In our January 10, 2026 Second Saturday Conversation we began to explore Jack Caputo’s wonderful book What to Believe? Twelve Brief Lessons in Radical Theology. From the first half of the book I identified first steps that begin a journey to radical theology: Rid ourselves of the God of supernatural theism, consider that “God” is not far but that in which we live and move and have our being, loosen or weaken the grip classical theology has on our beliefs, recognize we are all mystics, and dare to think differently. These ideas and more are richly and instructively illuminated by Jack. My naming these points are not a summary of the first “brief lessons.” Rather my effort to provide some common ground for discussion. I invite and encourage you to take up and read this important book.
At our next second Saturday, February 14th, I will identify the other essential steps in the journey of radical theology that Jack gives us in What to Believe? Twelve Brief Lessons in Radical Theology.
Enjoy this session. I look forward to being with you and continuing our conversation February 14th.
Blessings to you, Marianne and for the January 2nd Saturday Conversation. I usually make time to listen to the recordings (from Cape Town, SA).
I met Marcus Borg in the 1990s – at the SBL/AAR meetings respectively in New Orleans (1990) and Chicago (1994) and his teaching and books impacted my own ‘historical Jesus’ research at the time.
Paul Tillich’s ‘Ground of Being’ which you reference in the January conversation has resonated with me in different ways for a good many years. And even inspired this poem which I share below.
Ground of Being
Essence is an earthy place,
A spiritual space,
Messy and mystical,
Embodied and ethereal,
Where dirt and dust vibrate with Life-giving breath;
The paradoxes of my humus-being,
Connects inseparably and intricately,
To the Mystery of all Being,
And the full energy of the Cosmic Dance,
Throbs and pulses deep within;
True self awakens with unbridled joy,
Sparkling, soulful and surreal;
Here, I find such restful ease,
At peace without-within,
Complete in Ground of Being.
© Roger Arendse 20190330