The theme “Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still!” does not derive from the Bible. When writing prayers for the Synod, I found few circular images in Holy Scripture, and they didn’t fit into the line of reasoning of the organizers of the event. From their explanation (http://www.anglican.ca:80/gs2007/atsynod/se/index.htm), I gather the theme has to do with inclusivity and the medicine wheel (originally used in Native American pagan religions).
Holy Scripture is virtually limitless in developing themes for the church. Why resort to a non-biblical theme?
Jill wrote: The theme “Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still!†does not derive from the Bible. When writing prayers for the Synod, I found few circular images in Holy Scripture, and they didn’t fit into the line of reasoning of the organizers of the event. From their explanation (http://www.anglican.ca:80/gs2007/atsynod/se/index.htm), I gather the theme has to do with inclusivity and the medicine wheel (originally used in Native American pagan religions).
Holy Scripture is virtually limitless in developing themes for the church. Why resort to a non-biblical theme?
______________________________
First, Jill, the theme is very biblical. Check out Matthew 28.19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations†(READ: Draw the circle wide) “and teaching them everything I have commanded you.†(READ: Draw it wider still)
The Synod Theme is also the Pentecost Experience from Acts 2.5-6. “Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. (READ: Draw the circle wide) “And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native langue of each.†(READ: Draw it wider still.)
Also, Revelation 21.5 “And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’â€
Jill, it is important to be so familiar with both Scripture and Liturgy that a theme like Synod 2007 jumps out at you with multiple meanings.
Prayers for “all†and for “unity†would be appropriate. Are you familiar with the song by Graham Hendricks, “Cross Every Border.� That echoes the Pentecost Experience but do you find those exact words in the Bible? No. But you find the MEANING. Songs do this.
Study more, experience more liturgy and more contemporary songs, Jill. Look deeper and you find many levels of meaning in Scripture and in Song.
The theme “Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still!” does not derive from the Bible. When writing prayers for the Synod, I found few circular images in Holy Scripture, and they didn’t fit into the line of reasoning of the organizers of the event. From their explanation (http://www.anglican.ca:80/gs2007/atsynod/se/index.htm), I gather the theme has to do with inclusivity and the medicine wheel (originally used in Native American pagan religions).
Holy Scripture is virtually limitless in developing themes for the church. Why resort to a non-biblical theme?
Furthermore, why not just use the Intercession on Page 75 of the Book of Common Prayer? They are Biblically-based, sound, and universal.
Jill wrote: The theme “Draw the circle wide. Draw it wider still!†does not derive from the Bible. When writing prayers for the Synod, I found few circular images in Holy Scripture, and they didn’t fit into the line of reasoning of the organizers of the event. From their explanation (http://www.anglican.ca:80/gs2007/atsynod/se/index.htm), I gather the theme has to do with inclusivity and the medicine wheel (originally used in Native American pagan religions).
Holy Scripture is virtually limitless in developing themes for the church. Why resort to a non-biblical theme?
______________________________
First, Jill, the theme is very biblical. Check out Matthew 28.19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations†(READ: Draw the circle wide) “and teaching them everything I have commanded you.†(READ: Draw it wider still)
The Synod Theme is also the Pentecost Experience from Acts 2.5-6. “Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. (READ: Draw the circle wide) “And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native langue of each.†(READ: Draw it wider still.)
Also, Revelation 21.5 “And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’â€
Jill, it is important to be so familiar with both Scripture and Liturgy that a theme like Synod 2007 jumps out at you with multiple meanings.
Prayers for “all†and for “unity†would be appropriate. Are you familiar with the song by Graham Hendricks, “Cross Every Border.� That echoes the Pentecost Experience but do you find those exact words in the Bible? No. But you find the MEANING. Songs do this.
Study more, experience more liturgy and more contemporary songs, Jill. Look deeper and you find many levels of meaning in Scripture and in Song.
jordan