|
The Soul of Christianity
Huston Smith has spent a lifetime studying world religions—what he calls “the world’s great wisdom tradition”—not only conceptually as a scholar, but also experientially. “I firmly believe that all of them contain faith sufficient unto salvation,” Smith says. Come consider the kaleidoscopic stories he has to share, ranging from “indelibly impressed” memories as the son of Christian missionaries in China to his most recent favorite Buddhist tale about hope in which a tiny bird drops water on a raging forest fire “because it was the only thing it wanted to do.” What is the essence of Christianity, in his view? “The shortest answer is compassion, but to that must be added wisdom,” he says. “The heart can be in the right place, but still be all out of step.” He adds, “We are in good hands, and in gratitude for that fact it would be good if we shared one another’s burdens. Those themes run through all the world’s religions.” But then what is distinctive about Christianity? It’s not the Incarnation, he muses, because Hinduism has avatars. “What I find distinctive about Christianity is, first, the Trinity, that God is triune, all equally God. The second is the atonement… There is a defect in our nature and we cannot get out of it by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We need divine help in the form of Christ’s death and resurrection.” Come hear more of Huston Smith’s luminous insights and celebrate the release of his new and final book on religion, The Soul of Christianity, as he talks on stage with Ray Suarez, senior correspondent of The Newshour with Jim Lehrer. Huston Smith is arguably today’s foremost authority on comparative religion. His best-known book, The World’s Religions, has been the standard introductory text in college religion courses for over 40 years. Bill Moyers devoted a five-part, 1996 PBS special to Smith’s life and work. Ray Suarez is senior correspondent for The Newshour with Jim Lehrer and an active member of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington.
For information please call (202) 537-2221 or e-mail programs@cathedral.org. |
|
