Barbara Brown Taylor, best selling writer, teacher, and former Episcopal priest delivered a thought-provoking and at times humorous lecture on the subject of “Alarming Grace: A Christian Perspective.” Diane has read most of Barbara Brown Taylor’s memoirs. When she was reading Taylor’s newest book, Holy Envy (2019), Diane said, “You need to read this Introduction.” I read the Introduction where Taylor writes about teaching an 8:00 A.M. college class in Comparative Religion. I’ve taught plenty of those early classes over the years. Taylor’s descriptions of the sleeping students in the last row, the students in the middle of the class fading in and out of consciousness, and the alert students in the front row writing down every word is spot on. Great writing and astute realism!
Barbara Brown Taylor’s lecture was Standing-Room-Only and interrupted by high winds and rain (yes, many lectures are delivered in outside venues at the Chautauqua Institution). Diane was out in the elements sitting with friends while I sat indoors in the Hall of Christ watching a live video feed of Barbara Brown Taylor. Taylor engaged the audience and kept everyone’s attention despite the wind and the rain. After the lecture, Taylor answered some questions and clarified her thoughts. Diane was thrilled to hear one of her favorite writers. I enjoyed Barbara Brown Taylor’s excellent lecture and witty style. Of course, Diane and I had to dash to our vehicle when the clouds dumped more rain on the Chautauqua Institution’s parking lot! GRADE: A
BARBARA BROWN TAYLOR MEMOIRS:
Holy Envy, HarperOne in 2019
Learning to Walk in the Dark, HarperOne, 2014
An Altar in the World, HarperOne, 2009
Leaving Church, HarperSanFrancisco, 2006
Glad you liked it. But not for me. I find the belief in any sort of religion baffling. Just not a spiritual bone in my body.
Same here!
I may have told that story before:
When I was just six years old and waiting to go to school with my neighbours and friends I was told:
No, they are going to Catholic school and as a Protestant you’ll be going to the Protestant school – both in the same old city school building.
That made me lose all interest in those crazy ideas …
Later I realised that in Southern Germany especially the old rule was still valid:
Cuius regio eius religio
If your king had decided 300 years ago which religion to follow then everybody did it – up to the 21st century!
Wolf, kings (and politicians) use religion as a form of social control.
Steve, same here. But I can listen to an excellent speaker while disagreeing with everything they say. Diane loves Barbara Brown Taylor’s books and wanted to see one of her favorite writers. Everything worked out well…except for the rain.
Don’t know her but it sounds interesting. Glad Diane got to see a favorite writer.
Jeff, I was surprised at the number of people visiting the Chautauqua Institution while we were there. Thousands!
You were at Chautauqua? I was there a few years ago and a friend of mine just got back from a 2-week stay. There is a definite Christian undertone there, but I found the atmosphere generally intellectual and open-minded.
Dan, we found the atmosphere at Chautauqua intellectual and open-minded, too. We’ll check out the speakers and events for next summer.
Next time you should stop off at the Lucille Ball Memorial Park on Lake Chautauqua and see the new Lucy statue.
Jeff, that was on our agenda…but the rains washed out that option.
Although not a believer, I don’t mind listening having grown up with it. Many Christians were, once upon a time, more progressive than today.
Patti, Barbara Brown Taylor is progressive…and funny!
I was somewhat tolerant of religion until all the evangelicals started worshiping President Cheeto. Now I’m “recalculating” as my car says when I make a wrong turn.
Michael, I think there are good and reasonable people of faith. But the crazies ruin it for them all. Right now New York State has lifted the Statute of Limitations on child abuse. More than a 1000 people are now charging the Catholic Church, the Boy Scouts, and other “educational” institutions. It really gives these organizations a terrible look.
So true. A local Catholic Bishop pressured local people to contribute money so he could build a statue commemorating “the unborn” who were “murdered” by abortions. Then it came out that he was one of the people moving pedophile priests around from parish to parish when complaints about them popped up. Just another hypocrite.
Jeff, all these lawsuits might bankrupt the Catholic Church in NY State.
When I was four my mother brought me to church (Catholic) and I was bored shitless! I knew then this wasn’t the place for me and nothing that has happened since has changed my mind! I’m open-minded on the idea of a deity, but churches and I don’t get along at all!
Bob, it took me to the age of 10 or so to feel that way.