— Mark Charles and Soong-Chan Rah, Unsettling Truths

Scrolling through social media posts the other day, I saw the latest outrage precipitated by a religious attack on democracy, women’s rights, or LGBTQ people. They come so frequently now and are so similar in their details that any specific story I chose to share would be familiar. As the commenters to the posts discussed the theological reasoning behind each religious persecution, it saddened me to notice that what they were describing revealed a stunted theological imagination, an inability to see within the biblical witness divine resistance and creative response to the ugliness of a fallen social reality. It takes very little imagination to give oneself theological permission to do harmful, self-interested things and maintain a status quo in the current social reality that never liberates or expands society's social and material benefits to the most vulnerable among us.

I discovered the power of theological imagination early in my life. All of the explanations I received from my parents and church for prohibiting going to the movies, attending parties, or women from wearing pants arose from a reading of the Bible that reinforced an existing social reality and worldview. Specifically, my church and family had embraced values and practices for organizing and structuring their lives and used Scripture to support and justify them. Therein lies the power and danger of the theological imagination: it can either dull and distort or expand and enliven the social imagination. Suppose my theology permits everything I want, upholds my power and privilege, and imposes the values and practices I’ve constructed on society and culture. In that case, it will be hard for me to imagine an alternative, much less an alternative that mirrors God’s shalom for the entire creation.

A careful reading of Scripture does not easily result in the kinds of diabolical actions and oppressive ideologies humanity embraces to shape and control our social reality. Only a diseased social imagination, beholden to the logic of power, exclusion, and white supremacy, would distort the whole of the biblical narrative to create a social reality that serves only the individual, one race, or one ethnicity. Reading Scripture in ways that stifle the imagination, protect the status quo of inequality and oppression, and reinforce the worst tendencies to hoard and exclude others is a conscious decision. With every encounter with Scripture, we have an opportunity to embrace a theology that inspires covenant and connectivity across differences in race, sex, gender, ethnicity, and religion. I pray that our reading of sacred text inspires us with theological imagination that widens the welcome circle, affirms the dignity of all creation, and includes God’s diverse humanity in the beloved community without condition or compromise.

May it be so.

Masking is not required outdoors.

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

There is a "Mask Only" Section available in the Sanctuary and marked for those wishing for extra security.

In the parking lot next to the tent or, if rain, in the Conn Gallery

Masking in the church building is strongly recommended.

There is a "Mask Only" Section available in the Sanctuary and marked for those wishing for extra security.

LET US BREAK BREAD TOGETHER

AT THE RIVER

Worship in the Sanctuary this Sunday; the congregation is welcome in person or to watch via Livestream on Facebook, YouTube, or Plymouth.org/worship.

Chancel Flowers are given by Judy Lund in loving memory of her husband, Neilan Lund, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Nichols.

Mary Jones (August 2, 2022), widow of Vivian Jones, mother of Anna Vivian Jones and Heledd Jones

Thursdays at 9 a.m. - online

This question challenges both our scientific mind and the deepest tenets of our faiths. In our brief session, we will zip through 14 billion years of the scientific view of the origins of the universe, the stars from which the atoms in our bodies came, the life-giving Sun, and our own planet Earth. Along the way, we’ll explore whether scientists see life on Earth and humans as special in any way, or whether we’re just an accidental blip in time and space. We’ll check out the latest news from NASA’s Webb Telescope, which promises pictures of the very first stars to form out of the cosmic chaos. You are strongly encouraged to post questions by August 1 at http://bit.ly/PlymouthUniverse, so that we can tackle some at The Forum.

Lawrence Rudnick, Professor Emeritus is a Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota

CALL TO ACTION: WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GROW

Please contact Elizabeth Blanchette if you’re interested in either opportunity.

Plymouth Drop-in for low-income adults who live with mental illness happens every Wednesday and Thursday, but third Wednesday is always bingo. Donations of practical prizes like toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, and soap are much appreciated and can be left in the Bingo Box in Jones Commons. Adult coloring and puzzle books are also great, as is almost anything "gently used" as they say at the thrift stores.

We hand out a lot of bags—more than 100 each Sunday! We need more large paper grocery bags with handles, and we hope you can help. Please bring your bags to the collection bin outside Plymouth’s Jones Commons each Sunday through Thursday from 8:45 a.m. to noon.

The clergy and staff at Plymouth are continuing to work to care for and support you—our congregation—and, as mentioned above, our essential building tenants. Our need for your support continues. Please consider making a gift online (click here), texting your gift to 612/999-2874 or sending in a check (1900 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis 55403). Mail is being collected securely and safely each day. We are so grateful for you!