Year: 2020

“Social Distancing, Reading, and Intellectual Growth in the time of Coronavirus”

Dr. Celucien Joseph Uncategorized

“Social Distancing, Reading, and Intellectual Growth In the time of Coronavirus”

While I am self-quarantining at home or practicing physical distancing, I plan to order first the new books that I do not own and second to read (them) voraciously –throughout the summer:

  1. “The Sword and the Shield: The Revolutionary Lives of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.” by Peniel E. Joseph
  2. “Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own” by Eddie S. Glaude
  3. “Capital and Ideology” by Thomas Piketty
  4. “Autochtonomies: Transnationalism, Testimony, and Transmission in the African Diaspora” by Myriam J. A. Chancy
  5. “In a Post-Hegelian Spirit: Philosophical Theology as Idealistic Discontent” by Gary Dorrien
  6. “The Enlightenment that Failed: Ideas, Revolution, and Democratic Defeat, 1748-1830” by Jonathan I. Israel
  7. “Christ and the Common Life: Political Theology and the Case for Democracy” by Luke Bretherton
  8. “Paul and the Language of Faith” by Nijay K Gupta
  9. “Pauline Dogmatics: The Triumph of God’s Love” by Douglas Campbell
  10. “The Haitian Revolution: Capitalism, Slavery and Counter-Modernity” by Eduardo Grüner

***What are you reading while you are self-quarantining at home?

*** So far, in the past two weeks while practicing social distancing, I already devoured four novels.

#Readingwhilesocialdistancing

#Readinginthetimeofcoronavirus

Describe your theology with four people through photos

Dr. Celucien Joseph Uncategorized

Because everybody is playing this game, I want to play it too. We are all followers 🙂

Describe your theology with four people through photos:

Just in case you do not recognize these figures:

  1. James H. Cone (African American theologian)
  2. St. Augustin of Hippo (African theologian)
  3. Gustavo Gutierrez (Latin American theologians)
  4. Jonathan Edwards (White American theologian)

***Of course, I can list many more theologians, including both women and womanist theologians, who have influenced me as a theologian, thinker, and writer; yet I want to observe or play by the rules of the game.

“God and the Urgency of our Prayers in the time of Coronavirus”

Dr. Celucien Joseph Uncategorized

“God and the Urgency of our Prayers in the time of Coronavirus”

Natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, typhoons, diseases, plagues, epidemics, panepidemics, etc. that go beyond human comprehension do not necessarily lead to divine causality as their source. The virus is nobody’s fault. As human beings, we are subject to pain, suffering, weakness, and vulnerability. Yet In the time of coronavirus, which may lead to vulnerability, anger, disappointment, alienation, despair, and even death, we should attempt to maintain human dignity at all times–especially the dignity of the sick, the abandoned, and the deceased–and in every moment in our human experience.

God is not responsible for acts of evil in the world. God is not a tyrant nor a dictator. He does not wish the death of anyone, even the death of the evil ones and those who hate him. Love is the ground that defines everything God does, the way he rules the world, and the way he intervenes in human affairs. It is the will of God for us his creation to live in harmony, justice, and peace in the world.

Nonetheless, there are cases in the Bible where God uses natural disasters as means to judge human wickedness and discipline people. While God has portrayed himself as the most loving and compassionate being in the cosmos, he is also the most holy being in the universe. The holy and righteous character of God does not allow God to look upon human wickedness or sin with favor. On the other hand, that does not explain anything that God is the cause of the pandemic. We do not know the mind of God and his ways are not our ways; thus, we cannot and should not attribute to God natural disasters and calamities unless we know for certain they originated in God.

On the other hand, human beings are volitional agents who act, interact, and govern within the boundaries of their agency, subjectivity, and freedom. However, through our actions, we can hurt others and inflict pain upon one another. Through our actions, we also bring disasters to the natural world and the environment, such as in the case of global warming, for example.

We know precisely when we hurt and oppress people. On the other hand, in the Christian understanding of human dynamics and governance, when we do something evil, we not only sin against our brothers and sisters, we also transgresss God’s moral law. Why? It is simply that we are created in God’s image to represent him in the world and to embody his moral virtues and qualities in our relationships. To put it simply, all human sin leads to death and all wickedness is accountable to God because God has a claim upon our lives, both collectively and individually.

God is our Maker and Father. God’s grace is always sufficient to comfort us in our suffering. The Bible says that there’s nothing in the world, even death (in our present context, It is the coronavirus as a panepidemic) that can separate us (that is, followers of Christ) from the love God in Christ Jesus. Hence, death is never a defeat for those who believe in Jesus and whose hope in this present and future is also in him. God is good all the time. God loves us all the time even in our most weakest and vulnerable moment.

Finally, in the time of coronavirus, it is important for the people of God and even those who deny God’s existence and his goodness to seek his face in prayer. They should pray for mercy, grace, forgiveness, and repentance. God is not a distant deity nor is he far away from his creation. God’s love and mercy transcend our shortcomings, and our religious traditions and dogmas. God hears the prayers of his people and always intervenes when they pray. Why should we then pray?

1) First, God has ordained prayer as a means of communication with him.

2) The Bible says that to bring all our needs and anxieties to God in prayer.

3) God promises that he will hear our prayers if and we we pray with a contrite heart and repentant spirit.

4) God always uses the means of prayer to calm our fears, to stop and recover us from natural disasters, to refresh us, and to restore his creation. We are the beneficiaries of his daily mercies and kindness.

5) Because God works miracles and acts supernaturally throug human prayers, he invites us to pray to him in moments of distress, agony, and suffering.

6) Through prayer, we can draw near God and God will draw near us.

7) Prayer unites us with Christ, and our union with Christ is a nurturing process that ensures our spiritual growth and leads us to a life of imitation and Christ-centeredness.

8) Finally, through prayer, we can get the divine perspective about the things of this world; in other words, God provides guidance and wisdom to us through prayer, especially in such a difficult time as this one.

If you believe in the power of prayer to change life events and circumstances and to move the hand of God to act urgently, graciously, and sovereingly, would you consider praying to God until the coronavirus goes away and life in this world goes back to normal.

*** We should also remember that God is a relational God and an emotional being. Hence, when we suffer, he suffers with us. Whe we hurt, he’s also touched and moved in compassion and care. He’s the King and Father who cares, comforts, guides, heals, protects, and restores.

God is not finished with the people of the United States and the people of other nations in the world. We are his image bearers in the world and He is our Maker. As his creation and people, we are the apple of his eye. God is our loving Father and Caretaker!

“A prayer to God in the time of Coronavirus and Distress”

Dr. Celucien Joseph Uncategorized

“A prayer to God in the time of Coronavirus and Distress”

Oh God, our Healer and Comforter:

We pray that you’ll give immeasurable strength and wisdom and abundant protection to medical staff working tirelessly in nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical and mental facilities to alleviate our pain and suffering, and cure our diseases.

Would you please be mindful about the healing and longevity of the sick and those who are socially incarcerated in a hospital room and away from the physical touch and proximity and from the presence of their family and loved ones. Heal their diseases; touch and stabilize their wounded scars; restore their broken spirit; and comfort their troubled soul.

Oh Maker of the cosmos and people:

We pray for truck drivers, migrant and undocumented workers, farmers, factory workers, grocery managers and staff, and all others who make nutrition and other basic necessities possible and available for a nation in crisis and fear. We beseech you, oh gracious Lord of the universe, to give them physical strength, psychological stability, and mental rest so they can be successful in what they do. Keep them and their family from being contaminated or infected, as you would do the same for our medical professionals and staff.

Oh Lord of the cities:

Governors, state representatives, local authorities and officials are confused and lacked of human power and resources to accommodate the great needs of their people, their cities, their states, and the urgent needs of the coronavirus pandemic. Give them sufficient grace and wisdom to act in wisdom, to comfort those who are hurting and dying, and to contribute to just and equitable communities and cities. Help them not to use their strength and influence to maximize suffering and prolong the effects of the virus. Direct their thoughts; calm their spirit; and may their actions will bring healing and human flourishing in their cities. Grant them the attitude to behave and act like true public servants and community-caregivers.

Oh God of the Poor and the Oppressed:

The poor and the marginalized in our communities and citirs place their hope and future in you. Remember the poor in the developing and developed nations! You will not disappoint them in this time of despair nor will you turn your face away from their existential needs and urgent care in this period of anxiety. The poor are hungry for food, thirst for water, and long to receive and be satisfied with the basic things of life. They are the most vulnerable group to sickness, abuse, exploitation, even their rights to live and exist. Give them justice, security, and protection. Do not forget them when you visit other people; do not look upon them with disfavor, but with compassion, tenderness, and empathy; and do not remove your presence from their dwelling. You are the God who claims to be in solidarity with the poor, the marginalized, and the economically-disadvantaged individuals and populations. Make your face shine upon them and rescue them in this time of excruciating pain and depression!

Remember Oh Lord, some people will become poor and homeless in these dangerous and dark times. Make provision for them. Sustain them and their family. Shine upon them with grace and favor. Restore their lost employment and wages. Be their Hope, Shelter, and Comfort!

Oh God who gives us children and families:

We thank you for the gift of life and grace to have children and families. We also thank you for the gift not to have children but to care for other individuals’ children and families. We thank you for the gift of singleness; oh Lord you don’t look down upon those who belong to this category. Bless those who are singles and those who are waiting upon you to start a family.

In the time of coronavirus, we parents have become everyday teachers of our children-students and we just assumed the role of professional teachers and educators. (We were not ready for that.) Lord, you know our inadequacy in various fields of learning. Give us wisdom and the willingness to accommodate and adjust in this moment of teaching, learning, observing, and role modelling. Help us to seek assistance from those who are stronger and more equipped than us.

Grant us patience to teach our kids at home in this short period of school recess. Help us to manage our time, stress, anxiety, and worries. We parents need urgent divine wisdom, assistance, and presence, and help us to get along with other parents. Foster in us a spirit of teamwork and collaboration.

Oh Sovereign God and Ruler of the nations:

The leaders and the people of nations, both rich and poor, developed and developing countries, long for deliverance and healing from the coronavirus and its aftermath potential effects.We pray for national and global peace, and more humane and compassionate foreign relations and policies throughout this transitional crisis that is affecting all peoples and nations–especially the poor and darker nations of the world.

We call upon your name to give global leaders and authorities a heart for their people, to focus on the well-being of their nations, and to prioritize people’s lives and health above the material, physical, and economic advantages they could benefit from this predicament. Help them to look for the best interest of their allies, even the welfare of the nations they see as their enemies–in this time of coronavirus. Remove the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of love; transform the dependent attitude to mutual actions that are interrelational and global-focused; and dispel ideas of hate, revenge, and war and substitute them with a passion for peace, interexchange, teamwork, and global unity.

Oh the Lord of the Church:

Do not abandon your church, your people, and those you have redeemed with your mighty hand when they come to you for aid in this time of distress; when they seek your face in this time of mourning; and when they cry out loud for your providence and intervention in this moment of crisis! You will not inflict pain upon them nor would you stay angry at your people forever. You will never abandon your church and your people. Forgive them of their sins as you would wash away the sins of anyone who call upon you for forgiveness and repentance. You will never reject or say no to such individuals. You are love and act toward all of us in lovingkindness.

Oh Father of Light, we call upon you that you will arm your people with transforming power from above to comfort the brokenhearted, to dispell fear and anxiety among your people and others, and to bring peace in places of division and disharmony. Father, conscientize your people to be in solidarity with the weak, the marginalized, the widow, the orphan, the prisoner, and the needy. You will also bestow upon the church a spirit of hospitality and humility, an attitude of gratitude toward you, and a passion to bring your healing power and salvation to those who are hurting and living without the hope and light of Christ, the Savior of the world.

Give them grace so the followers of Christ could model a genuine and sustaining life of faith in this time of crisis and terror.

Give them godliness so the disciples of Christ could love like you, lead and shine like you, and serve sacrificially those in need and moments of distress.

Grant them a piety that is Christ-centered and a God-focused lifestyle that is full of compassion, kindness, charity, patience, and zeal to contribute to the common good and human flourishing–for the sake of your name and renown among the nations and peoples of the world.

In Christ’s name, our Lord and Redeemer, we pray and ask!

Amen

“Yon ti koze avèk Pastè ak Kretyen Asyisyen yo sou kriz Kowonavirus la ak rasanbleman relijye yo”

Dr. Celucien Joseph Uncategorized

“Yon ti koze avèk Pastè ak Kretyen Asyisyen yo sou kriz Kowonavirus la ak rasanbleman relijye yo”

***Malgre video pa fini. Dènye pawòl m te vle di an rezime: pran prekosyon, pa rasanble an foul, pwoteje tèt ou, fanmiy ou, ak vwazen ou yo, fème legliz yo, suiv lòd otorite leta e medikal yo, e itilize sosyo medya yo pou n fè sèvis relijye yo.