Group Name: CREDO

Subject: Apr. book discussion of the Wm. Sloane Coffin book

"Love measures our stature: the more we
love, the bigger war are. There is no smaller package in all the world than that
of a man all wrapped up in himself," writes William Sloane Coffin in his
recently released book, Credo.Garry Trudeau, Doonesbury creator, says,
"For more than 40 years, William Sloane Coffin has both enraptured and
challenged the nation with his vibrant calls for peace and social justice. The
passionate music of his ministrysoars from these pages."Join us in April 2004 in
reading and being challenged by William Sloane Coffin's recently released book,
Credo. Erik Kolbell, a United Church of Christ pastor in New York and
author of What Jesus Meant, will be the content specialist for this
discussion.The book may be purchased directly from the publisher at Presbyterian Publishing Corporation or by
calling 800-227-2872. Discussion Schedule:Week 1:  April 5-9 Apr. 5 On
pages ix-x there is the story of Bill and others having been arrested at a civil
disobedience action.  Read this with particular attention to what Bill did to
lift the spirit of others.  What does this tell us about him?Apr. 6 On pages 2
following there are a number of passages that relate to the concept of Christian
love.  How does love differ from sentimentality? How, for Bill is it a force, a
power, rather than something soft and pliant?Apr. 7 At the top of page 18 Bill
discusses guilt, with little patience for those who feel guilty.  What makes
forgiveness so difficult?  And what makes it so hard for us to extend
forgiveness?  What is Coffin's position on thematter?Apr . 8 Pages 33 through 37
capture a lot of nuggets that reveal Bill's position on civil rights.  How is
his sense of prophetic ministry inextricably best expressed, and what do these
passages tell us about how he has conducted that ministry?Apr. 9 On pages 39
through 41 Bill makes reference to gay rights, a cause he picked up late in his
ministry and advocated for quite fiercely.  Why is this one of the last bastions
of discrimination in the church?Week 2: April 12-16Apr. 12 On the top of
page 40 Bill takes aim at biblical fundamentalists.What do you think about his
argument?  What is the "truth" of  Scripture, ifnot historical truth?Apr.13 In
pages 49 and following there are a good many references toeconomic rights and
the need for the rich to do with less.  Is there any argument that supports the
notion that the truly wealthy can justify their wealth to their faith?  What
does Bill think, and what do you think?Apr. 14 On page 60 he writes, "It is not
money that poisons the soul, it is being anxious about it."  What does he mean
by that?  Let's link it with the biblical adage that "the love of money is the
root of all evil."Apr. 15 Read the first full passage on page 81, where Bill
talks about a great America as being a weak America.  How was this evident in
the aftermath (immediate and long term) of 9/11?Apr. 16 At the bottom of page 82
Bill rejects all war, in all forms.  Yet he fought in World War II and came late
to the campaign to end the Viet Nam war.  Is there any longer any such thing as
a "just" war?Week 3 April 19-23 Apr. 19 Read the passage at the top of
page 94.  Let's discuss what it means to demonize our enemies, as we have done
for centuries in justifying our killing of them.Apr. 20 In the chapter on peace
Bill gives much attention to the nuclear arms race.  How has it changed, and how
must the faithful address the race in its current state?Apr. 21 On pages 103-104
Bill discusses civil disobedience.  How do we wed the ethics of disobedience to
tactics?Apr. 22 In his section on Nature, there is much attention given to the
despoliation of the environment.  What is the difference between "dominion over
the earth" and reverence for it?  Or are they one and the same?Apr. 23 On page
120 Bill writes of courage as being aware of the worst thing that can happen and
then doing it any way?  Have we become too timid?  And if so, what are some of
those "worst things" that keep us from doing thecourageous things?Week 4:
April 26-30Apr. 26 Read the large passage on page 127.  What new insights is
Bill giving us about children?  What do you think about his insights?Apr. 27 The
last passage on page 139 and the one that runs from the bottom of page 141 to
the top of 142 are, among other things, indictments of bourgeois Christianity. 
Are you in agreement with him?  Where are the models of religious communities
that live more in keeping with Bill's image of the church?Apr 28 On page 151
Bill writes "disguise is the essence of evil."  What does he mean by that?  Can
you find examples of it in your own life and work?Apr 29 Read the passages on
page 166 that pertain to growing old.  Does our culture venerate the elderly the
way Bill would have us?  Similarly, where is there grace to be found in growing
old?Apr 30 Read pages 169 and 170.  What are Bill's thoughts on eternity,
heaven, an ongoing relationship with God?  What are yours?

Group Info