APCE Day 1

Raw Materials:
Arrived in San Antonio last night too late to register for the conference or to hear any of the speakers (though there was quite a hubbub about J. Herbert's style of social justice preaching). I'm anxious to hear J. Herbert and Eileen today. The hotel charges for in-room wireless access, so I spent some time in the lobby last night connected to the free access. While in the lobby, I actually saw some other young adult Presbyterians(!). I spent most of my evening talking with Hansen over a couple of Shiners in the hotel sports lounge. Hansen and I have half a dozen people in common (so far), with connections at Highlands, Montreat, and Boston.

It's amazing how following just a few threads of connection can show the interweaving of the PC(USA) tapestry.

Also got to meet Jenna and Jeremy, both from Manitoba. Am I a Canadian magnet when I'm at APCE? I love it!

Faith Brewed:

Waiting for my flights yesterday I got into Frances Taylor Gench's newest book, Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John. Even though in Sunday's sermon I included the insight of how distinct John's theological approach is, the depth of that distinction is still settling in. John's emphasis on Jesus' divinity is established at the outset, and is counterbalanced by the more human approach to Jesus in the Synoptics.

The other question Frances' writing brought me to ponder: What is the connection between redemption and creation? A traditional theological answer would be the redemption is an act of creation, an act of completion or an act of furthering completion, but what are the personal implications for this?

Also, is there a linguistic connection between the Greek word eskēnōsen, or “dwelling place,” “pitching a tent” with the Hebrew word Shekinah, a word derived from the tabernacle-tent-mobile dwelling place for God. They have the same three letter root, but it may also be coincidence. I'll look it up later.

Today's Brew:
Shiner Bock. A Texas 'local' favorite. Great with Tex-Mex. Personally, I'd like a bit more finishing hops.