Ted Jennings Rest In Power

芝加哥神學院退休教授 Ted Jennings 安息。他的學生及朋友們用Rest In Power 取代Rest In Peace，我想是因為他一生充滿愛的力量、戰鬥的力量，這力量不會因為他的離去就此停止。
幾年前他和太太Ronna Case 到台灣旅行，探訪愛徒鄭牧師，我們有機會認識他們，有幾次相聚。他們是很神奇的人，把自己完全攤在人前，對新認識的人像老朋友一樣關心。即使見過無數人、和各式各樣的人來往過，仍然對所遇到的人充滿好奇，隨時拋出善意。
Ted 的神學我了解不多，從鄭牧師的介紹中所得印象，他大膽挑戰基督教對同志、對情慾的偏見與曲解，宣講真正全人得解放的福音。
那次的相遇相聚，他和貞文有很好的交流對話。貞文2017年去世，他在臉書上寫下真摯的悼詞。
有機會認識這位神奇的基督徒，看見一個人如何活得那麼真、那麼自在、那麼自然去愛身邊所遇到的人，真是上帝的祝福。相信可以再相聚。Rest In Power 。

(圖片是鄭牧師提供，貞文和Ted，可能2015在某次研討會)

關於Ted，錄自芝加哥神學院網站
https://www.ctschicago.edu/people/theodore-jennings/?fbclid=IwAR2IR9FbrLRzhAkN6_3GLnRBVCEgnN4zZd6kXEqLByGsbKYW0Ucpmt-_FDc

Prof. Theodore Jennings first joined the CTS faculty from 1972 to 1978, and then returned in 1991 to serve for more than two decades as Professor of Biblical & Constructive Theology.  Between these two periods, Prof. Jennings served on the faculties of Candler School of Theology, at Emory University, and at the Methodist Seminary in Mexico City.  An ordained United Methodist minister, and a consultant to the United Methodist Bishops on issues of poverty, Ted also served local United Methodist congregations in California.  At CTS Ted served for several years as Director of our PhD program and, on two occasions, as Interim Academic Dean.  He has published more than a dozen singly-authored books and edited or co-edited several more. 

Jennings’ research interests include Christian doctrine, biblical theology, gay studies, contemporary late modern philosophy, especially that represented by Jacques Derrida and “deconstruction.”  He also writes, particularly in Spanish, on Wesleyan theology. He has served in the past as a consultant with the United Methodist Church on issues related to commitment to those living in poverty. He also helped initiate the gay and lesbian studies program at CTS and has traveled and lectured extensively in Latin America, Asia and Africa.

“The Word of God must be released from the imprisoning forms that have made it serve the interests of the powerful and prosperous so that we may again hear good news for the poor, the despised, the oppressed, and the broken hearted. This work of the reformation of Christian teaching does not belong to ‘the experts,’ but to all who are grasped by the gospel and are called to co- responsibility within the community of faith. In the seminary we provide people with the tools for this task and a community of mutual accountability that respects our diversity and witnesses to our unity in the Spirit.”

Jennings retired from CTS in 2017. The CTS Board of Trustees conferred “Emeritus” status to him on October, 2017.

一次難忘的酒神聚會。2015年4月3日。
臉書回顧紀錄：
昨晚的Party，是一場瘋狂的酒神盛宴。
酒神精神流過在場多人的心靈，在春天，繃緊的身體和靈魂，在True love 號召下，得到一定程度的解放。
非常非常難得的，酒神與耶穌的對遇。耶穌應該也有酒神的成分，照Ted Jennings 的體會。
共享神秘體驗的人們，非常有初代教會愛餐的氛圍，在外面大黑暗包圍的時刻，團契一起吃喝快樂、彼此祝福。
沒有特別設計，一個自然形成的奇特宴饗。
這是我經歷過，最詭異，也最值得深思的聖週禮拜四。