Foundation for Contemporary Theology

11/26/2020

This group is no longer in existence and i don't know how to shut the FB page down. I think perhaps someone else took the page over.

06/04/2019

Sorry, this Houston group has disbanded.

05/23/2019

Submitted by Bob Kane

04/06/2012

Weekend Event
DR. ELISABETH SCHUSSLER FIORENZA
April 20 - April 21, 2012
Fri. 7:30-9 pm & Sat. 9:00 am-2:30 pm
"Scripture, Democracy and Domination"

Location:
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Fondren Hall in the Jones Bldg.
5501 Main Street
Houston, Texas

04/06/2012

11 April – ALEJANDRO CHAOUL click for more information/registration
TOPIC = “A Good Heart is the Best Religion: The Buddhist Way”
Is Buddhism a religion, a philosophy, a way of life, or a science? As His Holiness the Dalai Lama would say, it all depends on how you approach it. And that is true not just about Buddhism. Whatever your approach in life — theologian, philosopher, scientist, teacher, business person, artist or construction worker, what is important is to cultivate a good heart. We will thus, also have an experiential component on meditation as a way to cultivate a good heart. Our speaker is Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, Assistant Professor at the John P. McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Department of Palliative Care and Rehabilitation Services at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

02/07/2012

Foundation for Contemporary theology luncheon lecture tomorrow
Topic: Drug Abuse is a Problem - Prohibition is Not the Answer

Speaker: Dr. William Martin

When: Wednesday, February 8th from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: The Forest Club, 9950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas

The U.S. Conference of Mayors, the NAACP, the Global Commission on Drugs and Democracy, and numerous other respectable institutions and individuals have called the forty-year War on Drugs a failure. That wars three-pronged approach of Eradication, Interdiction, and Incarceration has done little to reduce either supply or demand, but much to increase violence, corruption, and gross injustice. No one denies the serious harms caused by abuse of some drugs, including alcohol, but there is growing recognition that prohibition is not the answer. The Bible, as well as the teachings and experiences of other religious traditions, provides suggestions for reducing the harms of drug use without insisting upon zero tolerance in a drug-free America. Our speaker is Dr. William Martin, the Harry and Hazel Chavanne Emeritus Professor of Religion and Public Policy in the Department of Sociology at Rice. In his retirement, he serves as the Chavanne Senior Fellow for Religion and Public Po licy at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.

12/13/2011

Foundation for Contemporary Theology luncheon lecture tomorrow.

Topic: "Holy Misogyny: Why the S*x and Gender Conflicts in the Early Church Still Matter"
Speaker: April DeConick
When: Wednesday, December 14, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: The Forest Club, 9950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas
Call 713-668-2345. for more information, cost $25

11/07/2011

Wednesday lecture luncheon this Wednesday the 9th. Our November Luncheon Lecture:

Topic:" With a Different Voice: Theology and Explosive Growth"

Speaker: Dr. Elias Bongmba

When: Wednesday, November 9, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: The Forest Club, 9950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas

Our speaker is Dr. Elias Bongmba, who holds the Harry and Chavanne Chair in Christian Theology and Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University. Dr. Bongmba will be discussing the phenomena of the enormous growth of Christianity taking place in Latin America, Africa and now in Southeast Asia, including China. A major characteristic of this growth is its pentecostal orientation. As is to be expected, this pentecostalism takes a different form than what resides in our minds, and it has a quite well developed theology. This development also has some serious implications for Christian churches in this country.

Dr. Bongmba will lead us into areas of thought that few of us have contemplated.

For more information and registration via PayPal see our web site at www.contemporarytheology.org.

10/31/2011

Below is information about our weekend lecture series this Friday and Saturday. We are extending early registration to Wednesday, November 2nd. Flyer with more information on the series and the registration form is attached.

Topic:"Science, Faith and the Unfinished Universe"

Speaker: John Haught

When: Friday, November 4 & Saturday, November 5

Where: St. Pauls United Methodist Church, Fondren Hall, 5501 Main, Houston, Texas

Science has been buffeted in areas such as evolution, global warming and stem cell research. The cumulated attacks have had their impact on the public support of science. One of the leading proponents of developing a healthy relationship between science and religion is Dr. John Haught of Georgetown University, where he helped establish the Woodstock Theological Center. He was one of the expert witnesses at the Dover School trial (Pennsylvania) where the federal judge found that creation science or 'intelligent design were inherently religious and not scientific in nature and thus were not to be taught in science classes in the public schools. We have the opportunity to hear Dr. Haught on Friday and Saturday, November 4-5.

10/22/2011

This is our next weekend speaker on November 4-5. His talk is titled "Science Faith and the Unfinished Universe"

Dr. John Haught , longtime Georgetown University professor and author of God and the New Atheism, explains why the new atheists have the wrong idea about faith.

09/29/2011

At St Paul's United Methodist across form the Fine Arts Museum. Fondren building

09/29/2011

THE LECTURES
Lecture 1
“Wisdom without Innocence: Peace and Security”
The nature of power has changed in the 21st century. This requires a new paradigm of peace and war that is “wiser” about how to not just resist violence, but to actually prevent it. “Just Peace” is an emerging fourth paradigm beyond Just War, Pacifism and Crusade.
Lecture 2
“Walk Like an Egyptian: Non-violence in Egyptian Revolution”
An example of “wisdom” in the Just Peace theory of non-violent direct action. How did nonviolence figure in Egyptian revolution? Multi-media presentation and discussion.
Lecture 3
“Interfaith Wisdom: A New Just Peace Work”
Jews, Christians and Muslims have collaborated on an interfaith Just Peace paradigm. In light of the discussion of Egypt, does this “Abrahamic” approach to national security challenges make sense?
Lecture 4
“’Cain-sian’ Economics: Biblical Wisdom Lessons and the Economy”
Biblical Cain is best remembered for having killed Abel. Cain wanders after God puts a mark on him to keep others from killing him. He ultimately founds the first city, Enoch, “east of Eden.” With the founding of the first city comes civilization, including both the invention of law and economics. What does biblical Cain have to tell us about market economies? Is there economic wisdom to be gained “east of Eden”?
THE SCHEDULE
Friday, September 30
7:00 – 7:30 pm Registration
7:30 – 9:00 Welcome, Introductions
Lecture 1: “”Wisdom Without Innocence: Peace and Security”
Saturday, October 1
8:30 – 9:00 am Registration
9:00 – 10:20 Lecture 2: “Walk Like an Egyptian Revolution”
10:20 – 10:40 Break
10:40 – 12:00 Lecture 3: “Interfaith Wisdom: A New Just Peace Work”
Lunch Break
1:00 – 2:30 pm Lecture 4: “’Cain-sian’ Economics”