--The
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WALTER WINK to give 2006 Lenten Lecture Series March
24-26, 2006
Dr. Wink is nationally and internationally known in both academic and religious circles as an expert in nonviolent resistance and as a biblical scholar. For his work in nonviolence, he has been honored as a Peace Fellow at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He is the author/editor of many books, including The Powers That Be, Peace is the Way, and his newest book, The Human Being. Dr. Wink’s theological background is broad. He is an ordained United Methodist minister who attends Quaker meetings and retired recently from teaching at a Presbyterian seminary. He is recognized for his ability to transform Bible study into a truly inspiring activity which opens the heart and heals the soul. “Perhaps we are not accustomed to thinking of the Pentagon, or the Chrysler Corporation or the Mafia as having a spirituality, but they do,” writes Walter Wink. In his groundbreaking work, The Powers That Be: Theology for a New Millennium, Wink returns to the ancient view of a world filled with angels and demons, powers and principalities, and reinterprets these notions for contemporary people. He suggests that the powers and principalities mentioned in the New Testament are the psychological underpinnings of complicated systems -- that is, that every corporation, church, government, etc., has its own personality that tends to take over no matter what the individual people involved intend. He says that all of these powers have a God-given purpose, but when they serve their own ends rather than serving human beings, they become demonic, and it is our responsibility to confront them through nonviolent action and prayer. Simply stated, the powers are good; the powers are fallen; the powers must be redeemed by the power of God with our help. We are called to resist them without buying into the “myth of redemptive violence” --the centuries-old notion that violence is the only kind of force that works, and that because it works, it justifies itself. There is an alternative way -- the path of nonviolent resistance. Wink masterfully examines nonviolent resistance and persuasively destroys the stereotype of nonviolence as a turn-the-other-cheek passivity by exploring what Jesus really meant when he advocated cheek-turning or walking the second mile. He helps us consider important questions, such as: How do we think about organizations or nations that do bad things? What are the real demons of the world? Why do wars occur? What is the theory behind nonviolence, and why should we understand it? Wink concludes, “if God can forgive, redeem and transform me, I must also believe that God can work such wonders with anyone. Love of enemies is seeing one’s oppressors through the prism of the reign of God --- not only as they are now, but also as they can be: transformed by the power of God.” The world is organized as a system of dominations: men over women; whites over blacks; rich over poor; powerful nations over weaker nations, etc. The alternative is a new order based on partnership, equality, compassion and nonviolence. Dr. Wink’s teaching carries us beyond both pacifism and “just war” theory, beyond domination and the spiral of violence, beyond patriarchy and the manufacture of delusion, to remarkable possibilities, some of which may be, for the first time, within our grasp. This lecture series will explore ways a new order can realistically be implemented in our world today. Contrary to the general presumption that nonviolence is a wimpy and impotent position, Wink helps us understand that nonviolent resistance is a miraculously powerful response to violence. You are cordially invited to join us with this outstanding teacher and groundbreaking author. For questions about Dr. Wink's Carson City visit, please call Kim
Morgan at 775-883-1681 or e-mail her at kamorgan@pyramid.net. SCHEDULE There are three parts to Dr. Wink’s visit: Friday, March 24 --
Introductory Lecture on the Myth of Redemptive Violence Saturday, March 25 -- Dr. Wink will present a series of lectures at
the Brewery Arts Center’s Performance Hall located at 511 W.
King Street in Carson City beginning at 9:30 a.m. and ending at 3:00
p.m. with a wine and cheese reception immediately following. The charge
for the Saturday lectures is $85, if pre-registered by 3/15/06. This
includes refreshments and a gourmet box lunch. The charge is $100,
if not pre-registered by 3/15/06. Pre-registration is encouraged because
space is limited for the Saturday lectures. (See the registration form
below.) Sunday, March 26 -- Dr. Wink will preach during the 10:00 a.m. service at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, located in Carson City at the corner of N. Division and W. Telegraph Streets, 3 blocks northwest of the State Capitol. [Printable flyer to use for promotion in your parish]
DISCOUNTED PRICES END MARCH 15
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St.
Peter's Episcopal Church in Carson City is excited to announce that
Dr. Walter Wink has agreed to teach in Nevada at the third annual St.
Peter's Lenten Lecture Series. 
