A Theology of Listening

In Epiphany the church basks in the light of Christ revealed to us. Yet simultaneously we live in a world divided by difference, riven by power structures that alienate and marginalize. To our surprise, the light of God shines upon us from the other, as God listens attentively to the voice of cries from the wilderness. In showing his mercy to the oppressed, God is revealed to them in ways the powerful do not know, so that our salvation is wrapped up into listening to their voices.

This sermon series situates us as attentive listeners to marginalized theological voices that offer the wisdom of community and belonging to our fracturing power structures. After laying a theological groundwork for attentive, non-reactive listening to marginal experiences of God, we will train our attention on three voices that are too often diminished at the table in American Christianity. From the voice of Native American theology, we will the witness of the Harmony Way. From the voice of Ecotheology, we will hear the witness of creation. From the voice of Womanist theology, we will the witness of community and table.