Sign up at the back table if you plan to go so Scott can make sure he has enough red cards and transportation.

Dr. John Cooper
February 16, 2012, 7 p.m.
Fellowship Church
407 Perry Ave.
Big Rapids, MI 49307
(231) 796-3517

Contrary to predictions by modern secularism, religion and spirituality are thriving in postmodern culture. This presentation considers some key kinds and characteristics of postmodern spirituality in traditional and new religions–emphases on experience, relationships, openness, and pluralism with few institutional, doctrinal, or behavioral requirements. The presentation concludes with reflections on postmodern spirituality from a Christian perspective.

[Aside for the profs: My sub-thesis is that postmodern spirituality is neo-romanticism reacting to scientific modernism just as romanticism reacted to Enlightenment rationalism. Virtually all the characteristics of romanticism have returned, including interest in Eastern spirituality, revisionism of traditional religions, cultural diversity, globalism, correlation of individuality and participation in the Whole, etc. But I won't focus on this thesis; I'll use it to explore current religion and spirituality.]

Dr. John Cooper
Dr. Cooper studied at Calvin College, University of Toronto (MA, PhD in philosophy), and Calvin Seminary (MTS). He taught philosophy at Calvin College 1978-85 and philosophical theology at Calvin Seminary since then. Dr. Cooper currently teaches apologetics, world religions, philosophy, and theology. He is also an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Dr. Cooper has been happily married for 41 years, has two grown children, and enjoys sports, classical music, and gardening.

Dr. John W. Cooper – Faculty Bio

A message board has been setup to discuss this topic at http://fellowshipcrc.net/forum/

Some questions to be discussed at the online forum:

1. Do all humans have a spiritual-religious impulse, or only some? If all have it, why do only some pursue it?
2. Are religion and spirituality only about the divine, supernatural, or the afterlife? Or are they important for life in this world?
3. Do religion and spirituality make people better or worse than living without them? Both?
4. Many people consider themselves spiritual but dislike the creeds, rituals, and moral rules of organized religion. Why? Can spirituality flourish without some disciplined beliefs and practices?
5. What difference does it make if ultimate reality is a personal divine being, an impersonal consciousness or life-force, or the natural power of the Big Bang?

And of course you are welcome to ask your own questions and start your own discussions.

We will be across the road from the Platte River which is a great river to tube or canoe so we will have to do a church tubing party on Saturday! Where the Platte River empties into Lake Michigan is a very nice beach quite similar to our Ludington swimming spot – except the scenery is even more beautiful. There are some very nice small towns and scenic outlooks that you can drive to and explore if you don’t like to spend too much time on the beach. Here’s the link to the web site: http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/platterivercamp.htm

There are a couple of minor drawbacks: A two and a half hour drive to get there. We are not on the beach – it’s a short drive down the road. The park is pretty carefully patrolled and they do enforce their rules vigorously so we will need to be quiet after 10PM.

I’ve looked at the map of their available camping sites and it looks like we can form a nice group in loop 1. I’ll reserve site #111 tonight. It’s very important that someone else reserve site #112 quickly. After those two sites (which will be our gathering and eating sites) the next most important are #110 and #113. After those sites are taken then please reserve #108, 109, 114 and 115. If we need more sites then #105, 106, 116, 117 and 132 will be close by.

Camping and summer are coming! Make those reservations soon – here’s the link: http://www.recreation.gov/MI/PLATTERIVERCAMPGROUND/Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?subTabIndex=campDetail&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70937

Set your calendars now for the family event that everyone has been talking about. The 4th annual Cran-Hill Ranch Family Winterfest. Take your choice of three snowhills for sledding, go on a wagon ride, walk in snowshoes, race a dog sled, and go cross country skiing as a family. Then go inside for a warm meal and some hot chocolate. The fun continues with indoor famly favorites like air hockey and table tennis.

Make memories with your family and experience what Cran-Hill Ranch has to offer.

Cost: Free (including meal)!

January 7th and February 4th, 2012

10:00 am – 4 pm

Make memories with your family and experience what Cran-Hill Ranch has to offer.

Cost: Free (including meal)!

January 7th and February 4th, 2012

10:00 am – 4 pm