798 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f194e37cf293c95758d9a0eed9b945c3.pdf 8a2657f06a87aca869a86efc53ba58f6 PDF Text Text R.C.A. Identity: A Call to Ecumenical Community Article by Richard A. Rhem Minister of Preaching and Theological Inquiry Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Published in New Brunswick Theological Seminary Newsletter Spring 1987, pp. 11-13 Since my mentor and very good friend, Hendrikus Berkhof, has suggested in an interview for Perspectives conducted by Paul Fries that “identity problems might be both a sign and fostering of spiritual decline,” I have reflected on this endeavor in the Reformed Church and recognized that the question of identity has been consciously or unconsciously with me for the past fifteen years in my pastoral ministry at Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan. Berkhof’s response to Paul Fries’ question about identity convinces me that he taught me well in the four years I spent with him, for it was immediately following those years during which I glimpsed the broad spectrum of Reformed thought, far broader and grander than my own Midwestern roots and training had led me to believe, that I returned to the local parish and led the congregation of the First Reformed Church of Spring Lake to change its name of 101 years to Christ Community Church. In 1971 identity was a major concern. Our name change was a deliberate and intentional decision to be an ecumenical community constituted by the blending of traditions and the moving away from parochialism and narrow denominationalism. We were very careful to emphasize that we were not a community church organized around a credal base which was the lowest common denominator of those assembled. We were seeking to become Christ's people, Christ's community and to define Christ we were shaped by our Reformed heritage and sought to be enriched in our understanding by the other great Christian traditions. We drew from the whole spectrum of Christian tradition. Paul said, “everything belongs to you!” and so we mined the gold of several traditions. Thus we honored the past but we determined to define ourselves by a new name which pointed not to the whence from which we had come, but the whither toward which we sensed the Spirit was leading us. Identity was a major concern. We used the new name to create a new sense of identity. That new identity prepared us as a congregation to be open and ready to receive all who came, © Grand Valley State University   �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 2   encouraged to come because the new name projected a new image into the larger community, an image of openness offering the healing grace of Jesus Christ. Identity Arises Out of Vision Identity as Christ's community, a genuinely ecumenical expression of the Body of Christ, was not arrived at through careful study and introspection, but rather arose spontaneously out of the vision of being an ecumenical community. That vision is true to our Reformed heritage at its best. Calvin was deeply concerned for the reunion of the Church. In his book The History and Character of Calvinism, J. T. McNeill writes: His warm response to Archbishop Cranmer's proposal for a consensus (1552) (He would cross ten seas if he could be of service), and his return to this project in a letter to Archbishop Parker (1560) suggesting the summoning of a meeting of Protestant clergy 'wherever dispersed', are among many proofs of his constant readiness to promote the consolidation of the Churches of the Reformation. Late in 1560 he proposed ‘a free and universal council’ to end the divisions and ‘reunite all Christianity!’ He even declared his willingness that the pope should preside in the Council on condition that he undertake to submit to its decisions. (p. 200) Over the years of our history we have not exhibited the same passion for unity as we find in Calvin, although, along with much parochialism and fearful defensiveness, there has always been an ecumenical impulse. On the basis of the past fifteen years at the local parish level I can say without qualification that a Reformed heritage can find true expression in the creation of a genuinely ecumenical community that embraces the whole spectrum of Christian tradition. We have become a truly ecumenical community. Diversity is the consistent hallmark of Christ Community. We have grown with persons from a wide diversity of traditions and confessional backgrounds. We have maintained a marked theological posture shaped by the Reformed tradition, the very personal nature of relationship to God out of our roots in Protestant pietism, the radicality of Grace of the Lutheran tradition, openness to the Spirit's manifestation from the Charismatic community, and the richness of liturgy and sacramental understanding of the Catholic and Episcopal traditions. Such diversity has been self-consciously embraced and cultivated. There is a little something to remind everyone of their roots and thus to be “at home.” Yet the central focus on grace and the real embodiment of grace — the possession of all the diverse traditions — is so dominant that diversity is transcended in a deeper sense of the unity that makes us one in Christ Jesus. The blending of traditions has made for a rich tapestry: we have become a “Christ Community!” It was that vision that captivated us in the beginning. The vision was the catalyst, the driving force. It has been realized through the breaking up of traditionalism, © Grand Valley State University �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 3   what Jeroslav Pelikan calls the dead faith of the living and the forging of a new tradition, what he calls the living faith of the dead. Vision Must Be Intentionally Implemented Forging a new tradition, bringing the Eternal Gospel to new expression is precisely the genius of the Reformed Faith at its best. It must be worked at selfconsciously and intentionally. In honest confrontation with the Scripture and in obedience to Christ, a church must determine what the Spirit is calling it to be and then work self-consciously to that end. Some years ago we attempted to articulate what we felt we were being called to be. This is how we perceived our identity: Christ Community is theologically self-conscious; it is catholic, evangelical and reformed. It is firmly rooted in the historic Christian tradition: catholic in that it seeks to express the one, holy, and apostolic faith symbolized in the Apostles Creed; evangelical in that it believes that God's supreme revelation of Himself and the Good News of His grace appeared in Jesus Christ — “Our message is that God was making friends of all persons through Christ”; reformed in that its articulation of the faith finds its authority in the Scriptures and is never finished, but rather needs constant reformation and new translation, that it may be understood afresh in every age. Believing in God's eternal purposes of love for the whole created order, ours is a theology of Grace. Grace is the heart of our theology, and the Church is that community of persons who have received God's grace in Christ and who extend that grace to one another in Jesus' name. In the proclamation of the Word in worship, the nurturing of the community in study, the life of the community in fellowship and the action of the community in mission, grace is the keynote, the needs of persons primary, and the healing and wholeness of persons realizing their full human potential to the glory of God, our goal. Believing in the Sovereignty of God in the totality of the created order, and in the Lordship of Christ in the full range of human existence, we are seeking to bring the whole of life under the aegis of God's gracious rule — fashioning here a center for creative Christian living, enabling a fully human existence.... We sought to envision our ministry as we entered the present decade. The following posture has informed us: Our world has become so small, the means of communication and data processing so sophisticated and effective and society so dynamic that it is very difficult to foresee very far into the future trends and movements which may develop. Thus, it is not fruitful to project with fine details the shape of the future ministry of the Church. In such a rapidly changing world it is imperative that a congregation have a clear sense of identity, knowing who it is, what it is seeking to become and the mission to which it is committed. Having set that forth in the previous section, we seek here to affirm that it is our intention to be sensitive to the shifting scenes of the © Grand Valley State University �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 4   religio-cultural spectrum and flexible in our structure and program, ready to engage the human situation at any point at which the Good News can be proclaimed and incarnated.... Believing that God is ahead of us and beckons us from the future, we will test the spirits of the age, open ourselves to the expanding horizons of knowledge and encourage the pursuit of truth along the whole spectrum of human endeavor. Faithful to Jesus Christ and true to ourselves, we will shape our structure and our program and execute our mission with openness, freedom and confidence in the coming Kingdom of God. Such a posture finds expression throughout the life of the congregation. Perhaps the most visible expression of what we have become takes place in corporate worship. Here we have sought to be true to our Reformed heritage while enriching it by reaching back into the Catholic tradition. We have made a self-conscious decision to move from the principle of catechetical preaching which is the rule of our Book of Church Order, to the celebration of the Christian Year. Rather than systematically treating the heads of doctrine contained in the Heidelberg Catechism once in four years, we celebrate the cycle of the Christian Year bringing us from Advent in December through Pentecost in June, focusing on the themes of Incarnation, life of Christ, passion, death, resurrection and ascension and the gift of the Spirit. Throughout the summer we deal with the Old Testament and in the fall celebrate our Reformation heritage. Adopting the Christian Year as the determinant for our worship, we have — again, self-consciously — combined the strength of the Reformation tradition with the strength of the Catholic tradition… In seriousness of preparation and care in execution we have sought to have the mark of excellence on all we offer to God in our worship, recognizing that worship is recognizing His “worth!” Our worship is theo-centric, reflective of our Reformed heritage. Emotional stirring, warm feeling, inspiration, comfort and encouragement are certainly important byproducts of worship, but they are byproducts of offering praise and adoration to God. It is in drawing the worshiper out of herself/himself into self-forgetfulness and into God-consciousness that the people of God are truly blessed — a joy and peace grounded in the truth of God’s being and His grace in Jesus Christ. If the glory of God is kept in focus, then the drama of redemption which we remember, re-enact, anticipate, will sweep the worshiper along and, becoming God-intoxicated, will find his/her life inspired, spirit renewed, hope restored, faith quickened. Then one will find new courage to go on again, new insight whereby to gain meaning, understanding. © Grand Valley State University �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Identity and Context of Ministry Identity arises out of a vision and then the vision must be brought to expression deliberately and intentionally; and finally, the contours of the vision must continue to be adjusted in terms of the historical context of the Church. At times the tides of society may reinforce the vision and aid in its implementation. At other times the vision may have to be pursued against the tide. We have found the latter to be the case. In 1972, Dean Kelly's book, Why Conservative Churches Are Growing, painted the portrait of what kind of church could expect to grow in the present sociological climate. The portrait was diametrically opposite of the vision which we were seeking to realize. Kelly has proved to be a prophet. As the authors of Habits of the Heart declare: ...To the extent that privatization succeeded, religion was in danger of becoming, like the family, “a haven in a heartless world,” but one that did more to reinforce that world, by caring for its casualties, than to challenge its assumptions. (p. 224) In a recent national sampling of Catholic opinion, the two things most desired were “personal and accessible priests” and “warmer, more personal parishes!” The authors [of Habits of the Heart] comment, The salience of these needs for personal intimacy in American religious life suggests why the local Church like other voluntary communities, indeed like the contemporary family, is so fragile, requires so much energy to keep it going, and has so faint a hold on commitment when such needs are not met. (p. 232) RCA Identity? The search for identity in the Reformed Church in America must be an endeavor to discover who God is calling us to be that we may move toward renewed faithfulness in our witness to the Gospel of His grace. It must not be an attempt to shape a community of convenience for a people wanting to feel good in an association of warm hearted, like-thinking others. To cater to that impulse identified as increasingly prominent in our society by Bellah and the others in Habits of the Heart would be to prostitute the Church and deny her Lord. We ought never to live easily with the reality of denominationalism and the tension must be kept on us as we search for our identity as a denomination. In his recently published book, Foolishness to the Greeks, Lesslie Newbigin calls for a confrontation of Western Culture by the Gospel. In the final chapter, “What Must We Be? The Call To The Church,” Newbigin writes: © Grand Valley State University �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 6   The Church is the bearer to all nations of a gospel that announces the kingdom, the reign, and the sovereignty of God, and so to become corporately a sign, instrument, and foretaste of that sovereignty of the one true and living God over all nature, all nations, and all human lives. It is not meant to call men and women out of the world into a safe religious enclave but to call them out in order to send them back as agents of God's kingship. (p. 124) What does such a calling imply? Newbigin asks. Believing we are at a major transitional point in Western Culture not unlike the upheaval in the time of Augustine when he formulated for Christendom a vision based on the twin dogmas of Trinity and Incarnation in place of the classical vision that had lost its power, Newbigin lists seven essentials for the Church if it is to engage the culture with the Gospel. I cite only one essential — The necessity of a radical theological critique of the theory and practice of denominationalism. He writes: It is the common observation of sociologists of religion that denominationalism is the religious aspect of secularization. It is the form that religion takes in a culture controlled by the ideology of the Enlightenment. It is the social form in which the privatization of religion is expressed. The denomination provides a shelter for those who have made the same choice. It is thus in principle unable to confront the state and society as a whole with the claim with which Jesus confronted Pilate — the claim of the truth. It is not, in any biblical sense, the Church, (p. 145) Such a Church, either as a denomination or as several denominations joined in “reconciled diversity” cannot be the agents of a missionary confrontation with our culture, Newbigin claims, for the simple reason that they are themselves the outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual surrender to the ideology of our culture. They cannot confront our culture with the witness of the truth since even for themselves they do not claim to be more than associations of individuals who share the same private opinions. (p. 145ff) What is needed? A genuinely ecumenical movement...a movement seeking to witness to the Lordship of Christ over the whole inhabited oikoumene cannot take the form of a federation of denominations. It must patiently seek again what the Reformers sought — “To restore the face of the Catholic Church!” (p. 146) That is precisely the genius of our heritage. Perhaps we will recover that sense of being the one holy catholic Church, demonstrating in our life an inclusiveness which embraces diversity and offering our life for the realization of the unity of © Grand Valley State University �A Call To Ecumenical Community Richard A. Rhem Page 7   the whole Church and the recovery of the true identity of the People of God in the world. References: Robert Bellah et al. Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. First published 1985; University of California Press, New Preface edition, 2007 Lesslie Newbigin. Foolishness to the Greeks: The Gospel and Western Culture. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1986. © 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. References Robert Bellah et al, Habits of the Heart, 1985, Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks, 1986. 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-4-19870301 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1987-03-01 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Title A name given to the resource R.C.A. Identity: A Call to Ecumenical Community Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available New Brunswick Theological Seminary Newsletter 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 Article created, delivered, or published by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 1, 1987 entitled "R.C.A. Identity: A Call to Ecumenical Community", it appeared in New Brunswick Theological Seminary Newsletter, Vol 15, pp. 11-13. Tags: Ecumenical, Reformed Church, Diversity, Liturgical Year, Community of Grace. Scripture references: Robert Bellah et al, Habits of the Heart, 1985, Lesslie Newbigin, Foolishness to the Greeks, 1986. Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource application/pdf Community of Grace Diversity Ecumenical Liturgical Year Reformed Church https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/312834ffa6f260cb9ec4ec06581145e9.pdf bcf170f5ed80ce39571fa7eb8e404350 PDF Text Text Founding Vision: Floundering Independence Day Weekend Text: Isaiah 58:12; Romans 12:2 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan July 2, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon Let me simply try to give a word that will wind together the various pieces of this morning as we've thought about our nation, about our present situation, the challenge before us. It seems to me that that song elicits from us that which is deepest in us. It is the poets that draw out that which is noble, and I really believe there is a great reservoir of good people and of good heart in the American people, frankly in the people of the world. And I believe that it is poetry in song that moves us in our depths and allows that which is best about us to come to expression. It is finally the vision that will beckon us to realize that high goal of the rule of God, moving toward the Shalom of which the prophets spoke. Our world is in crisis, and our nation is in crisis. It is not an overstatement to speak in our day of culture wars. But it is good for us to know that that's really nothing new. There has always been in this land protest, taking to the streets, the political process, the lobbying for advantage, the clamor for rights and for human dignity. And in our particular situation today, maybe the nub of it in this nation, in a time of transition and a lot of social unrest and turmoil, centers around whether or not we can realize that founding vision which is floundering. Whether or not we can realize that grand dream of our founding documents and the passion that filled the lives of those who came to this land to create an experiment in freedom. The question of whether or not there is an American culture, an American dream that is rooted in reality, that is reflective of truth. One of the great tension points in our society today can be understood under that catch word "multiculturalism." There are voices from the margins, the minorities, the outsiders who are saying, "Hey, you tell your history and you have an identity which is caught up in the myth of the melting pot. But some of us never got included. Some of us have been left out. You tell the American story, but it's not reflective of the part that we've played. And you tell the American story and you gloss over some of the dark shadows that lie across it." And so we have voices, and they clamor to be heard. And then some of us who have been so steeped in the tradition and so blessed by it grow defensive, and we grow hostile and, before © Grand Valley State University   �Founding Vision: Floundering Richard A. Rhem Page 2   we know it, there is a great gulf separating us. The right and the left. Us and them. And the nation is torn with tension and strife. But it seems to me that, on this anniversary of our nation's founding, it's important to us to hear that word from the Lord and to see whether or not that founding vision is not rooted deeply in the biblical tradition. I think it is. Giving all due to the claims of those who have been excluded and have been left out and have been hurt, nonetheless, there is a magnificent vision there, a vision of human dignity, of human freedom, in responsible community. I think that Jon is quite right - the government will not do it for us. And it is for the people of God to lead the way. There was that day when God's people said, "Look, we're doing all of our religious thing. We fast and you don't hear." And then the word of the Lord came saying, "Take care of the poor. Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, take the homeless into your homes. Then you'll call and I will hear. Then you will seek me and I will be found by you. Then the dawn will break upon you. Then you will raise again the foundations of the generations. Then, then there will be streets in which you can dwell in safety." It's almost as though the prophet could have written yesterday rather than way back in ancient Judah. But the point of the vision was that God is known and experienced in the doing of justice and in the loving of mercy. And in that founding vision, although it was not broad enough, although it was not inclusive enough, it was nonetheless rooted in that prophetic vision that comes to us as a gift from Israel's faith, that understanding of God as the Creator. Our founding documents root human dignity and human freedom in the Creator God, and we cannot in 1995 be Americans first any more than we can be Christians only. Our world is the size of a grapefruit. We live in a global community with intimate connection with a multiple diversity of this globe. It is time for the bells to sound, the bells to sound that celebrate the diversity of life, that can still find its unity and its coherence in its grounding in the Creator god who calls us to justice laced with compassion. When I think of the task I read in the vision, something within me melts. I know it's true. And I observe the world and I could weep. Ready to throw up my hands and say, "Why preach? Why strive? Why continue to care? It goes against the grain of human nature. It's so contrary to every other aspect of our lives. Why continue to raise one's voice and hold up the vision and call people to dream the dream?" But then I remember that human transformation is possible. This is what Paul was writing about. "Be not conformed to this world." Do not give in to its aggressiveness and to its consumerism, to its competitiveness and to its destructiveness. Do not give in to its rugged individualism and its selfishness. Do not give in. Continue to dream. Continue to have rumors of Shalom floating across the atmosphere through the transformation of your mind. That's what it really takes, folks. It really takes a transformation; it takes an altered consciousness. It calls us to a whole new way of being. Be not conformed © Grand Valley State University �Founding Vision: Floundering Richard A. Rhem Page 3   to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind to find the will of God, what is good and is true and acceptable. And down deep there's something in me that so yearns for that. And I believe it does for you, as well. If we could just turn the decibels down, that shouting across the great divide. If the Church, if the people of God could be at the forefront of reconciliation rather than the catalyst for division, if we could just listen to our hearts, if we could just follow the song, if we could just make real the songs we love to sing. Of America the Beautiful, thine alabaster cities gleam, undimmed by human tears. Dear God, is it not worth a commitment of life anew on this Independence Day Weekend? God grant it. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/cfe6d754b8c5005eec11dc17a364a063.mp3 8c295f0573846872560174d493fb9adf 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 Independence Day Weekend, Pentecost IV Scripture Text Isaiah 58:12, Romans 12:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950702 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-07-02 Title A name given to the resource Founding Vision: Floundering Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 2, 1995 entitled "Founding Vision: Floundering", on the occasion of Independence Day Weekend, Pentecost IV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 58:12, Romans 12:2. Global Community Inclusive Shalom Transformation https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8531a6c67128d6afb521853d269fd813.mp3 b82415156cb286fcaf18a64b8e174f10 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost V Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 2:17, Revelation 22:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950709 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-07-09 Title A name given to the resource Adam and Eve - Mudslide or Emergence? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 9, 1995 entitled "Adam and Eve - Mudslide or Emergence?", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost V, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 2:17, Revelation 22:2. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/dde41ea773f26bd214d625c5a5889d2d.mp3 a674a9a009f843e51b5125b315455137 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost VI Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 4:1-16, I John 4:7-21, Matthew 5:44-48 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950716 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-07-16 Title A name given to the resource Cain: Sin Crouches at the Door Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 16, 1995 entitled "Cain: Sin Crouches at the Door", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost VI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 4:1-16, I John 4:7-21, Matthew 5:44-48. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a69a7722768f2bcfb507b5388729eaf6.mp3 ae93876fb974b1adafd49dfe1d9a5487 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost VII Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 6:1-8, 9:1-7, 9:20-29, II Corinthians 4:7-15 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950723 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-07-23 Title A name given to the resource Noah: Tipsy Sailor Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 23, 1995 entitled "Noah: Tipsy Sailor", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost VII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 6:1-8, 9:1-7, 9:20-29, II Corinthians 4:7-15. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/029b47a72687a7ce7505078d4bbee73b.mp3 41d5b6da142f59c71b68ac21bf2c0d3c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost VIII Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Isaiah 43:18-10, Revelation 21:3 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 KII-01_RA-0-19950730 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-07-30 Title A name given to the resource Finally Home Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on July 30, 1995 entitled "Finally Home", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost VIII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 43:18-10, Revelation 21:3. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c78821fbc41645fbdd0736310c1f1d3e.mp3 f0c7ac370f7c2f3bc4ec76c67a02d929 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost X Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 16:4, 21:9, Galatians 5:26 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950813 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-08-13 Title A name given to the resource Sarah and Hagar: Manipulation, Meanness and Bitter Fruit Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 13, 1995 entitled "Sarah and Hagar: Manipulation, Meanness and Bitter Fruit", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost X, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 16:4, 21:9, Galatians 5:26. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/03be4268e9377239b35b01ea868bb2dc.mp3 ad90104b82af0bfb110ed478a3f09165 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XI Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 27:38 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950820 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-08-20 Title A name given to the resource Jacob: Expletive Deleted Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 20, 1995 entitled "Jacob: Expletive Deleted", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost XI, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 27:38. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4a2f24ad2a1c3bb74d9590b07db489e5.mp3 507fb86c96550e04557c6b0b821b7f62 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XII Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Genesis 45:4, Romans 12:21, Matthew 5:44, 48 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950827 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-08-27 Title A name given to the resource Joseph: Breaking the Cycle of Violence Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on August 27, 1995 entitled "Joseph: Breaking the Cycle of Violence", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost XII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Genesis 45:4, Romans 12:21, Matthew 5:44, 48. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/260cf3a22abe04c5353f80a801533350.mp3 73e66d6b45d57042d47a4de41f686543 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XIII Series The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace Scripture Text Exodus 1:8, 2:23-24, 3:4, Luke 12:51 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950903 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-09-03 Title A name given to the resource Moses: Violent for a Cause Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on September 3, 1995 entitled "Moses: Violent for a Cause", as part of the series "The Human Story: Paradigms of Grace", on the occasion of Pentecost XIII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Exodus 1:8, 2:23-24, 3:4, Luke 12:51. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4c107b77a71cce0b10d5562993e75cb0.mp3 0e6a7a38acdc37d69f2d2e7c3e0df07d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XV Scripture Text Psalm 78:2, Matthew 20:16 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19950917 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-09-17 Title A name given to the resource Imagine That! Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on September 17, 1995 entitled "Imagine That!", on the occasion of Pentecost XV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 78:2, Matthew 20:16. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/deb9dab84f4c7dd9c38a19382ff45ee9.mp3 7e6429e75cacf2269a0529e19098a79e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XVII Series Good News Scripture Text Jeremiah 22:16, Matthew 18:10, 14, 19:14 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951001 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-10-01 Title A name given to the resource That Not One Little One Be Lost Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 1, 1995 entitled "That Not One Little One Be Lost", as part of the series "Good News", on the occasion of Pentecost XVII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Jeremiah 22:16, Matthew 18:10, 14, 19:14. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/3c63b94f1d4633312f4c436f77c5d779.mp3 bdfd600bf219ea455d609f15cd962647 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XVIII Series Good News Scripture Text II Kings 7:9, Romans 11:32, Mark 1:45 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951008 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-10-08 Title A name given to the resource No One Need Despair Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 8, 1995 entitled "No One Need Despair", as part of the series "Good News", on the occasion of Pentecost XVIII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: II Kings 7:9, Romans 11:32, Mark 1:45. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d9566732e08cd05bccd7083561d2f364.pdf d460d4505228b5f08806c9b4b661d54b PDF Text Text No One Is Excluded Romans 2:1; Luke 18:9 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan October 15, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon I’m very proud of this congregation, and I’m very proud to be your pastor. In the 1970s we sought to find out what God was calling us to be, and we lived into that statement of identity. We did it again in the 1980s, and we lived into that identity. As the 1990s came around, we began once again to say, “What is the context of this ministry and what does it mean to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and the people of God in our day, in this place?” We defined ourselves according to some very familiar themes— the wonder of worship, the mystery and awe of God, and the grace of God that embraces all people. Then we became concrete and specific in order to indicate to all of those who might be interested that this was a safe place, that was inclusive, that did not exclude anyone. We added the words “sexual orientation” to indicate that inclusiveness, knowing this issue to be a volatile one in the Church and one that is dividing our society at large. We as a congregation took the position that one’s human sexuality is not something that one chooses, but is something that is given. It is a complex subject and research continues, but the weight of evidence would indicate that human sexuality is at the very core of our being, intrinsic to our humanity, something that comes along with the very constitution that we inherit and with which we are born. We made our statement to indicate to all in this community and beyond that for us sexual orientation was a given and was not a matter of morality. I’m proud to be a pastor of a congregation that dares to print that. And I’m proud to be a pastor of a congregation whose Consistory, when the time came to act on that statement, without demure, said to the Metropolitan Community Church, “Of course, you can come in and worship in this facility.” And I’m proud that when we have been called into question by our local judicatory in the Reformed Church of America, as has happened in the past four weeks and will continue following this service today, this congregation listened to stories, reflected together about the basis of our moral judgments and spoke together about this very critical issue in the life of our society and the culture of our time. I’m proud of you. © Grand Valley State University   �No One Is Excluded Richard A. Rhem Page 2   As your pastor and teacher, I suspect that I ought to tell you my story. I was listening to National Public Radio this week from the University of Michigan, and I learned that Wednesday on the Christian calendar is National Coming Out Day. Well, maybe it wasn’t the Christian calendar. So I’m going to “come out” just to tell you how I got where I am. It was back in the 1970s. I had a colleague in ministry who had a married person on his staff who had come out of the closet—divorcing his spouse and declaring himself to be of homosexual orientation. That was a tough one for that congregation. And my friend began furiously to study and to read. The congregation studied the issue, and they were somewhat divided as to how to respond. When my friend studied, I studied, too. I suppose that I was, at that time, where most of us are at one time, knowing very little about this shadowy thing called homosexuality and thinking that, at best, it must be an aberration of nature and, at worst, a perversion. But as I began to read and to encounter the reality, I began to get new insight into that human condition. At that time I read a statement that was approved by the synod of the Christian Reformed Church and printed in their synod minutes by one of their most respected pastors and theologians. I was amazed at the compassion in that statement. I had lunch with that gentleman and I said, “Where did you get that insight?” He just said, “Pastoral experience.” It was about that same time that I came to understand what he meant, because a young man who was worshipping with us sent me a letter. The handwriting was so poor that I had to believe it was because of the great degree of pain written out in that scrawled hand. He told me that in his hometown in another state, there had been a time when he was in the hospital and quite vulnerable and had confessed to his minister that he was homosexual. The minister’s response was condemning, and he charged the young man to change his life. After I read his letter, I called the young man in and I looked at him and I loved him. I felt his pain and I sensed his love of God and his desire to worship and to be valued as a child of God. I loved him and when I came to know the man with whom he was living in covenant relationship, I liked him, too. And when through a job change they moved out of the state, Nancy and I visited and stayed with them in their home on more than one occasion. To my great disappointment, I found they were quite normal. In 1978 and 1979 the Reformed Church in American recognized that homosexuality was an issue that needed to be addressed. And so a statement was written by the Theological Commission, given to the General Synod, and passed along to the churches for guidelines and instruction. I was pleased with that statement. It had a very positive feel, a pastoral concern, a recognition that one’s sexuality is not a matter of choice, but a given orientation. The statement did say, © Grand Valley State University �No One Is Excluded Richard A. Rhem Page 3   however, that one with such orientation must abstain from the expression of their sexual nature. I had breakfast last week with the man who wrote that statement. When I reminded him, he smiled. He said it was a good statement in 1978, but it is, of course, untenable today in light of what we know. But it did at least move the church ahead. I continued to reflect and to experience and to hear human stories. And then it was a warm, sunny day on my deck in September, 1985. My houseguest was my old Dutch professor, Hendrikus Berkhof. I said, “Henk, I think that sexual orientation is a given.” He said, “Ja.” I said, “If it’s a given, then it’s part of Creation.” He said, “Ja.” I said, “If it is part of Creation, then it’s not a moral issue.” He said, “Ja, you’re right.” I said, “Thank you.” And that is where I’ve been for the last ten years. For me, it is not an issue. But you say to me, “What about the Bible?” And of course, I need to address that question. First of all, let me say that what I’m talking about and what this congregation is engaged in is not addressed in the Bible. We are talking about homosexual orientation and relationship in faithful, covenant love. And that isn’t even in the purview of the Scripture. It never came up for discussion. The whole matter of orientation was not understood until relatively recently with the research of the behavioral sciences. And so if you want to know about two people of the same gender living in loving relationship and faithful covenant, the Bible doesn’t speak to it. It does address the whole matter of human sexuality generally, and it has a whole lot to say there. Now we can’t talk about human sexuality in church. The Church has never been able to handle it. We get awkward and uncomfortable. We are human beings and our sexuality is at the core of our being. But we can’t talk about it in church. That is something that we simply have to recognize and acknowledge. But sometimes we have to talk about it. We are sexual beings. And when I say that, I don’t mean simply genital sexuality. I mean in the very relating of © Grand Valley State University �No One Is Excluded Richard A. Rhem Page 4   ourselves, one to another, man to woman, woman to woman, woman to man, man to man—in all of our human relationships there is the manifestation of that precious gift of creation with which we are endowed, the gift of human sexuality. Unfortunately, one Greek word of love, eros, is translated into English erotic. Therefore, the Church has always been nervous about acknowledging the presence of eros in human love. But eros is one of three Greek words for love, all of which are in God, and all of which are in us. And it is the eros in our nature that moves us toward one another, that enables us to relate to another, that brings us into intimate connection with another, that is the glue of human community and human relationship. As human beings we are sexual beings, and thereby we are beings able to relate one to another and move toward community. It is also that eros within us that moves our soul, causes our soul to yearn toward God. It is one of God’s precious gifts. And the Bible says, use it wisely. The Bible has a great deal to say about human sexuality. But being the great gift that it is, sexuality also presents great potential for disaster. And that’s the reference in Romans 1. I chose that passage because it’s probably the one last holdout for people who claim the Bible condemns homosexual practice. There are only a half dozen or so references in the whole of the Bible. In the Hebrew scriptures they belong to the holiness code which has all kinds of regulations and rules that were part of the culture of that day and that have been transcended in the grace of the Gospel. But Paul was speaking or writing to the Roman church because he anticipated coming there to proclaim the Gospel. Now this series is about the Gospel, the Good News. And Paul was as passionate a human being as ever has lived on this earth when he thought about the Gospel and the grace of God in Jesus Christ. And so he says, “I’m eager to preach at Rome. I’m not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for human transformation.” Human transformation? Is there a problem? Paul says, “Can we talk?” And then he goes on with that catalogue of sins, one paragraph of which has to do with messed up human sexuality, unnatural relationships. Now there are all sorts of interpretations of exactly that to which Paul pointed, but the Greco-Roman culture of Paul’s day would make a “lady of the night” blush! And there were all kinds of decadence which Paul could point out and then call the Christian community to withdraw itself and claim a new identity. As Paul makes those references, he is not being exhaustive in a catalogue of sins, nor is he condemning homosexuality per se. Because the root of his argument in that whole context is not that people are messed up sexually, but that people are messed up sexually because of idolatry. And idolatry is the putting of something else in the place of God in one’s life. Read those verses again when you get home, if you can stand it. He says the problem is that we have exchanged the creature © Grand Valley State University �No One Is Excluded Richard A. Rhem Page 5   for the Creator, God blest forever. Everything that’s wrong with humankind stems, according to Paul in this passage, from the fact that God is not put on the altar of life. And Paul says, when God is not the center of one’s being, all kinds of things unravel. There are unnatural sexual relationships. But we can’t talk about that in church. We can talk about some of the other things he said. We don’t have much trouble talking about gossiping and slandering and hardheartedness and arrogance and maligning and that whole catalogue of sins. I finally just quit the reading and quoted Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” That’s all. He’s speaking to a Gentile group and a Jewish group. They were living in tenuous relationship in that community. And during the first verses he probably was referring more to Gentile depravity and in the second chapter to Jewish depravity. About the time the Jewish people were nodding their heads in approval of his condemnation of Gentile depravity, he said, “And you do the same thing!” And finally it’s as though he’s using a sledge hammer to beat everybody down so that he can announce the grace of God, which he eventually does. But his conclusion is, “You Gentiles and you Jews, universally, no one excluded, all sin and come short of the glory of God.” Now he is ready to announce the grand good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ to change the situation. And as I said, in Romans 5, he says where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. And in Romans 11 where he’s trying to figure out why his brothers and sisters according to the faith of Israel didn’t see what he saw in Jesus, he said, “God has included all in disobedience that God might have mercy on all,” because Paul didn’t believe for a minute that the Creator of heaven and earth would ever be defeated in terms of any individual. It didn’t matter what their history, what their record, what their pattern, what their orientation—God would finally win. Grace would overcome. Mercy would prevail. And so I take Romans 1, put it in context so that when somebody throws it up to you saying the Bible condemns human homosexual activity, you say to them, “No. The Bible condemns abusive practices and self-destructive behavior in human sexuality, period.” The only thing the Bible calls us to is faithful covenant love, to mutual respect and responsibility. And that cuts across the board. That isn’t for a special group of people. No one is excluded in that call to responsible, faithful, covenant love, and everyone has this precious gift which is always potentially explosive, ready to send us into all kinds of trouble. Now that’s what the Bible says. Be faithful. Live in covenant love. And give each person dignity. That’s what the Bible speaks to clearly. And it also is very clear that one of the worst offenses for any child of God is to act in moral superiority to any other. Jesus said in the little story he told of the Publican and the Pharisee, “It is not the parading of my virtues. It is the acknowledgment of my fallenness and the pleas for mercy that justifies and brings me again into sync with God.” © Grand Valley State University �No One Is Excluded Richard A. Rhem Page 6   As I said, dear friends, homosexuality for me is not an issue. It just isn’t an issue, until I hear the story of one of my brothers or sisters who is hurt, who is excluded, who is shamed. To me it is not an issue until I read of a young boy whose mother continued to paste Bible verses on his door and on his mirror until he finally jumped from a viaduct into the path of a semi, taking his life. To me it isn’t an issue until a fine young gentleman leaves choir practice one Thursday evening and is found on Sunday morning, having taken his life because he despaired of God’s grace. Then I feel like I felt walking the Jewish ghetto in Prague—as I always feel when I encounter the unspeakable horror of the Holocaust. Then my heart churns within me as I realize what we are capable of as human persons hurting other human persons. And then, frankly, when I hear those stories and come to that realization, my eyes fill with tears because, dear friends, I don’t want any person to be hurt. I want them to be embraced and valued. And with all my heart, I want this community to be a place that any of God’s children can come, knowing that the good news is that no one is excluded and all are valued and all are invited to follow Jesus and to live in awe before the mystery of God, embraced by God’s grace. With all my heart, that’s what I want us to be, and I believe you do, too. And I am so very proud of you. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/49b19e6eafc34f027c352c8dd1240fac.mp3 815015e7107cfd347a32f11370a56eed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XIX Series Good News Scripture Text Romans 2:1, Luke 18:9 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951015 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-10-15 Title A name given to the resource No One is Excluded Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 15, 1995 entitled "No One is Excluded", as part of the series "Good News", on the occasion of Pentecost XIX, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Romans 2:1, Luke 18:9. Community of Grace Inclusive Love Unconditional Love https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/745add14e3942eedf3dd4ab0e5258c07.mp3 cdfe13e6fec7d7da6e935d0c73d283b1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XX Series Good News, with Ken Medema Scripture Text Gen. 1:1, Isaiah 65:17, I Cor. 15:58, Rev. 21:4 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 KII-01_RA-0-19951022 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-10-22 Title A name given to the resource Life is Not a Trivial Pursuit Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on October 22, 1995 entitled "Life is Not a Trivial Pursuit", as part of the series "Good News, with Ken Medema", on the occasion of Pentecost XX, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Gen. 1:1, Isaiah 65:17, I Cor. 15:58, Rev. 21:4. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/5c3521b1b9a7a9b11cc4190a8d184aaa.mp3 05efc77a864314f6d65d511bceb44ee9 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost XXII Series Good News Scripture Text II Corinthians 4:12, 5:1 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951105 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-11-05 Title A name given to the resource God Has More in Store For Us Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 5, 1995 entitled "God Has More in Store For Us", as part of the series "Good News", on the occasion of Pentecost XXII, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: II Corinthians 4:12, 5:1. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/64655cdd2fc36398f88ea294e3549a60.mp3 9d3d1ccc8db1df99e9188773d7a1a828 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 Thanksgiving Sunday, Pentecost XXIV Series Good News Scripture Text Psalm 149:3, Luke 15:24 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951119 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-11-19 Title A name given to the resource Dancing With God Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 19, 1995 entitled "Dancing With God", as part of the series "Good News", on the occasion of Thanksgiving Sunday, Pentecost XXIV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 149:3, Luke 15:24. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bd9cc73121ed5a33b036773c9171c1b1.mp3 bf68d1d1db561acf5834a04f397d45bf 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 Thanksgiving Day Scripture Text Philippians 1:3, 6 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951123 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-11-23 Title A name given to the resource Thanks For the Memories Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on November 23, 1995 entitled "Thanks For the Memories", on the occasion of Thanksgiving Day, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Philippians 1:3, 6. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bbdc2e52859c10bb1c82aead0f897df0.pdf 54a02004ada197cf0fd440bad88ce153 PDF Text Text Life Broken and Poured Out From the sermon series: Now – But Then Text: Luke 15:51-52; I Corinthians 13:12 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent I, December 3, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon I am finding that I am entering this season of Advent and this new Christian year with anticipation, and my experience is that that is a growing anticipation and a growing delight in the celebration of the Christian year. I am perhaps just getting older, but I am enjoying the structure of the Christian Year, the form that it gives to my spiritual life and pilgrimage, the life of worship. Obviously, for me whose chief responsibility is worship, I suppose that's understandable, but I would hope that it is true for you, too, that as a people you might even have thought this week, "Advent begins. A new Christian Year begins. The color will be purple. Soon the trees will be dressed, the stars lighted. We'll gather around the table; the Advent wreath will be in our midst." Those things are becoming increasingly meaningful to me over the years. I had to learn all of that after the fact, because I grew up, as many of you have, in a tradition where the Christian Year was not observed. Oh, well, Christmas, to be sure. Easter, Pentecost, and I think we celebrated Ascension Day, too, because I had to go to church on Thursday night. But, in this old Dutch Reformed Church in which I grew up, we didn't observe the Christian Year because that was Catholic, and even if it'd been 500 years, you can't protest too long! Actually, I was trained that the order for preaching should be the doctrines of the Heidelberg Catechism - Lord's Day by Lord's Day by Lord's Day. And so, if you followed those doctrinal themes, you might be considering the death of Christ in the Advent season, or you might be considering the Holy Spirit during Lent, because you didn't observe Advent or Lent or Eastertide or Christmas as a season of the Christian Year. But, I'm finding the observance of the Christian Year meaningful. Obviously in the wisdom of the ancient Church, they understood that to go through this cycle was a way of remembering, the way of remembering the way in which God has touched our history. "The Word became flesh, lived among us, died among us, rose among us. The spirit came to dwell within us." You see, the Christian Year puts it in story, in a narrative, and we can live in it and live through it and I'm © Grand Valley State University   �Life Broken and Poured Out Richard A. Rhem Page 2   simply finding that I am eager to go through the cycle again. We begin this morning, the First Lord's Day of the new Christian Year - the season of Advent. Advent means "coming." And, of course, four Sundays before Christmas the focus would be the One who came when the Word was made flesh. We are preparing for Christmas. But, the real focus of Advent is not simply the One who came, but that the One who came is the One who is coming. And so, the real theme of Advent is the fact that there is a future and an end. And it is a season in which we are invited to pause, to reflect, to ask in regard to our lives, "What time is it?" In regard to our congregation, "What time is it?" In regard to the society of which we are a part, "What time is it?" In regard to the world and world history, "What time is it?" Because, as a matter of fact, what the Advent season calls to our mind is the fact that we are people on the move; we are people underway; we are people going somewhere, and something's happening. That was the insight of the Hebrew prophets. Israel gave to the world the sense of history. Over against that was that cyclic sense of reality where things come and go and come and go in endless cycle. But the Hebrews had the insight, "Not so. Beginning, movement, end." And it's fascinating to me that the most recent cosmology, the work of physics, those who study the stars and the planets and all of that deep, deep, mysterious reality of our cosmos - they tell us now that time is irreversible. That means that the best scientific sense of things is now concurring with that biblical sense of things, that there is a point of beginning. There is a movement, an emergence if you will, and an end. Emergence has become a very important word to me. I suggested this summer that it might be a word, an idea that could help us to make more sense of our lives and of history and the cosmos - more sense than the idea of Creation and Fall. I like the idea of Creation and evolutionary development with constant new emergence. And the Advent season tells us that there is not only this process of movement, this irreversible time line, but there is something out there. We're moving toward something. And so, for the theme of this Advent season, I want the phrase to burn into your consciousness and into your minds, into your heart. NOW, BUT THEN. NOW, BUT THEN. I hope every party you attend, there will be a moment in which you'll think, "Now, but then." I hope with every present you purchase, you'll think, “Now, but then.” I hope in whatever quiet moments you can find in this month of December, you'll think, "Now, but then." I was at a seminar earlier, well last week, and it was a very stimulating couple of days, thinking about our nation. The seminar was entitled, "Shall the Christian Coalition Win?" And there was an evangelical leader, Jim Wallis, who founded the Sojourners community years ago, and Joan Campbell, the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Churches, who is the voice for the mainline churches that seem to be in such trouble, and Alan Boesak from South Africa, who is so intricately involved in the dismantling of Apartheid, and as we were discussing © Grand Valley State University �Life Broken and Poured Out Richard A. Rhem Page 3   together the state of the nation, the condition of society, the polarization, the politicization of issues of social welfare and well-being, there were three young men there who were pastors, graduates of Princeton. And as we were talking about our lives and the life of the church and of society, one of these young men said, "Dear God, I can't even get to know my people. My people (he's a pastor in New Jersey, a bedroom community for the city), he said, "My people get on the train at 5, 6 o'clock in the morning, they go into the city, they work all day, they get home 7, 8,9 o'clock at night, exhausted; they get up in the morning, get on the train, go into the city, come home exhausted." And he said, "They have no time!" And Alan Boesak spontaneously responded, "They are corporate migrants!" And then he went on to explain. Where he comes from in South Africa there are migrant workers who still, out from camps, get on buses five o'clock in the morning, go into the cities, work all day, come home 8, 9 o'clock at night, exhausted, in order to get up in the morning to get on the bus to go into the cities to work in order to come home, exhausted, 8 or 9 o'clock at night. They're migrant workers. But, Alan said, your up-and-outers, your affluent New Jersey corporate executives are also migrants. They're corporate migrants. And I thought to myself, "Isn't it true of us all?" We came home in the middle of the week and I opened up the calendar to December! It is a disaster! And I thought to myself, I'll be saying to my people on Sunday, Advent is a time of waiting, of anticipating, of preparation for the feast of Christmas, a celebration that the Word became flesh, but more than that, it is a time of waiting, anticipation, preparation for the fact that there is an end out there, that in this evolving, emerging process there is something out there, an endpoint. And I thought, how will we have time, how will we take time? And then I thought perhaps the words of Paul to the Corinthians might keep surfacing in our consciousness, Now, but then, reminding us to ask the question - "What time is it?" What time is it in my life? What time is it in my nation? What time is it in this world of ours? Where are we going? And where will we end? Because we are on the way. It's just that we don't often have a moment to step back and to reflect on the whole thing - What time is it in your life on this first Sunday in Advent? I can do little more than set the theme this morning. Now Paul says, "We see through a glass darkly." We grope, we see fuzzy images, we have a sense of something, but it's not clear. We can't penetrate through the mystery, the mystery that is life, that is history, that is cosmos. Now, dimly, but then - clearly! Now, he says, we know in part. Dear God, don't we know a lot? Really? When you think of the explosion of knowledge and then when you think of the computer capacity to make that knowledge exponentially more applicable - what a world we live in! What a fascinating time to be alive! Now! Knowledge. But, the more we know, the more we know we don't know. And it's not as though we edge up to the mystery in order to dissolve it. As we edge up to the mystery, the mystery grows, doesn't it? Now we know in part, but then we will know even as we are fully known. © Grand Valley State University �Life Broken and Poured Out Richard A. Rhem Page 4   This Advent season let me try to set this into your mind, this idea - Now, But Then. Now in part; then fully. Now dimly, then clearly. Because, you see, we're going somewhere. Something's happening. There's a process under foot, and we are being moved along in that stream, either unconsciously or, if by God's grace for just a moment we could step back and realize that we are in a process for which we ought to be taking responsibility and living with intention. What is emerging? That's the other thing I want to say this morning. What is emerging? Well, if we take what Mary thought was emerging, we can look at that Magnificat. She thought what was emerging was the gift of the child that she had conceived : a new world, a different kind of world. And it excited her. She praised God! But, as I reflected on the Magnificat, dear friends, and I thought how am I going to say this to my people -I realized that the Gospel is Good News, really, for the underdog. Mary was a peasant girl. Mary was one of the voiceless ones. Mary had no power. And what did she celebrate? She celebrated the fact that in her world, in her day, folks like us would be put down so that folks like her would be raised up. Mary's song was a subversive song. He puts down the proud; he lifts up the lowly. He turns away those whose tables are full and brings food to the hungry. That's good news? Really? You got to be one of the underclass to celebrate the Gospel. Unless, unless there's a way for us, the rich and the powerful, to find a way to a new world. Unless, in this Advent season, we who have voice, we who have power, we who call the shots for our world, unless we could come to some kind of negotiation with that emerging future and perhaps even become a part of the movement to bring it into being. I know what it would cost. It only comes about through life broken and poured out. You see, the child of Mary's womb, whom she celebrated in that anthem, was a child who grew up to be crucified. If you would go into the next chapter of Luke's Gospel, you could see that Luke was already foreshadowing that, because he said to Mary, "A sword will pierce your heart because this one will be a sign spoken again, this one will be for the fall and rising of many in Israel." It's obvious that, in the Christian Church down 2000 years, we still call this the Gospel, we don't understand what it's all about. I mean, it's really obvious, isn't it? The Gospel is about the great reversal. The Gospel is about the creation of a world, a community where everyone has enough and has a voice and has dignity and can live in a community of compassion. And you know what that would cost? It cost Jesus his life. It cost Gandhi his life. It cost Martin Luther King his life. It cost Bonhoeffer his life. It cost Itzak Rabin his life. Because, you see, our world is organized to hold off the future. Our world, our politics, our social structures - they are put together in order to maintain what is. I like it the way it is. Because the way it is puts me in a place of real privilege, unbelievable privilege. If I would be true to the Gospel, I would become one of those subversives that would undercut the way it is in order that there might emerge a different kind of world. I don't have the blueprint for it. I don't really have the courage for it. But, in this Advent season, I'm going to be just a bit © Grand Valley State University �Life Broken and Poured Out Richard A. Rhem Page 5   uneasy about the fact that the cost of that emerging future may involve my life. We've been to the Table; we've taken bread and cup, the sign of life broken and poured out, the sign of our identification with that One. The Good News in all of this is that, if I ever had the courage, the wisdom, the heart to follow Jesus, I would find abundant life. Because in many ways I'm a migrant, too. Life can become that, where I no longer live it out of my insides, but am lived by the outside. Advent - wonderful time of the year to take time, to count the cost and to be drawn by the vision of that life, which is life indeed. I dare you. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/4ca906742f8a11e44b62a8b74c40b1f0.mp3 36bed7f97deac76cb3c45d52959801cc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent I Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Luke 15:51-52, I Corinthians 13:12 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951203 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-03 Title A name given to the resource Life Broken and Poured Out Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 3, 1995 entitled "Life Broken and Poured Out", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of Advent I, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Luke 15:51-52, I Corinthians 13:12. Advent Community of Compassion Emergence Incarnation Liturgical Calendar https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/150579ce89eec17329090218cac9c295.pdf cea7f6253bb4c485f347c73fa36fa206 PDF Text Text When the Crisis Comes – It’s Too Late From the sermon series: Now – But Then Text: Isaiah 11:9; I Corinthians 13:13; Luke 1:37 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent II, December 10, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon Our Advent theme comes from Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians in the 13th chapter, where he sets in contrast, “Now - But Then.” He writes to this congregation that was bubbling over with spiritual gifts and enthusiasm run out of control, and he urges them to seek the best gift, the gift of love. And in the context of that discussion, he suggests that there are three things that remain faith, hope, love. He encourages the Corinthians to major in faith and hope and love as that which matter eternally. And in the remaining three weeks of the Advent season, I want to consider with you faith and hope and love. First of all, faith, or maybe the word that for us says it better - trust, that basic orientation of life that is trusting: trusting in God, trusting in life's meaning, in the goodness of reality. To trust is to have a place to stand and to be and then to be free to be in the fullness of every moment. To live by faith is to live by an eternal verity. The gift of faith, the gift of trust enables us to negotiate the passages of life, come what may. And that's really the issue of this message. I want to suggest to you that the time to cultivate basic trust is before you need it. I think it's at the Advent season that we feel the stark contrast between what is and what might be. It is at this season of the year that we are called to remember that we are people on the way, we are in a process, something's happening, we're going somewhere, there is something developing, something emerging, invisible, unseen. And yet, we're caught up in that process. And to remember, that is to be reminded that what is falls so far short of what might be. To be human is not to be locked in to the present, the present moment. It is to be free to unlock from this moment and to travel backward in time through memory and to experience again the joys of the past or the pain of the past. To be human is to have that gift of consciousness that allows us to unlock from this present moment and to travel into the future and to conceive of what might be, to dream of another possibility. In the Advent season we recognize that it's precisely because we are people on the way, going somewhere we have been and we will be, and the contrast between what is and what might be can be a painful contemplation. And it is only if we © Grand Valley State University   �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 2   have received the gift of trust that we are able to negotiate every moment with a certain freedom and serenity. Isn't it remarkable that from ancient time humankind has conceived of something different than that which is? Take the dream, the vision of Isaiah, as we read it a moment ago. There, 2500, 2800 years ago there was a contemplative, there was a religious spirit that was contrasting that which was his context with that which was his dream. He dreamed of a day when there would be a ruler upon whom the spirit of God would fall, a ruler who would not judge by what his eyes saw or his ears heard, a ruler who would discern down into the depths of things. A ruler would arise who would rule with equity, with justice. He would be concerned for society's most vulnerable ones; he would rule with righteousness, and that righteous rule in the arena of history would spill over into nature so that the lion and the lamb would lie down together and the child could play over the adder's den, and they would not hurt or destroy in all God's holy mountain. What a dream! What a vision! Campaign '96 is warming up. Wouldn't we love such a candidate for office? Wouldn't it be great if we could cast our ballot next November for one upon whom the spirit of God would dwell in fullness, who would judge with equity and rule with righteousness and bring in God's peaceable kingdom? Luke believed that that one arrived in the child of Mary's womb, a child conceived by the Spirit of God, a child who would bring about that peaceable kingdom. Mary laid hold of the vision and sang a song of praise, The Magnificat, which we noted last week, about this child who would raise up the lowly and bring down the arrogant. And yet it seems as though history continues to go along, business as usual. Well, that's not a new problem. It was recognized 2000 years ago. The second Letter of Peter, if you want to refer to it – there were scoffers then who were saying to the likes of St. Luke, "Where is the day of his appearing? It looks pretty much like the same, tired old world to me." And, of course, it is, isn't it? Even 2000 years later. The Advent season gives us opportunity to reflect on the fact that something's happening. We're moving, we're going somewhere. And we can dream of something quite other than that which confronts us. And yet, troops move into Bosnia where there's a paper peace but no peace in the human heart. And Israel still reels from the assassination of its leader who was seeking peace. And if not on the national or international scene, there are those within our own community who enter into crisis, the kind of crisis that makes us wonder what it's all about and if it's all worth it, and if anybody, anybody is managing this cosmos into which we are caught up. The issue before us this morning: St. Paul says faith is that which abides, but, can I believe it? Can I hold on to the vision? Can I dream the dream? Can I be set free in the present moment because I believe that this present moment does not proscribe the parameters of my possibility? © Grand Valley State University �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 3   You'll never gain trust by observing life. That's my point this morning. It is trust that you must bring to experience. It is faith that you must bring to the ongoing story. You'll never gain faith or come to trust simply by observing the story. One of the great historians of a former generation, H.A.L. Fischer, in his History of Europe, wrote these words, "One intellectual excitement has been denied me. People wiser and more learned than I have discovered in history a plot, a rhythm, a predetermined pattern. These harmonies are concealed from me. I can see only one emergency following another, as wave follows upon wave. Only one great fact with respect to which, since it is unique there can be no generalizations, and the only safe rule for the historian is that he should recognize in the development of human destinies the play of the contingent and the unforeseen." That's a good statement. If you go out to the beach today, you'll find one wave crashing on the beach after another - wild, stormy water, wave upon wave crashing on the beach. And Fischer says, "As I observe history, that's what I see." One emergency after another, one crisis after another, one valley of darkness after another. And I see no predetermined pattern. I see no rhythm. I see no pattern. Honestly, as I look at it as an historian, that's all I can see. And as an historian, that's all one can see if one starts out with a blank sheet, if one would simply, neutrally, somewhat objectively survey the human story, then one cannot say it more eloquently than Fischer has said it. The pattern is not in there to be seen. The pattern is imposed by those who have faith and that are given eyes to see it. I picked up a book last night, which someone sent me. I've been dabbling, you know, in cosmology, physics, astronomy, that sort of thing. But, this book is entitled, God and The New Biology, by an Oxford biologist, Arthur Peacocke. Fascinating discussion in which he acknowledges that it is in physics and cosmological speculation that science is giving us a sense of mystery before this unfolding cosmic drama. But, in molecular and sub-molecular biology as well, there is tremendous ferment and some breakthrough as to the development of the human person and indeed all living structures. And Peacocke suggests a sense of God more immanently involved in that process than we have yet conceived. But he also honors that which has come to light, and that is that there isn't some prescribed pattern, but rather there is both law and chance. And he suggests that the Creator has put into the structure of things a kind of law, a kind of regularity, a kind of structure that gives some stability, but within that, in its sub-molecular structure, as we learn from quantum physics, there are things that happen at that sub-molecular level that can only be described as chance. Unpredictable! Unprogrammable! And Peacock says that's precisely the point at which creativity is possible. In other words, reality is an open system, not closed. © Grand Valley State University �When the Crisis Comes, It’s Too Late Richard A. Rhem Page 4   I think the Christian tradition, or religious people generally, would love to have the system closed and to know that from the beginning to the end it is all determined. That's been used as a kind of security blanket to remove us from the sense of life's fragility and the peril to which our lives are always exposed, but it is not so, really, and we know it, too, out of our experience. H A.L. Fischer is right! One wave after another - that's the way we live. God answers prayer, yes. This one was healed. God answers prayer, maybe not. That one wasn't healed. In all of the existential experiences of our life we would so much love to be able to boil it down and get a finger on it, tie it in a package and put a bow on it and say, "Now, there. That's it. A manageable universe and a secure human existence." But, we know it is not so. It is not so! How, then, can I live? How, then, can I be set free from the constant anxiety of the next moment and tomorrow? By trust. By faith that I do not derive from the observation of the story, but that I bring to the story. Because I believe beyond what is observable that there is something happening, and that this process which is going somewhere will have an end which will not be nothing, but something, an end which will not be no one, but someone. Do you want me to prove it to you? Of course, I can't. That's my point. That's my faith! I trust that. And that's the great divide. Those who live with that trust and those who live perhaps with an agnosticism that says I don't know, or a bitter cynicism that says I don't believe it. Those are the choices. Well, how do you come with such trust? With some struggle, I would hope. And it is a gift not at our disposal. But a season like this does give us those moments of reflection. And if one longs for some breath as the Advent carol says, some pulse of being stirring as in a heart of stone, if in the longing of one's heart there is at least that openness – at the end of the day, in a moment of reflection – to that light as a falling star across the consciousness of the night of the heart, then perhaps we may be probing the edges of that gift of faith which is a gift of God that is the promise of Advent. And to live by such trust is not to denigrate the present in favor of the future. It is to give a promise for the future that releases us to delight in the present, fully to live, with a measure of peace and joy. The gift of Advent. The gift of the Child. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/74a30e714c780cff96a7e6176a23fc75.mp3 6b2e6007e6461b2ca078e5b8b93295e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent II Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Isaiah 11:9, I Corinthians 13:13, Luke 1:37 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Arthur Peacocke, God and the New Biology, 1987. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951210 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-10 Title A name given to the resource When the Crisis Comes - It's Too Late Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 10, 1995 entitled "When the Crisis Comes - It's Too Late", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of Advent II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 11:9, I Corinthians 13:13, Luke 1:37. Advent Emergence Faith Love Shalom Trust https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/43fd0dbfb860334b5cd5cb83f0d8c895.pdf 96f798d246f377744a2c6de8e0a6482f PDF Text Text Can We Be Truthful and Hopeful? From the sermon series: Now–But Then Text: Isaiah 9:2; I Corinthians 13:13; Luke 1:79 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent III, December 17, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon For just a few moments, for your meditation, think with me about Christian hope and the question whether or not we can be both truthful and hopeful. The Church of England, in a statement entitled, "Christian Believing," wrote this: Christian life is an adventure, a voyage of discovery, a journey, sustained by faith and hope toward a final and complete communion with love at the heart of all things. It's really a marvelous statement, obviously taking its cue from the Apostle Paul in the 13th chapter of his first Letter to the Corinthians. The understanding of life as an adventure, a voyage of discovery, a journey. And that voyage, that journey is negotiated by faith and hope with a final destination, the culmination, being the complete communion in love. And so it is by faith and hope that we move toward the fullness of love, which is, according to this statement, at the heart of all things. I do think that is the content of Christian hope. That at the heart of all things, there is love, and that it is by faith, in hope, that we grasp that love in foretaste in the confidence that the love that we experience here and there, now and again, is but a foretaste of a final communion in love, at the heart of all things. That is, I believe, the content of Christian hope. But that experience is an experience that we only appropriate in the present, but never fully realize. It is the present experience of a future reality. It is the present vision of that which is last week in relationship to faith - you don't derive faith from experience. You bring faith to experience. And you don't derive hope from experience, you must bring hope to experience, because experience, sooner or later, will defeat you badly. It is not from the observation of our human experience that we learn to hope. Look at it; think about it for a moment. Human experience is uneven. Human experience is unfair. Human experience is laced with injustice, inequity. The Psalmist knew that long ago. Psalm 73 - he looked about him and he saw the prosperity of the wicked and he was angry about that. It seemed to him that those who were wealthy and doing just fine were reckless and careless, while he had kept his hands and his heart clean and he was angry. © Grand Valley State University   �Can We Be Truthful and Hopeful? Richard A. Rhem Page 2   He could see an injustice; he could see in human experience that something was wrong. No, it is not on the basis of our experience that we learn to hope. It is the gift of hope that we bring to our experience that enables us to stand and to go through and to negotiate and to hold on. Hope is that which God gifts us with in order to keep us dreaming, even in the darkness. It's quite remarkable, I think. It's that which marks our human existence. We're not locked into this present moment. By memory we can go back into the past and taste again joys and sadness. And by our imagination we move into the future and we can see things in another way. And in this present moment, we can find meaning, going backwards and forwards and appropriating that which is not present, except in hope. Someone has said that where there's life there's hope. But, wouldn't it be more correct to say that where there's hope, there's life? And where there is no hope, there is no life? And I think that it is precisely because we have become so acutely aware of the gulf between what is and what might be that much religion is a projecting into the future, the resolution of that conflict of the present. The biblical frame of reference is that time-line which is the framework in which we live. How else can we human beings think than in the past, in the future, standing in the present moment? And, as that conflict between the present reality and that dream in the human heart became acute, I think there was the tendency to push the resolution off into the future. And so, religion often has become a kind of escape from the present moment. Even the doctrines of heaven and hell and that whole future existence are the construction of those who looked at life and said, "It isn't fair. It isn't right If anybody is in charge, if God is God, then there must be out there some future resolution." There's always a temptation to escape the present or to deny the present in light of a future where everything will be settled. But, think about it for a moment - the only way we can think is in a time-line. And so, of course, in Advent season we remember that the one who came is coming again and we are called to contemplate the end. But, is the end out there? Or, is not the end right here? Is it really a matter of moving toward a future resolution of all things or is it being able to find, in this present moment, the resolution that comes by the experience of the presence of God, God with us? Is the coming of Jesus the dawning of an age that will soon end? That's what they thought. Indeed, that's what the prophet thought. The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light, a child is given to us, all will be well. But, it wasn't well! And Luke said, in the song of Zacharias, "You, Child, will prepare the way of the Lord in the light according to the tender mercy of God, the light is dawning on the people who walk in darkness." But, it didn't dawn, folks. It's 2000 years later and my point to you this morning is that simply to say out there it will be taken care of is to deny the reality of our present experience and to miss the presence of God here and now. Can we be both truthful and hopeful? Is hope something that enables me to live presently without escape, without cynicism, without despair and © Grand Valley State University �Can We Be Truthful and Hopeful? Richard A. Rhem Page 3   without denial? Can I face the present darkness, believing that it is always true in every moment that that light will dawn upon me in the presence of the Presence of the Lord? You see, you come to the end of a century, as we are, and the end of a millennium, as we are, and you always find there's that kind of apocalyptic preaching that proclaims the End. And you're going to hear it more in the next few years as we move toward the year 2000. The Lord is coming; the End is coming; the Judgment is coming. I don't believe that, you see. I think that is to miss today. It is to miss this moment. Because it is the year 2000 doesn't mean we're any closer to any kind of consummation. I don't know about that consummation. I know the only way these things can be spoken of is to speak about a future resolution, but my point this morning is, if you're always hanging on that future resolution, you will never come to peace and hope and joy and delight in this present moment. To know Emmanuel is to know that God is with us, God is with us here and now; God is with us in the darkness; God is with us in our health and God is with us in our dying. God is with us in our loving and our caring. God, here and now! That's the content of Christian hope, the fact that this process that has been underway for billions and billions of years - is it drawing to its close at the year 2000? Will God ring down the curtain of history? That is bad religion! That looks like some kind of escape from the present engagement of life. God is in this process of which we are a part, and embraces it all and goes through it all with us and gives us that amazing capacity in the darkness to live as though the Light is about to dawn. Hope, hope doesn't come from experience. Experience shatters hope! Hope comes from God, and it is hope in God and it is the experience of the presence of God, here in the darkness where we dwell in the land of the shadow of death. Advent calls us to think about the end, but not the year 2000 or 3000 or 10,000. It calls us to speak about the end of life, the purpose of life, the meaning of life, which is God with us. God with us. Why do we keep on hoping? That, to me, is an amazing thing. After all these years, we keep on hoping. After all of the wars, after all of the death and disease, after all of the brokenness, we keep on hoping. To me, it is the best sign I know that the hope stems from God, Who says to us there is no darkness so dark, there is no coldness so cold, there is no storm so severe, but what I will be with you, I will keep you, I will never let you go. That is Advent hope. It is the present appropriation of a future consummation. Hope teamed with faith keep us moving toward love, which is at the heart of all things. I believe that, and in that, I hope. And in that hope, the darkness is scattered and the Light dawns, because God is with us in the meantime. If we don't feel for something more, we'll fall for something less. If we don't reach for something above us, we'll fall for something below us. It is in the gift of hope that the present is transformed. And I can say in regard to now and then, all is well. All is well. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a57f0f013daf0169b661dac2081b0346.mp3 112e5eb063b89b13d4c00af80f8b9657 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent III Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Isaiah 9:2, I Cor 13:13, Luke 1:79 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951217 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-17 Title A name given to the resource Can We Be Both Truthful and Hopeful? Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 17, 1995 entitled "Can We Be Both Truthful and Hopeful?", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of Advent III, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 9:2, I Cor 13:13, Luke 1:79. Advent Hope Journey of Faith Love at the core of reality Presence of God https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b386e2e6127c403860f00cfedb00a8eb.pdf df37d20d770d582693bf4cc49b76a8bb PDF Text Text Love’s Vulnerability From the sermon series: Now – But Then Luke 2:12; I John 4:16; I Corinthians 13:4-8 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Christmas Eve, December 24, 1995 Transcription of the spoken sermon Now - But Then, a phrase that comes from Paul's hymn of love in I Corinthians, the 13th chapter, where he contrasts the present and the future, the reality in which we live and the hope that we dream for another kind of world and experience. The Church of England makes this statement, entitling it "Christian Believing." I shared it with you last Sunday morning; I think it's worth repeating. The Christian life is an adventure, a voyage of discovery, a journey sustained by faith and hope towards a final and complete communion with love at the heart of all things. We have considered together the faith, the trust with which we live, and the hope that we have that the darkness will be dispersed by the light, and we come this evening, finally, to that supreme gift of which the Apostle writes - the gift of love. Faith, hope and love abide, but love is the greatest, says the Apostle Paul. And John would agree, for John says that God is love. And this evening for just a few moments, think with me about love - love's vulnerability. We say that love came down at Christmas, and this is such a beautiful time of the year and it's very easy to get blurry-eyed, to get lumps in the throat, tears in the eyes. The mystery of it, the wonder of it, just the beauty of it - all of that is really a marvelous gift to be taken in fully and to be celebrated and appreciated. But, it's also possible, as we talk about the love that came down at Christmas, to get a bit sentimental and to forget the real context out of which the Christmas story arises. Christmas in conjunction with a consideration of love caused me to think about love's vulnerability, because the love that came down at Christmas was the love that became vulnerable in a world that finally crucified it. The love that came down at Christmas is a love that entered into the very real world. The Christmas Gospel, the Christmas story is really quite a social criticism. We can forget about that in all of the sentimentality of the season, but Jesus came a child born into a very harsh world. And those to whom he came praised God because they saw his gift as a reversal of the reality they were living. The songs in the beginning of Luke's Gospel are really revolutionary ballads. They celebrate the © Grand Valley State University   �Love’s Vulnerability Richard A. Rhem Page 2   lifting up of the lowly and the putting down of the arrogant and the powerful. They are the songs of the voiceless and the powerless, ones who believed that God is visiting their lives and that their reality will be changed through this divine visitation. The love of which they speak is the love that took concrete form in the flesh of a child, but the flesh of a child that entered into a social, economic and political context that was criticized by the very appearance of that child in its midst. Love's vulnerability. As I think about that, I think about the concreteness of love. Love - everybody talks about love, everybody sings about love. Love is used in such diverse manner to cover so many different things, and for the most part it's really very superficial. It's very easy to say love. "I love you," "I love that." But, the love that came down at Christmas was God's concrete identification with a human reality that was harsh and brutal, and that visitation came with the intention of creating another kind of reality. Paul talks about Now - But Then, and I want to suggest to you tonight that the movement from Now, in the darkness, to the Then of the dream is possible only through the vulnerability of love. The love that came down at Christmas, in its manifestation, was vulnerable, for the heart of God was revealed in a child. Not in the intimidating presence of some great king, not with a blinding flash of glory. The love that came down at Christmas was a vulnerable love in its manifestation. Who would have guessed that love would be found enfleshed in a child? Quite God-like. Quite uncharacteristic of our own revelation of ourselves. But, love's vulnerability is seen not only in its manifestation, but also in its identification. For love came down at Christmas to a manger, to the peasants, to be adored by poor shepherds. The love that came down at Christmas, the love that revealed the heart of God was the love that identified with the weak and the powerless and the voiceless. I don't expect you to remember the first Sunday in Advent, but when I got into this theme I suggested to you as we gathered around the Lord's Table, that it is only through life broken and poured out that we can possibly move from the Now to the Then. It seems like the human story is only moved, nudged along at all through some demonstration of love that involves the self-giving of the lover. And in the identification of that love, of Christmas, with the poor and the weak and the voiceless and the powerless, there was a sharp criticism of the way our world is structured and the way our lives are structured. As I suggested to you on the first Sunday of Advent, when I get thinking about these things too deeply, I ask the question, "Is it possible for affluent, powerful, mostly white people like us to be Christian?" Have we not spiritualized it? Have we not made it a beautiful tale of God's love? Have we not made it a salvation story? Have we not made it something that pertains to that vertical relationship between the individual and God and forgotten that in that manifestation of love in the child there was the identification with the poorest of humankind, with the © Grand Valley State University �Love’s Vulnerability Richard A. Rhem Page 3   promise that their destiny would be altered and that another reality was dawning in the world? Love's vulnerability. I looked the word up. I use it all the time; I think I know what it means, but sometimes it's good to go to the dictionary and just say what does it say about this word, vulnerable? I found that, in the big, fat dictionary that I use, it says that vulnerability is exposing oneself to the possibility of woundedness, exposing oneself to the possibility of injury. That's a good definition. That's a definition of the love that came down at Christmas. Was not the heart of God revealed in the child in a way vulnerable, exposed to injury, exposed, indeed, to crucifixion? Is not the fact that the love, which came down at Christmas, was finally nailed to a cross a sign that that love contradicts the world, contradicts our society, contradicts our manner of life, contradicts the living out of the Gospel by the Christian church? Love's vulnerability. What is the love that became vulnerable at Christmas? Well, John says God is love. Not simply God loves, but God is love, which means that out of the fountainhead of God, love permeates the whole of creation, so that all that there is of love is that which flows from the heart of things. At the heart of things, there is love. And out of that heart of reality flows love into creation. And John says, further, that God is known in the concrete love of the other. The one who abides in love, abides in God. Paul makes that very concrete. Sometimes in the history of the Church, in the tradition of the Church, the Ten Commandments are read in every service. But, I must say I am never so stricken as when I read Paul's description: Love is patient, love is kind, love is not envious or boastful or arrogant, does not insist on its own way, is not irritable or resentful. It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it endures all things. Love never ends. At the heart of things is love, and that love flows into the whole created order. And that love seeks to flow through us and to find concrete shape and manifestation through us, who are the extension of the Incarnation. And the only way to live out the Christmas Gospel is to live in the vulnerability of love. And I don't do it very well. Love is patient and I'm impatient. Love is kind, and I'm not always. Love is not envious and I am. Love is not boastful or arrogant or rude and sometimes I plead guilty. Not irritable or resentful? Not true of me. Doesn't rejoice in wrongdoing? Sometimes I do, when it's your wrongdoing. Rejoices in the truth? Generally. Bears all things? Hopes all things? Endures all things? Dear God! To live love is to live vulnerably. Why, it's to be a veritable fool! Love's vulnerability. As I think about it, it seems to me that love in its shape is other-centered rather than being self-centered. Love, in its vulnerability, acts concretely with compassion. Love in its vulnerability believes in the ultimate triumph of love. Love in its vulnerability cares infinitely, never giving up. And © Grand Valley State University �Love’s Vulnerability Richard A. Rhem Page 4   love in its vulnerability identifies with the most vulnerable of its brothers and sisters. Someone has said that a society can be judged by how it relates to its most vulnerable members. There's a battle raging in this nation right now and the poor and the voiceless and the powerless are in the game as there's a struggle, and I don't have the political solution, but this I will tell you - in this nation that is rich and is powerful, God holds us accountable for the way we treat the weakest and the most vulnerable, and if we do not do that with compassion, if our hearts do not cry out for justice, if there is not within us a consuming care that won't quit, then all of this beauty and this wonder is just a game. Now there is so much darkness, but we dream of the possibility of Then, something other. Some years ago there was a film that moved me greatly. It was called "Places of the Heart." Perhaps you saw it A rural Texas farmer is murdered His widow is left with a crop to harvest. A Black man comes through town looking for work. She hires him. She boards a blind man. Between them, they struggle and they harvest the crop and they save the farm, only to see the Ku Klux Klan move in and drive the Black man away with their burning cross in the yard And one's heart sinks and one has to say, 'That's always the way it is!" But, the film then moves off into an ethereal future and there's a church service in that little rural community. And there's the man who was murdered and the man who murdered him. There's the bully of the Ku Klux Klan and the Black man and the widow and the blind man. And they pass the bread and the cup down the row with the words, "The peace of Christ be with you." And at first I wondered if the filmmaker was mocking the communion of the church as though one thing goes on out there and then we come here as though it isn't true, but I think, rather, he was saying, since the passage that was read in the service was I Corinthians 13, Now - But Then. Then, finally. Love's vulnerability will triumph over all of our selfishness and our self-centeredness and our failure to care. Christmas, if it would effect the miracle in our lives, must change us, calling us to love's vulnerability. I have an idea. I think I may even act on it. I want to print and mail to you in some fashion I Corinthians 13 and suggest that the whole Christ Community put it up on the cupboard or the refrigerator or the mirror and read it every day of 1996 until we are so permeated by love's vulnerability that we, like the eternal God, find ourselves naturally manifesting love and identifying with the loveless until Now becomes Then. © Grand Valley State University � https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/aa381e73299d7925c8e1007c5c36b1db.mp3 77aec517750d1b4f4518b4c5aea83809 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 Eve Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Luke 2:12, I John 4:16, I Corinthians 13:4-8 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951224 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-24 Title A name given to the resource Love's Vulnerability Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 24, 1995 entitled "Love's Vulnerability", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of Christmas Eve, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Luke 2:12, I John 4:16, I Corinthians 13:4-8. Advent Compassion Justice Love at the core of reality https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8e2e5582fc7caac6c1b2544625b6f33c.mp3 3fa3b333a53b4c8ae50f6760ec426b29 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 New Year_s Eve Series Now _ But Then Scripture Text Psalm 16:5, 11, Matthew 1:23 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19951231 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1995-12-31 Title A name given to the resource Face to Face Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 31, 1995 entitled "Face to Face", as part of the series "Now - But Then", on the occasion of New Year's Eve, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 16:5, 11, Matthew 1:23. https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b3f13d7e6cac157136d62321814d3068.mp3 3f4598e1ab48b1467c5f914e791e25bd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany I Series Look Again, Epiphany Series Scripture Text Gen. 1:3, Ephesians 3:9, Matthew 2:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19960107 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996-01-07 Title A name given to the resource Star Trek Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 7, 1996 entitled "Star Trek", as part of the series "Look Again, Epiphany Series", on the occasion of Epiphany I, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Gen. 1:3, Ephesians 3:9, Matthew 2:2.