Come to the Table
Invite your friends, pass the cookies, and dig into Sojourners. Table Talk discussion guides provide a gathering place for communities to discuss issues of faith, politics, and culture—local and global. Table Talk offers a smorgasbord of questions (enough for four sessions, if you want to arrange it that way), as well as resources for further study and action. You bring dessert.
Download in Word or PDF format (requires Acrobat Reader) for copy-ready versions with fewer pages, or click "print this article" button on right.
Session I. Holy Land?
"Short Fuse to Apocalypse?" (p. 20)
"How Christian is Zionism?" (p. 25)
"Road Map or Dead End?" (p. 15)
"A Deafening Silence" (p. 18)
Can you bulldoze your way to the New Jerusalem, one Palestinian home at a time? Don Wagner analyzes how "dispensationalism"—originally an obscure fringe theology developed in the 19th century—has made the U.S. Christian Right into supporters of Israel’s most extremist policies, which some fundamentalists even believe will accelerate the second coming of Christ. Meanwhile, a road map for peace in the Middle East offers hope and demands political sacrifice, even as nonviolent activists risk their lives to witness for peace in the region.
Questions to Consider
1. Re-read Acts 1 in light of Allen and Stassen’s commentary. Does your reading of this passage affect your view of end-times interpretation?
2. "I don’t think a lot of biblical teaching would make it through a cost-benefit analysis," says one nonviolent Christian activist in the West Bank. How does your faith influence your thoughts and feelings about the conflict in the Middle East?
3. Jerusalem’s Anglican bishop warns that peace in the Middle East will require political sacrifices. What kind of sacrifices do you think will be most effective? What can you do to help influence political leaders to make those tough choices?
Resources
"Who is Tim LaHaye?" by Tom Sine (Sojourners, September-October 2001). Sine analyzes the politics and fears behind the influential Left Behind series of novels.
"Christian Zionism: History, Theology, & Politics: Justifying Apartheid in the Name of God" by Stephen Sizer offers an extensive critique of Christian Zionism. (www.christchurch-virginiawater.co.uk/articles/phdcontents.htm)
---------------------------------------------------------
Session II. Borderline Insanity"Men With Guns" (p. 27)
"Churches Push Amnesty Project" (p. 12)
Our borders just got a bit less safe, James Reel reveals, as vigilante groups—most armed, some with ties to white supremacists—have begun to walk the line between the U.S. and Mexico. Meanwhile, a coalition of Latino clergy in the U.S. is lobbying for amnesty for undocumented churchgoers.
Questions to Consider
1. Many Mexican-American families never crossed the border; instead, it crossed them when the U.S. annexed California, Nevada, Utah, Texas, and vast swaths of other territory—including Cochise County, Arizona—after the Mexican-American War. If you were a member of such a family, how would you respond to border militias’ ideas about what it means to be American?
2. Since the Border Patrol began patrolling high-population areas more aggressively a few years ago, migrants have been forced to attempt dangerous desert crossings; dozens die of exposure every year. Why do you think migrants risk death and endure separation from their families?
3. What scriptures would you study to inform your views on a Christian approach to immigration, migrants, strangers, and hospitality?
Resources
BorderLinks leads delegations to learn about life on the U.S.-Mexico border. Participants stay with Mexican families and learn about border history, economics, and theology. (www.borderlinks.org)
Tucson-based Derechos Humanos offers border news and action alerts. (www.derechoshumanosaz.net)
---------------------------------------------------------
Session III. God’s Comfort Zone"Do Not Cling to Me" (p. 32)
"Can’t Take Her Joy" (p. 36)
"Radical Hospitality" (p. 42)
Sometimes following God means laying down everything—including your sense of having been right all along. Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams cautions against painting situations and others’ motives too starkly, even for a good cause. Gutsy survivor, activist, and musician Michelle Shocked reveals how she’s inspired by the vulnerability and power of the crucified Jesus. At the same time, Rosemarie Freeney Harding and her daughter Rachel point out how civility and long-familiar traditions can be a source of righteous strength, just as hospitality and family traditions extended to support the civil rights movement.
Questions to Consider
1. Williams argues that, just as Mary was tempted to cling to her old understanding of Christ, so we tend to cling to ideas of God that feed our own sense of security. It’s not always easy, though, to tell the difference between self-righteousness and God’s righteousness. How does Williams’ study help you draw that line? Does his analysis change your perception of public debate during the war in Iraq?
2. "It’s just such a glorious and transcendent and graceful gospel to practice on a daily basis, the gospel of loving forgiveness," says musician Michelle Shocked. How has forgiveness made a difference in your life? In what ways might forgiving others lead you out of your comfort zone?
3. The Hardings describe how religious singing and traditional family relations became sources of strength for the political activism of the civil rights movement. Can you think of any ways in which, in the future, traditions of personal or cultural comfort can support movements for social change?
Resources
Michelle Shocked’s label, Mighty Sound, offers tour dates, online lyrics, album info, a gumbo recipe, and links to her autobiographical Web site. (www.mighty-sound.com)
The Veterans of Hope project, founded by Rosemarie Freeny Harding with her husband Vincent, offers a series of video interviews and teaching guides. (www.iliff.edu/about_iliff/special_veterans.htm)
---------------------------------------------------------
Session IV. Muddy Water
"The Things that Make for Peace" (p. 7)
"Boycotting World Bank Bonds" (p. 12)
"‘Dirty Wars,’ 21st-Century Style" (p. 16)
"Who Controls the Spigot?" (p. 17)
Jim Wallis argues that peace, at home and abroad, requires a commitment to economic justice—but the Bush administration budget is a "disaster for the poor." Another potential disaster for the poor is the ill-considered push, in the U.S. and abroad, to let for-profit companies control water and other public services (even when companies’ track records are marred by unpayable rate increases and unclean water).
Questions to Consider
1. The British Financial Times recently suggested that the Bush administration’s huge tax cut for the wealthy was actually a back-door attempt to slash federal social programs. What is your reaction to the administration’s budget?
2. How much do you know about water privatization and the proposed trade agreements? Is your community facing water privatization? How would you find out?
Resources
Call to Renewal advocates against poverty from a Christian perspective. The Call’s Web site includes legislative updates. (www.calltorenewal.org)
The Center for Economic Justice’s World Bank Boycott campaign offers updates and suggestions for action. (http://econjustice.net/wbbb)
Public Citizen’s "Water for All" campaign gives in-depth background and updates on the fight against water privatization. (www.citizen.org/cmep/Water)
"Competing Visions for the Hemisphere," a chart setting forth a more just alternative to the FTAA, is available from the Institute for Policy Studies. (www.ips-dc.org/projects/global_econ)
SojoCircles
SojoCircles is a network of local groups that meet regularly to pray, dialogue, and build community in churches, families, and neighborhoods. Organized by Sojourners after Sept. 11, 2001, to discuss issues of peacemaking and social justice, SojoCircles includes groups from Australia to Wisconsin. Sojourners provides an organizer's packet with tips on meeting facilitation, resources for publicity, and links to SojoCircles around the world. Want to join? Contact sojocircles@sojo.net or call 1-800-714-7474.
Got something to say about what you're reading? We value your feedback!