progressive involvement

Requiscat in pacem, Marcus Borg

Marcus Borg has died at the age of 72.  He was a professor of religion at Oregon State University, a Bible scholar and theologian, and a major influence in modern day Christianity.  

Borg wrote 21 books.  I've often recommended his books, especially The Heart of Christianity.  His two recent book with John Dominic Crossan, The First Christmas and The First Paul, shed new light on both subjects.

Borg was raised as a Lutheran in North Dakota.  Later in life, he became an Episcopalian.  (His wife is an Episcopal priest.)  Borg always claimed his Lutheran heritage.  When he asked how many Lutherans were at a recent conference, he said, "I have half my hand up."  

Sometimes, I regret to say, the Lutherans were a negative example.  He still remembered the parish pastor from his youth who pronounced the forgiveness of sins all the while shaking his finger at the congregation.  This had the effect of making the good news feel not-so-good.

Borg's question was how to interpret the Christian faith for people living the modern world.  This is the task of modern theology, which Marcus Borg understood, and why he chose that task for his life's work.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer tried to do the same, as did Teilhard de Chardin and several others.

I'm honored to have been acquainted with him and blessed to have heard him speak on a number of occasions.  He was a gentle and learned man of unfailing graciousness who made an immense contribution to both church and world.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Requiscat in Pacem, Mario Cuomo

NYTimes:  "Mr. Cuomo burst beyond the state’s boundaries to personify the liberal wing of his national party and become a source of unending fascination and, ultimately, frustration for Democrats, whose leaders twice pressed him to run for president, in 1988 and 1992, to no avail."

"In the end, two images of Mr. Cuomo endure. The first is of him, as governor, commanding the lectern at the 1984 Democratic convention, stilling a sea of delegates with his oratory. The second is of two chartered airplanes on the tarmac at the Albany airport in December 1992, waiting to fly him to New Hampshire to pay the $1,000 filing fee that would put his name on the state's Democratic primary ballot for president."

Requiscat in pacem, former Congressman Dr. Bill Roy

 When former Congressman Dr. Bill Roy first ran for the United States Senate in 1974, he was one of only 200 people or so in the United States who held both a law degree and a medical degree.  He passed away yesterday in Topeka, Kansas at the age of 88.

Dr. Roy was elected to Congress in 1970 from Kansas' 2nd Congressional District and was re-elected in 1972.  In 1974, he ran against then-Senator Bob Dole who was seeking his third term.  The campaign is still regarded as one of the dirtiest in Kansas history.  

The lion's share of the dirt came from one side.  As one example, the weekend before the election, cars at Catholic churches were leafletted with flyers playing "the abortion card" on OBGYN Dr. Roy.  Roy wound up losing to Dole by a single percentage point.

In 1978, when incumbent Senator James B. Pearson announced his retirement, Roy again threw his hat in the ring.  His main opportunity had passed, however, and Roy was beaten by Nancy Kassebaum, granddaughter of 1936 GOP presidential nominee, Alf Landon.

Requiscat in pacem, Pete Seeger

 

Requiscat in pacem, Nelson Mandela

I'm honored to have seen the man in the flesh.  It was January 20, 1993, inauguration day for President Bill Clinton.

After the ceremony, we walked up the street from the Capitol where we would (eventually) eat lunch at Slick Willie's, also having its' opening day at the time.  

As we were standing at the intersection southeast of the capitol, waiting for the light to change, I saw someone who, at side glance, looked very familiar.  When I turned to look, it was Nelson Mandela, also leaving the Capitol for lunch.  

Being present for the inauguration was a thrill.  Seeing Mr. Mandela was another one.

Image:  New Yorker cover for next week's edition.

Requiscat in Pacem, Fr. Robert Farrar Capon

His books on the parables set the standard.  I always thought he was a really good Lutheran.  He was 87 years old.  May he rest in peace and rise in glory.  New York Times:

Mr. Capon, who lived for many years on nearby Shelter Island, wrote 27 books from 1965 to 2004, most of them works of theology or New Testament interpretation that gave voice to a passionate, entertaining and sometimes unorthodox view of Christian teachings.

 

 

Requiscat in pacem, Jonathan Winters

Before Robin Williams, there was Jonathan the Great.  He passed away last evening at his home in Encino, California.  He was 87 years old.

 

Requiscat in pacem, Annette Funicello

 

Requiscat in pacem, Van Cliburn

 

Requiscat in Pacem, Pauline Philipps, a.k.a. "Dear Abby"

Dear Abby: Two men who claim to be father and adopted son just bought an old mansion across the street and fixed it up. We notice a very suspicious mixture of company coming and going at all hours — blacks, whites, Orientals, women who look like men and men who look like women. This has always been considered one of the finest sections of San Francisco, and these weirdos are giving it a bad name. How can we improve the neighborhood? — Nob Hill Residents

Dear Residents: You could move.