Radical Theology and Deconstruction

In this first session I introduce the notion of deconstruction, an approach to textual criticism. (And I suggest it is an approach to life as well.) Deconstruction is not demolition. It is a breaking open. Of story or text. It is not reductionistic. Its aim is revelatory. Not to assign meaning. But expose it. As I offered a brief review of last year I suggested that at the heart of “radical theology,” which is part of our exploration, is deconstruction. And this is good. Very good and enlivening. The work of deconstruction let’s story tell itself again. And anew.

Our Musical Selections

A brief commentary on the music that precedes our Second Saturday Conversation.

Last year I played Van Morrison’s “When Heart is Open.”  Marc and I courted to Van Morrison. I loved the line “when heart is open you will change just like a flower slowly opening.” That was our signature quote last year.

This year something quite different. I know that not all of you will hear the music.  But know there was a bit of thought that went into the 15 minute lead into our Second Saturday Conversation. The music is intended to make us smile. And even hope.

The first 1:40 seconds is from the “introduction to the titles” for the Detective Montalbano series on MHz. (An international Netflix) Composer, Franco Piersanti. Detective Salvo Montalbano provided a change of subject during my intense grief. I loved this series.  It even inspired me to go to Sicily.  And I find this brief piece a bit humorous.

Then “It ain’t necessarily so” played by violinist Nadja Salerno Sonnenberg.  We know Ira Gershwin’s lyrics well enough to know “the things that you’re liable to read in the Bible it ain’t necessarily so.” A wink and a nod to the art and craft of biblical interpretation. 

The third musical piece is Frank Sinatra singing “Second Time Around” with wonderful orchestration by Nelson Riddle.  “Some say love comes but once and yet….love is lovelier the second time around.”  Marcus says meet Jesus again, read the Bible again, see Christianity again….As we wonder what we might hear  “telling the story again, anew” (our overarching theme for this year) perhaps we too will sing “who can say what brought us to this miracle we’ve found.” 

Telling the Story Again, Anew

The final two pieces are compositions of Alexis Ffrench, a popular classical pianist and composer in the UK.   

The fourth piece is called “Bluebird”. Ffrench says it was born out of improvisation. We share that ingredient in our conversation. I note that bluebird is a symbol of hope, renewal, peace and signifies the beginning of a new phase.  

And finally “Dreamland” which Ffrench says he composed to provide comfort in a troubled time, a space to rebalance and renew,  in hopes of inspiring change.  This is what I hope Second Saturday Conversation provides as well.

[I reflected on what “dreamland” makes me recall.  The speech given by Martin Luther King, Jr., on August 28, 1963.  He was well into his speech when a voice from the crowd called out to King. It was his friend Mahalia Jackson.  She said, “Martin, tell them about the dream.  Tell them about the dream!”  And then came the pivot: “ I have a dream, that one day…..I have a dream that one day…..I have a dream…”

Whatever telling the story again anew might include it will surely include the dream, that one day….]

So, as prelude or warm up to our Second Saturday Conversation this year this music will lead us in: 

A spunky introduction
It ain’t necessarily so
The second time around
Bluebird
Dreamland