794 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/42aad1dcc39756726ecb2fcb31f2ab5c.pdf 9a87548e65cc0b7da3540047fd1f0c4c PDF Text Text Rhem Family Christmas Service Richard A. Rhem 9407 Whispering Sands Drive West Olive MI Christmas Day, 2014 It may surprise you how much I think about this time together and how much I treasure these moments. Not the grandchildren so much but you, our children, I think have some sense of the way I have traveled, the distance I have come from the loving embrace of my beloved parents. I suspect they would be concerned about where I am in my faith journey. They were sincere, devout, faithful in faith and lip expression. I think of them – such truly good people. And, of course, coming along when I did, it was like growing up with four mothers – Esther, 13 years, Jo, 11 years, Lois, 9 years older than me. So I grew up in an adult household where there was a uniform faith and practice and in my mind and heart it was embraced without question. I was an “old soul” young man. And I fulfilled my father’s prayer – he gave me to the service of God. I have traveled a million miles from the faith understanding that was imprinted on my soul, the understanding I embraced as an adolescent, that I totally believed as I matriculated through college and seminary. My ministry began in Spring Lake and I was as conservative in my faith understanding as the day I made profession of my faith in Third Reformed, Kalamazoo, after a summer camp experience at Camp Geneva after my 9th grade graduation. From childhood to seminary graduation to ordination, I was a true believer in orthodox Reformed faith. The Christian faith in which I was nurtured, the faith with which I emerged from seminary, the faith I preached I truly believed was “the way, the truth, and the life” and outside of Jesus’ death and resurrection there was no salvation – and this was an eternal matter! I have written about the early Spring Lake years – the beginning of questions and wondering – the move to New Jersey where the questions only grew larger and, finally, the move to the Netherlands – Leiden, Professor Berkhof – four years of indepth study, wondering, evolving – the return to Spring Lake and the need to bring to expression that with which I had been engaged. It was my life situation that sparked the eruption of the congregation – from First Reformed to Christ Community – that deserves a chapter of its own. But let me skip to 1984, Palm Sunday – the sermon “Jesus, You are Really Somebody!” In that sermon I made the bold claim that “Jesus died because of our sin, not for our sins.” © Grand Valley State University �Rhem Family Christmas Service Richard A. Rhem Page 2 That was a watershed for me – a move away from atonement theology – Jesus paying the penalty for our sins/ we cleansed by Jesus’ blood as we confessed him Savior and Lord. The exclusivist theology claimed that through Jesus’ death alone could one be saved eternally. Apart from faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus, there was no salvation. That Palm Sunday, 1984, I moved away from absolutist, exclusive religion and opened the gate to a new understanding of God, of grace and salvation – and saw Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life – and all serious and sincere religious faith and practice as true and good – to be judged by the fruit found in the lives of those who practice a given religious way. We miss our faith community – the people, the gatherings, the music, the rituals, the celebration of the Seasons. All of that shapes and forms and creates life-shaping practice. It puts one in the milieu of the Sacred Mystery, the creative Source of all, the Love that is the Ground of Being, however imaged. For you, children, grandchildren, it is my hope, my prayer that you will find your way to a fundamental trust, a place to rest and hope and find joy and peace. I marvel at how far I have traveled from my childhood religious faith understanding and practice. But one thing has remained with me from my childhood and youth – its seriousness, its authenticity. That remains with me, and however you, my children and grandchildren, find and express a place to be, a place that gives hope and peace and calls you to the good life, I hope it will be serious, authentic and life-giving. Finally, the Way of Jesus is the way of love. Live in love and all will be well. Christmas Prayer with Family 12-25-2014 Eternal One, Sacred Mystery, in whom we live and move and have our being – we are gathered as family. Natural ties bind us but the love expands to those with whom we fall in love and share our lives. So here we are – a family core and those added in love, and somehow those additions meld into one so we are family – not in-laws as it were, but just one human grouping, a family bound by ties of love. Here we are – different in so many ways, yet bonded in the magic bond of love. © Grand Valley State University �Rhem Family Christmas Service Richard A. Rhem What a mystery, what a wonder – How wonderful! Ah, dear God, we celebrate that millennia-old story of one who came and so impacted his day, his age and ages to follow that we gather to celebrate his birth and again at Christmas, pledge to be like him, to follow in his steps. Easier said than done – He forgave those who crucified him – He acknowledged a sense of being forsaken. Finally, he entrusted himself to you, O God. Yet we know it is true – He was true – non-violent resistance is the only weapon of love. Violence begets violence; hate begets hate; war begets war; love begets love, the world’s only hope. Eternal God, Sacred Mystery, Creative Source of all that is, of our lives, we would follow him, be like him, for we believe it is not only the one hope for the world but it is to live life at its fullest and best: to be true, to be good, to live with compassion, finally, to love not just the lovable, but so to love that it changes, transforms those whose lives have never been touched with love. O God, that is the miracle, the mystery, our only hope – to love. So easy here in family, easy for those like us, but then the others, the strangers, those so differently shaped… Knowing as we do deep down that love transforms both the lover and the one loved. Love heals, binds, makes one – only love, a grace we possess in fits and starts, a love that itself must come from You, Oh loving God, whose face we have glimpsed in the face of Jesus. Thus we worship today; we remember his birth and Your gift – a way to live, the Way of Jesus, the way of love…. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 3 � 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 Christmas Day Location The location of the interview Whispering Sands Drive, West Olive, 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-0-20141225 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2014-12-25 Title A name given to the resource Rhem Family Christmas Service 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 December 25, 2014 entitled "Rhem Family Christmas Service", on the occasion of Christmas Day, at Whispering Sands Drive, West Olive, MI. 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 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a7517f7d56361154254e3731116e878b.pdf 011490e9050e0e06df7e39e1ac9a70d9 PDF Text Text Love, the Bridge between Now and Then A Service of Worship in Celebration of the Life of Mary June Packer, June 11, 1933 – January 5, 2015 Text: I Corinthians 13: 4-13, I John 4: 7-8, 12, 16 Richard A. Rhem The Lee Chapel, Sytsema Funeral Homes, Norton Shores, Michigan Monday, January 12, 2015 I have expressed to Bob and the family my deep sadness and shock at June’s sudden passing. I have been with them before in a time of tragic loss, felt bonded to them walking through the death of Mark less than thirteen months ago – and now, with no time to prepare to the extent that is possible – June’s death. From the moment I learned of her death I began to think of this moment, which is always the case with me. How can I bring her life to expression in the context of our Christian faith in which she was deeply nurtured? There was a time, perhaps two decades ago, when the Packers began to make a pilgrimage to Spring Lake on Sundays. That was quite a dynamic period for us at Christ Community Church. Without going into that whole experience, I suspect Bob and June were attracted by the ambience of grace and love that marked our community. There were open hearts and open arms to embrace any and all who longed for the smile of God’s favor as it came to expression in our midst. I may or may not be totally correct in my surmise, but what causes me to think thus is the person I came to know as June. She had a grace about her. She loved easily, deeply, broadly and, of course, Bob her willing accomplice. That is the context out of which my meditation arises as we celebrate her life. Love, the Bridge between Now and Then In the decade of my retirement I have continued to wrestle with the God Question, our whence and whither and the meaning of our being in the meantime. As I grow older, I suppose I grow more open to life’s deep questions – the ultimate questions. A few weeks ago one of Grand Rapids’ fine churches invited me to lead a discussion on heaven in an adult forum. I was to be the third of three guests. As © Grand Valley State University �Love, the Bridge between Now and Then Richard A. Rhem Page 2 the time drew near I received an email that told me how the session was being announced: The Rev. Richard A. Rhem will facilitate a discussion on faith, life, heaven and human experience. We will talk about classical interpretations of Scripture, the progressive perspective, and whatever else comes to mind. Well, needless to say, I knew that was way beyond my capacity. But, since the initial invitation mentioned heaven, following the first two presentations on books recording near death experiences, I focused on heaven or, more accurately – Is this all there is or is there more to come? Of course, no one knows; this is not a mystery that human rationality can solve with more intense research. Finally it is a matter of trust – fundamental trust – and, being within the Christian tradition, we hear the biblical witness. The more I ponder our human existence before the face of the ultimate Mystery, the more I am convinced that Love is the Source, Ground and Goal of Being and, thus, of our being. In the Scripture I read from I John 4, we have the claim that God is Love. This is a fascinating paragraph for, after that statement, the writer goes on to acknowledge that no one has ever seen God but, he continues, If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. And later he declares, God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. This is a profound insight into Ultimate Being and our sharing in that ultimate reality to the extent that we love and are loved. Such human love is described nowhere more fully than in St. Paul’s Hymn of Love in I Corinthians 13. Verses 4 to 7 are a portrait of one who loves and, frankly, I suspect you will, with me, see in that description a portrait of June. But it is the next paragraph to which I would point for there we see referenced the fact that human being is immersed in mystery we cannot dissolve. Without explaining the context to which St. Paul addresses his claim, I would only say he acknowledges that in our present existence we live with questions and a dull and dim view of life’s mystery. …now we see in a mirror dimly. Questions plague us – all the whys, all the seemingly senseless suffering and tragedy. But that is not the last word – to the “now” there is a “then.” © Grand Valley State University �Love, the Bridge between Now and Then Richard A. Rhem Page 3 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. Love never ends. Loving here we gain a glimpse of something more. Losing those we love, we have a deep assurance that they have moved from love’s “now” to love’s “then,” lost in wonder, love and praise. I offer this hope and comfort to you, not because the Bible says so, but out of an ever-deepening experience, a human experience – of love now which the fundamental trust of my life assures me of love then – the perfection, completion, fullness of our deepest loves and fondest hopes. Our loves now are yet beset by pain, loss, deep grief. There is no denial of that – only the denial that that is the last word. Love is now saturated with tears; Love is then in fullness in the Sacred Presence who is Love. Now, Love – heaven’s foretaste; Then, Love – heaven’s fullness. With us, June knew the now; before us, she knows the then, which for her is the Eternal Now. Could we say, Heaven is here; Heaven is now; and the best is yet to be! Let us pray. O God, we would be still and know that You are God – Source of all being, Mysterious Mover of the ongoing cosmic drama, creatively breathing fresh surprises into the tapestry of our history, graciously present to us in those moments of awareness when we come to ourselves, when for at least a brief time, light dawns upon us and we are saturated with wonder – at the sight of setting sun or starry sky, or landscape bathed in brilliant winter sun glistening on newly fallen snow. Then in silence and solitude we know what is beyond knowing – © Grand Valley State University �Love, the Bridge between Now and Then Richard A. Rhem then a serenity sweeps over our souls and we know all is gift, for we did not create ourselves nor our world – not sun or moon, not the air we breathe, not the restless surf locked under miles of ice, unable to caress the sandy beach. Then we know we are part of something so much larger than the narrow parameters of our daily experience and limited understanding. Before the wonder of it all, we sense we are embraced, caught up in something the dimensions of which we cannot begin to take in – that Mystery that has addressed us, eliciting from us in turn the response of address, when from our depths we utter, “O God.” Then, knowing beyond knowing, we know we have been found by our Source and in turn have found our resting place. Source and resting place, present to us in mysterious and gracious Presence – it is enough. Only gratitude fills our being. O God, in moments of awareness when we are attentive, present to the awesome gift of life, the beauty, the marvel of it all, the potential of the human creature, whose consciousness is the consciousness of the cosmos, whose voice is the speech of Being, we are lost in wonder, love and praise. June lived with such deep awareness and wonder. June was one of those rare persons, embracing the world, feeling deep passion and able to bring truth and beauty to expression through her gift of artistry. And her love of bird and flower and earth’s grandeur brought to expression in her art was a faint sign of her deep love of those in her intimate circle of family and beyond. © Grand Valley State University Page 4 �Love, the Bridge between Now and Then Richard A. Rhem Deep lover she was, whose embrace gave assurance that all would be well and the best was yet to be. The grace and dignity with which she responded to tragedy and deep hurt evidenced one of great soul – and enabled those who lived in the ambience of her grace to move on without bitterness, with love and hope. All of this was the fruit of her deep rootedness in Your Love, O God. You uphold us with everlasting arms. You overshadow us with a gracious Presence. You bear us up on eagle’s wings; beneath your sheltering wings we find refuge and peace. Sacred Mystery of all being, of our being, consciously aware of our lives in your light, we worship. We know that all will be well, all will be well. All manner of things will be well. Now, while our hearts are open, our spirits tender, mantle us with Your gentle grace. Assuage deep grief. Heal us, O God; heal us now. And now, as Jesus taught us, we pray, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 5 � 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 Funeral Service for Mary June Packer Scripture Text I Corinthians 13: 4-13, I John 4: 7-8, 12, 16 Location The location of the interview Grand Haven, Michigan 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-0-20150112 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2015-01-12 Title A name given to the resource Love, the Bridge between Now and Then 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 January 12, 2015 entitled "Love, the Bridge between Now and Then", on the occasion of Funeral Service for Mary June Packer, at Grand Haven, Michigan. Scripture references: I Corinthians 13: 4-13, I John 4: 7-8, 12, 16. 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 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0a5e74ab39ed767c9c2324ddc05eed25.pdf 5257a82ecff82ff95d205b4d527e54bc PDF Text Text On the Celebration of The Golden Wedding Anniversary Of Norm and Maureen Campbell Prayer offered by Richard A. Rhem September 2012 Oh God, Eternal One, in whom we live and move and have our being, in the midst of this happy celebration we pause consciously to experience and to acknowledge your Presence, present to us. We do so naturally at life’s critical junctures, life’s moments awash with meaning – those moments that cause our hearts to sing or to break, our minds to be radiant with light and illumination or numb in somber darkness. We pause; we are still. We are present to you who are present to us – the presence of Mystery in whom and before whom our lives are played out. In the quietness of this moment, we pause to give thanks for the fifty years of life together shared by Norm and Maureen – (two-thirds of their respective 75 years of life!) – for their love and faithfulness, for the richness of their experiences, for the model they are of strength and steadiness, of faith and devotion, of kindness and gentleness. We celebrate their years as lovers, partners, friends, and we give you thanks that, as children, grandchildren and a large circle of friends, we can share these moments with them. Memories wash over us of special times and seasons. The film of fifty years flashes through our minds – times when we laughed until the tears washed over our cheeks; �Anniversary Prayer Richard A. Rhem Page 2   times when the struggle was intense, and the goal far off; times when dreams came true, and times when dreams were shattered; times when joy burst the soul, and times when grief filled the heart; times of health and strength; times when health seemed threatened and the future put in question. Oh God, we remember with laughter and with tears, and we own it all, the whole long, wonderful, fragile, perilous, beautiful journey. For it is the tapestry of two lives lived well, lived fully, authentically, before your face – a tapestry with entwining threads of all the colors of the rainbow: brighter and more somber tones, light and shadow. And through it all your presence, your faithfulness, even your presence in absence. We give you thanks, O God, for your grace that has enabled them to be all they are, and we seek your benediction upon them as they move beyond this significant landmark. Fill their future years with the richness of harvest, enabling them to savor the fruits of their love and labor. Favor them with good health and even new adventure. Surround them with the loving care of their children, the happy exuberance of their grandchildren, and embrace of the circle of their friends. May your mercy be experienced with every breaking dawn and may peace mantle them with every golden sunset. And as they gaze on the grandeur of the night’s starry heaven, may they know themselves enwrapped together in the Mystery of the abyss of your steadfast love. With gratitude we gather around these tables, acknowledging the gifts of bread and wine. And in the midst of this joyous feast, we remember the one who broke bread and poured the cup, and has become for us the Bread of Life, the Wine of New Creation, Jesus Christ our Lord. �Anniversary Prayer Richard A. Rhem Page 3   It was my lucky day when Norm and Maureen showed up at CCC. Obviously they cared deeply about the church, about the faith, about compassion and justice. Intelligent, thoughtful, engaged, and just as nice as could be! With them we shared weddings, baptisms, funerals, and simply friendship. Nancy and I are blessed by them; to be their pastor a great privilege. Norm and Maureen, you have earned our respect and, more than that, our love. It is with great joy that we celebrate with you 75 years of life and 50 years of marriage. � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a9b7f30d7f2c7c615a316ef40295e1b8.wav 85525626d159b13a57dac6104b5b23da 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 Family Gathering 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 RA-1-20120901 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf audio/wav Title A name given to the resource On the Celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of the Campbells Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on September 1, 2012 entitled "On the Celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of the Campbells", on the occasion of Family Gathering. Tags: Family, Faith, Life Journey, Grace of God, Celebration of Life, Anniversary, Prayer. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2012-09-01 Anniversary Celebration of Life Faith Family Grace of God Life Journey Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a433d6de91b47ab3c2e352f935014015.mp3 aef7fa22b06de15fbd8a335d66677929 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 Tues. Night Talk/Discussion with Muskegon Classis 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 RA-3-19890418 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1989-04-18 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource The Extent of God's Grace Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on April 18, 1989 entitled "The Extent of God's Grace", on the occasion of Tues. Night Talk/Discussion with Muskegon Classis. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e448efec1d046ba2e78ca10f62b97d7c.mp3 c6edcb173687e5651ec0738293d53c87 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 Sunday Morning Talk Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Hans K 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 RA-3-19901021 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1990-10-21 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource Talk on Hans Küng's Theology for the Third Millennium: An Ecumenical View Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 21, 1990 entitled "Talk on Hans Küng's Theology for the Third Millennium: An Ecumenical View", on the occasion of Sunday Morning Talk, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Hans Küng, Theology for the Third Millennium: An Ecumenical View. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/18b365805ef3f033167c970275821251.mp3 c68f1e3a6088e0bee9f5f726c5800f41 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 Wed. Night Lecture Series 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 RA-3-19920219 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-02-19 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource The Gender of God, Session 1 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on February 19, 1992 entitled "The Gender of God, Session 1", on the occasion of Wed. Night Lecture Series, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/564319e51c5731aff26a0a6d3ba9c66a.mp3 1d6a6e9bd83d61844766a8012dc9472c 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 Wed. Night Lecture Series 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 RA-3-19920226 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1992-02-26 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource The Gender of God, Session 2 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on February 26, 1992 entitled "The Gender of God, Session 2", on the occasion of Wed. Night Lecture Series, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e09e4e4a60225c60ca213a4e7f308fa0.pdf d6031288dd8aa742a973ed012a0ec473 PDF Text Text The Threat and Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed From the Summer 1999 Lecture Series How My Mind Has Changed Richard A. Rhem Minister of Preaching and Theological Inquiry Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan July 6, 1999 Transcript of the spoken lecture I begin with an acknowledgment of feeling some ambiguity about offering four lectures on how my mind has changed. A haunting, taunting voice in my mind asks, "Who cares?" "So what?" and "Why is it a matter of note that your mind has changed?" Good questions, those. Even as I begin, they remain with me and I feel the need to address them. Let me be very clear: I do not suspect the world is holding its breath either for my answers or for the tracing of my mind change. Why engage in this exercise, then? I suspect I am doing it first of all for myself. I have traversed a good distance on the theological spectrum from a very conservative evangelical orthodox position to a very liberal, open-ended, progressive posture. We all move in our theological understanding, our faith understanding, even if we never really stop to think about it, but my move has been more than the natural drift that comes with living, with experience, with age. My moves have been self-conscious, deliberate, intentional. They have come in the wake of lifelong, serious study of the faith, reflection on the faith and endeavor to proclaim and teach the faith in the midst of the community of faith engaged in the practice of the faith - a worshiping community intent on living out the implications of the faith in society. For me, study and reflection have always had the background of the Church, thus necessitating the translation of academic pursuit into concrete action, and that in intimate connection, for the end of my study has been the ongoing need to preach; the sermon has driven the study and reflection, ever and anew demanding expression - having something to say. Early in his ministry after the publication of his Epistle to the Romans had caused such a stir, Karl Barth was asked to speak to a ministers' meeting in his native Switzerland (Schulpforta, July, 1922) to discuss his theology. He was somewhat embarrassed to hear the words "my theology" spoken of so seriously not that he was not doing theology- “plain and honest theology.” But, he went on to discuss "his theology," claiming, © Grand Valley State University   �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 2   "my theology" becomes, when I look at it closely, a single point, and that not, as one might demand as the least qualification of a true theology, a standpoint, but rather a mathematical point upon which one cannot stand - a viewpoint merely. (Barth, The Word of God and the Word of Man, p. 97f) Yet, one must stand somewhere, Barth acknowledged, and thus he went on, If then I have not only a viewpoint, but something also of a standpoint, it is simply the familiar standpoint of the man in the pulpit. Before him lies the Bible full of mystery: and before him are seated his more or less numerous hearers, also full of mystery - and what indeed is more so? “What now?” asks the minister. If I could succeed in bringing acutely to your minds the whole content of that "What now?" I should have won you not only to my standpoint... but also to my viewpoint, no matter what you might think of my theology, (p. 104) Barth raised the question, Would it not be for theology's own good if it attempted, as I have said, to be nothing more than this knowledge of the quest and questioning of the Christian preacher, full of need and promise? (p. 102) I cannot emphasize too strongly how I thrilled to be introduced to Karl Barth and to read these words, for they expressed for me everything I believed most strongly and that to which my life was committed. The moves of my theological pilgrimage have come, not through academic endeavor apart from the Church, but very concretely in my passion to have something significant to say in preaching - and that for the well-being of the congregation and for the best possible expression of the biblical faith. Of this purpose for my ministry of preaching, teaching and pastoral care, I have all along been aware. But, that the result should be the traversing of the theological spectrum from far right to far left is to me a very great surprise, for I began as a champion of orthodox Christian tradition and evangelical faith expression. As I said above, I do this exercise first of all for myself, to review the way I have come, the better to understand where I am and where I am going. So to quiet the questions, "Who cares?" "So what? etc., I simply say, "I care; it matters to me, " and I invite any who are interested in the evolution of my theological understanding and the emergence of my present faith perspective to listen in as I tell my story and then to interact with me as the story unfolds. © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Still by way of introduction, let me note the passive mood of the title of this series - "How My Mind Has Changed.” I state the series thus intentionally rather than How I Changed My Mind, because I want to point to a process of growing awareness, epiphany-type experience in which truth dawns upon one. To be sure, this does not happen in a vacuum; I have worked intentionally at seeking knowledge, at serious investigation, persistent pursuit of understanding through intensive reading and reflection. Nonetheless, there is a gift quality to new insight and deeper comprehension. Furthermore, I did not start out to arrive where I am. No one is more surprised than I am that I stand at the far left of the theological spectrum, judged beyond the pale of Reformed confessionalism. My mind has been changed in face of the knowledge available in the respective disciplines of human inquiry; biblical study and study of the development of dogma to be sure, but also the findings of the natural sciences, behavioral and social sciences, history and comparative religions. Before the veritable explosion of knowledge, my understanding of religion and, specifically the Christian faith, has changed. In a word, my mind has been changed. The journal of liberal Christianity, The Christian Century, on three occasions asked Karl Barth to write an article on how his mind had changed over the previous decade. He complied with their request, covering the decades 19281938,1938-1948, and 1948-1958. The journal has continued the practice, occasionally asking scholars to indicate how their mind had changed. It is from the series in The Century that I take the idea for these lectures. I have entitled this first lecture "The Threat and Promise of One's Mind Being Changed." That title signals what I have experienced in the movement of my understanding of Christian reality. The experience is threatening because one's personal faith, one's identity, and in my case, one's professional life is called into question. But with the ongoing movement over the years there has been great promise of intellectual freedom and deeper humanity. Let me begin with the threat - the fear of losing one's faith or salvation. This is especially critical for one in the Protestant, Reformed tradition where saving faith has been identified with believing certain things to be true. In the Lutheran confessional family one speaks of "right doctrine." In the definition of faith in the Heidelberg Catechism, Q & A 21, the Question is "What is true faith?” The Answer: “It is not only a certain knowledge by which I accept as true all that God has revealed to us in his Word, but also a wholehearted trust which the Holy Spirit creates in me through the gospel, that, not only to others, but to me also God has given the forgiveness of sins, everlasting righteousness and salvation, out of sheer grace solely for the sake of Christ's saving work.” © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 4   One can see here two elements: a certain knowledge of biblical revelation and wholehearted trust. The second element is often pointed to when the warmly personal aspect of the Catechism is spoken of. But the first element points to the content of faith's knowledge and the assent to what is revealed in Scripture has had heavy emphasis. In his growing up, "package version of Christian Faith," Marcus Borg defines faith as he was taught in his Lutheran tradition: Faith meant strong and correct belief. It meant believing what God wanted us to believe, as disclosed in the Bible. Faith as strong belief meant that doubt was the opposite of faith. Faith as correct belief meant believing the right things. For me, that meant believing as we Lutherans believed. In a footnote, Borg notes that such an understanding of faith left a lot of people out. One wasn't sure of Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and Methodists - they were marginal. He can't remember speaking of Episcopalians but certainly Roman Catholics were out. I grew up in the Reformed tradition in its most conservative expression and the definition of the knowledge God revealed in the Scriptures was very definite and clear. The faith paradigm, I now know, derived from the 17th century, the period of Protestant scholasticism in which the fresh discovery of the Gospel of the Grace of God as it erupted in the 16th century was carefully systematized. More of that in a subsequent lecture. My point here is that, if one has been nurtured deeply in such a conception of saving faith, one has a whole system of belief to which one must assent, and to tinker with the respective articles of belief is to call the whole structure into question - and that can be very threatening because one risks losing everything, including, of course, one's salvation. By way of contrast to make this point sharper, one deeply formed in Roman Catholicism would find challenge to the institution more threatening than challenge to any particular article of faith, for there exists in the religious experience of such a person an implicit faith in the Church through which grace is mediated in the Sacraments. Catholic religious experience is more intuitive, less intellectual as a belief system. Thus, one might say that for one nurtured as I was, a challenge to the belief structure would be comparable to a challenge to the Church for a Catholic Christian. One doesn't leave the Church easily if one has been deeply formed in the Catholic tradition. As I reflect on this, I discover an interesting fact that, while it is a belief system that must be assented to intellectually, once that assent has been made and one is deeply formed in a particular belief system, one tends to shut down the intellectual pursuit of religious truth. One becomes emotionally engaged; correct © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 5   belief is no longer an intellectual matter but one in which one's being, one's identity is involved. And so my very identity is at stake – who I am, how I perceive myself. To pursue this further would take us into the psychology of the person, an area in which I am not schooled to speak. But it is obvious, as one sees the reaction of persons whose faith structure is challenged, that there is much more going on than an intellectual discussion of alternative expressions of faith. Again, the greater seriousness with which one's religious commitment is lived out, the greater the threat to one’s personhood when a faith structure is called in question. I have experienced the fear of free fall and the pain that wrenches one when one’s faith system is called in question and, even more, as a pastor, I have witnessed it over and over again in my people. My religious faith and life are so centered in the core of my being that to threaten them is to threaten me. A mind change is threatening and can be costly to one whose professional life is in the Church and the field of religion. Here I speak, as well, from personal experience, both my own struggle and, even more, the struggle I see in colleagues in ministry. If there is one overriding reason why the Church is the most conservative of all social institutions and why it continues adherence to faith structures and social positions out of touch with modern knowledge and human experience, I would claim it is the threat felt by persons in leadership if they acknowledge that their mind has changed. Since these lectures are about how my mind has changed, I will speak first of my own experience over the past three decades. My four years in the Netherlands at the University of Leiden under the mentorship of Hendrikus Berkhof were simply invaluable. I had graduated from seminary with my orthodox conservative Reformed faith intact. I had sought in my education to buttress the faith of my childhood nurture. I believed it all. I believed it strongly. I believed it passionately and I was determined to proclaim it in its conservative evangelical expression. I was also defensive, although I did not recognize that. I regret that I did not question more, read more broadly, quest more openly. Finally, four years of pastoral experience here in Spring Lake forced on me for the first time questions and wonderings I could not put away. And a new curriculum, Covenant Life, produced by the Presbyterian and Reformed Churches opened new directions, which I pursued during my three years in New Jersey. For the first time in my life, I began to think, desiring to know the truth. My pilgrimage to Europe and post-graduate study was not a flight from the pastorate, not first of all to attain a degree; it was an existential quest to test the truth of the Christian faith as I had learned it. I am a late bloomer. I was 32 years old when I began my search and I had the time of my life. © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 6   When this congregation invited me to return to be their pastor, I had gone through a thorough transformation. My personal life in shambles through the breakup of my marriage, I had come to a core conviction about the Christian faith and I knew I had one sermon at least to preach. I said, "Give me Jesus and the resurrection and the rest is negotiable." I provide this background sketch because it reveals how fortunate I have been in having the post-graduate experience in Europe after enough time in concrete ministry to have begun to sense the limitations of my understanding and my knowledge, and then to have the opportunity to come to a congregation where there was already an affectional and trusting relationship so that I could begin to bring the knowledge and insight I had gained into coherent expression. For the first two decades after my return, I literally preached and I taught out of that European reservoir of learning. I had a place to preach and teach that allowed my four years of reading, reflection and writing to come to expression, to be assimilated and to mature. And, while the responsibilities of an exploding parish were demanding, I never stopped reading and thinking, the congregation being my laboratory for the exploration of new knowledge and fresh insight. The relationship with the congregation was solid and healthy. The growing insight into the development of the Christian faith shared with the people was gradual. I was aware of movement in my understanding and I was aware that I was endeavoring to broaden and deepen the faith knowledge and experience of the congregation. I was conscious of being on a journey of growing understanding and I was intentional about bringing the people along. We were all clear that we were in life, together as a faith community seeking understanding. The ideal of those early years - an ideal never lost - was the union of intellectual integrity and evangelical passion. The next significant happening in my own development occurred in 1985 when I was invited to become one of the editors of a theological journal founded by the Reformed Church in America. The Editorial Board of ten met twice yearly for three days. I was already heavily engaged in denominational work, having at the time four responsibilities, one of which was the chairing of the Board of Theological Education that was responsible for the seminaries. But, the Consistory gave me their blessing and I accepted the invitation and profited greatly from the discussions in which we determined the themes for the respective issues. Even more, it now became my responsibility to write and publish. The journal, Perspectives, was founded by the Reformed Church for the express purpose of addressing the leadership of the RCA and beyond with the intention of stimulating discussion of the pressing issues of Church and society - a hope to initiate theological awareness and conversation in the Church. There was an inner core of the Editorial Board that was especially committed to dealing with © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 7   what we felt were theological positions that needed to be examined if the Church was to be a factor in the broader cultural conversation that shapes the future. I was one of only two pastors on the Editorial Board and I soon learned that I would be the one to handle the topics that were most likely to meet with resistance from the conservative part of the Church. Why? Because my pastoral position was safe. This congregation by that time had had fifteen years of theological probing in sermon and teaching. This congregation had given me the freedom to study, to think, to bring to expression new ideas and fresh statement of the faith. The scholars who made up the rest of the board from RCA colleges and seminaries had to take into account their position in an institution accountable to the whole Church and therefore, there were some topics better left untouched. From the safety of my position in this congregation, I had a freedom they did not have. I had occasion to experience first hand why the academic contingent of the board was cautious. In 1987,I was invited to become the Professor of Preaching at Western Theological Seminary. I declined a full-time position, not being willing to give up my pastorate here, but accepted the position halftime. About that same time I was assigned responsibility by the Editorial Board, in the midst of a full board discussion, to write a piece on the extent of God's grace. The article, entitled 'The Habit of God's Heart," appeared in the September 1988 issue, just as I was about to begin the second year of teaching. I wrote the article as I have always preached and taught here at Christ Community. I was cautious in my claim, but it was, nonetheless, evident that I was sensing a broader sweep of God's saving grace than was the rule in the RCA and the Reformed Confessional documents. And further, it was clear I hoped that to be the case. Having called Hell into question, all hell broke loose in the Church. I could see on the ashen face of the seminary president that there was trouble afoot. At a faculty meeting, one of the professors who was on the Editorial Board and who had read the manuscript before the issue went to print asked, “Why did you feel you had to raise this issue?” The rest of the faculty, with whom I had good relations and from whom I received respect, were strangely silent. The Professor of Systematic Theology said not a word on this burning theological issue. The one who raised the earlier question had been teaching at the seminary for over two decades and was known to hold essentially the same position I espoused in the article. What was going on? Obviously, fear reigned: fear for professional position, fear for institutional support. I saw it all very clearly. I said to the President, "I will resign; I have no need to bring the school into a battle." An Executive Committee meeting was called in October and I was asked to appear. Surveying the room, I sensed the group was pretty evenly divided between those who would have supported me and those © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 8   who would have demanded retraction or resignation. I offered to complete the second year and leave. The following fall I would have been installed in the newly endowed Chair of Preaching which was the fruition of an idea I initiated while serving on the Board of Theological Education. But, instead, I simply came home here - again giving my full time and energy to this congregation. I relate this experience because through it I learned first hand how threatening it is in the Church and its institutions to challenge the accepted paradigm of faith and traditional practice. Once again, I am one of the fortunate ones. I have a marvelous faith community that has always been totally supportive and has extended to me the freedom to think, to probe, to challenge and to attempt the translation of the tradition into new expression. I did not seek out the seminary position and I did not suffer loss when I left it. But, I have been in a rather rare position with which not many are blessed. I think the seminary administration and faculty lost an opportunity to affirm the critical importance of academic freedom. But, I was not the president, I was not a faculty member well settled in with no place to go. I think they all might have better stood together, not in support of me personally, but in support of the freedom necessary to wrestle with the biblical and confessional tradition. But, there is a cost involved; they chose not to risk. My experience convinced me that an academic institution with close ties to the Church, which looks to the Church for its financial support, will be very slow to challenge the tradition and to be creative and innovative in the articulation of the faith. The deck is stacked against change in society's institutional structures. Not change, but continuity is the goal. In sum, the Church's academic centers are severely proscribed in the degree to which they can engage in the kind of theological reflection that potentially issues in a paradigm shift. One comes not to expect theological renewal from the Church's academies. If this is the case with the academic institutions, it is surely even more the case with the Church's bureaucratic structure. Management with a pinch of inspiration and some resourcing is all one can expect from denominational centers. Keeping the machinery in good order and the structures in place is a difficult task in a denominational institution with a broad spectrum of theological understanding. I need not belabor the obvious: theological renewal will not emerge from denominational headquarters. Those who carry out the task of denominational leadership are vulnerable to criticism from all sides and can lead only from the middle unless they are willing to risk their professional position. © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page 9   Let me underscore a statement made earlier - the deck is stacked against change in society's institutional structures. I became so deeply impressed with this reality. I will go into the specific changes that I underwent in subsequent lectures but, when I was called to account for positions I espoused, for example, on the extent of God's grace, I was criticized for not bringing my doubt about the traditional salvation paradigm first to the Classis, and, to be sure, this is the way the order of the Church conceived of the proper process for dealing with a change in one's biblical/theological understanding. Such a procedure would have eventuated in no public statement of my belief and I would have been given the option of being re-convinced of the tradition or being silent about my change of understanding, or being adjudged - as I was - as beyond the pale of the Reformed confession. It would have been a fruitless exercise and I knew it. I assumed writing as I was in a theological journal, founded for the purpose of stimulating theological discussion, was a new and better way of effecting change in the Church. But, the old system for all practical purposes guarantees there will be no significant change in the confessional stance of the institution. There are those both in the pastorate and in the academic and bureaucratic structures of the Church who were in essential agreement with me at critical points but, by their own admission, they dared not stand up and declare publicly that agreement. In the case of the seminary, in particular, but it holds true to some extent for the colleges as well, the strongest financial support often comes from the more conservative congregations and the institutions are economic prisoners of the most conservative elements in the Church. I suspect this has always been the case, but my experience vividly demonstrated to me that the very leaders whose responsibility it is to move the Church along with fresh insight and ongoing translation of the faith, as the human story unfolds and knowledge from the full spectrum of the respective disciplines of learning explodes, are not free to do so. To do so puts one's career in jeopardy and the institution at risk. This is the way traditions perpetuate themselves, preserve their originating vision, and insulate themselves from the threat of change. Finally, however, no person or institution can be insulated from change. In former ages and earlier times some measure of isolation was possible, but in a world marked by globalization and the information society, it is possible no longer. We are awash with knowledge of every conceivable subject under the sun and the Christian tradition must finally persuade of its truth and meaning in the market place of ideas and alternative religious visions. In a word, in the dizzying pace of historical development, the Church must change or die. © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page10   The problem of deeply grounded, well-established institutional religion is precisely its clarity and completeness. It is a life map that gives a person, a community, an orientation in the world. It tells one who one is and how one should live. It creates a tribe, a community, perhaps a national identity. Life's questions are answered, confusions ordered and mysteries domesticated - not totally, but sufficiently to make life bearable, having some sense, meaning and purpose. But, the human experience in the cosmic drama is not static, but dynamic - ever changing, evolving, creating new realities to be negotiated and assimilated. Unless the conception of reality, the forms and the structures of the institution, are allowed to change and evolve with human knowledge and experience, the life map, the structural experience of the tradition will be more and more removed from real life, religion will be compartmentalized, no longer giving guidance and insight to live within the emerging human situation, rather becoming more and more irrelevant, an add-on to life rather than its generating center. The more I reflected on what I encountered in the hostile and fearful response to the essay I wrote on the extent of God's grace, the more I recognized how rigidly and uncritically the biblical/theological paradigm of my heritage was held. I came to an awareness of the parochial narrowness of my own tradition. As I think back on my own development, I realize my European study had opened up to me a whole new vista on Reformed theology simply by experiencing Church and society in the Netherlands from whence my forbears had come. There the Reformed faith had moved along with cultural development, whereas my experience and knowledge of my faith expression had been mediated through an immigrant mentality and piety- and that makes a world of difference. Dutch Reformed theology encountered the Enlightenment and was in conversation with the whole phenomenon of modernity, having to articulate the biblical faith in face of a wholly new cultural epoch. The immigrant community in this country, on the other hand, never really engaged the challenge of the modern period. In 1983, I was given a sabbatical which began in the fall, as I spent Monday and Tuesday in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan where the Catholic theologian, Hans Küng, was giving public lectures on Monday evening and conducting a cross-discipline seminar for a three-hour period on Tuesday afternoon. The seminar was by invitation only and I was most fortunate to be invited, along with professors and students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Law School, and the Medical School. Küng had just been disciplined for his bold theological probing by the Vatican. The courses he taught at the University of Tubingen in Germany were no longer accredited for those preparing for the priesthood. He had also just, along with David Tracy of the University of Chicago, gathered an international Ecumenical Symposium at Tubingen in 1983 to discuss "A New Paradigm of Theology." Papers delivered at the symposium are published in the volume Paradigm © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page11   Change in Theology. At the symposium, Küng charted the epochal shifts in theology to test his scheme of periodization. Beginning with the primitive Christian apocalyptic paradigm, the historical progression moves through the ancient church Hellenistic, the medieval Roman Catholic, the Reformation Protestant with its two consequent paradigms of counter-reformation-Roman Catholic and Protestant Orthodox paradigms - the modern Enlightenment paradigm, and on to the present contemporary ecumenical paradigm. Küng came on the idea of paradigm shifts in Thomas S. Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, in which Kuhn portrayed scientific development as occurring, not as had been commonly assumed, in smooth cumulative progress, but rather in leaps triggered by paradigm shifts, the displacement of one model of understanding by another. Küng applied Kuhn's discovery to theological development and found points of significant shift there as well. Paradigm as Kuhn defined it and as Küng utilizes it means “an entire constellation of beliefs, values, techniques, and so one shared by the members of a given community.” Küng’s periodization marks off those points in the movement of history where a major shift in understanding took place, a shift from one constellation of beliefs to another - a change in the explanation model through which Christian faith was interpreted. The points of shift can be debated and the flow of history cannot be rigidly sectioned off. Nevertheless, the periodization Küng has suggested has been widely received. Insight into major paradigmatic shifts in the history of Christian dogmatic development was critically important for me. My major area of study at Leiden had been the History of Dogma, but the charting of the points of significant shift was very helpful to me in surveying the historical development. Having encountered the strong resistance to my probings of the traditional theological paradigm of my faith family, I began to realize that we had never faced the challenge of the modern world. In 1991, I published another piece in Perspectives entitled "Sleeping Through a Revolution,'' in which I set forth my growing awareness of the theological impasse of Reformed theology of Dutch origin in America. I wrote: Reformed theology in America, the roots of which lie in the Netherlands, has managed to sleep through the revolution of the modern world and survive. Through strong ethnic identity, internal growth, and a militant mind that maintained an adversarial attitude over against modern culture, a Reformed community of Dutch origin still exists. But the defensive posture that has largely characterized it has prevented it from translating the richness of its sixteenth-century legacy of Reformation theology into a proclamation of the gospel to engage modern thought. I stated my conclusion in straightforward fashion, contending: © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page12   Theologically we are stuck, and the best and the brightest know it. Reformed orthodoxy has slept through the revolution of human understanding and knowledge created by the Enlightenment, never to this day having come to terms with the autonomy of the human person, the throwing off of all forms of authoritarianism, and the rise of historical thinking. These cultural assumptions are now being challenged. Many observers believe we are living at an epochal hinge point in history, experiencing the emergence of the post-modern age. But we will not be able to move directly from a seventeenth-century paradigm to the postmodern world without going through the baptism of the Enlightenment. While its assumptions are losing their self-evident status, what will not be lost is the value of critical rationality, and what will not be tolerated is any return to authoritarian claims, be they of church, of tradition, or of Bible. In theology old paradigms keep their adherents even when theological development has left them behind. But they can do so only by some form of authoritarian claim. In the case of Reformed orthodoxy the authoritarian claim of the Bible has held theological movement hostage, hindering meaningful dialogue with the sciences and philosophy. We are theologically stuck, and we will not become unstuck until we learn to value Scripture as authority, but break loose from its authoritarian use. Understandably, my contention was not received kindly. It was a serious charge and aroused a good deal of defensiveness and denial. But, I had supported my claim with a survey of developments on the broader cultural scene and specifically the philosophical/theological conversations that had marked continental theology. Recognizing the contemporary critique of Enlightenment thought, I pointed to developments in post-Modernism that held out possibilities for a fresh consideration of the 17th century paradigm that was still the ruling faith understanding. I concluded the essay pointing to the need to develop a new understanding of scripture, which I understood as the problem, the cause of the ideological impasse that marked my theological tradition. Of Reformed theology, I wrote: ... Its doctrine of Scripture has remained immune from the acids of criticism, and an authoritarian use of Scripture continues, making it impossible either to engage the cultural assumptions that remain as a legacy of the Enlightenment, or to capture the attention of an obviously spiritually destitute and groping present generation where the yearning for transcendence is pervasive. Perhaps the insights and breakthroughs in science and the spiritual bankruptcy of the West have created the moment that will compel us to move beyond both the theological impasse traced above and an authoritarian use of Scripture. In his biography of Karl Barth, Eberhard © Grand Valley State University �Threat & Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed Richard A. Rhem Page13   Busch records a conversation of Barth in which he referred to being dubbed orthodox. That was fine with Barth, if it pointed to a willingness “to learn from the Fathers.” But he rejected any restriction to the doctrinal position of any teacher school or confession… “Confessions” exist for us to go through them (not once but continually), not for us to return to them, take up our abode in them, and conduct our further thinking from their standpoint and in bondage to them. (Karl Barth. P. 375) That is the freedom we must discover in order to enter the contemporary discussion, bringing the richness of Reformed theology into engagement with a post-modern world. Having thrown out the challenge, I moved next to an essay on Scripture, "The Book That Binds Us" (December, 1992). It was here that I had long felt the problem of theological impasse was located. It was in a new understanding of the nature and function of scripture in the life of the Church that I discovered the freedom to think, to deal with the questions and issues that arise in the ongoing human story. And that freedom is the promise of the new insights that marked my mind change. I have lived through the sense of threat when faith formulations are challenged by new knowledge and ongoing human experience, but I have lived through it, emerging on the other side of the struggle with a larger vision, realizing that all along my God was too small. I have come to know a freedom and a joy in the human experience I had not earlier known. And I have found that the Mystery that is God, the cosmic reality that has been discovered through the sciences, and the wonder of being human can only fill one with awe. To live with awareness, wonder and gratitude is the deepest reverence, the highest devotion. This is what marks the religious quest in the emerging cosmic reality. References: Karl Barth. The Word of God and the Word of Man. Peter Smith Pub. Inc., 1958. Eberhard Busch. Karl Barth: His life from letters and autobiographical texts. SCM Press; First Edition edition, 2011. Hans Küng & David Tracy, editors. Paradigm Change in Theology. T. & T. Clark Publishers, 2000. Richard A. Rhem, “The Book That Binds Us,” Perspectives, December 1992. Richard A. Rhem, “The Habit of God’s Heart,” Perspectives, September 1988. Richard A. Rhem, “Sleeping Through a Revolution,” Perspectives, April 1991. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5d56bd8c292ec69651004b3e974183b7.mp3 372babea626dbde5de4964bdc5431cc0 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. Series Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Karl Barth. The Word of God and the Word of Man, 1958, Eberhard Busch. Karl Barth: His Life from Letters and Autobiographical Texts, 2011, Hans Küng, David Tracy, Eds., Paradigm Change in Theology, 1983, 2000, Friedrich Schleiermacher. On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured 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 RA-3-19990706 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999-07-06 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 Title A name given to the resource The Threat and Promise of One's Mind Being Changed Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 6, 1999 entitled "The Threat and Promise of One’s Mind Being Changed", as part of the series "Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Dogma, Reimagining the Faith, Inclusive Grace. Scripture references: Karl Barth. The Word of God and the Word of Man, 1958, Eberhard Busch. Karl Barth: His Life from Letters and Autobiographical Texts, 2011, Hans Küng, David Tracy, Eds., Paradigm Change in Theology, 1983, 2000, Friedrich Schleiermacher. On Religion: Speeches to its Cultured Despisers, 1797. Dogma Inclusive Grace Reimagining the Faith https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dc9fb5ec87656c25a44f374a24718fea.pdf 5e804818a1b0ad975f077a7946500f15 PDF Text Text The Nature and Function of Religion From the 1999 Summer Lecture Series How My Mind Has Changed Richard A. Rhem Minister of Preaching and Theological Inquiry Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan July 13, 1999 Transcribed from the handwritten document As I have been brooding over the ways in which my mind has changed over the course of the last three decades, and especially in the decade of the 90s, I am aware that there has been a major shift in my understanding of the nature and function of religion - the subject of this second lecture. When I determined the four themes to be treated in this series, I was thinking in the broadest of categories that constitute my present understanding, this lecture being the broadest, leading then to how I understand the manifestation or revelation of the Sacred, the Holy, the Mystery we call God which has been articulated and expressed in the tradition in creedal formula, liturgical forms, progress, rituals and music, all of which has been institutionalized in ecclesiastical structures. That is the flow of my thinking as I have attempted to map out how my mind has changed and thereby to express where I find myself as a Christian, as a religious person. But, as I begin to articulate how I understand the nature and function of religion, I become aware that where I find myself is the consequence of several small steps taken as a consequence of a growing awareness that was emerging on the basis of ongoing study, reflection and experience. And that makes me aware that I might have structured this mind change series quite differently. I might have thought through the specific doctrinal formulations that came into conflict with my ongoing experience of being human and of dealing with others in the ambiguity of their lives, as well as simply living in the world with its social, economic, political and religious realities. I could then have dealt with those small steps, one by one, building the cumulative result into a new framework of understanding of religion and specifically, Christian faith. Such an approach would take a great deal of reflection, of reconstruction of how a doctrinal claim of the tradition began to be questioned or how some new insight that proved compelling conflicted with a traditional doctrinal formulation. What were the triggers of the smaller changes that eventuated in a wholesale revisioning of the tradition? © Grand Valley State University   �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Doctrinal systems are just that - systems. We speak thus of systematic theology that gathers biblical data and doctrinal statements into a coherent whole. One will usually begin the re-thinking process with specific questions to the tradition and there is certainly room for some adjustment within a systematic theology, but eventually, if the process of calling in question and reformulation continues, the system itself is broken and a revisioning occurs. I have chosen, for better or worse, to begin with the big picture – how my mind has changed on the nature and function of religion. But, in setting that revision forth, I will obviously make reference to those significant points of conflict and shifts in understanding that eventuated in my present perspective. The Nature of Religion The word religion derives from the Latin: religio from refigare, “to bind back;” re and tigare, “to bind, to bind together.” Among the dictionary’s several definitions, I find “a state of mind or way of life expressing love for and trust in God, and one’s will and effort to act according to the will of God ...,” and also, “any object of conscientious regard and pursuit.” In his classic study, The Varieties of Religious Experience, William James acknowledged a certain arbitrariness in the manner in which he would treat religion, defining it for his purposes as “The feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine.” Hendrikus Berkhof in his Christian Faith, described religion as “The relationship to the Absolute,” and amidst all the diversity of religious expression and content, Berkhof noted that nearly all religions have three elements: “The element of myth, teaching, or proclamation; a sacred rite or cult; and rules for moral conduct.” He goes on, The first concerns the manner in which the Absolute opens up, the second man’s immediate response, and the third the consequences of such knowledge and salvation for his everyday life. (p. 8) Some add a fourth element, Berkhof notes, “That of inner experience, the mystical component of religion.” William James was not interested in the established institutional forms and observances of the respective world religions, but rather, the immediate experience of the Holy, the Sacred, of God in personal experience. In making this point he describes, in contrast, the ordinary religious believer who follows the conventional observances of his country, whether it be Buddhist, Christian or Moslem. Of such a person, he writes, His religion has been made for him by others, communicated to him by tradition, determined to fixed forms by imitation, and retained by habit. (Varieties, p. 24) © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Such conventional observance James calls “second-hand religious life.” That is a critical distinction which becomes obvious when we think about it, but still it is seldom recognized; the great world religions are institutionalized and regularized. There is a teaching, an observance, a way of life and the adherents of the respective religions receive all of this second-hand. It may or may not become the means by which and through which one has a first-hand religious experience. But, it is also obvious that the great religious traditions each had a beginning in some founding, first-hand experience, which then eventuated in the tradition, regularized and routinized. Where does the religious experience arise, an experience that is universally human? In his study, Enduring Issues in Religion, John Lyden writes, ... human experience seems to contain a religious dimension, however we may define that dimension. We cannot ignore the human desire to question our origins and our goals, the meaning and purpose of our existence, the reason for our lives. We strive for something more, even when we are unsure what it is. A mystery pervades our existence - a mystery we can approach through means such as faith, hope and courage. Some have said that no answer can be found to the mystery, for humans have created it and no suprahuman or supranatural answer exists. Perhaps we long for a purpose to our existence, hidden in some other plan of reality and flinch at the idea that there may be no such transcendent purpose. But, even if one chooses to see no purpose, one still acknowledges that the desire to find a purpose is part of human life. For better or worse, we almost instinctively seek meaning, and this is when we enter the religious realm. (p. 12f) Lyden points to what has been perhaps the critical issue regarding the phenomenon of religion: Is it the consequence of God, or the Sacred, or the Holy impressing itself upon the human consciousness, or is it a humanly created, humanly generated phenomenon having no counterpoint, no objective reality beyond the human who would then be simply projecting outward from inward consciousness a Being or Reality of its own creation? This question will need to be faced more in depth in the following lectures when we deal with the idea of revelation or manifestation. I point to it here, however, because this critical issue was raised by the German philosopher/theologian Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872) who published in 1841 his The Essence of Christianity, in which he claimed religion was the result of human projection of an infinite, transcendent Being on the screen of reality. In an introductory essay to the Harper Torchbook edition (1957), Karl Barth wrote, © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 4   He [Feuerbach] only wants the honest confession that the alleged mystery of religion is of man: that man is dreaming when he imagines that a Something Other, objectively confronting him, is that ground, that whence, that necessity and that law; is the source from which his wishes and ideals flow, and is the sea of fulfillment toward which they tend. Man is dreaming instead of recognizing that it is his own being, his desire and duty to live as a man, which he, as a religious man, quite rightly equates with God. (p.xvi) Barth quotes Feuerbach thus: In religion man frees himself from the limitations of life; here he throws off what oppresses, impedes, or adversely affects him; God is man’s selfawareness, emancipated from all actuality; man feels himself free, happy, blessed only in his religion, because here only does he live in his true genius, here he celebrates his Sunday. In the opening chapter, “The Essential Nature of Man,” Feuerbach writes, Religion, being identical with the distinctive characteristic of man, is then identical with self-consciousness - with the consciousness which man has of his nature. But religion, expressed generally, is consciousness of the infinite, thus it is and can be nothing else than the consciousness which man has of his own - not finite and limited, but infinite nature. (p. 2) Under a section entitled “The Essence of Religion Considered Generally,” Feuerbach claims without qualification, Consciousness of God is self-consciousness; knowledge of God is selfknowledge. (p. 12) And further: Hence the historical progress of religion consists in this: that what by an earlier religion was regarded as objective, is now recognized as subjective; that is, what was formerly contemplated and worshiped as God is now perceived to be something human. (p. 13) One readily recognizes that these claims will have to be dealt with in the following lecture theme on revelation, scripture and tradition, but I set Feuerbach’s claims here in the discussion of the nature and function of religion because we are focusing on this human phenomenon and no one has pointed as clearly or described so acutely the human element in religion as Feuerbach. In his Does God Exist? (1978), Hans Küng gave extensive treatment to Feuerbach from whom he traced the whole development of modern atheism through Marx, Freud, and finally the nihilism of Nietzsche. He writes. © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Even today - it is scarcely necessary to stress the fact - Feuerbach is anything but passé. From that time onward there has been no form of atheism that did not draw on Feuerbach’s arguments. Even today, then, we must ask seriously if Feuerbach’s critique of religion is not really justified. (p. 204) Feuerbach’s claim must be taken seriously, but Küng’s critique is certainly valid. Even if we grant that there is a good deal of projection in the practice of religion and if we grant that religion is a human phenomenon, that does not establish the non-existence of God. Küng grants the possibility of Feuerbach’s contention: For why should it not be possible for our consciousness, knowledge, aspiration to be oriented to nothing, to a sham and not to a real infinite? Certainly the intention and infinity of our consciousness is still no proof of the existence of an infinite reality independent of our consciousness? (p. 205) However, Küng continues, though this was Feuerbach’s claim, he never proved it. The question must in fact remain open. The only conclusion that logically follows from Feuerbach’s argument is that the orientation of human consciousness toward an infinite does not provide any evidence of the existence or non-existence of an infinite reality independent of our consciousness. (p. 206) I find it fascinating to trace the course of this question from Feuerbach through Karl Barth to the present represented in the work of Gordon Kaufman, recently retired from Harvard. Barth claimed the roots of Feuerbach can be traced to Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834), who published in 1799 his famous lectures On Religion- Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. In the Forward to a 1994 edition, Jack Forstman wrote of this work that, in it, Schleiermacher had …presented an utterly fresh understanding of religion. It was, of course, not without points of contact in the past, but Schleiermacher’s presentation stood in bold contrast with the views that were prevalent in that time (dogmatic orthodoxy, speculative neology, enlightened “natural religion,” and Pietism). Second, he set forth a view of religion that was in principle free from reliance on authority. Third, he described religion as belonging essentially to the human sphere and thus as essentially limited. Truly religious people are never able to claim that they possess the truth as such, and in its entirety. Fourth, his approach to religion was descriptive and analytical... he tried to “display” what actually constitutes religion. Finally, he tried to show that religion is inevitably social and thus always has a definite form... (p. ix,f) © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 6   In the highly educated, highly cultured Berlin society, Schleiermacher was attempting to make the case for the reality and authenticity of religion and religious observance. The “climate of opinion” disallowed appeal to an authoritarian base or dogmatic formulations of the past. His only alternative in that context was to find a new foundation for religion and he found that new foundation in human nature itself in the “feeling of absolute dependence.” The common element in all howsoever diverse expressions of piety, by which there are conjointly distinguished from all other feelings, or, in other words, the self-identical essence of piety, is this: The consciousness of being absolutely dependent, or, which is the same thing, of being in relation with God. In attributing religion to the feeling of absolute dependence, Schleiermacher was rooting religious life in the human subject, although he was in no sense denying the reality of God. It was God who created the feeling within the human that pointed him or her to such dependence. In placing the root of religion in the human, however, Barth claimed Schleiermacher transformed theology into anthropology. Küng following Barth raised the question: Was Feuerbach not right to see his philosophy as the end phase of a Protestant theology that -as he thought- long before his time had become an anthropology so that he needed only to understand and appropriate its real intentions? Does not the danger become apparent at this point of a theology in Schleiermacher’s style which makes the reality of God dependent on the religious experience and emotional needs of the devout human subject? But is not the danger also evident of a contemporary “political theology” which reduces theology to a “critical theory of history” or of “society”? Is it not clear at this point how close we are to atheism if we do not distinguish between theological and anthropological propositions, if we identify man’s interest with God’s, if we one-sidedly stress God’s nonobjectivity, almost see God as absorbed in our neighbor and the mystery of being, simply as the mystery of love? (p. 214) Küng quotes Feuerbach as declaring unambiguously, My atheism [is] merely the unconscious and actual atheism of modern humanity and science, made conscious, untwisted and openly declared. (p. 211) Karl Barth had respect for Feuerbach, for his passion, his clarity of understanding what he was doing. Barth saw him and his views as the inevitable end to which beginning to talk of God by talking about humanity must lead. Barth’s great reversal of 19th century liberalism, which had been fathered by Schleiermacher and had developed throughout the 19th century in Continental theology, especially in Germany, was the total rejection of beginning with the human © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 7   subject. Barth begins with God, the “Wholly Other” who encounters the human in the Word, a word of judgment and grace. I cannot go into this further except to say that Barth’s strong emphasis on God’s revelation - the word that came “vertically from above” and contradicts humanity was the needed proclamation in post-World War I Europe as the demonic National Socialism was on the rise in Germany. Eventually, however, even his younger admirer and colleague, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, criticized Barth’s theology as marked by “the positivism of revelation.” References: Ludwig Feuerbach. The Essence of Religion. Prometheus Books, 2004. William James. The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study of Human Nature. (First published 1902) Create Space Indep. Publishers, 2009. Hans Küng. Does God Exist?: An Answer for Today. (Originally published 1978) Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2006. John Lyden. Enduring Issues in Religion: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, 1994. Friedrich Schleiermacher. On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. (originally published 1797); Nabu Press, 2010. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/df8c8cc109f896d4156fa63c08482cd4.pdf da03f1427b93014baedcbb583fe82d24 PDF Text Text The Nature and Function of Religion From the Summer 1999 Lecture Series How My Mind Has Changed Richard A. Rhem Minister of Preaching and Theological Inquiry Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan July 13, 1999 Prepared Text As I have been brooding over the ways in which my mind has changed over the course of the last three decades, and especially in the decade of the 90s, I am aware that there has been a major shift in my understanding of the nature and function of religion - the subject of this second lecture. When I determined the four themes to be treated in this series, I was thinking in the broadest of categories that constitute my present understanding, this lecture being the broadest, leading then to how I understand the manifestation or revelation of the Sacred, the Holy, the Mystery we call God which has been articulated and expressed in the tradition in creedal formula, liturgical forms, progress, rituals and music, all of which has been institutionalized in ecclesiastical structures. That is the flow of my thinking as I have attempted to map out how my mind has changed and thereby to express where I find myself as a Christian, as a religious person. But, as I begin to articulate how I understand the nature and function of religion, I become aware that where I find myself is the consequence of several small steps taken as a consequence of a growing awareness that was emerging on the basis of ongoing study, reflection and experience. And that makes me aware that I might have structured this mind change series quite differently. I might have thought through the specific doctrinal formulations that came into conflict with my ongoing experience of being human and of dealing with others in the ambiguity of their lives, as well as simply living in the world with its social, economic, political and religious realities. I could then have dealt with those small steps, one by one, building the cumulative result into a new framework of understanding of religion and specifically, Christian faith. Such an approach would take a great deal of reflection, of reconstruction of how a doctrinal claim of the tradition began to be questioned or how some new insight that proved compelling conflicted with a traditional doctrinal formulation. What were the triggers of the smaller changes that eventuated in a wholesale revisioning of the tradition? © Grand Valley State University   �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Doctrinal systems are just that - systems. We speak thus of systematic theology that gathers biblical data and doctrinal statements into a coherent whole. One will usually begin the re-thinking process with specific questions to the tradition and there is certainly room for some adjustment within a systematic theology, but eventually, if the process of calling in question and reformulation continues, the system itself is broken and a revisioning occurs. I have chosen, for better or worse, to begin with the big picture – how my mind has changed on the nature and function of religion. But, in setting that revision forth, I will obviously make reference to those significant points of conflict and shifts in understanding that eventuated in my present perspective. The Nature of Religion The word religion derives from the Latin: religio from refigare, “to bind back;” re and tigare, “to bind, to bind together.” Among the dictionary’s several definitions, I find “a state of mind or way of life expressing love for and trust in God, and one’s will and effort to act according to the will of God ...,” and also, “any object of conscientious regard and pursuit.” In his classic study, The Varieties of Religious Experience, William James acknowledged a certain arbitrariness in the manner in which he would treat religion, defining it for his purposes as “The feelings, acts, and experiences of individual men in their solitude, so far as they apprehend themselves to stand in relation to whatever they may consider the divine.” Hendrikus Berkhof in his Christian Faith, described religion as “The relationship to the Absolute,” and amidst all the diversity of religious expression and content, Berkhof noted that nearly all religions have three elements: “The element of myth, teaching, or proclamation; a sacred rite or cult; and rules for moral conduct.” He goes on, The first concerns the manner in which the Absolute opens up, the second man’s immediate response, and the third the consequences of such knowledge and salvation for his everyday life. (p. 8) Some add a fourth element, Berkhof notes, “That of inner experience, the mystical component of religion.” William James was not interested in the established institutional forms and observances of the respective world religions, but rather, the immediate experience of the Holy, the Sacred, of God in personal experience. In making this point he describes, in contrast, the ordinary religious believer who follows the conventional observances of his country, whether it be Buddhist, Christian or Moslem. Of such a person, he writes, His religion has been made for him by others, communicated to him by tradition, determined to fixed forms by imitation, and retained by habit. (Varieties, p. 24) © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Such conventional observance James calls “second-hand religious life.” That is a critical distinction which becomes obvious when we think about it, but still it is seldom recognized; the great world religions are institutionalized and regularized. There is a teaching, an observance, a way of life and the adherents of the respective religions receive all of this second-hand. It may or may not become the means by which and through which one has a first-hand religious experience. But, it is also obvious that the great religious traditions each had a beginning in some founding, first-hand experience, which then eventuated in the tradition, regularized and routinized. Where does the religious experience arise, an experience that is universally human? In his study, Enduring Issues in Religion, John Lyden writes, ... human experience seems to contain a religious dimension, however we may define that dimension. We cannot ignore the human desire to question our origins and our goals, the meaning and purpose of our existence, the reason for our lives. We strive for something more, even when we are unsure what it is. A mystery pervades our existence - a mystery we can approach through means such as faith, hope and courage. Some have said that no answer can be found to the mystery, for humans have created it and no suprahuman or supranatural answer exists. Perhaps we long for a purpose to our existence, hidden in some other plan of reality and flinch at the idea that there may be no such transcendent purpose. But, even if one chooses to see no purpose, one still acknowledges that the desire to find a purpose is part of human life. For better or worse, we almost instinctively seek meaning, and this is when we enter the religious realm. (p. 12f) Lyden points to what has been perhaps the critical issue regarding the phenomenon of religion: Is it the consequence of God, or the Sacred, or the Holy impressing itself upon the human consciousness, or is it a humanly created, humanly generated phenomenon having no counterpoint, no objective reality beyond the human who would then be simply projecting outward from inward consciousness a Being or Reality of its own creation? This question will need to be faced more in depth in the following lectures when we deal with the idea of revelation or manifestation. I point to it here, however, because this critical issue was raised by the German philosopher/theologian Ludwig Feuerbach (1804-1872) who published in 1841 his The Essence of Christianity, in which he claimed religion was the result of human projection of an infinite, transcendent Being on the screen of reality. In an introductory essay to the Harper Torchbook edition (1957), Karl Barth wrote, © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 4   He [Feuerbach] only wants the honest confession that the alleged mystery of religion is of man: that man is dreaming when he imagines that a Something Other, objectively confronting him, is that ground, that whence, that necessity and that law; is the source from which his wishes and ideals flow, and is the sea of fulfillment toward which they tend. Man is dreaming instead of recognizing that it is his own being, his desire and duty to live as a man, which he, as a religious man, quite rightly equates with God. (p.xvi) Barth quotes Feuerbach thus: In religion man frees himself from the limitations of life; here he throws off what oppresses, impedes, or adversely affects him; God is man’s selfawareness, emancipated from all actuality; man feels himself free, happy, blessed only in his religion, because here only does he live in his true genius, here he celebrates his Sunday. In the opening chapter, “The Essential Nature of Man,” Feuerbach writes, Religion, being identical with the distinctive characteristic of man, is then identical with self-consciousness - with the consciousness which man has of his nature. But religion, expressed generally, is consciousness of the infinite, thus it is and can be nothing else than the consciousness which man has of his own - not finite and limited, but infinite nature. (p. 2) Under a section entitled “The Essence of Religion Considered Generally,” Feuerbach claims without qualification, Consciousness of God is self-consciousness; knowledge of God is selfknowledge. (p. 12) And further: Hence the historical progress of religion consists in this: that what by an earlier religion was regarded as objective, is now recognized as subjective; that is, what was formerly contemplated and worshiped as God is now perceived to be something human. (p. 13) One readily recognizes that these claims will have to be dealt with in the following lecture theme on revelation, scripture and tradition, but I set Feuerbach’s claims here in the discussion of the nature and function of religion because we are focusing on this human phenomenon and no one has pointed as clearly or described so acutely the human element in religion as Feuerbach. In his Does God Exist? (1978), Hans Küng gave extensive treatment to Feuerbach from whom he traced the whole development of modern atheism through Marx, Freud, and finally the nihilism of Nietzsche. He writes. © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Even today - it is scarcely necessary to stress the fact - Feuerbach is anything but passé. From that time onward there has been no form of atheism that did not draw on Feuerbach’s arguments. Even today, then, we must ask seriously if Feuerbach’s critique of religion is not really justified. (p. 204) Feuerbach’s claim must be taken seriously, but Küng’s critique is certainly valid. Even if we grant that there is a good deal of projection in the practice of religion and if we grant that religion is a human phenomenon, that does not establish the non-existence of God. Küng grants the possibility of Feuerbach’s contention: For why should it not be possible for our consciousness, knowledge, aspiration to be oriented to nothing, to a sham and not to a real infinite? Certainly the intention and infinity of our consciousness is still no proof of the existence of an infinite reality independent of our consciousness? (p. 205) However, Küng continues, though this was Feuerbach’s claim, he never proved it. The question must in fact remain open. The only conclusion that logically follows from Feuerbach’s argument is that the orientation of human consciousness toward an infinite does not provide any evidence of the existence or non-existence of an infinite reality independent of our consciousness. (p. 206) I find it fascinating to trace the course of this question from Feuerbach through Karl Barth to the present represented in the work of Gordon Kaufman, recently retired from Harvard. Barth claimed the roots of Feuerbach can be traced to Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834), who published in 1799 his famous lectures On Religion- Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. In the Forward to a 1994 edition, Jack Forstman wrote of this work that, in it, Schleiermacher had …presented an utterly fresh understanding of religion. It was, of course, not without points of contact in the past, but Schleiermacher’s presentation stood in bold contrast with the views that were prevalent in that time (dogmatic orthodoxy, speculative neology, enlightened “natural religion,” and Pietism). Second, he set forth a view of religion that was in principle free from reliance on authority. Third, he described religion as belonging essentially to the human sphere and thus as essentially limited. Truly religious people are never able to claim that they possess the truth as such, and in its entirety. Fourth, his approach to religion was descriptive and analytical... he tried to “display” what actually constitutes religion. Finally, he tried to show that religion is inevitably social and thus always has a definite form... (p. ix,f) © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 6   In the highly educated, highly cultured Berlin society, Schleiermacher was attempting to make the case for the reality and authenticity of religion and religious observance. The “climate of opinion” disallowed appeal to an authoritarian base or dogmatic formulations of the past. His only alternative in that context was to find a new foundation for religion and he found that new foundation in human nature itself in the “feeling of absolute dependence.” The common element in all howsoever diverse expressions of piety, by which there are conjointly distinguished from all other feelings, or, in other words, the self-identical essence of piety, is this: The consciousness of being absolutely dependent, or, which is the same thing, of being in relation with God. In attributing religion to the feeling of absolute dependence, Schleiermacher was rooting religious life in the human subject, although he was in no sense denying the reality of God. It was God who created the feeling within the human that pointed him or her to such dependence. In placing the root of religion in the human, however, Barth claimed Schleiermacher transformed theology into anthropology. Küng following Barth raised the question: Was Feuerbach not right to see his philosophy as the end phase of a Protestant theology that -as he thought- long before his time had become an anthropology so that he needed only to understand and appropriate its real intentions? Does not the danger become apparent at this point of a theology in Schleiermacher’s style which makes the reality of God dependent on the religious experience and emotional needs of the devout human subject? But is not the danger also evident of a contemporary “political theology” which reduces theology to a “critical theory of history” or of “society”? Is it not clear at this point how close we are to atheism if we do not distinguish between theological and anthropological propositions, if we identify man’s interest with God’s, if we one-sidedly stress God’s nonobjectivity, almost see God as absorbed in our neighbor and the mystery of being, simply as the mystery of love? (p. 214) Küng quotes Feuerbach as declaring unambiguously, My atheism [is] merely the unconscious and actual atheism of modern humanity and science, made conscious, untwisted and openly declared. (p. 211) Karl Barth had respect for Feuerbach, for his passion, his clarity of understanding what he was doing. Barth saw him and his views as the inevitable end to which beginning to talk of God by talking about humanity must lead. Barth’s great reversal of 19th century liberalism, which had been fathered by Schleiermacher and had developed throughout the 19th century in Continental theology, especially in Germany, was the total rejection of beginning with the human © Grand Valley State University �The Nature and Function of Religion Richard A. Rhem Page 7   subject. Barth begins with God, the “Wholly Other” who encounters the human in the Word, a word of judgment and grace. I cannot go into this further except to say that Barth’s strong emphasis on God’s revelation - the word that came “vertically from above” and contradicts humanity was the needed proclamation in post-World War I Europe as the demonic National Socialism was on the rise in Germany. Eventually, however, even his younger admirer and colleague, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, criticized Barth’s theology as marked by “the positivism of revelation.” References: Ludwig Feuerbach. The Essence of Religion. Prometheus Books, 2004. William James. The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study of Human Nature. (First published 1902) Create Space Indep. Publishers, 2009. Hans Küng. Does God Exist?: An Answer for Today. (Originally published 1978) Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2006. John Lyden. Enduring Issues in Religion: Opposing Viewpoints. Greenhaven Press, 1994. Friedrich Schleiermacher. On Religion: Speeches to Its Cultured Despisers. (originally published 1797); Nabu Press, 2010. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/51fac5a1a31b44cdfb78dbf02e610fb4.mp3 b5c128296a32aba34019c52cfadcc852 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. Series Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References William James. The Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902, 2009, Ludwig Feuerbach. The Essence of Religion, 2004, Hans Hans Küng. Does God Exist?, 1978,2006, John Lyden. Enduring Issues in Religion,1994 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 RA-3-19990713 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999-07-13 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 Title A name given to the resource The Nature and Function of Religion Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 13, 1999 entitled "The Nature and Function of Religion", as part of the series "Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #2", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Nature of Religion, Reimagining the Faith, Spiritual Quest. Scripture references: William James. The Varieties of Religious Experience, 1902, 2009, Ludwig Feuerbach. The Essence of Religion, 2004, Hans Hans Küng. Does God Exist?, 1978,2006, John Lyden. Enduring Issues in Religion,1994 Nature of Religion Reimagining the Faith Spiritual Quest https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bc991d1446f3d5124cbb8e3022ad184b.mp3 dfd32d5de4325c62b7350d543881dcb7 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. Series Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #3 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 RA-3-19990720 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999-07-20 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource Revelation, Bible, Tradition and Experience Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 20, 1999 entitled "Revelation, Bible, Tradition and Experience", as part of the series "Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #3", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake,MI. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d231fca775b89e18eb1d88b1d484a96d.mp3 0484af615f2a0326a01a5853a395b074 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. Series Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #4 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 RA-3-19990726 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1999-07-26 Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Title A name given to the resource The Institutional Forms of Religion Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Talk created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 26, 1999 entitled "The Institutional Forms of Religion", as part of the series "Summer Lecture Series: How My Mind Has Changed, #4", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8c4ecc4496fec1db38950243de26b4ab.pdf f0bec0d38a39383cae10d02bee823065 PDF Text Text Autumn Prayer, 1982 For Artists and Creators Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan October 10, 1982 Transcription of the spoken sermon   O God whose love of beauty has written beauty into the very fabric of nature, we offer you the praise of our lips, the gratitude of our hearts for all that we experience in these nostalgic Autumn days: The ravishing beauty of the woods, dressed in a splendid many-colored coat; the brilliant sunsets surrounded by dark clouds, stippled with flecks of gold; the crisp freshness of the first breath of morning; the mellow warmth of an autumn afternoon; pumpkins and cornstalks; apples and cider; football and marching bands. And with all the sights and sounds and smells of these days, amidst a schedule too full, the gentle grieving that another Summer is gone; the sense of slight foreboding that another Winter is coming, that another year is well nigh past, Father, we give you thanks that, in the changing seasons of our lives, you do constant remain; that in the rapid passage of our days, you change not. Your mercy is new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Today, Father, we are especially mindful of and deeply grateful for the sound of music, © Grand Valley State University   �Autumn Prayer, 1982 Richard A. Rhem for the elevation of our spirits through all forms of artistic expression: for human voice and the sound of instruments, for oil and canvas and the artist’s touch that creates beauty, for poets who paint with words and writers whose words are sharper than a two-edged sword, laying bare the human soul. For all rich gifts of creativity and for all whose gifts are offered to you as a sacrifice of praise and adoration, we give you thanks, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 2   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-19821010 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1982-10-10 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Autumn Prayer for Artists and Creators 1982 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 10, 1982 entitled "Autumn Prayer for Artists and Creators 1982", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Creators. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Creators Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ef491e75f01ba4ce45bbeba2f9573143.pdf a2947b7c28743d5bf25ec22b27af7261 PDF Text Text Prayer On a Tour Group Sunday Richard A. Rhem September 19, 1993 Prepared text of prayer Let us be in the spirit of prayer, aware that we have been gifted with life not of our creation, that we live at the far end of a creative process spanning billions of years, an extension of time beyond our capacity to comprehend, evolving in a cosmic expanse of space beyond our ability to imagine. We have seen rugged mountain peaks thrust heaven-ward by volcanic explosion, issuing in a fiery river that, after aeons of time, became rivers of ice crushing all in their path. All of this wonder would be beyond belief except our eyes have seen the narrative written in rock and ice and lake and rivers and undulating oceans stretching beyond where the eye can see. In the familiar words of the song brought to such beautiful expression by Louis Armstrong – What a wonderful world! And yet, when we have stood in awe, amazed at our earthly home, wondered at its wonders, we have only begun to scratch the surface of the miracle, wonder, glory and joy of life. For we have not even begun to contemplate the beauty of the human – the likes of us who have emerged in this creative process billions of years in the making. Here we are, conscious, aware – reflecting on it all... We have become the awareness of the cosmos, © Grand Valley State University   �Tour Group Prayer Richard A. Rhem the voice of that awareness, creating poems that paint pictures with words, writing music that lifts our spirits in worship and sets our feet to dancing, celebrating the wonder of it all. And still we have only begun to touch the depths of our human experience, for we have not yet spoken of human relationship, the human kaleidoscope of faces, of languages, of body form and skin tone – all this diversity but the manifestation of the oneness that unites us in our common humanity. We have experienced the beautiful reality of that oneness in the diversity of those who have cared for us so well – cleaning rooms, waiting tables, creating the ambience of grace and pleasure of comfort. The external differences fade before the sparkle in the eye, the smile, the appreciation of being well served and serving well. And still there is more – for we have experienced again the joy of communion – knowing afresh the wonderful process of the knitting of human bonds forming a new family where there is appreciation, mutual care, affection, laughter and a new circle of love. These days have been too full, fully to take in. We will relive them and their beauty, and wonder will continue to wash over us. How blessed we are! How grateful! And now we enter these final days – still much to see, to do. And yet home begins to beckon – those we love, waiting for us, and the routines of the ordinary days that fill our lives with order and meaning. For home and deep human relationships that await us there, we are thankful as well. Surely goodness and mercy have followed us all these days and we dwell consciously © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Tour Group Prayer Richard A. Rhem in Your presence, Holy Mystery, from whom all emerges and to whom all returns, a mystery for us come to expression in the Word become human – Jesus, who taught us to pray. © Grand Valley State University Page 3   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Group Tour in Greece 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 RA-1-19930919 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1993-09-19 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Prayer during Group Tour in Nauplia, Greece 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on September 19, 1993 entitled "Prayer during Group Tour in Nauplia, Greece", on the occasion of Group Tour in Greece. Tags: Prayer, Wonder, Emergence, Awareness, Community. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Awareness Community Emergence Prayer Wonder https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/24da570cb8f339eb148bded094de0575.pdf f7ccff7646a273e0c1d5cd7d32731153 PDF Text Text Advent Eucharist Prayer 1994 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent, December 1994 Transcription of the prepared text O God, beyond our fathoming – eternal, infinite, terms we use to describe what is indescribable, to express what is inexpressible. We bow in these moments conscious that we are in the presence of Mystery, a Mystery that embraces us and will always defy our lust to define, to reduce to manageable terms. Yet you are a Mystery not all mysterious – for, eternal though you be, yet you have taken time for us. In the beginning you stepped out of eternity’s depths and called a world into being. In the fullness of time you spoke once more and the Word that wrought our time became flesh in our midst. A human face gave shape to the glory of your being and revealed you full of grace. And in this Advent Season we celebrate a time that is not yet, but surely will be – an end time when your love will gather our tattered times into the abyss of eternity, bringing all your children home. Eternal, you have taken time for us. We are amazed. © Grand Valley State University   �Advent Eucharist Prayer 1994 Richard A. Rhem Infinite God, you are without form, limitless in your being. How could we even begin to know you if you had not appeared in the garments of our finitude – indeed, in the concreteness of a child? Standing on the threshold of another Christmas, we are amazed again. Who would have expected that the Infinite would become finite; that the eternal would become time-bound; that the Creator would become creature; indeed – that God should become human so that one could write – We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands – a child, a human person, a crucified one, one whom death could not bind. Infinite God – there you are enfleshed – and we find it so, still: in the flesh of another whom we touch – a newborn’s vulnerability, a restless youth full of potential, an old Simeon or Zechariah, an Anna or Elizabeth, wise with many Christmases, now severely limited, vulnerable again yet full of grace. Ah, dear God, there you are in the other, the flesh we touch – the souls with whom we become one – there you are embodied: Grace become tangible, Love concrete. There you are. Down through the centuries you have been known by those who have sought you, yearned for your grace – embodied in the flesh of your people. You have given signs of your presence. © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Advent Eucharist Prayer 1994 Richard A. Rhem A loaf broken, a chalice of wine – the stuff of creation: grain from the field, fruit of the vine, these you have impregnated with your life in order that your people might remember and find hope renewed. Eternal God, be known to us at this time. Infinite God, make your presence tangible in these common elements. Breathe through bread and wine – inspirit them that we might be inspirited as we take them, remembering, hoping knowing in awesome ecstasy a timeless moment, an Infinite Grace. And then, Spirit of God, enliven us so that we may know the joy of which angels sang as never before. Hear our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord.   © Grand Valley State University Page 3   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Advent 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 RA-1-19941201 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1994-12-01 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Advent Eucharist Prayer 1994 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 1, 1994 entitled "Advent Eucharist Prayer 1994", on the occasion of Advent, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Advent, Prayer, Eucharist. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Advent Eucharist Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/212fd035fa5e4a2502b90099cbb47c64.pdf 49782a114afcf9f765884e58d9665b55 PDF Text Text Pastoral Prayer 1996 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan June 2, 1996 Transcription of the prepared text   O  God,  we  address  you.   Yet,  is  that  not  presumption?   For  you  are  the  high  and  lofty  One    who  inhabits  eternity.   How  dare  we  speak?   How  do  we  speak?     And  to  whom?     Yet,  we  speak.   We  cannot  do  otherwise,   for  in  some  deep,  primal  sense,     we  know  we  have  been  addressed  –   addressed  by  someone  beyond  us,   by  One  who  always  eludes  our  groping  attempts    to  grasp,  to  define.     Yet,  the  prophet  spoke  of  you  as  dwelling     with  those  of  humble  and  contrite  heart.   Moses  was  said  to  have  seen  your  glory   and  heard  you  speak  as  friend  to  friend.   The  evangelist  claimed  the  Word  was  made  human,  dwelling  in  our  midst.   St.  Paul  witnessed  to  seeing  your  glory  in  the  face  of  Jesus,   and,  while  he  acknowledged  that  now  we  see  in  fuzzy  images  only,   one  day  we  shall  see  face  to  face.     With  the  Psalmist,  we  affirm:   The  Lord  is  my  light  and  my  salvation,   whom  shall  I  fear?   The  Lord  is  the  strength  of  my  life,   of  whom  shall  I  be  afraid?     © Grand Valley State University   �Pastoral Prayer, 1996 Richard A. Rhem In  your  presence  we  join  with  persons  across  the  nation   gathered  in  our  Capitol  –  standing  for  children.   O  God,  we  do  pray  for  children,  for  the  rising  generations,   the  generations  yet  unborn.   As  a  nation,  move  us  to  truly  human  values;   enable  those  who  care  for  the  children   to  turn  the  tide  of  neglect  and  abuse.   God  save  the  children.     In  your  presence,  before  your  face,   we  celebrate  this  community  of  faith.   When  alone,  isolated  with  our  fears,  our  questions,   you  seem  far  away.   Doubt  erodes  our  trust;   despair  threatens  our  deepest  hopes.   And  then  we  come  together,   the  Word  becomes  flesh  –   in  the  touch  of  another,   in  the  solidarity  of  community.     We  enter  this  sacred  space   and  know  again  what  is  beyond  knowing  –   life  together,  shared  experience    restores  our  trust  and  renews  our  hopes.     The  birth  of  a  child,  a  watery  cross  on  the  forehead  saying,   “This  child  is  loved,  belongs,  will  never  be  abandoned.”     Beautiful  young  men  and  women  rise  to  say,  “I  believe,”   light  a  candle  owning  for  themselves   their  spiritual  birthright.     Two  lives,  so  wonderfully  nurtured,  so  richly  endowed,   find  each  other,  kneel,  give  themselves  to  the  other,   yet  remaining  wholly  their  own  persons,   acknowledging  in  their  separateness  their  union   which  is  the  mystery  of  your  bonding  love.     A  tent  is  erected  on  a  parking  lot   and  over  half  a  thousand  of  this  community   let  down  their  hair  and  kick  up  their  heels     and  celebrate  in  sheer  joy–   all  that  is  human;   all  that  is  good  and  true  and  beautiful  –   and  a  people  knows  in  their  heart   © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Pastoral Prayer, 1996 Richard A. Rhem that  grace  is  present  and  the  future  bright.     A  four-­‐and-­‐a-­‐half-­‐year-­‐old,  beautiful  and  lovable,   visits  the  world’s  leading  cancer  center   to  be  treated  for  a  deadly  disease,   and  our  hearts  are  joined  –  pleading  for  her  healing,   embracing  her  loved  ones  with  compassion  that  wells  up  within  us.     Baptisms,  confirmations,  weddings,  life-­‐threatening  disease,   tent  revival  and  pig  roast  –   a  rose  that  celebrates  a  birth;   a  rose  that  bespeaks  the  presence  in  absence   of  one  loved  and  lost  awhile.     Dear  God,   what  a  quilt  of  human  experience  we  share.   And  as  the  images  tumble  through  our  minds,   we  know  we  do  know.     We  do  believe.     Ah,  dear  God,  we  believe;   help  thou  our  unbelief.   We  cling  to  you;   there  is  nowhere  else  to  turn.   We  turn  to  you,     we  worship,  the  miracle  happens  again  –   not  once  for  all,   but  all  we  need  for  now,   token  enough  of  that  day  that  shall  know  no  setting  sun   when  we  shall  be  all  together     in  the  presence  of  Light  Eternal,   knowing  as  we  are  known  –   indeed,  face  to  face.     O  Lord,  hear  our  prayer,     through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.   © Grand Valley State University Page 3   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-19960602 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996-06-02 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Pastoral Prayer 1996 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on June 2, 1996 entitled "Pastoral Prayer 1996", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Community of Faith. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Community of Faith Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/99fe4cd4ee325ff8439f8fb299e0b07f.pdf e8af5f13f037c4b9de27520d11aade2c PDF Text Text Prayer for the World, 1997 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan June 1997 Transcription of prepared text   Living  God,   fountain  of  creative  energy,   mystery  beyond  fathoming,   we  pray,  we  speak,  we  address  you   hidden  in  a  cloud  of  unknowing.     We  address  you,  God  of  our  lives,     for  we  have  been  addressed  –   encountered,  touched,  moved  by  grace.   We  contemplate  our  world   and  we  stand  in  awe.   Wonder  overwhelms  us.     Are  you  the  cosmic  poet,   the  composer  of  this  cosmic  symphony,   the  grand  initiator  of  all  that  is,   the  ultimate  strange  attractor   that  beckons  all  life  and  existence  toward  the  Heavenly  City?     O  God,  we  worship.   We  bring  our  prayer  of  thanksgiving.   We,  your  children,  offspring  of  stardust,   gaze  with  awe  at  the  wonder  of  it  all  –   you  who  transforms  chaos  into  cosmos,   disorder  into  order,   dissonance  and  noise  into  the  language  of  a  poem  –   you  are  our  life;   in  you  we  live  and  move  and  have  our  being.     Conscious,  aware,  observers  of  a  cosmic  drama  –   we  sense  we  have  been  addressed.   We  have  been  touched  by  a  very  great  grace.   © Grand Valley State University   �Title… Richard A. Rhem We  praise  you.   We  give  you  thanks,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     O  God,  we  bring  before  you  our  world,   the  world  that  is  a  minor  planet     on  the  edge  of  a  middling  galaxy  –   yet  a  world,  according  to  the  evangelist,  you  love.   Stretch  our  minds  and  expand  our  hearts  to  take  in  the  world  –   to  love  it,  to  care  for  it,     with  sensitivity.     We  are  so  aware  today,   for  the  world’s  anguish  is  vividly  portrayed  for  us.   Yet,  we  see  too  its  beauty,  its  potential.     O  God,  there  is  so  much  human  suffering,   so  much  tragedy.   Yet  there  is  so  much  possibility   for  the  flourishing  of  a  humane  community.   Ours  is  a  world  of  unspeakable  brutality,   of  beautiful  tenderness.     We  hold  our  world  before  you.   Make  us  instruments  of  your  peace,   agents  of  reconciliation,   creators  of  community,   healers  of  the  world’s  ills.     Hear  these  our  intercessions,   through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     © Grand Valley State University Page 2   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-19970601 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1997-06-01 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Prayer for the World 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on June 1, 1997 entitled "Prayer for the World", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, World. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Prayer World https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6eb5abe129d62d8527e5d4f383c0d8df.pdf bf86846b9e73ce9138ebc6dda9b02ca0 PDF Text Text Prayer on Baccalaureate Sunday Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan June 4, 2000 Transcription of the prepared text Hear  us  now,  O  Lord,   as  we  place  our  lives  before  You  –   individually,    as  a  community.   We  come  here  each  of  us  with  special  concerns  of  the  heart.   In  silence,  hear  our  heart  beat,     our  heart’s  cry.     Today  we  recognize  those  who  have  completed    a  state  of  education,  of  preparation  for  life.   Bless  them,  each  one.   We  celebrate  their  gifts,  their  achievements,  their  future.   Give  them  joy  and  delight  in  what  has  been  accomplished.   Give  them  vision     and  call  them  to  commitment   to  significant  endeavor.     For  these  beautiful  young  people  we  pray  –   what  a  gift  they  are.   What  potential  they  represent.   Let  them  sense  the  truth  of  Jesus’  word,   That it is in losing their lives that  they  will  find  life,   in  serving  that  they  will  be  fulfilled.     Creator  Spirit,   brood  over  this  community  of  faith,     this  Christ  Community.   Keep  us  steady;  keep  us  strong;   keep  our  spirits  open,   our  hearts  tender,  our  whole  being  full  of  grace.     © Grand Valley State University   �Prayer on Baccalaureate Sunday Richard A. Rhem Sometimes  we  wonder;   sometimes  we  waver;   sometimes  we  want  to  run,  to  be  done  with  it  all.   But  where  would  that  leave  us?   Where  would  we  run?   To  whom  would  we  turn?     So,  good  and  gracious  God,  gather  us  in,   hold  us  close,  steel  our  purpose.   Give  us  joy  in  the  journey     and  undying  trust  in  your  purpose  for  us.     Hear  this  our  prayer,   through  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord.   Amen.   © Grand Valley State University Page 2   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Baccalaureate Sunday 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 RA-1-20000604 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2000-06-04 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Prayer on Baccalaureate Sunday 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on June 4, 2000 entitled "Prayer on Baccalaureate Sunday", on the occasion of Baccalaureate Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Baccalaureate Sunday. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Baccalaureate Sunday Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/736a6533c00361ce113eb79cc9f386d1.pdf 0387fd2d306a37f0db0970a985d4f980 PDF Text Text Prayer at Fountain Street Church Richard A. Rhem Fountain Street Church Grand Rapids, Michigan November 25, 2001 Transcription of the prepared text Eternal God, Creator of all that is, enlivening Spirit whose breath gives life. In the beginning, O God, your spirit/wind brooded over the soupy chaos of emerging cosmos, bringing forth order, beauty, and rhythmic regularity in a rich diversity of infinite possibility. It is with awe that we contemplate heavens set with a myriad of starry diamonds in the inky blackness. It is with delight that we trace the breaking dawn, bask in the radiant warmth of the sun at its zenith, watch with wonder its final moments firing all with golden glow before it slips below the far horizon. Summer and winter, springtime and harvest – All beautiful the march of days as seasons come and go. The hand that shaped the rose has wrought the crystal of the snow. Wonder, mystery, all about us if we have eyes to see, ears to hear, if for a moment we pause, fully conscious, fully aware, attentive to the reality into which our lives are woven, a tapestry we can never fully take in. Yet now and then, O God, we get a glimpse of the grandeur of it all and know ourselves to be a living part of it all, bringing to the emerging wonder a consciousness – © Grand Valley State University   �Title… Richard A. Rhem Page 2   self-consciousness, consciousness of the other, the dawning of communion, the foundation of community. Ah, dear God, the mystery deepens; before the consciousness of ourselves, of the other, we find ourselves in the presence of the mystery – indeed, in your presence, O God, mystery of being, mystery of our being, of our being together. We cannot take it in. We cannot fully fathom the cosmic depths or the depths of our own being; yet, in moments of awareness we realize we have been gifted with life, gifted with insight into the larger reality in which we share, gifted with a sense of being known and of knowing, knowing who we are knowing the other, knowing we are not alone but belong together. In the stillness of this magnificent space we contemplate the wonder of it all. © 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-20011125 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Prayer at Fountain Street Church 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 25, 2001 entitled "Prayer at Fountain Street Church". Tags: Prayer, Wonder, Cosmos. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2001-11-25 Cosmos Prayer Wonder https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/0ff26144435ea3527eb6084ede6885a1.pdf d749ea216f98ad849e92777c8018106c PDF Text Text Summer Prayer 2002 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Summer 2002 Transcription of the prepared text O God, we would be still and know that you are God – source of all being, mysterious mover of the ongoing cosmic drama, creatively breathing fresh surprises into the tapestry of our history, graciously present to us in those moments of awareness when we come to ourselves, when for at least a brief time light dawns upon us, and we are saturated with wonder – at the sight of setting sun or starry sky, the song of a bird, the smell of grass newly mown. Then in silence and solitude we know what is beyond knowing – then a serenity sweeps over our souls and we know all is gift, for we did not create ourselves nor our world – not the mellow summer sun, not the air we breathe, not the restless surf that crashes or caresses the shore of the sea. Then we know we are part of something so much larger than the narrow parameters of our daily experience and limited understanding. Before the wonder of it all, we sense we are embraced, caught up in something the dimensions of which we cannot begin to take in – that Mystery that has addressed us, eliciting from us in turn the response of address when from our depths we utter, “O God...” © Grand Valley State University   �Summer Prayer 2002 Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Then, knowing beyond knowing, we know we have been found by our Source and in turn have found our resting place. Source and resting place, present to us in mysterious and gracious presence, it is enough. Only gratitude then fills our being and thus we pray, Thanks be to you, O God. Receive our thanksgiving through Jesus Christ our Lord. O God, moments of awareness when we are attentive, present to the awesome gift of life, the beauty, the marvel of it all, the potential of the human creature, whose consciousness is the consciousness of the cosmos, whose voice is the speech of Being – in those moments we wonder why humankind, so richly endowed, should become an instrument of hate and violence, of destruction and death, despoiling the good earth, fouling the air, threatening war, creating systems of domination and oppression. We have the vision of the prophets – a vision of Shalom, of the Peaceable Kingdom where no one will hurt or destroy. It is not that we do not know better. It is that we have not the will; we are not willing to be and to do, that justice may prevail and peace rule. We cry not to you, O God, to transform our world – It is our world; it is in our hands to mend or destroy. Then transform us by your Spirit; make us instruments of your peace, O God. Hear our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. And finally – for ourselves _ give us a fresh taste of your mercy, a new glimpse of your grace. Enable us to let go of old hurts, free us from the paralysis of past failures, blot out hulking nightmares of an earlier defeat. Newness, O God, newness – newness of heart, newness of soul, newness of mind – for that we pray. © 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-20020701 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Summer Prayer 2002 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 1, 2002 entitled "Summer Prayer 2002", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Shalom. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2002-07-01 Prayer Shalom https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a4e714a77be00e7d62b2d8079d98e3a1.pdf 7cb25dccc56b8e54a132fa2ca64043d3 PDF Text Text Advent Prayer 2002 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent, December 2002 Transcription of the prepared text In the serene beauty of this sacred space let us be still, be attentive, fully conscious, fully aware – aware of our lives in this world in crisis, in this season of holy symbol, quite overwhelmed by frenetic activity. Let us meditate on the wonder, miracle, joy and glory of life – its mystery, its facile balance, our hopes, our dreams, our fears. Let us be open to the Mystery of Being – the Mystery we name God. O God, we confess that there is that within us that wonders about the way you run the cosmos. We would do it quite differently, especially at those moments when things unravel, when some crisis arises on the world scene, when some evil is perpetrated, some injustice goes unrequited, some tragedy so painful, some suffering so undeserved comes close to us. We cry out but our voice is drowned out in the gale; we try to keep hope alive, to keep trusting, but the deep darkness leaves us numb. We raise our voice if not our fist; our “whys” pour forth in a torrent of anguish. We would nominate for Supreme Ruler one who would unleash power, destroy the wrong and establish the right. We want a strong God because we feel so insecure, so frightened – frightened that our health will fail, frightened that a child will meet with an accident, frightened that a loved one will be torn from us, frightened that our dreams won’t come true… © Grand Valley State University   �Advent Prayer 2002 Richard A. Rhem Then it is that we wish you were the Lord God Almighty, in total control, in complete charge of every detail of our lives and we would appreciate some sign that you are there – in charge. Yet, O God, we really know that is not the way it is – no blinding power, no show of force. We sing, “What child is this…” and “Why lies he in such mean estate?” The poet glimpsed your way – “They all were looking for a King To slay their foes and lift them high; Thou cam’st, a little baby thing, That made a woman cry.” You are with us in weakness rather than power. How strange that is – unsettling, unsatisfying – until we come to realize that only thus are you with us with our freedom intact; only thus can our humanity in your image be real. Sometimes we forget that and think of the traditional God Almighty out there – in charge. Then, when you don’t move in with heavy hand and fix things, we are troubled. We are tempted to think you don’t care. Or, we wonder if some guilt we carry blocks your rescuing effort. Sometimes we even wonder if you are there at all; if perhaps we are not simply alone in the universe. But, then we hear the story again – a child in a manger – one whom multitudes followed, alone praying in agony in a garden, finally hanging on a Roman cross, crying into the darkness, “My God, my God, why…” Then, at least sometimes, a light breaks through – the god of almighty power to rearrange the world is not the God we can really believe in – not power, but presence; not coercion, but persuasion; not control, but grace; not guarantee, but vulnerability. © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Advent Prayer 2002 Richard A. Rhem Ah, dear God, such is the mystery. We never live easily with that; we never really hear that word once for all; we need to learn it again and again – in our weakness, we cry. In our weakness, our hearts are open; in our weakness, grace happens and you are God with us. In a child, in a crucified one – there you are. In the embrace of another’s wordless presence, there you are. Not power to crush our will, but love that breaks our hearts of stone– that is Christmas; that is the final truth. We can live with that; with that we can live. Hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 3   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. 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 RA-1-20021201 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Advent Prayer, 2002 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 1, 2002 entitled "Advent Prayer, 2002", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Advent. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2002-12-01 Advent Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3fd5e9c187ca04d03cd880dd3dea5bee.pdf 7e9eb7601c441e6c39767e4ebb7947a9 PDF Text Text Morning Prayer in June Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan June 22, 2003 Transcription of the written prayer For these moments, let us quiet our minds, letting go of concerns that burden us, regrets that cripple us, fears that paralyze us, whatever is troubling us. Let us image that which causes gratitude to rise in us -the gift and grace of life; the sources of our joy; those persons who make life rich. Let us call to mind those images which have shaped us: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Since God is for us, who can be against us? Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. All will be well, all will be well. All manner of things will be well. Oh, God. Those words rise from our depths so naturally – Oh, God... It seems that, in moments like these when we purposefully, intentionally turn to you, when we turn to whomever or whatever you are, we do so almost with a sigh, - Oh, God – for we know we are now in the zone of Mystery. There was something about Jesus when he prayed © Grand Valley State University   �Morning Prayer in June Richard A. Rhem Page 2   that caused the disciples to plead, Lord, teach us to pray. We plead, as well, Oh, God, teach us to pray. Once, perhaps, we came as suppliants to the Royal Throne of the universe with requests we must admit on reflection were very self-centered, reflecting a very small universe in which our hopes and fears loomed very large. And still there are moments when we flee into your Presence, totally occupied with our own concerns – something that threatens us, or some experience that crushes us, or some potential happening that involves us in a loss we fear would undo us. Saturate our faith and devotion with worldliness, that we may love the world – with sensitivity, with awareness, with openness and candor, with care borne of insight into the world's agony, with hope borne of the realization of the world's wonder and potential. Before the world's chaos, pain and anguish, give us the wisdom to be silent before we speak; to identify with and immerse ourselves before we offer remedies too easy, too facile, too self-serving. Give us insight and sensitivity to discern that ominous thunder of the shaking of the foundations, to recognize the recurrent corruptions of power that we see all around us. Enable us to see beneath the skin of the world its heaving passion, its loveliness and its horror; a world that is a ridiculous mixture of good and evil, of beautiful tenderness and unspeakable brutality. A world where flowers bloom on manure heaps, and deadly cancer grows on a beautiful, young body; a world under the dominion of death, natural, yet often so unexpected, so violent, so absurd! Ah, dear God, this is the real world, the only world we have with its dreams of Eden and its portents of Armageddon. O God, as you love the world, we would love it too. Teach us how to live in it, how to speak to it, how to love it. Let us sense the truth of Jesus' word: That it is in losing our lives that we will find life, In serving that we will be fulfilled. © Grand Valley State University �Morning Prayer in June Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Creator Spirit, brood over this community of faith, this Christ Community. Keep us steady; keep us strong, keep our spirits open, our hearts tender, our whole being full of grace. Sometimes we wonder, sometimes we waver, sometimes we want to run, to be done with it all. But, where would that leave us? Where would we run? To whom would we turn? So, good and gracious God, gather us in, hold us close, steel our purpose. Give us joy in the journey and undying trust in your purpose for us. And sometimes it is sheer joy, ecstasy, exhilaration that bursts forth in a torrent of praise, shutting out everything else for the moment. But, more and more, we look not out there, but somehow within, into our own depths, sensing we are connected deep down, rooted in Being itself, You being the inexhaustible Source and Ground of all that exists the good earth, the starry heavens, the ocean's tides and ourselves, conscious, aware, groping for some clue by which to know you, to rest in you, no longer strangers, but at home in the universe, at one with all that is. Oh, God. In that address is a deep fundamental trust in the face of so much in our world that is not well. We wonder, we imagine an alternative world, where human frustration, hopelessness and despair that breed violence and destruction are recognized and their causes dealt with. Spirit of God, save us from the illusion that a new world order will be born out of a wealth of resources and sheer military might. Save us from the pitfall of believing we can simply overpower and cover our vulnerability without an honest facing of the world's festering soul. Before your face, Eternal Spirit, give us some balance, some perspective as we wrestle with this complex and dangerous world. © Grand Valley State University �Morning Prayer in June Richard A. Rhem Oh God, this is the real world, the only world we have. We celebrate it; we anguish over it. Holy Presence, we are present here that vision may be renewed, hope restored, and courage found to be agents of reconciliation, bringing peace, justice and compassion, walking in the steps of that Exemplar of what He called the Kingdom of God. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 4   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Pentecost II 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 RA-1-20030622 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Morning Prayer 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on June 22, 2003 entitled "Morning Prayer", on the occasion of Pentecost II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Community, Presence, Mystery, Faith, Awareness, Trust, Global Community. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003-06-22 Awareness Community Faith Global Community Mystery Prayer Presence Trust https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9815a2583025f5a5234facc5e25a4b53.pdf 498c52994ff5563f38f320d0141244f7 PDF Text Text Prayer of Gratitude for Community, 2003 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan October 5, 2003 Transcription of the prepared text Let  us  pray…   Consciously  now  in  community   we  become  quiet.   Finally,  the  Sacred  Presence  within  us  and  among  us   is  sensed  best  in  silence.   Our  words  are  stammering  utterances,   seeking  to  express  the  inexpressible.   Only  when  we  finally  have  no  words     are  we  rendering  reverence  and  recognition   to  that  Mystery  of  Being   which  is  the  font  and  creative  source  of  all  that  is.     In  silence,  then,  let  us  be  mindful,   aware  and  awash  with  wonder   before  the  miracle,  the  grace,  the  gift  of  life.   Gratitude  rises  in  our  being  –   gratitude  for  belonging  to  a  community  like  this,   a  community  engaged  in  tangible  care  –   making  a  difference  in  a  child’s  life  by  spending  an  hour   of  attention,  affirmation  and  affection    –giving  Kids  Hope;   creating  a  center  for  people     where  groceries  and  clothing  and  shelter  are  freely  offered;   providing  a  place  of  loving  care  for  those   whose  caregivers  need  some  respite  from  the  strain  of  constant  caring.     How  good  it  is  to  be  together  –   a  community  in  which  we  have  learned  not  only  to  care   and  concretely  engage  in  compassionate  ministry,   but  where  we  have  learned  the  joy  of  human  community  –   the  fun  of  a  party,   the  communion  of  a  group  of  women  gathered  around  a  quilt  in  the  making,   © Grand Valley State University   �Prayer of Gratitude for Community, 2003 Richard A. Rhem Page 2   balloons  in  worship   children  delighting  and  gray-­‐haired  saints   having  so  much  fun  they  almost  feel  guilty,   because  it  was  not  always  thus.     A  community  free  of  tribal  instinct  and  judgmental  spirit,   a  community  in  which  we  are  intentionally  set  free   from  all  that  still  marks  so  much  religious  observance  –   fear  and  guilt  and  heavy  obligation.     Holy  Presence,  accessed  most  profoundly  in  wordless  wonder,   our  words  are  but  triggers  to  awaken  our  imagination,  our  awareness  –   in  silence,  grant  an  epiphany  of  Grace  amazing  and  overflowing   that  has  brought  us  together  in  this  gathering,     this  community.     We  gather  with  such  a  diversity  of  desires,  hopes,  fears,  longings.   Each  of  us  has  those  matters  that  touch  us  must  deeply  –   hear  the  sighs  and  celebrations  of  our  hearts.     We  image  the  one  in  whom  we  have  glimpsed  the  Eternal  Mystery   and  we  come  seeking  there  our  soul’s  rest,   refreshment  in  our  weariness.     O  Lord,  hear  our  prayers.     © 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Pentecost XVII 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 RA-1-20031005 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Prayer of Gratitude for Community 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 5, 2003 entitled "Prayer of Gratitude for Community", on the occasion of Pentecost XVII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Tags: Prayer, Community of Grace. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003-10-05 Community of Grace Prayer https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/32493cb1041e6441f77a4ec0ad922367.pdf 8f160fe80f420d88d14af6dd31499481 PDF Text Text Thanksgiving Prayer for the World Richard A. Rhem November 24, 2004   Let  us  be  in  the  spirit  of  prayer  –     The  November  days  grow  shorter,   today  a  warming  radiance  of  sun,   but  grey  days  are  many.   Trees  so  recently  aflame  with  brilliant  color   now  lift  spiny  fingers  heavenward,   lashed  by  high    wind,   shivering  in  the  biting  cold.     This  is  the  time  to  remember  and  give  thanks.   Another  year  is  closing;  the  harvest  is  in;  it  is  time  to  take  stock.   On  this  day  after  national  elections,  we  contemplate   our  lives  in  this  community,   this  nation,   this  world.     Having  emerged  from  history’s  most  violent  century,   we  find  ourselves  in  this  first  decade  of  century  21   still  at  war,   still  living  with  the  myth  of  redemptive  violence,   still  pursuing  strategies  of  war   rather  than  pouring  resources     into  the  ways  that  make  for  peace.     Creator  Spirit,  we  would  be  dreamers  of  an  alternative  world,   where  no  one  would  hurt  or  destroy   and  all  your  children  would  dwell  safely  in  peace.     We  contemplate  our  world  in  your  presence  –   the  human  story  so  laced  with  strife,   vying  for  dominance   jockeying  for  advantage.     What  a  puzzle  is  our  world.   How  complex  is  the  network  of  humankind  –   families,  tribes,  nations;   how  difficult  it  is  for  us  to  gain  some  perspective,   © Grand Valley State University   �Thanksgiving Prayer for the World Richard A. Rhem to  sense  the  passion  that  pulses  in  the  heart  of  someone   so  far  removed  from  any  circumstance   we  have  ever  encountered.     Enable  us  to  recognize  our  own  self-­‐interest   woven  into  the  tapestry  of  our  political  and  economic  idealism.   Make  us  sensitive  to  the  potential  for  our  power   to  intimidate  and  manipulate    worldly  arrangements,  economic  policies,   issues  of  trade,  of  borders,  of  production,  of  natural  resources.     Dampen  the  decibels  of  our  rhetoric;   deepen  the  dimension  of  compassion  in  us  as  a  nation;   lace  our  engagement  in  global  issues  with  humility   born  of  insight  and  integrity,   founded  on  the  conviction  that  justice  alone   can  lead  to  genuine  peace  and  human  well-­‐being.     Saturate  our  faith  and  devotion  with  worldliness,   that  we  may  love  the  world   with  sensitivity,   with  awareness,   with  openness  and  candor,   with  care  borne  of  insight  into  the  world’s  agony,   with  hope  borne  of  the  realization   of  the  world’s  wonder  and  potential.     Before  the  world’s  chaos,  pain  and  anguish,   give  us  the  wisdom  to  be  silent  before  we  speak;   to  identify  with  and  immerse  ourselves  before  we  offer  remedies   too  easy,  too  facile,  too  self-­‐serving.     Give  us  insight  and  sensitivity   to  discern  that  ominous  thunder   of  the  shaking  of  the  foundations,   to  recognize  the  recurrent  corruptions  of  power   that  we  see  all  around  us.     Enable  us  to  see  beneath  the  skin  of  the  world  –   its  heaving  passion,   its  loveliness  and  its  horror;   a  world  that  is  a  ridiculous  mixture  of  good  and  evil,   of  beautiful  tenderness   and  unspeakable  brutality;   a  world  where  flowers  bloom  on  manure  heaps,   © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Thanksgiving Prayer for the World Richard A. Rhem and  deadly  cancer  grows  on  a  beautiful,  young  body;   a  world  under  the  dominion  of  death,   natural,  yet  often  so  unexpected,  so  violent,  so  absurd!     Ah,  dear  God,   this  is  the  real  world,  the  only  world  we  have   with  its  dreams  of  Eden   and  its  portents  of  Armageddon.     O  God,  as  you  love  the  world,   we  would  love  it  too.   Teach  us  how  to  live  in  it,   how  to  speak  to  it,   how  to  love  it.     Let  us  sense  the  truth  of  Jesus’  word,   that  it  is  in  losing  our  lives   that  we  will  find  life,   in  serving  that  we  will  be  fulfilled.     Creator  Spirit,   brood  over  this  community  of  faith,   this  Christ  Community.   Keep  us  steady;  keep  us  strong;   keep  our  spirits  open,  our  hearts  tender,   our  whole  being  full  of  grace.     Sometimes  we  wonder;   sometimes  we  waver,  sometimes  we  want  to  run,     to  be  done  with  it  all.   But,  where  would  that  leave  us?   Where  would  we  run?   To  whom  would  we  turn?     So,  good  and  gracious  God,  gather  us  in,   hold  us  close,  steel  our  purpose.   Give  us  joy  in  the  journey  and  undying  trust   in  your  purpose  for  us.   Amen.   © Grand Valley State University Page 3   �Thanksgiving Prayer for the World Richard A. Rhem Page two © Grand Valley State University Page 4   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Thanksgiving 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 RA-1-20041124 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Thanksgiving Prayer for the World 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 24, 2004 entitled "Thanksgiving Prayer for the World", on the occasion of Thanksgiving. Tags: Shalom, Nonviolence. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004-11-24 Nonviolence Shalom https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4964082c199401e415991cb52df40760.pdf 320376909036e03bf2346fa1bc32a03e PDF Text Text Remembering Joseph Harry A Prayer for the Jellema-Harter Gathering Richard A. Rhem The Season of Advent 2004 With full attention, awareness, let us be conscious of our life, with breath, with spirit. That consciousness has been present from the beginning of the human story. The ancient poet expressed it in words borrowed by the biblical writer when he wrote of One in whom “we live and move and have our being.” In these moments we open our minds and hearts to that Mystery breathing through us, that Sacred Mystery before whom we stand in awe as we remember we are children of the stars, our being the emergence of a cosmic drama of billions of years in an expanse of space we cannot fathom. Humility befits us that the sacred source of Being should find expression in us, that we should be the conscious bearers of this incredible unfolding of Being. Sometimes it is a glimpse of the starry heavens in the dark stillness; sometimes the glistening whiteness of new fallen snow catching the sun’s radiance; sometimes the rush of a love that wells up from our depths; sometimes it is a pain so overwhelming, a grief so deep we can scarcely breathe, a sadness that permeates every pore of our being. This is such a time, for we remember a life conceived in love, anticipated with such joy and growing expectation, a life as yet all mystery, full of potential, this fragile child in the womb, Joseph Harry. © Grand Valley State University   �Remembering Joseph Harry Richard A. Rhem At such a time, time stands still and we become aware as never before of the mystery of Being from which our lives emerge. And those ultimate questions rise within us – Who am I? Why am I here? What is my life? What is the end of it all? Questions out of the depths, questions not reducible to mathematical equation or scientific formula; questions without verifiable answers; questions not to be answered so much as to be lifted up, to be contemplated. Is not our life a question you put to us, O God? And daily, weekly, monthly, as seasons come and go, we are living out our answers. Sometimes it seems we can begin to shape an answer; sometimes we simply must admit we haven’t a clue; sometimes our faith shines brightly and we have a kind of settled serenity about us; and sometimes the pieces of the puzzle we painstakingly fit together are scattered again, revealing no rhyme or reason. God of all mercy, God of all grace, it is as natural as breathing that we turn in these moments to you. Where else? To whom else should we turn? We come to the limit of our understanding; we come to the limit of our capacity to make sense of this fragile and vulnerable drama that we live. We do not know; we do not comprehend; our minds shut down, weary of thinking. We turn to you – not for cliché, some pious platitude that trips too easily off the tongue. © Grand Valley State University Page 2   �Remembering Joseph Harry Richard A. Rhem No, dear God, we turn to you because we can live without all the answers, if only we sense that in the darkness and the pain we are not abandoned, not alone, if only we sense your presence and your grace, your compassion and your care in the concrete community of human bonds of love. Here we are, deep Mystery of Being, becoming conscious in your presence. We trust, even though we know so little. We trust in your gracious grasp of the disparate strands of our lives because we keep encountering rumors of angels, moments of clarity, flashes of insight, experiences of deep love and grace beyond anything we could arrange. In this season of Advent, we wait, wait in expectation. Mystery beyond our capacity to comprehend, grant to these who grieve an Epiphany of transcendence as they gather to embrace one another in love and solidarity. Heal hearts so recently resonant with expectation and mantle them– parents, grandparents, friends – with peace, assuring them that all will be well; all will be well; all manner of things will be well – for Alles is Gnade – All is Grace. Amen. © Grand Valley State University Page 3   �Remembering Joseph Harry Richard A. Rhem Page two © Grand Valley State University Page 4   � 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 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Event Advent Series Prayer in memory of a child Location The location of the interview At a Family Gathering 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 RA-1-20041201 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource Remembering Joseph Harry 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> Language A language of the resource eng Description An account of the resource Prayer created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 1, 2004 entitled "Remembering Joseph Harry", as part of the series "Prayer in memory of a child", on the occasion of Advent, at At a Family Gathering. Tags: Mystery of Being, Grace. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004-12-01 Grace Mystery of Being