The day's harvest

From a day filled with lectures, worship, conversations, food and fellowship, here are a few pearls. These are not quotes but my recollection of the speaker's ideas. I am not sure any of them are true, but they made for good thinking. You can, of course, download any of these sermons or lectures from Chautauqua's on line library: http://www.thegreatlecturelibrary.com/ (I think I get a free Chautauqua Bell Tower tote bag if you tell them I sent you).

From Prof. James Heckman: the attributes that used to be lumped together and called “character” (i.e. ability to finish a job once started, ability to delay gratification, hard work, focus, respect for rules, et al.) turn out to be vital for long term success in life as measured by certain economic – though not necessarily financial - parameters. We should therefore shift our policies and invest in programs that cultivate “good character” in children from a very early age instead of focusing on testing and remediation.

From Rev. John Buchanan’s sermon: a recent Pew Trust survey shows that people who go regularly to church are more likely than atheists to believe that torture is acceptable. From his lunchtime talk: You are not called to be successful you are called to be faithful.

From Prof. Elaine Pagels: The Gospel of John is, at least in part, a polemic against the Gnostic Gospel of Thomas. References to Thomas, especially the “doubting Thomas” episode, are not really about the apostle character, Thomas, but about the Gospel written in his name. John presents a theology whereby Jesus is absolutely unique – above and unlike humans. Thomas, according to Pagels, sees the light of divinity in all humanity. The “light” in Jesus is equally in all people and all living things. [note: some of my pastor colleagues here did not agree with Pagels’ interpretation.]

From Garrison Keillor: All good stories are about people’s mistakes. You should serve your family homemade potato salad on the Fourth of July because that is how “cautious” “unexpressive” people show their love. It's also an honest way to keep faith with Thomas Jefferson.