15AR20-40

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AR 20:40 - Are countercultural 'evangelicals ... rescuing Jesus?'

Apologia Report 20:40 (1,269)

November 25, 2015

In this issue:

BUDDHISM - White is black: Recalibrating nirvana by throwing out that old dharma. Your upgrade is available now.

EVANGELICALISM - Please note: Black is really white (and, optionally, vice versa)

PHILOSOPHY - modern philosophy in just 133 arguments

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BUDDHISM

After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age, by (formerly) ordained Tibetan monk Stephen Batchelor [1] -- "Zen teacher Batchelor <www.goo.gl/1bwqQ5> ... argues that both sanitized and orthodox approaches to Buddhism undermine the ethical practices and intellectual rigor of what he considers to be the core of the religion. Batchelor sets out to delineate a 'systematic theology' of Buddhism, whereby he reorients the emphasis away from nirvanic, enlightened transcendence and toward pragmatic living based on the dharma. He argues that through canonization and the passage of time, Buddhism became subject to orthodox viewpoints that only served to mystify and obscure its otherwise highly accessible ethics. Batchelor returns to the roots by examining the portraits of minor Buddhist characters, such as King Pasenadi and the traitorous Sunakhatta. By reconstructing their lives, his rationalist and logical approach reveals that the Buddha's world was vulnerable, tragic, and impermanent. Batchelor argues that for these characters, the Buddha's dharma teaching was primarily one concerned with 'task-based ethics' rather than 'truth-based metaphysics.' He does not denounce enlightenment but rather grounds it in practical application, demystifying an otherwise abstract and metaphysical concept. Those looking for a serious, secular reexamination of Buddhist ethics that acknowledges religiosity will find this book highly intelligent, rigorous, and absorbing." Publishers Weekly, Sep '15, #2.

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EVANGELICALISM

Well. Surprise, surprise: Rescuing Jesus: How People of Color, Women, and Queer Christians Are Reclaiming Evangelicalism, by "award-winning journalist and radio producer" Deborah Jian Lee [2]. Here's how the publisher sells it: "An inside look at the young, diverse, progressive Christians who are transforming the evangelical movement.

   "Most of what we think we know about evangelicals is wrong, or is well on its way to being outdated. Generational changes and the shifting racial make-up of evangelical Christians are changing what we think of as evangelical culture and politics. Today's young evangelicals are more likely than their elders to accept same-sex marriage, more inclined to think of 'pro-life' issues as being about support for the poor, and more accepting of equality between men and women. Those on the leading edge of progressive evangelicalism - white, black, Asian, and Hispanic, as well as straight and LGBTQ, believers - are working to change the substance of evangelicalism and to wrest power away from conservative Christians. In Rescuing Jesus, Deborah Jian Lee, a journalist and former evangelical, brings readers deep inside this progressive movement and tells the stories of the young women and men at the forefront of it. Given the clout that conservative evangelicals still hold in national politics, Lee argues, this movement is important not only for the future of evangelicalism but for the future of our country."

   Kathleen Dupré of Edmond, OK puts it this way for Library Journal (Oct '15, #2, p89): "With passion and humanity, journalist Jian Lee (Forbes, Slate) tackles one of the most controversial issues facing American society and politics at the moment. Jian Lee not only chronicles her own story of growing up a Chinese American Christian but includes narratives of people from all walks of life who have felt conflicted about their religion and who they are. This examination of humanity and culture shows how individuals are affected by the strictures of Evangelical Christianity [or, possibly, the convicting work of the Holy Spirit ... which they are resisting, eh? - RP] - and how they are reclaiming it for their own. While it's clear what the author's political and religious opinions are, Jian Lee avoids pontification. The journalistic writing will appeal to readers of nonfiction; the personal nature of the content will offer solidarity to those who are struggling with their faith; and the examination of religion and politics will challenge readers searching for a different perspective. This volume offers insight into an often-overlooked sect of American Christianity; here, Jian Lee has given women, racial minorities, and the LGBTQ community a voice. VERDICT This is a succinct, intelligent, personable accounting of an often misunderstood demographic."

   In Publishers Weekly (Sep '15, #2) we read: "Lee, herself a former evangelical, explores progressive movements ... within American evangelicalism. Unlike mainline Protestants, whose social engagement is integrated into denominational structures, evangelicals' efforts for justice seem to come in response to pressure from within, as leaders such as Lisa Sharon Harper, Soong Chan-Rah, Jennifer Crumpton, and Matthew Vines are emerging from conservative grassroots movements, working to connect their faith with their minority identities, and moving toward a more expansive understanding of evangelical faith. The road is not always easy for these self-declared 'prophetic Christians'; for example, in order to earn and retain influence within evangelicalism, they tend to shy away from questions surrounding reproductive rights, despite promoting equality for women in the church. Additionally, in spite of larger church organizations' professed support for women in leadership, female leadership in evangelical nonprofits continues to lag well behind their male counterparts. The book's structure feels meandering at times, perhaps because it's tricky to define evangelicalism and to trace its progressive strains. This makes it difficult to accept the author's assertion that there are signs of a broadly accommodating evangelical future." (No kidding?)

   So, just what *is* an evangelical? Start here: <www.goo.gl/EYtfne>

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PHILOSOPHY

The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments, Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley, eds. [3] -- this weighty tome is summarized by Kirkus as "Philosophy made relevant by writers grappling with thorny issues. For this eclectic, lively gathering of essays, New York Times online opinion editor Catapano and philosophy professor Critchley (New School for Social Research) ... selected 133 pieces from ... the Times' online series <www.goo.gl/vWMpe4> The Stone. Launched in 2010, the series invites contributions 'on issues both timely and timeless' from writers who may or may not identify themselves as philosophers. ... The series' name comes from the 'legendarily transformative' philosopher's stone.... Their goal is to publish thoughtful, provocative, accessible pieces that may persuade readers that philosophy - defined broadly - matters. Critchley is a major contributor, with eight essays.... University of Notre Dame philosopher Gary Gutting also appears repeatedly.... Readers will find some familiar names among contributors - biologist E.O. Wilson, activist Peter Singer, cognitive psychologist Stephen Pinker - but many are academic philosophers able to make Hegel, Spinoza, Schopenhauer, and Simone Weil relevant for general readers. The editors provide a preface for each of four sections: on the discipline of philosophy; the contribution of science to 'the riddle of the human species'; vexing questions about religion, morality, and God; and society ... and America's fierce attachment to what Firmin DeBrabander calls 'robust individualism and self-determination.' Serious pieces that serve as counterweights to the frothy blogosphere."

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SOURCES: Monographs

1 - After Buddhism: Rethinking the Dharma for a Secular Age, by Stephen Batchelor (Yale Univ Prs, 2015, hardcover, 400 pages) <www.goo.gl/QqEP5k>

2 - Rescuing Jesus: How People of Color, Women, and Queer Christians Are Reclaiming Evangelicalism, by Deborah Jian Lee (Beacon, 2015, hardcover, 296 pages) <www.goo.gl/3U0rVG>

3 - The Stone Reader: Modern Philosophy in 133 Arguments, Peter Catapano and Simon Critchley, eds. (Liveright, 2015, hardcover, 816 pages) <www.bit.ly/45Ek6oC>

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