An Extraordinary Life

Link to an 8 x 10 .pdf file with graphics (12MB) of "An Extraordinary Life"

In the third chapter of my doctoral dissertation, The Symbolism of Evil: An Application of Paul Ricoeur's Phenomenological Hermeneutic, I develop a "Second Naiveté Christology."

My discussion of "The Words of Jesus" centered on current scholarly research of metaphors and parables. Recent scholarship emphasizes how in Jesus' parables something "extravagant" or "extraordinary" directs the mind to something that transcends the context of ordinary life described in the stories.

In my discussion of "The Works of Jesus" I observe that this same process characterizes the gospels. I wrote, "Just as Jesus' parables employed the extraordinary within the ordinary to open the imagination to something beyond, the gospel writers found something extraordinary within the ordinary life of Jesus that pointed to an interpretation of his life that was beyond the ordinary."

The words to "An Extraordinary Life" were written to demonstrate that the life and works of Jesus could be described as "a parable of God."

Appalachian Winter

Appalachian Winter at NorthHaven Baptist Church from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

The choir at NorthHaven Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma, under the direction of Music Minister Cheryl Tarter, performs Joseph Martin's "Appalachian Winter: A Cantata for Christmas" on December 15, 2013.

Channelling Christmas: Bringing the Christmas Story to Life

Channelling Christmas from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

"Channelling Christmas: Bringing the Christmas Story to Life," a children's play written by NorthHaven's own Josh and Autumn Lockett, performed on December 18, 2013 at NorthHaven Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma.

Faithful Progress

Here are links to the first two issues of Faithful Progress, the newsletter of the Oklahoma Faith Network.

September 2013 issue (pdf)

December 2013 issue (pdf)

Thanksgiving 2013

Beyond the blessings of a marriage now forty years long it has been difficult to identify much to be thankful for this year. It has been a long and trying year. One that has stripped away more delusions about moderate Baptists than I care to count. I list them in the order in which the delusions became apparent to me.

I thought Cooperative Baptist leaders really believed in a servant-leadership model of ministry. This year I discovered that many of their practices cannot be distinguished from the most autocratic actions of corporate CEO's.

I thought Cooperative Baptist leaders really supported women in ministry. This year I discovered that that support does not apply to young women with young children.

I thought Cooperative Baptist leaders really believed that every believer is a priest and that all have equal worth in the eyes of God. This year I discovered that the testimony of one hired leader counts more than the testimony of an entire slate of volunteer lay leaders and ministers.

I thought that Cooperative Baptist leaders had the integrity to conduct conscientious investigations into the truth. This year I discovered that, when the integrity of a close friend is questioned, they rise quickly to his defense and deliberately devise processes to obstruct thorough investigations and obscure the truth.

I thought Cooperative Baptist leaders really believed in the autonomy of the local church. They affirm it as one of their four fragile freedoms and give it a lot of lip service, but their actions betray their words. This year I discovered how suspicious they are of entrepreneurial ministers who form partnerships with moderate Baptist mission efforts that are not under their umbrella. In practice, they value exclusive loyalty to their mission program more than local church autonomy.

Many will say that I am unfairly painting all CBF leaders with a broad brush. It is true that CBF has many leaders who serve with integrity and none of the above applies to them. None of them, however, appear to have much influence in Oklahoma.

Under these circumstances, I am truly grateful this year to learn, however belatedly, that I need to devote my time and energy to pursuits that are more productive.

My New Initiative

I am blogging from a new blog with a more ecumenical and interfaith emphasis: The Oklahoma Faith Network.

ACLU Files Suit Against Oklahoma Ten Commandments Monument

The Tulsa World is breaking the story about the lawsuit against placing the Ten Commandments Monument on the grounds at the State Capitol in Oklahoma. 

 I am the lead plaintiff. Jim Huff, another Mainstream Baptist, is also a plaintiff. 

 The suit was filed yesterday by the ACLU. The ACLU will issue a press release later today.   Link to the full text of Prescott vs. The Oklahoma Capitol Preservation Commission.

 Here is the text of the complaint I filed last year with Ryan Kiesel and the Oklahoma office of the ACLU about the Ten Commandments monument:

 Dear Ryan,

 This correspondence is to let you know that I have been to the Oklahoma State Capitol and have discovered that it is virtually impossible to use the stairs on the Northeast corner of the building without being forced to view the highly offensive Ten Commandments monument that was recently erected on the Capitol grounds.

 I frequently visit the State Capitol to discuss pending legislation for a variety of causes.

For example, I am on the board for Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education (OESE). I visited the Capitol at least three times this year to address state legislators about legislation effecting science education.

 I also am a member of the impact committee for the Oklahoma Conference of Churches. We monitor legislation that would have an effect on five areas of concern to Conference Churches -- criminal justice, education, environment, immigration and poverty. I participated in the OCC annual day at the legislature and visited the Capitol more than three times this year to address state legislators about legislation effecting these concerns.

 I am also a member of the Sierra Club. I participated in their day at the legislature this year and on at least two occasions addressed state legislators about legislation that would have an impact on the environment.

 I am also a member of the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice. I participated in a rally to oppose the personhood amendment and spoke to state legislators about this legislation on at least two occasions this year.

 All of the above activities were outside responsibilities regarding legislation that are part of my job as Executive Director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists.

 In regard to my official duties with Mainstream Baptists and the New Baptist Covenant movement, I visited the State Capitol on three occasions to discuss statewide opposition to payday lending among Baptists involved with the New Baptist Covenant movement and discussed the possibility that legislation be sponsored that would put a cap on the amount of interest that payday lenders can charge in this state.

 As these examples indicate, I have been a frequent visitor to the Oklahoma State Capitol. That is why I urge you to take some action to address constitutional concerns about the Ten Commandments monument that has been erected on the Capitol grounds.  That monument is an affront to every person who affirms that the U.S. Constitution's first amendment prohibits the government from establishing religion.

 I am a Baptist minister. I am not opposed to the ten commandments. In fact, I exhort people to obey them. I am not opposed to monuments to the ten commandments that are placed on private property and/or on the grounds of religious institutions. I am opposed to erecting ten commandments monuments on public property and particularly on the grounds of the State Capitol where people of different faiths and of no faith go to exercise their rights as citizens.

Baptists in the revolutionary era were instrumental in supporting the passage of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Those Baptists, my spiritual ancestors, were determined to insure that every citizen had "liberty of conscience," i.e., the freedom to worship or not worship according to the dictates of their own conscience. That is why they were adamant in denying support for the Constitution until it separated church and state and protected the equal rights of citizenship for all religious minorities. That is a legacy of which Mainstream Baptists are most proud in our religious tradition. And that is why we find the Ten Commandments monument on the grounds of the State Capitol so offensive. In effect, it sends a signal that certain faith traditions are endorsed and sanctioned by the government while those who adhere to other faith traditions are second class citizens in their own society.

 I do hope you will take action to challenge the constitutionality of this Ten Commandments monument.

 Be assured that the Mainstream Oklahoma Baptist organization and I will do everything possible to assist you in such efforts.

 Sincerely, Rev. Bruce Prescott, Ph.D.
Executive Director, Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists

Reprise of Oklahoma's Monument to American Theocracy

A challenge to the ten commandments monument at the Oklahoma state capitol will soon be in the news. Here is a reprise of blogs I wrote about the ten commandments monument at the courthouse in Haskell County Oklahoma seven years ago.



This is a four part series about the Ten Commandments Monument on the Haskell County Courthouse lawn in Stigler, Oklahoma.

Part One, gives an opinion on whether the monument is religious in nature and whether it endorses biblical religion.

Part Two, gives and opinion on whether the monument endorses a sectarian interpretation of the Bible and whether it endorses a Christian covenant.

Part Three, gives an opinion on whether the monument could be perceived to endorse a Christian theocracy.

Part Four, gives and opinion on whether the monument strongly endorses a Christian democratic theocracy.

Introducing the Oklahoma Faith Network

Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists have started a new project that will involve ecumenical churches and interfaith houses of worship in our mission to preserve separation of church and state and to promote the common good.

Here is a link to our new weblog: Oklahoma Faith Network

Most of my work will be on that project and at the weblog in the future.

Review of Oklahoma's 2013 Legislative Session

Excerpt of Arnold Hamilton Reviewing the 2013 Oklahoma Legislative Session from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

An excerpt from Arnold Hamilton's review of Oklahoma's 2013 legislative session for Cleveland County democrats on June 7, 2013. Hamilton is an award winning journalist and editor of the Oklahoma Observer.

Click here to view his entire presentation.

Rev. Sarah Stewart: Do You Hear Him?

Rev. Sarah Stewart: Do You Hear Him? from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Sarah Stewart, Minister to Young Adults at First Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and 2013 Moderator of the Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "Do You Hear Him?" at Spring Creek Baptist Church on June 2, 2013. The text for the sermon is John 10:22-30.

Wanda Pratt at the Invisible Eve Exhibit

Wanda Pratt at the Invisible Eve Exhibit from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Wanda Pratt, mother of NBA Basketball star Kevin Durant, speaks at the opening of the Invisible Eve Exhibit at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on May 30, 2013. The exhibit highlights the work of Yousef Khanfar who spent three years photographing women in Oklahoma prisons in order to call attention to the need to find a more just and human way to rehabilitate women who break the law. The exhibit is on display at the Oklahoma Heritage Museum from May 30 to June 7, 2013.

For more information visit the invisible eve website.

Invisible Eve and her Visible Children

Invisible Eve and her Visible Children from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Video excerpts from the opening of the "Invisible Eve" exhibit at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on May 30, 2013. Internationally renowned photographer Yousef Khanfar spent three years photographing incarcerated women in Oklahoma. The children of these invisible mothers offer visible testimony for the need to find a more just and humane way to rehabilitate the women who break the law. For additional information visit the invisible eve website.

Joey Pyle on Shrines and Signs

Rev. Joey Pyle on Shrines and Signs from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Joey Pyle, Associate Pastor at Spring Creek Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, preaches a sermon entitled "Shrines and Signs" from the text of Genesis 12:1-9 at Spring Creek Church on May 26, 2013.

Don Holladay on The Inconvenient Life

Don Holladay on The Inconvenient Life from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Don Holladay speaks about environmental issues and climate change in a speech entitled "The Inconvenient Life" at the United Church of Norman (UCC) on May 26, 2013.

Dr. Phil Fenn on Motivated Belief

Dr. Phil Fenn on Motivated Belief from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Phil Fenn, retired pastor emeritus at McFarland United Methodist Church in Norman, OK, speaks about "Motivated Belief" at the United Church of Norman (UCC) on May 23, 2013. Dr. Fenn's speech is the conclusion of a series of speeches sponsored by United Church on the topic, "The Progressive Sermon I Always Wanted to Preach."

Common Ground: An Interfaith Theology

Common Ground: An Interfaith Theology from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Bruce Prescott, Executive Director of Mainstream Oklahoma Baptists, preaches a sermon entitled "Common Ground: An Interfaith Theology" at the United Church of Norman (UCC) in Norman, Oklahoma on May 5, 2013.

Walter Brueggemann's Sermon on "Beyond Anguish"

Beyond Anguish from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann preaches a sermon entitled "Beyond Anguish" at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma on April 21, 2013.

A Jubilant Rondo

A Jubilant Rondo from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

The handbell choir at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma plays C. Dobrinksi's " A Jubilant Rondo" during the worship service on April 21, 2013. The handbell choir is in the balcony behind the camera.

Walter Brueggemann on Psalm 104

Walter Brueggemann's Bible Study on Psalm 104 from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann leading a Bible Study on Psalm 104 at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma on Earth Day -- April 21, 2013.

Walter Brueggemann: Journey to the Common Good, Part Three

Walter Brueggemann: Journey to the Common Good, Part Three from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann, world renowned author, leading Old Testament interpreter, and William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, speaks about the "Journey to the Common Good" at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma. This is part three recorded on April 20, 2013.

Brueggemann was the guest of the Oklahoma Institute for Biblical Literacy.

Panel Discussion on Walter Brueggemann's Journey to the Common Good

Panel Discussion on Walter Brueggemann's Journey to the Common Good from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann, world renowned author, leading Old Testament interpreter, and William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, discusses his "Journey to the Common Good" with a pair of distinguished panelists at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma on April 20, 2013.

Panelists are Dr. Alan T. Levenson, Schusterman Professor of Jewish Intellectual and Religious History at the University of Oklahoma and Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe, Associate Professor of Religion, Endowed Chair of Hebrew Bible, at Oklahoma City University.

Brueggemann and the panelists were the guest of the Oklahoma Institute for Biblical Literacy.

Walter Brueggemann on Deuteronomy

Walter Brueggemann: Journey to the Common Good, Part Two from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann, world renowned author, leading Old Testament interpreter, and William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, speaks about the "Journey to the Common Good" at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma. This is part two recorded on April 20, 2013. Brueggemann was the guest of the Oklahoma Institute for Biblical Literacy.

Statement for the OCC Press Conference on Healthcare Expansion

The Oklahoma Conference of Churches will hold a press conference at the State Capitol today to encourage Governor Fallin to accept the federal government's medicaid expansion (Obamacare). Here is what I plan to say during the three minutes that have been allotted to me:

I have been to emergency rooms several times in Oklahoma hospitals. Our emergency rooms are clogged with uninsured people with simple headaches, sore throats, ear aches, tooth aches, low grade fevers, rashes, insect bites, and minor scrapes and burns. Many only need over the counter medicines for a common cold or a prescription for the flu. They would be better treated at a doctor’s office or a dentist’s office, but they are underemployed, uninsured and can’t afford one. The only place they are sure to get medical attention -- even for minor ailments -- is at an emergency room.

Meanwhile, care for people with genuine medical emergencies is delayed and their recovery is prolonged and made more difficult.

If the governor and the legislature would accept healthcare expansion, our emergency rooms would not be clogged with people who would be better treated at a doctor’s office or a dentist’s office.

If the governor and the legislature would accept healthcare expansion, public expense for the care of the uninsured would be much more cost effective.

If the governor and the legislature would accept healthcare expansion, emergency room doctors would be able to spend more time treating people with genuine medical emergencies, recovery times would be shorter and outcomes would be better.

If the governor and the legislature would accept healthcare expansion, Oklahomans who have health insurance would no longer be subsidizing expenses for unnecessary emergency room visits by the uninsured.

Accepting healthcare expansion is not only the right thing to do and the moral thing to do, it is also the most cost efficient way to keep Oklahoman’s healthy. And that is without saying anything about the hundreds of millions of dollars that the federal government will send us to help defray the cost of healthcare expansion.

Mainstream Baptists join the Oklahoma Conference of Churches in encouraging Governor Fallin to accept the federal government’s medicaid expansion. We want Obamacare in Oklahoma.

Walter Brueggemann on the Exodus

Walter Brueggemann: Journey to the Common Good from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Walter Brueggemann, world renowned author, leading Old Testament interpreter, and William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary, speaks about the "Journey to the Common Good" at First Christian Church in Norman, Oklahoma on April 19, 2013.

Brueggemann was the guest of the Oklahoma Institute for Biblical Literacy.

Speech at OCRJ Rally Quoted in News Stories

A couple articles in state newspapers quoted comments I made at the rally yesterday.

The Oklahoman: Women's Rights Supporters Hold Rally at State Capitol

The Tulsa World: Rally Criticizes Oklahoma Lawmakers on Reproductive Rights Issues.

Statement for the OCJR Rally (Revised)

This is the statement that I made at the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice rally at the State Capitol this morning.

At a rally like this last year I spoke about varying religious beliefs concerning when human life begins. For those that are interested in that issue, here is a link.

Today I want to remind us of the dramatic political reversal that has brought us to this moment.

In 1972 Congress passed an Equal Rights Amendment that would have guaranteed that women would have rights equal as men in our society. Twenty-two states passed the Equal Rights Amendment that very year.

In Oklahoma a group of conservative Christian woman did not want to be liberated from their second class status. They organized to stop the ERA and they were successful. The success of those women encouraged conservatives to organize across the country. Ten years later, the Equal Rights Amendment was dead -- three states short of the number needed for ratification.

The defeat of the ERA in Oklahoma was the first successful political effort in the rise of the Religious Right. It encouraged many conservative Christians to get involved in politics and some of them turned their churches into cogs in a vast political machine. That political machine consolidated its base by taking over churches and denominations.

Since the year 2000, but not before, my own denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, refuses to permit women to serve as pastors in their churches. Since 1998, but not before, my denomination has been telling women that they have to submit to the will of their husbands – even when their husbands tell them to do something that they know is wrong.

Now that vast political machine has taken over our state legislature.

Now that vast political machine is determined to destroy your right to privacy in reproductive health.

Now that vast political machine is legislating that doctors must conduct medical procedures on women that are unnecessary and invasive.

Now that vast political machine is working to destroy public education.

Now that vast political machine is working to destroy the safety net that protects the health and well-being of the poor, the elderly and the disabled in our society.

It is high time for another dramatic political reversal.

If, in 1972, conservative women in Oklahoma could spark a movement away from freedom from want, away from equal rights for women, and away from reproductive health, then, in 2013, the moderate and progressive women in Oklahoma can spark a movement that will prevail in securing those rights for another generation.

This rally is a good beginning, but I want to remind you that your efforts need to extend beyond the State Capitol.

This movement cannot and will not be successful until you go back and occupy your churches -- go back to the churches that many of you have either been sitting-in in silence or have abandoned.

Let the conservative Christian men and women there know that you believe that God is mad as hell at what they are doing and that you have been commissioned to tell them that God is not going to take it anymore.

I hereby commission you to go back to your churches and synagogues and mosques and houses of worship and be uppity women -- tell them that you are not going to put up with it either.

Ethics Daily Posts Geothermal Story

Ethics Daily has posted a story today about the geothermal HVAC system we installed at our house last year. Here's a link.

Questions and Answers with Frank Schaeffer

Questions and Answers with Frank Schaeffer from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Frank Schaeffer, author and son of the late Francis and Edith Schaeffer, responds to questions after speaking on the topic "My Journey Out of the Religious Right and into Mainstream Politics and Progressive Causes."

He spoke at the invitation of the University of Oklahoma's Religious Studies Program on the evening of April 8, 2013.

Frank Schaeffer's Journey Out of the Religious Right

Frank Schaeffer: My Journey Out of the Religious Right from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Frank Schaeffer, author and son of the late Francis and Edith Schaeffer, speaks on the topic "My Journey Out of the Religious Right and into Mainstream Politics and Progressive Causes."

He spoke at the invitation of the University of Oklahoma's Religious Studies Program on the evening of April 8, 2013.

The Great Easter Vigil at Oklahoma City University

The Great Easter Vigil at Oklahoma City University from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

The third annual Great Easter Vigil at Oklahoma City University on March 30, 2013.

Participants include Rev. Rodney Newman, soloist Matthew Beutner, Jan McDaniel, Catherine McDaniel and Hebrew readers, Spirit of Grace Liturgical Dancers, the Generation Blessed Gospel Choir and the Oklahoma Collegiate Gospel Choir, solist Liz Burnett, mezzo-soprano Catherine McDaniel, Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe, Kevin Wilkinson, Meghan Wagner, Joanna Chenoweth, Rev. Meredith Kemp-Pappan, Rev. Dr. Sharon Betsworth, and Rev. Erica Thomas. Keith Bethell delivers an Easter Sermon by John Chrysosotom.

Easter Sunday at Northwest Baptist Church in Ardmore

Easter at Northwest Baptist Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Easter Sunday worship at Northwest Baptist Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma on March 31, 2013. Dr. Leonard Ezell, pastor of the church, preaches a sermon entitled "Running to Easter."

Dr. Wade Smith's Lenten Sermon

Dr. Wade Smith's Lenten Sermon from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Wade Smith , Pastor of First Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma preaches a sermon for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services.

The theme of this year's Lenten services is on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. The saying Dr. Smith covered is "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

The sermon was delivered at the Alameda Church of Christ on March 27, 2013.

Fr. Sami Chaaya's Lenten Sermon

Fr. Sami Chaaya's Lenten Sermon from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Fr. Sami Chaaya, Priest at the Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Norman, Oklahoma preaches a sermon for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services.

The theme of this year's Lenten services is on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. The saying Fr. Chaaya covered "It is Finished."

The sermon was delivered at the First Presbyterian Church on March 20, 2013.

Videos from the Religious Leader's Dialogue on the Death Penalty

Videos from the Religious Leaders Dialogue on the Death Penalty sponsored by the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty at Capital Hill Methodist Church on March 14, 2013.

Videos include statements from Rev. Mike Girlinghouse, Bishop for the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), Rev. Adam Leathers, Director of Criminal Justice and Mercy Ministries, Dr. William Tabbernee, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, and Rev. Dr. Marlon J. Coleman, pastor of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK, and Ms. Lydia Polley, co-chair of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty.

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Rev. Mike Bumgarner's Progressive Sermon

Rev. Mike Bumgarner's Progressive Sermon from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Mike Bumgarner, Chaplain at Norman Regional Hospital, preaches on "The Progressive Sermon I Always Wanted to Preach" for the United Church of Norman (UCC) in Norman, Oklahoma on March 14, 2013.

A dialogue session with the audience follows his sermon.

Rev. Amy Venable's Lenten Sermon on Thirst

Rev. Amy Venable's Lenten Sermon on Thirst from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Amy Venable, Chaplain at St. Stephen's United Methodist Church in Norman, Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "No Easy Passage from Here to Where We Need to Be" for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services.

The theme of this year's Lenten services is on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. The saying Rev. Venable covered "I thirst. "

The sermon was delivered at First Christian Church on March 13, 2013.

My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Rev. Mike Bumgarner's Lenten Sermon from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Mike Bumgarner, Chaplain at Norman Regional Hospital in Norman, Oklahoma, preaches a sermon for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services.

The theme of this year's Lenten services is on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. The saying Rev. Bumgarner covered "My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?"

The sermon was delivered at St. Mark's Catholic Church on March 6, 2013.

A Call for Progressive Religion, Part 2

Urgent: A Call for Progressive Religion, Part Two from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Welton Gaddy, President of the national Interfaith Alliance, leads a seminar on the topic "Urgent: A Call for Progressive Faith," at the United Church of Norman (UCC) in Norman, Oklahoma on March 2, 2013.

This video records the second half of the seminar. A previous video records the first half.

Urgent: A Call for Progressive Religion

Urgent: A Call for Progressive Religion from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Welton Gaddy, President of the national Interfaith Alliance, leads a seminar on the topic "Urgent: A Call for Progressive Faith," at the United Church of Norman (UCC) in Norman, Oklahoma on March 2, 2013.

This video records the first half of the seminar. Another video records the second half.

The session begins with a brief discussion of the presentation Dr. Gaddy made the night before at the University of Oklahoma's Sam Noble Museum of Natural History.

Christianity in the Balance: Integrity and Diversity

Christianity in the Balance from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Welton Gaddy, President of the national Interfaith Alliance, speaks about "Christianity in the Balance: Integrity and Diversity (Let's Get Over It and On With It). He spoke at the University of Oklahoma's Sam Noble Museum of Natural History on March 1, 2013. His speech was sponsored by the United Church of Norman (UCC).

Discussion at the Interfaith Dialogue on the Afterlife

Discussion at the Interfaith Dialogue on the Afterlife from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

An interfaith discussion of views of the afterlife sponsored by Oklahoma City's Institute of Interfaith Dialog at the Turkish Raindrop House on February 27, 2013.

The discussion is moderated by Rev. Dr. Major Jemison, pastor of St John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Participants are Imam Imad Enchassi of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, Rabbi Vered Harris of Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City, and Rev. Tom Ogburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City.

A previously posted video records the brief opening presentations by each participant. This video records the question and answer session which followed.

Interfaith Dialogue on the Afterlife

Interfaith Dialogue on the Afterlife from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

An interfaith discussion of views of the afterlife sponsored by Oklahoma City's Institute of Interfaith Dialog at the Turkish Raindrop House on February 27, 2013.

The discussion is moderated by Rev. Dr. Major Jemison, pastor of St John Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Participants are Imam Imad Enchassi of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City, Rabbi Vered Harris of Temple B'nai Israel in Oklahoma City, and Rev. Tom Ogburn, pastor of First Baptist Church of Oklahoma City.

This video records the brief opening presentations by each participant. A separate video records the question and answer session which followed.

With Jesus at the Cross

With Jesus at the Cross from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Tracy Evans, pastor of Memorial Presbyterian Church in Norman, Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "With Jesus at the Cross" for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services.

The theme of this year's Lenten services is on the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross. The saying Rev. Evans covered is "Here is your son . . . here is your mother" (John 2:1-5, 19:25b-27).

The sermon was delivered at McFarland Memorial United Methodist Church on February 27, 2013.

Cultivating a Quiet Heart

Cultivating a Quiet Heart from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Steve Graham, Coordinator for the Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "Cultivating a Quiet Heart." The sermon was delivered at Oklahoma City University's Chapel Service on the Second Week of Lent February 21, 2013. The video records the entire chapel service.

Dialogue with Dr. Tom Boyd

Dialogue with Dr. Tom Boyd from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Question and answer session with Dr. Tom Boyd, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma, after Boyd's sermon on "The Progressive Sermon I always wanted about to preach." The sermon and dialogue session were at the United Church of Norman on February 21, 2013.

Tom Boyd's Progressive Sermon

Dr. Tom Boyd's Progressive Sermon from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Tom Boyd, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "The Progressive Sermon I Always Wanted to Preach" for the United Church of Norman on February 21, 2013.

Tom Boyd's Lenten Services Sermon

Forgive Them For They Do Not Know What They Are Doing from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Tom Boyd, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma, preaches for the Norman Ministerial Fellowship's 2013 Lenten Services. The theme for the 2013 Lenten Services is the seven sayings of Jesus while on the cross. Dr. Boyd preaches on the saying, "Father, Forgive Them for they do not know what they are doing." This sermon was delivered at NorthHaven Baptist Church in Norman, Oklahoma on February 20, 2013.

Barbara Boyd on the Four Loves of Jesus

The Four Loves of Jesus from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Rev. Dr. Barbara Boyd, Outreach Director for the Religious Studies Program at the University of Oklahoma, preaches a sermon entitled "The Four Loves of Jesus" at the United Church of Norman (UCC) on February 10, 2013.

Q & A After Dinner with Colonel Wilkerson

Q & A After Dinner with Colonel Wilkerson from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Question and Answer session after the dinner for Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson at the University of Central Oklahoma on February 5, 2013. The dinner was hosted after Col. Wilkerson gave a speech entitled, "We Need Not Be Enemies -- Iran and the U.S. in the 21st Century."

During this session Wilkerson commented on a forthcoming film by Steven Spielberg that is rumored to promote the necessity of a "clash of civilizations" between Christianity and Islam.

Q & A After Colonel Wilkinson's Speech

Q & A After Colonel Wilkerson's Speech from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Question and Answer session after Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson's speech on "We Need Not Be Enemies -- Iran and the U.S. in the 21st Century" at the University of Central Oklahoma on February 5, 2013.

Iran and the U.S. Need Not Be Enemies

We Need Not Be Enemies -- Iran and the U.S. in the 21st Century from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson's speech "We Need Not Be Enemies, Iran and the U.S. in the 21st Century" delivered at the University of Central Oklahoma on February 5, 2013.

Colonel Wilkerson, retired, was Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Say It's Not So Spielberg !!!

Will Steven Spielberg Promote a "Clash of Civilizations"? from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, former Chief of Staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, spoke about a forthcoming Steven Spielberg film during a Question and Answer session following a speech he gave at the University of Central Oklahoma on February 5, 2013. Wilkerson's speech was entitled, "We Need Not Be Enemies, Iran and the U.S. in the 21st Century."

Colonel Wilkerson's sources tell him that Steven Spielberg and Dream Works are producing a film that will promote the necessity of a "clash of civilizations" between Christianity and Islam. Wilkerson says, " I can't think of anything more dangerous or stupid."

Here is film of the Wilkerson's speech and of two question and answer sessions (here and here).

Looking for Deeds not Words

Oklahoma's Governor gave her "State of the State" speech yesterday and revealed her agenda to cut the state income tax rate from 5.25% to 5.0% in this legislative session. The Oklahoma Policy Institute says this will deprive "schools, public safety, and core state services" that have already been decimated by budget cuts of another "$106 million dollars." Nor does this budget cut offer any hope of better health care for the 150-200 thousand Oklahomans who are unable to afford health insurance. Last year the Governor refused $54 million dollars from the federal government to fund a health care exchange. This year the Governor continues to refuse $1.63-3.6 billion dollars in federal money to expand medicaid because she says the state will not be able to afford to contribute $16-22 million dollars a year to fund medicaid from 2017 to 2020. It's fairly clear to me that the Governor is more interested in fulfilling her pledge to eliminate the state income tax than she is in providing adequate medical care for impoverished Oklahomans.

The Governor is not alone in her hardheartedness toward the poor and sick. Oklahoma's state legislature is filled with elected representatives who are keen on publicly professing their faith in Christ from the floor of the state legislature while promoting an unconscionable social-darwinist legislative agenda.

I'm on my way to the State Capitol this morning to attend a rally to encourage the Governor and our state legislators to come to their senses and implement Obamacare in our state. The organizers are bringing an all-star cast of spokespersons from the healthcare industry, from charitable agencies, and from churches to speak on this issue. I do not expect to speak, but if I were to have an opportunity to speak, this is as much and as little as I would have to say:

The Apostle John has a message for people who promote tax cuts for the well-to-do while turning a blind eye to the suffering of the poor and needy:

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. ( I John 3:17-18 NIV)

Only Slightly Exaggerated

I got my copy of Jerry Faught's "Rev. Dr. Megalo Maniac's Supernatural Salvation Spectacle and Marvelous Mega-Church Meeting" in the mail yesterday. I laughed out loud so much as I read the first few pages that my wife had to know what was so funny. Her curiosity could not be assuaged until I read excerpts like this out loud:

When Megalo pastored in Broomville a nearby Cowboy Church invited him to speak. Megalo donned his Ostrich Skin Boots and his Stetson Cowboy Hat and prepared to rope some lost people for Jesus. Megalo preached his sermon while doing some rope tricks he had learned as a youth. He talked about how God had roped him and wrestled him to the ground back when he was a rebellious young steer and had captured his heart.

"God corralled me for Christ -- roped me for the redeemer -- lassoed me for the Lord." Megalo declared.

In the middle of Megalo's sermon an old rodeo clown ran down the aisle crying and asking Jesus to save his soul. The clown then asked Megalo to baptize him but he requested that his horse be allowed to watch the baptism. Megalo agreed and the clown brought his horse in through the back door of the church and down the aisle near the baptistery. When the congregation applauded after the baptism the horse got spooked and started running up and down the aisles.

I've got so many serious philosophy and theology books to read that I rarely read a work of fiction. I made an exception for Dr. Faught's work because I got to know him during the ten years that he was Professor of Religion at Oklahoma Baptist University. A year ago he parted ways with the increasingly heavy-handed fundamentalism of OBU's current administration and became Associate Professor at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.

I suspected that this book would be a cathartic exercise for Jerry and it is obvious that it is. I also anticipated that, in the midst of the humor, Jerry would make some astute observations about the spectacle of evangelical fundamentalism. Often he needs only to slightly exaggerate the truth to show the absurdity of what has become commonplace in Southern Baptist life.

Now, I've got to hurry up and finish reading this book. Kylene wants to read it.

Third Month of Geo-Thermal Energy Savings

I've been monitoring our energy usage since our geo-thermal HVAC was installed.

I got the bill for the third full month this today. We used 1355 KWH for the month of January 2013. Between 2002 and 2012 our average energy usage for the month of December was 4147 KWH. The highest month was December 2010 when we used 4908 KWH and the lowest month was in 2006 when we used 2990 KWH.

Translated into dollars, we saved about $321.00 on our electric bill this month.

After three full months with geo-thermal energy, we have saved a total of around $746.00 on our electricity bill.

Dr. Barbara Boyd on the Book of Ruth

Dr. Barbara Boyd on the Book of Ruth from Bruce Prescott on Vimeo.

Dr. Barbara Boyd, an ordained Presbyterian minister and Professor of Religion at the University of Oklahoma, preaches a sermon on the book of Ruth at the United Ministry Center on January 17, 2013. Boyd's sermon was part of a series of sermons by different ministers speaking at the United Church of Norman on the topic "The Sermon I Always Wanted to Preach but Never had a Chance."

Dr. Boyd's unique interpretation of the Book of Ruth is thought-provoking and prophetic. It may prove challenging to feminist theologians and will certainly be controversial among fundamentalist Christians.

You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

David Barton and Glenn Beck propose arming elementary school children!

What's the Matter with America?

This documentary reveals what's wrong with American democracy.

Watch Inside Obama's Presidency on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE.

Bill Moyers On Crony Capitalism

Bill Moyers exposes the "crony capitalism" involved in the deal to avoid the "fiscal cliff."

Mary Fallin and the Death Panel Governors

Terrence Heath in an essay on the Campaign for America's Future weblog uncovers the rationale underlying the refusal of Medicaid expansion by ten GOP Governors:

Republican governors are standing up for a conservative health care reform principle articulated by conservative economist Tyler Cowen.

2. A rejection of health care egalitarianism, namely a recognition that the wealthy will purchase more and better health care than the poor. Trying to equalize health care consumption hurts the poor, since most feasible policies to do this take away cash from the poor, either directly or through the operation of tax incidence. We need to accept the principle that sometimes poor people will die just because they are poor. Some of you don’t like the sound of that, but we already let the wealthy enjoy all sorts of other goods — most importantly status — which lengthen their lives and which the poor enjoy to a much lesser degree. We shouldn’t screw up our health care institutions by being determined to fight inegalitarian principles for one very select set of factors which determine health care outcomes.

On the Climate Cliff

Bill Moyers interviews Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, about the urgent need to address the issue of climate change.

A Bright Idea

A light powered by gravity!