Hey Ryan,

The followign is the forward to the 4th edition of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. I am sending it to you because it too is a commentary on growth/decline of faith based organizations:

HIS fourth edition of “Alcoholics Anonymous” came off press in November 2001, at the start of a new millennium. Since the third edition was published in 1976, worldwide membership of A.A. has just about doubled, to an estimated two million or more, with nearly 100,800 groups meeting in approximately 150 countries around the world.

Literature has played a major role in A.A.’s growth, and a striking phenomenon of the past quarter-century has been the explosion of translations of our basic literature into many languages and dialects. In country after country where the A.A. seed was planted, it has taken root, slowly at first, then growing by leaps and bounds when literature has become available. Currently, “Alcoholics Anonymous” has been translated into forty-three languages.

As the message of recovery has reached larger numbers of people, it has also touched the lives of a vastly greater variety of suffering alcoholics. When the phrase “We are people who normally would not mix” (page 17 of this book) was written in 1939, it referred to a Fellowship composed largely of men (and a few women) with quite similar social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds. Like so much of A.A.’s basic text, those words have proved to be far more visionary than the founding members could ever have imagined. The stories added to this edition represent a membership whose characteristics—of age, gender, race, and culture—have widened and have deepened to encompass virtually everyone the first 100 members could have hoped to reach.

While our literature has preserved the integrity of the A.A. message, sweeping changes in society as a whole are reflected in new customs and practices within the Fellowship. Taking advantage of technological advances, for example, A.A. members with computers can participate in meetings online, sharing with fellow alcoholics across the country or around the world. In any meeting, anywhere, A.A.’s share experience, strength, and hope with each other, in order to stay sober and help other alcoholics. Modem-to-modem or face-to-face, A.A.’s speak the language of the heart in all its power and simplicity.

Ryan - I'm going to ask you some questions, but I want you to understand that these are questions that I think CAN be asked, not necessarily questions that "I" am asking...make sense?

1) Do you really believe that the only possible outcomes of the reflecting on the Trinity from a western stance (one God expressed in 3 persons) are the ones that you propose? If not, are you setting up an imaginary interlocutor that unfairly represents western thinking about the Trinity?

I'm not certain that all thought of God as "omni" this and that has to end in an understanding of God as oppressive, nor do I think that "power" in and of itself is negative. Perhaps the problem is not in the attributes of God in orthodox Christian faith, but rather, in the way that we apply them and interpret them for our lives of faith.

2) Is ALL the blame for young adults' lack of interest in the Church a result of the Church's lack of engagement? I'm not certain that it is. It is easy to blame the Church for it all, and Lord knows it falls short. However, I can't help but think about the stories in Scripture where people walked away from Jesus - didn't believe - didn't engage - didn't find value in what He had to offer.

If Jesus, a perfect embodiment of the Love of God, was not attractive to all who encountered him (and one of them was supposedly a wealthy YOUNG man) - what makes us think that it is always something that Church has done wrong that has resulted in YA's lack of interest?

Now we know that the church is not doing everything right. We will always need to confess, be turned around, and follow again. But something about the Luther's thoughts on the 3rd Article should help us rest in the the Trinity - understanding that the perichoretic God (Father, Son, Spirit) will continue to call, gather, enlighten, etc...as God continues to pour Himself out on people through a broken church, broken bread, poured out wine, etc...

I think it's a great paper. My questions aren't meant to be too critical, but they are the first thoughts that crossed my mind. I thought there were a few places where you made value statements that will draw people from your particular leanings in, but will push others away. You might want to tone down the polemics there, especially if you think your thoughts are something that people who think like that should attend to.

Finally, have you looked at any of Jenson's stuff? I know he's not very popular - and I have never read anything by him (shame, shame?) but I read an article recently about the "lively God of Robert Jenson". I think you might find his writing to be both scary and exciting. Some of writing regarding the Trinity would fit into your train of thought.

That's all for now. TAZ

I think you are on the right track with a number of thoughts in this paper. In the longstanding tradition of "it takes one to know one", I can tell that this was written in the midst of finals for your first offical year of theology.

Kim and I moved into an apartment a while back that had brand new carpet, and the whole unit itself was only a few years old. We enjoyed the 'neatness' of it all, but it certainly wasn't lived in. It didn't feel like home. And our poor cat kept on having little bitty pieces of carpet fibers stuck in her nose.

I like your new house, and I'm looking forward to what happens after you live in for a while.