spite of Everything,” and then, in his encounter with cancer, he began to see that there was something even beyond faith for him. Growth in grace was represented by an experience of hope. He says, “These days I hold out little hope for my cancer to be cured. I haven’t given up, but the statistics steadily weigh ever more heavily against it. In spite of that I find my feelings of hope undiminished. How do I explain this even within the household of faith, to say nothing of a skeptical world? How do I keep people from feeling as they read this that I am clutching at a straw, deceiving myself, using hope as a form of escapism from the harsh reality of terminal illness and death? How do I communicate that in truth we do not sorrow as those who do not have hope? What is this hope that abides in spite of everything? What form does it take? To me this experience of ‘Hope in Spite of Everything’ is even more important than the experience of faith, in spite of everything. I don’t know how to explain that.” Arie Brower was a thoughtful enough Christian to know that there was no way in the world he could prove to anyone that his hope was not simply illusion. But he witnessed to an indomitable hope so that, as he says in another place, “I hope you understand that I’ve been healed of cancer,” even though cancer took his life. Hurt is Hope’s Home Hope Happens. And from widespread testimony – Hope Heals. This was the center of biblical faith. It has been affirmed in modern clinical experience. It is widely witnessed to in many ways. Hope is not a denial of the darkness nor downplaying of the pain. Scott Peck begins his book with the simple statement: “Life is difficult”, and it is. There is enough pain to go around. But the counsel of our writer this morning is to wait – wait as in expectation. With every sunrise I love to remember those marvelous words and the image © Grand Valley State University �Heart Surprised by Hope Richard A. Rhem Page 7   His mercies are new every morning. The English poet William Cowper, 1731-1800, was a fragile youth who suffered and spent 18 months in an insane asylum. He had a spiritual experience. He was invited by John Newton to come to his parish in Olney, England. He was England’s most honored poet between Pope and Shelley. With Newton he gathered 349 hymns for the Olney Hymnal. Out of this deep experience of darkness and light he wrote: “Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; It is the Lord, who rises with healing in His wings: When comforts are declining, He grants the soul again A season of clear shining to cheer it after rain. And in “God Moves In a Mysterious Way”: Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Such eloquent testimony tells the story: Hurt is Hope’s Home But Hope Happens And Hope Heals Because we who are hard-wired for God live in a universe which has a Bias for Life. References: M. Scott Peck. The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth. Touchstone, 25th Anniversary edition, 2003. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Lakeshore Interfaith Gathering Scripture Text Lamentations 3:20 Location The location of the interview Lakeshore Interfaith Center, Ganges References M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth, 2003. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-20080810 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2008-08-10 Title A name given to the resource When the Heart is Surprised by Hope Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 10, 2008 entitled "When the Heart is Surprised by Hope", on the occasion of Lakeshore Interfaith Gathering, at Lakeshore Interfaith Center, Ganges. Scripture references: Lamentations 3:20. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Hope Theodicy https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5e0f1b855fe5c9deb3c150d815c59d4f.mp3 ddd867205242eee76f6a5d0605f09514 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d4e4b2e25a654b9ed9c0eb7274725177.pdf e0de3a9751a94e972cf59a498dbe7d57 PDF Text Text When the Radiance Breaks Through The Feast of Epiphany Text: Isaiah 60:1-7, Matthew 2:1-12 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan January 5, 2003 Transcription of the spoken sermon This is the Sunday we celebrate Epiphany, the manifestation and revelation of the eternal God, the Creator Spirit, as that revelation was embodied in the whole Gospel story. On the Festival of Epiphany, we celebrate the light of Jesus that has come into the world. The symbols are obvious in the Magi coming from the East representing the flowing of the nations to the light that was Israel’s. There was in the Prophet’s imagination this dream of the nations and the kings of the earth coming to the light that was written about in the Torah, the Jewish scriptures. What a presumptuous dream, really. This little tribal people who were convinced that the eternal God, the Creator, had dawned upon them and had given them the light of life. They had the chutzpah to believe that the whole world would flow to be instructed in Torah as the exaltation of Mt. Zion is a theme in the Hebrew scriptures. Of course, presumptuous though it was, it was a marvelous dream, because if you go on a little further in the writing of this particular prophet, you would have that magnificent vision of shalom - a place where people would plant gardens and eat the produce thereof; they would build houses and dwell in them; where the lion and the lamb would lie down together and where no one would hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain. So, although it was a presumptuous, impossible dream that was dreamed in this small corner of the earth by this relatively insignificant little people, nonetheless it was a big dream, and it was a proper dream. It was a dream that arises from the deep intuition of the human heart that the world could be other than it is. The world wouldn’t have to go on with war and violence and exploitation and domination. If only the light of God would break through, radiance across the board, there could be a human family, a humane family. Things really could be other than they are. And again, there was that dream in Israel’s prophet that believed that it would be. The realization of that dream of the prophet never amounted to anything, for the returned community to Jerusalem was a community marked by poverty and dissension and so never really amounted to much of anything. The whole period between Israel’s return from exile and the birth of Christ is a period in which Israel was under domination. There was a period of independence that again lost © Grand Valley State University   �When Radiance Breaks Through Richard A. Rhem Page 2   its footing. So, what hope was there for that little people? For all of the magnificence of the dream? But, then, of course, the event of Jesus happened and the whole erupted around him, including what he embodied, what he spoke, and the community that developed around him. When that community began to tell the story, Matthew, for one, told the story in terms of that ancient dream. Now that ancient dream would come to pass and would be realized through the birth of this child. And so the Magi come from the East following the star and bringing their gifts, and they worshiped this one. Matthew says that is the way, that is the way of the future, and his gospel ends with this same one Jesus saying to his disciples, “Go into all the world and teach the gospel to all nations,” because the vision was of the global conquest of this story born in Israel, born of Israel, embodied in Jesus and continuing through the institution of the Christian church. The light has come and now we simply wait for the realization of that promise that all nations will finally flow to that light and bring obeisance to that king of kings. So, that is the story. It is our story. But, there are other stories, because what has been true from the beginning of our time is that we stand and we wonder before the whole mystery of our existence. We wonder before the mystery of reality, for as human beings we are lifted briefly on the stage of history’s drama. We are compelled to be actors in that drama. As actors in that drama, fully submerged in the stream of history itself, we have no knowledge of its beginning nor of its issue. Here we are actors on the stage of history with our beginning and our ending shrouded in mystery. And so, of course, people have wondered where did it all stem from, where will it all issue, and what does it all mean in the meantime. We are creatures who have come in the evolutionary process to the point at which we have become aware. It is a relatively recent experience of the human being to have some sense of that distant past and to wonder about where it will all go. The religions of the world are simply the human being standing before all that, standing in wonder, standing in awe, yearning for some clue as to what it all means and longing for some comfort and some security in the midst of the peril of it all. That is really the human situation. So, religion has been universal. All peoples have had that experience of wondering, of longing and yearning, of questing, and the Magi are simply symbolic of that hunger of the human heart. That is our human condition. Obviously, if that is our condition, we need some revelation and in the ancient stories, in the ancient texts, there were revelations, and I would do that in quotation marks. They were the intuitions or the insights or the understanding of prophets and poets of the past in various contexts and different places among different people who had some sense and who had the story that seemed to resonate in the human breast. It seemed to make some sense. It gave some merit, some comfort, some security. And so, we are a people in the midst of the drama of history with each end shrouded in mystery who are looking for a clue as to © Grand Valley State University �When Radiance Breaks Through Richard A. Rhem Page 3   what it is all about, and the interesting thing is that it would seem as though revelation ceased a couple thousand years ago. And yet, what we have come to learn just in the last 300 years is more amazing and more significant than anything in an ancient text, for we have become creatures of self-consciousness and awareness, and now with our scientific knowledge, we have some sense of how the process began, of the development of the process. As I have been trying to say during this Christmas season, if we really understand the depths of incarnation and what we see there, the deep intuition there is that creative spirit, that eternal creative spirit or energy has become incarnate in us, the incarnation in Jesus, not one once for all, but one significant or symbolic of all, and so that the process of which we are now becoming aware and which we have vast knowledge, although we still know so little, nonetheless, actors on the stage as we are, we have some knowledge and the knowledge that we have come to if we could understand it is that we are not only the actors, we are writing the script. That is scary, and that is a radical thing for me to say. But, what I am saying on this Epiphany Sunday is that the light that has shined, the radiance that has broken through, the knowledge that we have has put us in the position of being responsible now for how the play ends. Or, at least how the play continues. It is so wonderful to celebrate these beautiful religious festivals, the wonder and the glory that is Christmas, and even this morning the procession of the kings again and singing “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” that never seems to get over, and it touches us deeply. It touches those deep emotional chords, and it is good. But, you know friends, I am so struck by this more and more and more, that we celebrate that delightful story as the thing that God has done and now we are waiting for God to do the next thing, and we’re God. God is in us. And the next act will be written by us, for religion can become so familiar that it doesn’t break through to us anymore. But, as a matter of fact, we have just celebrated Christmas again and our world is in crisis, and I don’t think there is going to be a revelation in Washington or in Baghdad or in North Korea. But, you know what? We don’t need further revelation. What we really need is a transformation of consciousness on the basis of the revelation we have, because we know that the world could be different than it is. When the third Isaiah dreamed it in little Israel, it was a tribal people and a little corner of real estate, a magnificent dream, an impossible dream, a preposterous dream. I can understand that the prophet had to believe that it would be God that would bring it to pass. But, God is not going to bring it to pass. If we could dream the dream in this nation and this year of our Lord 2003, we could bring it to pass. We could figure it out. Now, you can say, for example the Ten Commandments, “Thus saith the Lord .” That is supposed to give weight to those commandments, but as a matter of fact, you could sit down as human beings at this point and think about what is it going © Grand Valley State University �When Radiance Breaks Through Richard A. Rhem Page 4   to take to have a civil, decent, moral society? You could come up with ten rules or a dozen. You don’t really need the thunder of heaven at this point. We are aware enough, we know enough, we have at our fingertips resources, technology. We don’t need thunder from heaven. We don’t need a bright star. We could create an alternative world if we had a mind and a will to, couldn’t we? I don’t think that transformation of consciousness is going to come from our political system. I don’t think it is going to come from our economic system. I don’t think it is going to come from the church. We are all implicated in this. We get the politics we deserve and presently it is obvious our politics are bought and paid for, and we have a consumer society that is being consumed with more compulsion to consumption. And so, there are reasoned arguments raised against every prophetic cry of warning about the fact that we cannot just go on this way with such a lopsided balance of power against the masses. We can’t go on this way with the use of resources in a wasteful fashion without concern for the future of the planet. We can’t go on this way trying to batten the hatches on terrorism and violence. We can’t go on that way. And yet, no one is going to tell us that, whether in state or church because life gets institutionalized and there is so much vested interest and nobody tells the truth. There are some contemporary voices. We got a Christmas card from Peter and Helen Hart. Peter did a little re-imagining of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” I was not familiar with John Lennon’s lyrics, I was struck by them. (I never was a Beatle fan; I never had a youth; I never had an adolescence; I studied the Bible. I didn’t even know there were Beatles) Just listen to John Lennon: Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try. No hell below us, above us only sky. Imagine all the people living for today. I guess he wants to imagine no heaven because he wants to get rid of that supernatural super-cop, and no hell because he wants to get rid of that manipulative instrument by which the church has controlled people. And then he says, Imagine there’s no countries; it isn’t hard to do, nothing to kill a guy for, no religion, too. Imagine all the people living life in peace. If there were no countries, there’d be no nationalism. If there was no nationalism, there wouldn’t be the rhetoric that would fire up people and drive them into war. If there weren’t any countries, he’s saying, then nothing to kill or die for, and no religion too because he was insightful enough to know that religion has been one of the fomenters of violence through our history. Imagine no possessions. I wonder if you can. No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man. © Grand Valley State University �When Radiance Breaks Through Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Imagine all the people sharing all the world. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope some day you’ll join us and the world will be as one. With a little imagination, Peter reversed John Lennon but really said the same thing in terms of our story, if we believed it. Imagine there’s a heaven, it’s easy if you try. When love is all around us and beauty fills the sky. Imagine all the people living for today. Imagine all the countries, it isn’t hard to do, The rule of law to guide us and religion, too. Imagine all the people living life in peace. Imagine our possessions. I wonder if you can. As gifts for need and hunger according to God’s plan. Imagine all the people sharing all the world. Our hope is not just dreaming, for once was born a son who lived that we might follow him and the world would be as one. I suspect that one day there will be an eruption on the part of the people who are going to say to presidents and popes and cardinals and preachers and politicians, “Get out of the way, because you are so tied in to systems and structures that still have archaic solutions and primitive impulses that we the people don’t have time for you anymore, for we the people know it could be different than it is.” And I suspect it’s going to be a John Lennon, some poet somewhere, artist, someone of the people who is going to say the word to which we are all going to say, “Yes,” and the radiance will break through. The world will be marked by compassion and kindness and grace and love and justice and fairness. Someone said if we were going to create a world and none of us knew how we were going to end up, a world now marked by haves and have-nots, what if we were all together in a pot and we didn’t know we were going to end up at the top or the bottom or where we might end up. What if we had to start from scratch and we all had to sit down and create a world? If we had to design a world, how would we design the world? Wouldn’t we design the world where everybody would have a fair shake? Wouldn’t we design a world where there was humane existence everywhere? Wouldn’t we design a world where there was no poverty or hunger or disease? Wouldn’t we design a world that is so different than the world we’re now dominating? Sure we would. We know better. We know enough to write the script and create a world that hasn’t yet been dreamed of. Dream about it. You can do it if you dare. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Feast of Epiphany Scripture Text Isaiah 60:1-7, Matthew 2:1-12 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-20030105 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003-01-05 Title A name given to the resource When the Radiance Breaks Through Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 5, 2003 entitled "When the Radiance Breaks Through", on the occasion of Feast of Epiphany, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 60:1-7, Matthew 2:1-12. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Transformation of Consciousness Universal Religious Quest https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c72ff2a30707d06939f9310e1533b1b5.mp3 83a38585758cbe3d5015605f8f5c792e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost VI Series Trust in God Scripture Text Psalm 42:5 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19900715 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990-07-15 Title A name given to the resource When the Soul is Cast Down Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 15, 1990 entitled "When the Soul is Cast Down", as part of the series "Trust in God", on the occasion of Pentecost VI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 42:5. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4279d5914f03b86be1950c5364d2d6bb.mp3 ae1d2c3d2bb6df205149437838bb6a6d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Midweek Lent Series Songs in the Night Scripture Text Psalm 42 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19980304 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998-03-04 Title A name given to the resource When the Soul Is Cast Down Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 4, 1998 entitled "When the Soul Is Cast Down", as part of the series "Songs in the Night", on the occasion of Midweek Lent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 42. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9f1ac52c851152465dc88ab7b19440b6.mp3 0525488b9f1e5d0111ed0b8acd973f9c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Midweek Lent Series Songs in the Night Scripture Text Psalm 34 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19980318 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998-03-18 Title A name given to the resource When the Soul is Freed From Fear Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 18, 1998 entitled "When the Soul is Freed From Fear", as part of the series "Songs in the Night", on the occasion of Midweek Lent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 34. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3978ece23ec225faa785eace200be092.mp3 e3fde9e8ec24ae54c4550f9cfbb3139d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Midweek Lent Series Songs in the Night Scripture Text Psalm 23 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19980311 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1998-03-11 Title A name given to the resource When the Soul is Serene Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 11, 1998 entitled "When the Soul is Serene", as part of the series "Songs in the Night", on the occasion of Midweek Lent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 23. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bd09d1d2972c0f93f39e7f15b7e3948d.jpg ac4c291bf0894e98d61bb3cf2a85dd39 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Seidman Rare Books. PR5122 .W5 1895 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0212 Title A name given to the resource When Valmond Came to Pontiac Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rogers, Bruce (Designer) Description An account of the resource Binding of When Valmond Came to Pontiac, by Gilbert Parker, published by Stone and Kimball, 1895. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1895 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/286668bffdc839f62b31df408a46d7d0.mp3 ade48b7d449e02e79dc261aedb7ad93e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XXVII Series Only a Poem Will Do Scripture Text Psalm 116:1, 7, 8 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19911124 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1991-11-24 Title A name given to the resource When We Are Surprised By Grace Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 24, 1991 entitled "When We Are Surprised By Grace", as part of the series "Only a Poem Will Do", on the occasion of Pentecost XXVII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 116:1, 7, 8. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2d6df24e940bea72567eeac2de56fe87.mp3 7600bf236ee13b07206f4cf22b713dc9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XXIV Series The Worship of the Church Scripture Text Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:17 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19891029 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989-10-29 Title A name given to the resource When Words Become THE WORD Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 29, 1989 entitled "When Words Become THE WORD", as part of the series "The Worship of the Church", on the occasion of Pentecost XXIV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 52:7, Romans 10:17. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/23946d304bf27b056c744c355aff1129.jpg bba7243c935008789ad9f9a9915012ee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GVSU Theatre Photos Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Description An account of the resource Photographs of Grand Valley theater productions from the 1980s to the 2010s. Photos include shots of performances, backstage, casts and crewmembers. Included in the collection are Shakespeare Festival productions and small acts such as Bard to Go and the Greenshow. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Grand Valley State University Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-2017 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01) Subject The topic of the resource Theater Performances Plays Musicals College Students Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives. Allendale, MI 49401 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01_1990-When-You-Coming-Back-Red-Rider_002 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990 Title A name given to the resource When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (theater production), 1990 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" In this image two men look at one another. The man on the left is seated at a bar, looking up from a newspaper. He is dressed like a greaser, with his cigarette box rolled up in his sleeve. The man on the right stands and looks down at him. Subject The topic of the resource Theater College students Plays Performances Acting Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/754">Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives 1990s https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d2da66d4602e11112d8ab6e1c759da4e.jpg f884060850f5957baa5e7209f07c911e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GVSU Theatre Photos Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Description An account of the resource Photographs of Grand Valley theater productions from the 1980s to the 2010s. Photos include shots of performances, backstage, casts and crewmembers. Included in the collection are Shakespeare Festival productions and small acts such as Bard to Go and the Greenshow. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Grand Valley State University Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-2017 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01) Subject The topic of the resource Theater Performances Plays Musicals College Students Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives. Allendale, MI 49401 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01_1990-When-You-Coming-Back-Red-Rider_003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990 Title A name given to the resource When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (theater production), 1990 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" In this image a man and woman look at one another from across a diner countertop littered with dishes. The woman is dressed in a cook's outfit with her hair pulled back. The man appears to be writing something. A tattoo on his upper arm reads "BORN DEAD." Behind them can be seen an old fashioned cash register and Coca-Cola crates. Subject The topic of the resource Theater College students Plays Performances Acting Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/754">Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives 1990s https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ec9924dfd1cd4f11bf43464843d92ba8.jpg d62488e9d489f0141c167491e81b2f32 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GVSU Theatre Photos Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Description An account of the resource Photographs of Grand Valley theater productions from the 1980s to the 2010s. Photos include shots of performances, backstage, casts and crewmembers. Included in the collection are Shakespeare Festival productions and small acts such as Bard to Go and the Greenshow. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Grand Valley State University Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-2017 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01) Subject The topic of the resource Theater Performances Plays Musicals College Students Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives. Allendale, MI 49401 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01_1990-When-You-Coming-Back-Red-Rider_005 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990 Title A name given to the resource When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (theater production), 1990 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" In this image three actors sit at a bar. On the left a woman holds a coffee cup to her mouth and looks up from her newspaper with a shocked expression. In the center a man holds up a coffee cup and appears to be in the middle of speaking to someone out of frame. On the right a man holds a coffee cup on the counter and looks into the distance. Subject The topic of the resource Theater College students Plays Performances Acting Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/754">Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives 1990s https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/803d4ec9f7bc2e37f013b9db503cb657.jpg 5369aad13b0849e7c8fd39207ea6f1d9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource GVSU Theatre Photos Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Description An account of the resource Photographs of Grand Valley theater productions from the 1980s to the 2010s. Photos include shots of performances, backstage, casts and crewmembers. Included in the collection are Shakespeare Festival productions and small acts such as Bard to Go and the Greenshow. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright Grand Valley State University Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-2017 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01) Subject The topic of the resource Theater Performances Plays Musicals College Students Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. Special Collections and University Archives. Allendale, MI 49401 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Language A language of the resource eng Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context GV058-01_1990-When-You-Coming-Back-Red-Rider_007 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Grand Valley State University. Theatre Department Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990 Title A name given to the resource When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder? (theater production), 1990 Description An account of the resource Black and white photograph of Grand Valley's 1990 production of "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" In this image a man in a suit counts dollar bills at from the drawer of an old fashioned cash register. Behind him in the distance a woman dressed as a cook wipes down a diner countertop. Subject The topic of the resource Theater College students Plays Performances Acting Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/754">Theatre Department photographs (GV058-01)</a> Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">In Copyright</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Language A language of the resource eng Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives 1990s https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/257504ab3db1cad4a8ad3149995f7c60.mp3 00dc0bca5f5da0c51f5952ee366e6cda Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XXV Series Only a Poem Will Do Scripture Text Psalm 13:1 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19911110 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1991-11-10 Title A name given to the resource When You Lose Your Balance Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 10, 1991 entitled "When You Lose Your Balance", as part of the series "Only a Poem Will Do", on the occasion of Pentecost XXV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 13:1. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b45f45074c510333223295a4129f2dce.mp3 158e8bb80a7a096300ea02f75271e77e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost IX Scripture Text Jeremiah 37:17 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860720 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-07-20 Title A name given to the resource Where Can One Find a True Word? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 20, 1986 entitled "Where Can One Find a True Word?", on the occasion of Pentecost IX, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Jeremiah 37:17. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/822eab12353f7459ff9b4479b8a94c9f.jpg ae6d56c5c4000a90bb3eb86293f2d7de Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Decorated Publishers' Bindings Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Description An account of the resource From the early 1870s to roughly 1930, many publishers issued their commercial book covers with a remarkable variety of graphic designs and illustrations. This sixty-year period saw many artists and designers contributing to this art form. While some can be identified from their style or initials, others remain unknown. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Seidman Rare Books Collection Michigan Novels Collection Regional Historical Collection Lincoln and the Civil War Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2017-08-30 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a>, <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpg Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01 Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Source Michigan Novels Collection. PS3545.R453 W44 1905 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context DC-01_Bindings0048 Title A name given to the resource Where Copper Was King Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richards, Amy (Designer) Description An account of the resource Binding of Where Copper Was King: A Tale of the Early Mining Days on Lake Superior, by James North Wright, published by Small, Maynard & Company, 1905. Subject The topic of the resource Book covers Covers (Illustration) Graphic arts Publishers and publishing Pictorial bindings Language A language of the resource eng Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/NoC-US/1.0/?language=en">No Copyright - United States</a> Type The nature or genre of the resource Image Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource image/jpeg Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1905 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f5e9e7e81d9540b9cb3d7f45b34cbe4f.pdf c163693eaa6d4e74bfa4e331b9a3bb73 PDF Text Text Where Do I Stand When the Foundation Gives Way? From the series: Good News Then and Now Jeremiah 7:4; Luke 20:2 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan August 29, 1999 Transcription of the spoken sermon We are on a 2000-year journey, a 2000-year survey of the history of Christian doctrine, or as it is called, the history of dogma, and we are looking at the history of doctrinal development because I want to demonstrate to you that, if we are about the re-imagining of the faith for our day, we are only doing what has always been done, not always voluntarily, but out of necessity, the need to continue to reinterpret the event of God in Jesus Christ in every new age and historical context in order that it might make sense, in order that it might be meaningful, in order that it might be transformative. We noted three weeks ago that the formation of Christian doctrine arose out of that first great crisis of the Christian Church, the Jesus movement poised for the imminent return of Jesus as the Lord of Glory to judge the earth, which didn’t happen. And that early Church, confident that the end of the age was so near, had never contemplated having to live in history. What did the event of Jesus Christ mean, if history was ongoing? What did it mean, then, to be a Christian, a follower of Jesus in a world that obviously wasn’t ending? Out of that initial crisis came the formation of the early Catholic tradition, which did not come about easily. To read those stories of the post-Apostolic Church is to read of tremendous conflict, tremendous division, great tensions, outstanding leaders on respective sides of issues trying to hammer out what in the world God had done in this Jesus. The Church eventually regularized itself. It took some centuries, and finally it established what it believed about what God had done in Jesus: thus, the appearance of orthodoxy, that is, proper belief, correct belief. And also, the possibility of heresy, for now there was a line set down, there were boundaries drawn, and those who were outside of the pale were marked as heretical to the established, accepted faith of the Church. That early Church, we noted a couple of weeks ago, began to take on some stature and it was greatly enhanced when the Emperor Constantine converted and when a successor established Christianity as the religion of the empire. The establishment of Christianity, which I was taught was a great providential act of © Grand Valley State University   �When the Foundation Gives Way Richard A. Rhem Page 2   God, might well have been the point at which the Church began to lose its soul because, with its establishment, now having the power of the throne behind it, it grew not only in its faith understanding, but in power, and with power came eventual degeneration and decay and corruption (you learned about that last week), an institution that became so insensitive to the needs of people that it could no longer deal with the human experience of one like Martin Luther, whose experience was the catalyst for the shattering of the institution and the emergence of the Protestant tradition. Now we have three major Church families. In 1054, Eastern Orthodoxy and the Roman Catholic Latin tradition came apart; the Pope excommunicated the Patriarch, the Patriarch returned the favor, and from that point on, 1054, the 11thcentury, the Christian Church, which until that time had been one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, became Eastern and Western. Now in the 16th century, with the shattering of the Western Church and the emergence of Protestantism, there was born a third major family and we have it to this day, three major groupings, Protestantism having continued to splinter until we could sing the song, "It’s a Many-Splintered Thing." But, while there were differences between those three bodies, they maintained the core that was arrived at in those early centuries, the doctrine of the Trinity, the two natures of Jesus Christ, truly God, truly human, and much else they shared. But, there were differences, as well, and good reason for division, of course. But, there was one thing in which Orthodoxy, the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism were totally agreed, and that was that they were institutions with absolute authority. If you ask an Orthodox Patriarch, he would say the authority is in the ongoing tradition of the Church. If you would ask the Pope in Rome, he would say the authority is in the teaching office of the Church which he embodies. If you would ask John Calvin or Martin Luther, they would have said the authority lies in the written word of God. Whether it was tradition or Church or Bible, the whole Christian Church in the 16th century was a Church that was marked by authoritarian claim, the claim that the content of its faith was the consequence of a supernatural revelation from heaven, and what the Church taught was to be accepted on the basis of authority, believed, and obeyed, not questioned. You did not need to think; you only needed to understand what was already given, what was proclaimed, what was declared, the dogmatic foundation of the Church. Then the modern era dawned. Whenever one does a periodization of history, there will be fuzzy boundaries and some disagreement, but I think that we can say without too much fear of refutation that the modern era of which we are still a part, although people talk about the post-modern phase we’re in, nonetheless, we are modern people and the modern era began about 1650, the middle point of the 17th century to the present, and the modern period was marked by the throwing off of all forms of authoritarian claim and the insistence on the empirical observation and investigation of all truth claims. While that modern movement © Grand Valley State University �When the Foundation Gives Way Richard A. Rhem Page 3   began with the advent of the natural sciences, and Francis Bacon formulated the scientific method in the early stages, those scientific investigations did not seem to challenge Church doctrine, but what happened immediately was a new way of thinking, a new way of knowing, and the movement from the medieval world to the modern world represents a seismic shift in human history and human culture. Modernity, of which we are a part, is marked by critical thinking. We don’t take statements, dogmatic statements or claims just because they are uttered on the basis of some authority, be it tradition or Church or Bible. We investigate; we experiment; we think critically about the question, and this is so much a part of us that we don’t even think about it. It is that which marks the whole modern period and it marks you and me in all the rest of our lives, except not always in our religious experience. But that seismic shift in culture, in the way of knowing and what could be known, marked the beginning of a serious challenge to the Christian tradition. Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher of great fame, demolished the proofs for the existence of God, the philosophical proofs for the existence of God. His purpose was positive; he was not anti-religious, but he wanted to show that that way of thinking, thinking then that we had proved God’s existence, was a dead end. He said, “I have destroyed knowledge in order to make room for faith.” There was a young preacher in Berlin at that time who read Kant, imbibed Kant, and recognized that the nub of the problem for the Christian tradition, now that the modern age had dawned, was the question of authority. Friedrich Schleiermacher was a brilliant, witty, socially desirable kind of an individual who was assigned to be the preacher in a great hospital in Berlin, and was invited into the social circles of that great city. He was a preacher, he was a Christian, he was brilliant (sounds like an oxymoron, but in this case, that was true), and the cultured, educated, sophisticated society of Berlin invited him to be a part of their circles. They enjoyed him, and he ran with them very well. But he was a Christian, he was a preacher, and on his 29th birthday they surprised him with a party and they gave him a challenge and said, "Write an account of how you can still be religious, Christian, a preacher." He accepted the challenge and at the age of 31 published what is now a classic, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultural Despisers. He knew his friends. He knew what they thought of him; he knew they thought religion was passé, and he took the challenge right to them. He began in the first speech, of which there are five, by saying to them, "Look, relax. I’m not going to quote the Bible; I’m not going to quote the Church; I’m not going to quote the tradition. I am going to speak to you as a human being; I am going to speak out of my experience, and what I am going to say to you is rooted in my own being, in my own experience." Then he took off, and in so doing, what Schleiermacher did was to turn the whole tradition of the Christian Church 180 degrees for, up until that time, until the modern era, and even at his time and even to the present, the Church, by and large across the board, has operated on the basis of authoritarian claims, some divine revelation that has come out of heaven embodied in a tradition, in a Church, in a book. © Grand Valley State University �When the Foundation Gives Way Richard A. Rhem Page 4   Schleiermacher gave all of that up, stood, as it were, naked before his friends, and claimed his faith and his religion as the authentic and deepest expression of his humanity. Schleiermacher recognized that Kant had blocked the road to dogmatic speculation and therefore if one was going to be religious after Kant, the ground of that religious experience would have to rest in the believing individual. And in very brilliant and sophisticated fashion, he argued for the rooting of religion in the human subject. His claim was that to be human is to have the feeling of absolute dependence. We didn’t create ourselves; we can’t sustain ourselves; we are totally dependent, totally dependent on some gracious ground that has given us life and supports and keeps us, and it was Schleiermacher’s contention that, in those moments when that sense of dependence comes into focus, one knows oneself to be in communion with God. God is that foundation, that infinite mystery that upholds all, the origin and foundation of all that is and, in the moments of our human dependency, almost mystical moments of awareness, one knows oneself dependent which, Schleiermacher says, is to know oneself to be in communion with God. That synopsis hardly does justice to what Schleiermacher did in a very profound fashion, but what he had done was radical, for he had moved from an authoritarian claim for religious truth to a personal testimony to its reality in his own experience. He is called the Father of Modern Theology because, in that significant shift, he made the whole game new, and he paved the way for the theological development of the last 200 years. You can cite all of the great names of the theologians who have spoken and written and you will find traces of Schleiermacher; he was the initiator. Of course, there was a counter to him; he was rejected by many. There was a reaction, a conservative reaction and an orthodox, confessional Church reaction against him, but nonetheless, he had sounded a new note and he had put his finger on the problem of modernity, an era in which we, as naturally as breathing, think, use our heads, use common sense, and he said that goes not only when you are sending a rocket to the moon or structuring a community education program, but that goes, as well, when you are seeking the communion of God. He would have agreed with the statement we used here a few weeks ago, that the heart cannot finally find true what the mind finds false. I find it fascinating, as I in my 64th year visit Schleiermacher seriously, that no one ever told me that the long and tortuous pilgrimage that has been my own to try to be a true believer with my mind engaged, was engaged and set forth powerfully and eloquently 200 years ago. There has been in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, the Roman Catholic tradition, and the Protestant tradition, and all of its forms, mainline and fundamental (this is my contention now), there has been a continuing within a medieval mind set never yet facing the acids of modernity. I do not think the institutional Church as a whole has ever come to terms with the modern era marked by critical thinking, even though it was done beautifully 200 years ago. © Grand Valley State University �When the Foundation Gives Way Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Why didn’t Schleiermacher carry the day totally across the board? A question well worth contemplating. I really don’t know, but I know this matter of authority is absolutely critical and it’s not a new issue. The Hebrew prophets spoke a word from God, a word that possessed them. Jeremiah stood up on the Temple steps and said, "The Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, the Temple of the Lord, you repeat this like a chant. You think your safety and security lies here. Let me tell you, God doesn’t need this institution. God doesn’t need your religious ritual. Go to Shiloh and see its ruins. See what I did there, and I’ll do it to your temple, too, because of a lack of authenticity in your religious life." Jesus was in the line of the prophets, and when he was engaged with the leaders of the religion of his day, they began to cross-examine him. They were lying in wait to catch him in everything he said. He cried out against the sterile formalism of that institutional religion and he became a very threatening voice in the midst of Jerusalem, coming finally to that last prophetic action when he cleansed the temple and that triggered the religious authorities to come and say just that, "By what authority do you do this?" And Jesus said, "Well, tell me about John the Baptist. What was his authority?" They didn’t dare answer because if they said from heaven, he would have said, "Why didn’t you follow him? Why didn’t you believe?" And if they said it’s a human authority, they would have been stoned by the people because John the Baptist also had a voice that had authenticity that resonated with people’s experience, that spoke to them where they were and they believed that he was a prophet of God. If you read through the Gospels, you find more than one reference where Jesus is spoken of as having the people spellbound because he spoke as one who had authority and not as the scribes and the Pharisees. Of course, it’s not an easy question; it’s not an easy problem, my friend. If you have an institutional church and you are responsible for the institution, then you can’t let any crackerjack come rolling through who has a vision. Or, at least, you have to discern whether or not this voice is a voice that rings with authenticity, or whether it’s just some fanatic. The question of authority is a critical question. How do you know? I submit to you that the problem of authority was dealt with in the only way it can be dealt with in a healthy fashion by Schleiermacher 200 years ago, whose authority, he said, rested in his own religious experience. Anything other than that will tend to sterility and rigidity and will end up killing the prophets. Schleiermacher is a marvelous figure, one of a small handful of truly great spirits in 2000 years and, as he spoke to his friends, the cultured despisers of religion, he laid his heart bare, and he said to them "You’ve rejected something, but what you have rejected is not the real thing. The real thing is that which makes you human; the real thing is that which gives depth, dimension to life; the real thing is that which unifies your experience and creates meaning; the real thing is the verve and the center and the joy of life. Without religion, you are simply an animal with reason." And he also believed in preaching; he was a great preacher, © Grand Valley State University �When the Foundation Gives Way Richard A. Rhem Page 6   a loved preacher, and he filled the Church in Berlin. He said to his people, "My preaching is simply my testimony, and that testimony triggers in others who desire a like kind of experience, and there is formed a community," and that very positive sense of his Christian experience and the shared experience of the community for which he was the preacher was so dynamic and so powerful in his day, and when at the age of 66 he died of a lung infection, there was weeping throughout the city; 20,000 to 30,000 people lined the streets as his coffin was moved through the streets, and they wept from every window and every balcony because this man had spoken to them, not of some hollow religious experience, but something that touched them in the depths of their being, enabling them, in a modern age marked by critical thinking, yet to find experience of that intimate and mysterious ground of all being, full of grace, which for Schleiermacher and the Christian church was embodied in Jesus. Why? Why have we not been able in 200 years to do as he did? Why, out of fear and reaction, do we trundle back into fundamentalism and absolute claims, when if we would only trust our experience, we would know the touch of grace of the living God and live with hope and joy? References: Friedrich Schleiermacher. On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultural Despisers, 1797. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/2c686ac5433457c1ac38324b75975dd7.mp3 44884c4ec4abf724bc282b6c589769d3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XV Series Good News Then and Now Scripture Text Jeremiah 7:4, Luke 20:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Friedrich Schleiermacher, On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultural Despisers, 1797. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19990829 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999-08-29 Title A name given to the resource Where Do I Stand When the Foundation Gives Way? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 29, 1999 entitled "Where Do I Stand When the Foundation Gives Way?", as part of the series "Good News Then and Now", on the occasion of Pentecost XV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Jeremiah 7:4, Luke 20:2. Authority Critical Thinking History of Christian Dogma Modernity https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0d82df82783ef72dcde27a39425967bd.mp3 71f3f591546f4c44dd18133e904fdcb1 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/011e839c2c66fe66d3525228da4b78ba.pdf c5a060c69fa9fb26fea4450cd7e2c710 PDF Text Text Where in the World is God? From the series: Spirituality in the Modern World Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8; John 14:8-20 Text: Isaiah 6:1; John 14:8 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan February 11, 2001 Transcription of the spoken sermon Some of us were on retreat yesterday and listened to a futurist whose business it is to think about what is coming. He described for us the world of 2010, a world not so far off, and yet a world that, frankly, I can't even begin to comprehend as he speaks about the technological advances that are just over the horizon with artificial intelligence and so forth. I don't know enough to make an intelligent statement about it. It is the kind of a world that is inconceivable and yet, it will be here before we know it. How do you experience God in a world that is developing with emergence that boggles the mind? There is too much to take in. Oh, there are those old images and the old clichés and the platitudes, and I suppose most of us will go to our grave with them. They will be pointers to us, indicators of the reality and the presence of God. And those of us who are in the Church are those who have stayed, but there are multitudes on the outside who have left because their experience and their knowledge of the world made it impossible for them to find the genuine spirituality within the context of ancient symbols and metaphors, stories. And so, it is always a challenge to the Church to think again its faith and, where it can, to revision and re-imagine in order that folk in every emerging age can live with a genuineness of faith, an integrity of human experience, or, as the song says, to "find Jesus in our time." What shape does he take? How does one say God today? How can we experience that presence of the holy and the sacred in the knockabout world of our everyday experience? We live at the far end of the modern period. We live in a time that has been called the post-modern period. The fact that we call it post-modern means that we don't know how to label it, we don't know how to name it, because it is a world that is emerging. Modernity had a very definite character. We speak of the Enlightenment. During that period, the amazing, amazing breakthroughs of the natural sciences, and the success of the natural sciences which have been registered in the technological © Grand Valley State University �Where in the World is God? Richard A. Rhem Page 2 marvels of our day, which a person like me can't even begin to take in when told about them. That dominant scientific outlook has, for many, crowded out the possibility of God. We have lived in an age in which many, particularly in the intellectual establishment of our time, have said that there is nothing but material. The material universe which can be measured and tested and put into a formula. What you can touch is real, and there is reality denied to that which is invisible or spiritual. And so, we have one such as Huston Smith who, with his wonderful credentials, takes on the scientific establishment, and he makes room for God, calling to account those who have ruled out the possibility of Spirit, calling again to the celebration of that spiritual reality. There is room for God in the world, as we noted last week. Huston Smith reaches back to a philosopher born in Britain, but who spent much of his time in this country in the first half of the last century, Alfred North Whitehead, who said there are two great forces in the world, the force of Religion and the force of Science, and these two enterprises each have their respective dogmas and those are simply the crystallization of the best insights that they have formulated in rational propositions. Whitehead pointed out that you can be a dogmatist whether you are a scientist or a religious person. You can deal in obscurantism, denying any light or knowledge from the other side, from either perspective. Huston Smith is calling the scientific establishment in our day to a fresh awareness of the spiritual dimension of life, because, as Whitehead pointed out long ago, that religious experience is also a very real part of being human. We speak of the Sundays after Epiphany. Epiphany means manifestation. Suddenly one "sees" something. And Isaiah had an epiphany, or we might call it a theophany, a manifestation of God. It was in the year that King Uzziah died. Maybe that is a statement like, "It was that November day when John F. Kennedy was shot." Or, "The seventh of December when Pearl Harbor was bombed." I don't know - the year King Uzziah died, was there some political crisis? Was Isaiah a member of the court and was everything suddenly thrown into chaos in that time at the death of the king? It was such a time as that, anyway, that he went into the temple and he said, "I saw the Lord high and lifted up, and the temple was filled with smoke and the pillars shook. I felt myself unworthy and experienced the ministration of angels and heard the voice of God calling me into prophetic ministry." Don't literalize that vision. Being one who was nurtured on that story from childhood, I could see the temple, I could see the smoke and smell the incense. But, that, of course, is to miss the point of it. The point is that there was some kind of a breakthrough in the experience of the prophet in that moment. Suddenly he was overwhelmed with the presence of God. Alfred North Whitehead would say that is experience, that is human experience that has to be taken just as seriously as the substance of some soil that may be analyzed. © Grand Valley State University �Where in the World is God? Richard A. Rhem Page 3 Don't you love Philip's question? "Just show us the father and we'll be satisfied." Have you ever said that? Whether you said it or not, have you thought that? "God, just show me. Would it be so difficult to write in the sky, 'I Am. I exist'? Couldn't you give us some token, some hard evidence?" "Just show us the father and we'll be satisfied," Philip says to Jesus. Jesus says, "How long have you been with me? Still don't get it? If you've seen me, you've seen the father." I suppose that is because Jesus was special, right? I suppose that is because Jesus was the son of God, right? Wrong. What did Jesus mean? I'm not sure Jesus even said that. I'm sure that the author of the Gospel was saying that in the human face, there is God. And in Jesus, the encounter with Jesus, sixty years after, I still remember it, the encounter with Jesus - it was God. Because Jesus was special? I think he was special, special in degree, not other than you are. Special because the luminosity of God shined brighter there, but not because he was other than human. I think what the Gospel writer was trying to say was that we saw God in that human visage, and what the fourth Gospel seems to be saying in that classic statement, "The word became flesh and dwelt among us," is that God is found in the human. Isaiah, in a moment of personal epiphany, is overwhelmed with the presence of God in the solitude of the temple, but John's Gospel suggests that God is found in the human encounter, in the community, in that moment when soul meets soul and there is a melding of two making one, and there, in that relationship of love and grace, one says, "My God!" So, human experience of God is that which has been attested to by the generations. The whole human story is replete with that witness to the reality of the experience of God or the holy or the sacred. If you scratch the veneer of this world as it appears, there is that sense that there is something more, that presence. Here we are. We have emerged. We have emerged in this cosmic process and we didn't make ourselves, and there is something that buoys up this magnificent, awesome reality of which we are a part, and what do you call that? That which shines through now and again, that which becomes apparent here and there, that spiritual reality which suddenly is the vertical presence in a horizontal relationship, what do you call that? God. And so, people like us of the twenty-first century, with all of our toys and all of our gadgets, all of our technology and all of our knowledge of the cosmic reality, still attest to that experience of God. Alfred North Whitehead says you can create a chemical formula in a test tube and have empirically verifiable results, and you have to take that human experience of God seriously, as well. You can't put it in a test tube; you can't measure it. There's no way to verify it. God doesn't write in the sky. And so, it is a faith perception, but it is that spiritual dimension that is in and with and under, that encompasses the totality of our life and our experience. © Grand Valley State University �Where in the World is God? Richard A. Rhem Page 4 Having said that, and wanting to say that clearly, I want to say that from within the Church, it is necessary for us to do some re-imagining and some revisioning of those old faith stories and symbols and metaphors by which all of that has been communicated to us. That is, at least if we would communicate this experience of God beyond the walls of the church. Just think, for example, of the natural world as we know it. We call it cosmology, the cosmos, the totality of things. Think of what we know about it. Fifteen billion years old. At this point I should call forward our resident physicist-astronomer Dr. VanTill, who could tell us about the speed of light and the expanse of the universe and the expanding universe, and the amazing, amazing physical, natural reality of which we, too, are a part. It is awesome. It is mystifying. It causes one to be silent. It can well cause one to worship before the wonder of it all. And then, I think about the Genesis story, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," and all with a click of the finger, all those things happened. And there's Adam and Eve in a garden of perfection, Paradise, and they are tested and they fail the test and so they are alienated from God. We speak about the fall and it is that fall into sin from which they have to be redeemed, and so we have the whole biblical story. That's not the way it was. We really know that. All natural disaster and all the trouble in the world is not the result of the initial sin, the original sin. There were storms, there was chaos, there was terror long before the human person emerged, and we have emerged, creatures of self-consciousness, awareness. Fifteen billion years of this cosmic, whirling mass of energy. Then, there was a moment when a creature emerges who looks at his hand and then looks at another, becomes conscious, self-conscious, aware. That creature has come, emerged out of the chaotic soup, cosmic juice and stardust, and we have just arrived, relatively speaking. We're still trying to find our way. We really need a new story. We really should write a new Genesis today because the writer was giving expression to his understanding of that human situation and God in the light of the cosmic understanding he had, which was so totally other. We would say so primitive and naive. I know what he was trying to do. That Genesis story is profound. Speaking about the torn tension within the human being, that beckoning toward God, that draw from below, portraying the human dilemma, trying to give expression to all that is rotten to the core, and yet that grace that would transform and redeem. That old story is not at all in terms of what we know about cosmic reality and the emergence of the human and the dawning of consciousness and the coming awareness of Spirit. Someone needs to write a new myth, a new story, which would portray God as not over against us, with that terrible gulf between us because of our sin, but would invite us to a growing consciousness and awareness of that spirit that is within us, that embraces us. We are a part of this cosmic reality, we are the cosmos coming to consciousness, we are the cosmic reality now with voice to praise, with consciousness to realize and to become aware. We are the cosmos reflecting on itself, with God, that Spirit © Grand Valley State University �Where in the World is God? Richard A. Rhem Page 5 that is over and around us and within us, God not "out there," some supernatural being beyond the confines of the universe, as it were, clicking a finger and causing it to be, and then occasionally dipping in here and there. No, but God, that creative Spirit that permeates the whole, God who is closer than our breath. I don't know what the Gospel writer meant when he had Jesus say, "I am in you and you in me. I am in the father and the father is in me. I in you, you in me," but at least there is a hint there of something that we are becoming more and more aware of, and that is that God is as close as our breath. The Spirit of God, the Hebrew word Ruach means both breath and spirit and wind, and so, the enlivening within us and that wind that courses over us become the symbols, the signs of that ever-present God who is our life, not some lawgiver and offended judge ready to damn us. What a bad idea. Would the creator of the heavens and the earth, would the creator of this fantastic cosmic reality with all of its wonder, would this God create a creature, a human creature with consciousness and giftedness to damn? Hell, no. Hell, no. Just thinking about what we know, what has come to us through the human endeavor and greater understanding, broadening understanding, to think again - how can I be with God, knowing what I know? How is God with us, knowing what we know? Does that mean that all that stuff in the Bible about sin and corruption has no part? Of course not. Look in your own heart. Read the daily newspaper. We're animals; we're beasts; we're in a life and death struggle to, somehow or other, keep down the pride, throw out the fear, the hostility, the anger, and let the Spirit more and more control us, so we come more and more into an awareness of that wonder of grace and love that is God. It is just a matter of finding a new way to say it so that we could experience it without some of that old baggage. Just one more thought. We live out of our knowledge of the natural world, and our knowledge of our cultural context which today isn't Western Michigan and it isn't the United States of America. It is a global context, and in a global context where we rub shoulders with people from around the world, and we come to see and to appreciate the spiritual quest, the religious devotion, the multiplicity of practice, then obviously I can no longer speak about "our God." I can no longer think in terms of having some corner on the truth which is denied to all of the rest of humankind. Would God reveal God's self to one little people, leaving the rest in darkness? Don't we know in this world that has become as small as a grapefruit, where we rub shoulders with people of various religious practice, and we experience the seriousness of it and the authentic devotion of it, and the longing quest of it - don't we know that all the great religions of the world are hungering for that one taste, thirsting for that one God who is beyond all of our formulations and structures, for all of our religions are the human structures that we have created by means of which we can see through to that which cannot be seen, but which is as close as our breath? © Grand Valley State University �Where in the World is God? Richard A. Rhem Page 6 Ah, where in the world is God? Where in the world is God? God is in the moment of personal epiphany when the sun sets or, as it did this morning, rises so beautifully in the east. The sun is in the forsythia, forced a bit as it is, I suspect. God is in the human encounter when soul meets and there is a transparency. God is in the intuition of the human heart that there is more and that it is good and that we will be sustained, embraced, kept, and that we can rest in that. God is not some other place. God is with us. Thank God. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany VI Series Spirituality in the Modern World Scripture Text Isaiah 6:1, John 14:8 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-20010211 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2001-02-11 Title A name given to the resource Where in the World Is God? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on February 11, 2001 entitled "Where in the World Is God?", as part of the series "Spirituality in the Modern World", on the occasion of Epiphany VI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 6:1, John 14:8. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Immanence PostModern Spiritual Dimension of Reality