Horizons: September/October 2017
Critical Thinking and Faith
Environmentalist and writer Winona LaDuke said, “Someone needs to explain to me why wanting clean drinking water makes you an activist and why proposing to destroy water with chemical warfare doesn’t make a corporation a terrorist.” What a powerful statement. As context, this sentence was part of her response to the much-debated fourth phase of the Keystone pipeline. The proposal for this segment of pipeline, Keystone XL, has been in and out of headlines for nearly a decade; it prompted a veto under one U.S. president and a permit under the next president. Keystone XL involves a number of interests and issues—job creation, indigenous rights, diplomacy, safety, environmental concerns, economic growth and more. Or in other words, it’s an issue we should be talking about frankly, openly and respectfully.
This issue of Horizons presents a series of tools to inspire and equip you to think critically and engage faithfully with any matter, especially those that feel too big, too emotionally charged to take on. Presbyterian Women are thinkers, listeners, and doers. So this issue isn’t teaching you a new thing. It’s about our ever-expanding understanding of God’s world, our ever-deepening relationships with God’s people (especially the ones whose worldviews differ from our own), and our ever-growing relationship with God and God’s vision for the world.
The following pages are a reminder that we can do so much better than saying (or shouting) our opinions at one another. It’s a reminder of the importance of truly talking with people who have different experiences and different viewpoints. It’s a call to find, as Roula Alkhouri did (p. 22), our common ground despite what seems to divide us. It’s a reminder to nurture what we hold dear and respect what others hold dear, as God would have us do.
Features
A Thinking FaithA Thinking Faith
Rebecca Davis celebrates the long tradition of critical thinking as part of Reformed theology. She shares habits of the “Reformed habit of the mind” that will deepen your reflection on matters of faith.
Critical Thinking Cheatsheet
Enjoy this quick guide to critical thinking that outlines key questions for understanding even the most complex issues.
Recognition and Reconciliation: Denomination Studies History and Legacy of Treatment of Indigenous People
Elona Street-Stewart reflects on the experience of being Native American in a culture and faith tradition that ignores or forcibly silences Native Americans. She explores what the Belhar Confession’s themes of reconciliation and respect show us about the possibility of transforming and healing from oppressive power dynamics.
The Legacy of Our Churches: Modeling Critical Thinking in Ministry
Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks reflects on the importance of learning scripture’s context for more fully understanding God’s word. She challenges us to read, discuss and boldly carry out the gospel message.
In Times of Uncertainty
Every life has those moments when all we can think about, assess and know just isn’t enough. Roula Alkhouri explores the tools of our faith for navigating those times of uncertainty.
Read article.
PW Resources
Bible Study Resource
Patricia K. Tull offers reflections and questions for us in studying Lessons Three and Four of the 2017–2018 PW/Horizons Bible study, Cloud of Witnesses: The Community of Christ in Hebrews by Melissa Bane Sevier
Departments
Devotion
“What More Are You Doing?”
Cecilia Amorocho Hickerson
Unpacking the Theme: Scripture Study
Knowing, Hearing, Growing
Amanda Mbuvi
After the Offering
1989 Thank Offering Recipient: The Caring Place, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Helen McMasters
Stories from the Ages
Best of Intentions, Best Practices
Hillary Moses Mohaupt
Supporting Mission
A Formula For Life: A Lifelong Journey of Faithful Mission and a Life-saving Ministry for Infants
Robbie Knox
Working for Justice and Peace
“They Long to Hear That God’s Love Extends to Them”
Susan M. Barnes
Mosaic
News and Information About Presbyterian Women and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Books
Pages Worth Turning
Building Community
Community in Seminary
Carol Gruber
Faithful Parenting
All Things Work Together for Good
Amy Starr Redwine
Strengthening the PC(USA)
Maybe We Need To Get Out More
Jan Edmiston
