@markglanvillejazz
Hebrew Bible scholar, jazz pianist. Blue Note Theology Podcast. Five books, including Improvising Church & Preaching in a New Key: Crafting Expository Sermons in Post-Christian Communities Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership, UBC, Vancouver
It is difficult to express just how excited our tween-age audience was to hear Wynston Minckler and I play Golden.
. . . at the Vancouver Christian School Elementary School band concert night.
The United States and U.S. evangelicalism is sick.
Overnight Trump posted images representing the Obamas as apes. As evil as this is, it is no surprise, for Trump's racism and hatred has been clear since before his first term.
Can we reflect what an astoundingly low bar that is, that Republicans are at last speaking out, as ICE murders White Americans before the eyes of a watching population? Scripture says "love the stranger."
I believe that the key to discerning the morality of ICE in the Twin Cities is to go back to how the "largest immigration enforcement operation ever" began. It began with a short statement by Trump regarding people from Somalia . . . missioalliance.org/profaning-th...
David Evan's new book, Damn Whiteness: How White Christian Allies Failed the Black Freedom Movement.
I saved this book until I had time to read it slowly and reflectively.
Refining our lens for biblical interpretation is a crucial task. Much harm is done by those who posture as guardians of the truth. I recommend "Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: And Invitation to North American Biblical Interpretation," by Zacharias &Hoklotubbe. @racheldhastings.bsky.social
Black theology and Anabaptist theology together?
My friend Dr @druhart.bsky.social has just released a new book, offering a pathway for Christian engagement that combines Black and Anabaptist theology.
Anyone else still dress up when telling Christmas stories?
Crowns, cloaks, frankincense, and stars are all fair game, to maintain interest, & communicate to a diversity of ages, and “having fun with it.”
It’s great to include historical background. People are fascinated by history . . .
The first Christmas gig of the year for each of us!
Chestnuts Roasting by an Open Fire is such a beautiful tune. It was a joy to play it with the brilliant Tess Meckling and leading bassist Conrad Good.
Congratulations to Cam Roxborough and Neighborhood Church for a wonderful community event!
I was delighted to return home to this award in the mail:
"Winner: Christian Non-Fiction - Academic."
Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul, is a "missional church" guide for post-Christian contexts. (I use the word "witness" rather than "mission" in the book.)
"A Whisper in Herod’s Winter: Christmas as Clandestine Hope"
Jesus was born &Herod died in about the same year. Herod died in city he modestly named Herodium, to his glory. He was brutal.
The incarnation is a whisper, not a shout.
Article . . .
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/a-w...
yes!
Donald Trump called people who have been refugee-d from Somalia, “garbage.”I believe we are well past the point now where it is thoroughly immoral to support Donald Trump’s presidency in any way. There can be no justification for his inhumane, callous, and deeply racist speech and policies.
Guess the Christmas carol. From jazz Matins service, Artisan Church, Vancouver.
Yesterday I went on a pilgrimage to find answers to Trumps new refugee policy. . .
Given Trumps announcements regarding refugees this week, and the shootings in DC, I needed to get a clear head space to think about all this. . .
Thanksgiving: An Ancient Grounding Exercise for Reducing Insomnia . . .
I took this video just before I spoke at Vancouver Christian School high school chapel yesterday. . . when I spoke about my late grandmother's practices.
What is the gospel?
I spoke at a conference &it was clear that for the other speakers "gospel" means that J has died for my sins, period. This then determined the scope of the conference : we are "saving souls", only.
But how is "gospel" is used in the NT? The word "gospel" demands more from us.
A comment on the Trump Administration's all-too-common gas-lighting talk, in light of the Old Testament, specifically Psalm 12.
Psalm 18: "To the merciful you show yourself merciful;
to the crooked you show yourself perverse."
Once again, the bible has something to say about our culture today.
I was so grateful for this thoughtful interview with Kenny of WTC, in the U.K.
Early morning practice is good for the soul.
Early morning UV light is good for the sleep.
Are you free this Friday evening? Come out and hear our soul duo, in support of Jacob's Well, a communal living room in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside!
doorandtable.raiselysite.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
On the latest @wtctheology.org.uk TheoDisc episode, @markglanvillejazz.bsky.social riffs on preaching with improvisation, harmony in community, and staying tuned to the Spirit’s movement 🎹
Watch: youtu.be/2o8fZS-sVBY or search “theodisc” wherever you get podcasts. #theosky #bible #preaching
When invited to speak, I often try to add a music event.
Music almost always opens something fresh and surprising at a conference or retreat. Music can heal relationships when there has been distance or harm. It can calm us down and open our imagination to something new in our work.
Perhaps the greatest sin of the MAGA movement is that they break the Third Commandment:
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
I'm delighted to announce that Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul, has won best Academic Christian Book of the Year award, with highly reputed The Word Guild!
www.ivpress.com/improvising-...
Many conservative American Christians support Trump’s moves toward autocracy because he delivers on issues they see as moral imperatives. In this video I assess autocracy itself in light of Scripture, specifically the law of the king from Deuteronomy 17:14-20.
Wednesday PM a bunch of us in Vancouver gathering at UBC to chat about the future of the church.
Come join:
Dr Chris James
Beth Carson-Malina, Open Way
Diana Gee, Faith Community Christian Church
Sam Voo, Granville Chapel
Filipe Balieiro, Westpoint Grey Baptist
www.eventbrite.com/e/1417622088...
"Jazz deals with what is. It discerns the truth about the world: it grieves what is broken in the world and it celebrates life. We might reflect that jazz grieves what Christ grieves, and it celebrates what Christ celebrates."
christiansforsocialaction.org/resource/jaz...
I'm delighted to be shortlisted with other Australian authors for the SparkLit awards, Australian Christian book of the year prize.
The Psalms are full of wisdom and warning for this political moment.
Psalm18
“With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless you show yourself blameless;
with the pure you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you show yourself perverse.”
(Vs25-27)
Source of Jesus' beatitude
