Second Saturday Conversation – May 13, 2023

So What? A conversation with the one and only John D. Caputo.

May 13 we welcome to our conversation John (Jack) D. Caputo. Jack has been our guest on a number of occasions. Those who follow Second Saturday Conversation know Jack has been very influential in my reimagining and wondering about Christianity in and for the 21st century. Marcus is my foundation for Biblical and contextual thinking for understanding Jesus and the New Testament. Jack brings another discipline to my awareness. Continental philosophy. Without him I would not have ventured. Even with him I am only ankle deep. If that. But it is a start. What Jack brings to our conversation is nothing short of radical theology which in my opinion is the only future of theology.

Jack’s most recent book is titled Specters of God: An Anatomy of the Apophatic Imagination. What I love about this title is that it really doesn’t explain itself. It is rather an invitation to thought beyond thought. It suggests we are haunted by something and that what haunts us is neither this nor that. (To borrow from the Sanskrit Neti Neti, which I learned about in a comparative religion class.) Nothing is fixed. Or perhaps is as it appears. But that does not prevent us from efforts to language our experience. Which is what we attempt on Second Saturday Conversation as we explore Christianity in and for the 21st century. Jack in his poetic, suggestive, non-dogmatic, illuminating way will help us explore and imagine what is suggested by specters of God without claiming more than we can. But without negating what claims us either.

In addition I am going to ask him the “so what?” question. Jack often will end an eloquent reflection with “so what?” I have given him a hard time about that. I have heard that as a dismissive line. But I am mistaken. To ask the “so what?” question is important. When all is said and done, for the moment anyway, so what? That calls the question. Yes, so what?

Join us for an always challenging and inviting conversation with Jack Caputo.

All sessions are free. But you need to RSVP in order to receive a link. The link will be sent out May 12 and the morning of May 13.

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