Carl Scovel laid out a nice typology at his farewell sermon at GA. I missed the sermon, but Ron Robinson does a good job laying it out.
Scoven says we’ve got two competing theologies in play in UUism.
Universalism focuses on god’s love for all and bends toward radical welcome. Inclusionism focuses on our ability (even, duty?) to be welcoming and bends toward fragmentation.
Not that Scovel had this in mind, but does this explain the recent Brown Bag Controversy?
Carl Scovel right? from Kings Church in Boston?
I find Scovel to be really challenging, because theologically we come from vastly different perspectives (and yet we both call ourselves Christian) but I also find myself amazed how often I read him and find myself nodding along.
What a treat that he spoke at minstry days.
It seems to me that the first is a theology, one that has been central to our denominational history, while the second is a statement about praxis. The theological motivations of this praxis are a little murky to me, as are the goals. I guess what I’m saying is that I’m not 100% clear on what the point of inclusionism is, in a religious context. And therefore I’m not positive that it is a legitimate, organic development within our denomination.
Note: this is not therefore a vote for “exclusionism,” whatever that may be.
I heard the sermon, which was preached for the worship service for the minister’s pre-GA meeting. An excellent reflection as Rev. Scovel (with an l, btw) was honored as one of the ministers celebrating the 50th anniversary of their ordinations. The main theme was the difference between UU ministry in 1957 and 2007 (no cell phones or computers, no women colleagues). The comment about Universalism was profound, but also just a part of a larger critique over the diminshed emphasis on theology in our faith.
[Shakes head] Scovel
Yikes. So Scovel already! :-)
Is the sermon online anywhere yet?