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A Theologian shows how Jack Layton's spirituality is summarized in his "Letter to Canadians"

by Christopher Lind on Tuesday, August 23, 2011

In a resolutely secular society like Canada, one of the jobs of a theologian is to point out where the new theological language is emerging. One of those places is in Jack Layton's final letter to Canadians. There he provides a synopsis of his own theology.

"Love is better than anger
Hope is better than fear
Optimism is better than despair"

What most Canadians will find difficult to articulate is where they've heard that language before. Consider the following passages from Christian and Hebrew Scriptures.

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18)
"Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another" (Ephesians 4:31-32)
"suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Romans 5:3-4)
"I do not despair of my condition, for I have good hope of recovering from my illness" (2 Maccabees 9:22)

There are many other passages I could have quoted. Jack Layton didn't think of himself as a very faithful member of the United Church of Canada but in the end, I think the evidence points the other way. Clearly Jack Layton embraced an open, loving and hopeful spirituality that millions of Canadians are responding to. God bless you, Jack, a good and faithful servant.

Read the full text of Jack's letter here »

The Book: Rumours of a Moral Economy

READ THE BOOK! Read a chapter excerpt online here »: "Whatever Happened to Ethics in Economics?

Do economies have ethics? Lind convincingly argues that although economics and ethics are understood to be separate at the level of ideas, in practice, economies are deeply embedded in society, relationships and morality.

This new book argues that there is a moral economy which exists as a coherent set of moral values embedded in strong communities. These values and commitments reveal themselves in times of crisis as guides for how to act when things are not normal. See books page here »

Column: The Moral Economy

The Moral Economy is a syndicated monthly column currently published in The Western Producer, Canada’s largest farm newspaper - Read the column / post a comment here. - see more journalism resources by Chris here »

Dr. Christopher Lind is the Executive Director of the Sorrento Centre, a retreat and conference centre in British Columbia. He is also a Senior Fellow of Massey College at the University of Toronto.

From 2003 to 2006 he served as Director of the Toronto School of Theology. The Toronto School of Theology is one of the largest and most diverse ecumenical theological cooperatives in North America. From 1985 until 2003 he was based in Saskatoon, first as Professor of Church & Society and then as President of St. Andrew’s Theological College. A lay Anglican, from 2000 to 2003 he also served as President of the amalgamated St. Andrew’s College and St. Stephen’s College in Saskatoon and Edmonton, sponsored by the United Church of Canada.

Dr. Lind holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from York University in Philosophy and Political Science, a Master of Divinity degree from Trinity College and a PhD in Theology from the University of St. Michael’s College specializing in Ethics and Economics. He has authored or co-edited five books in the areas of Ecumenical Social Ethics, Globalization and Agriculture, Mission and Theology. Dr. Lind has distinguished himself as an ethicist and theologian over 30 years of an academic career. His employment and career path are expressions of his vocation as a leader in personal, institutional, and social transformation.

I have had many jobs in my life. Taken together they have formed an academic career. However, a vocation is different from a career. It is reflected in a career but runs much deeper in one's soul.

As I reflect on what moves me, excites me and commands my attention, I see that I am passionate about transformation. I am constantly engaged in forming, reforming and transforming my self, and my relationships with the world around me. I take delight in responding to the call to bring others along on this extraordinary journey.

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, a national church based social justice organization, is calling on federal, provincial and territorial governments to adopt moral and ethical values in their responses to the global economic crisis.

More about this here »

WHAT'S YOUR HEART'S DESIRE?

Homily: “May God grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your plans.” (Psalm 20:4) - see here »

Dr. Christopher Lind • Contact by Email • Moral Economy Blogspot link »