Category: Interviews

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Interview: discussing the Convergence Movement with Fr. Kevin Daugherty

I’m excited to share my second interview with you. This morning I spoke with Fr. Kevin Daugherty. He’s a Priest within the Convergence Movement (specifically the Convergent Christian Communion). Fr. Daugherty talks about how the Convergence Christian Communion brings together aspects of Christianity that are rarely found in a single expression of the religion: (1) being open and affirming; (2) being charismatic; (3) being evangelical; (4) being sacramental. For those who are familiar with the writings of Dr. Robert Webber or Dr. Thomas Oden, this movement embraces much of what they imagined Christianity might be. (FYI, in the interview, Fr. Daugherty mentions a charismatic Episcopal service on YouTube. Here’s the video: Charismatic Episcopal Church in Paris.)

Here are the questions I asked during this interview:

  1. Please tell everyone why I’m talking with you about this topic. What’s your relationship with the Convergence Movement?
  2. What is the Convergence Movement and where did it come from, and when did it come into existence? 
  3. We’re doing this interview because (1) I teach at an Episcopal School, so my students are familiar with Episcopal liturgy (experientially) and (2) my students just spent some time studying Pentecostalism. Can you explain how Anglican/Episcopal and Pentecostal spirituality intersect in the Convergence Movement?
  4. One critique many people have of Christianity, in general, is that it seems to birth new denominations daily. Why the Convergence Christian Communion (CCC)? What not being a charismatic Episcopalian or a liturgical Pentecostal assembly? 
  5. On the CCC website there are four main points listed in the section on your ‘identity’: (1) We are open and affirming; (2) We are charismatic; (3) We are evangelical; (4) We are sacramental. Can you explain what each of these means to the CCC and why they’re important?
  6. This interview is being recorded primarily for my class ‘Religion in the United States’. What does the American context have to do with the formation of the Convergence Christian Movement and its particular emphasis on the aforementioned points?
  7. Finally, what’s the best thing about being in the Convergence Christian Movement? What do you like most about your tradition?
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Educating in the Era of COVID-19: Day 11

This week will be the most unique one since we went to online learning. I’ve asked several scholars and/or religious practitioners if they’d be willing to do interviews with me on topics they research/religions they practice. (This is the beginning of something I hope to do with some frequency, even when we ‘return’ to our ‘new normal’ after this pandemic.) My first interview was great. I talked with Dr. Joseph P. Laycock, assistant professor of religious studies at Texas State University, and the author of Speak of the Devil: How the Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk About Religion, about Satanism in the United States and the two predominant groups: The Church of Satan and The Satanic Temple. My students in my ‘Religion in the United States’ class will learn about Satanism next week, so I’m excited to share this interview with them.

Today, I’m interviewing Fr. Kevin R. Daugherty, regarding the Convergence Movement, which brings together aspects of what might be consider Pentecostal spirituality with the liturgical practices found in traditions like Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism. Then I’ll talk with James F. McGrath, the Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature from Butler University, about the Christian doctrine of the Ascension.

Otherwise, the routine is taking shape. I upload assignments, meet with students using Google Meet, grade assignments, and do it again. We didn’t try synchronous learning as a response to the pandemic but it does appear likely that my summer school class, ‘The Hebrew Scriptures’, will be online and synchronous in June. So, I’m brainstorming ways to make that a great class in spite of the unfortunate circumstances.

Week 2
Week 1

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Interview: discussing The Satanic Temple with Dr. Joseph P. Laycock

In an effort to make the most out of the move to online education, I’ve begun reaching out to scholars and/or religious practitioners to see if they’d be willing to be interviewed about their research and/or beliefs. Since my ‘Religion in the United States’ students are learning about the Scientologist this week and Satanist next week—both being groups that challenge conventional definitions of religion—I thought I’d reach out to Dr. Joseph P. Laycock of Texas State University. Laycock is an assistant professor of religious studies who focuses on new religious movements and American religious history. His newest book, Speak of the Devil: How The Satanic Temple is Changing the Way We Talk About Religion, is excellent. I wanted my students to be able to hear directly from a scholar and I was thrilled that Laycock agreed to participate.

My students will watch this interview as part of their homework next week. But I want to share it now for those who might be interested. As a preview, here are the seven questions I asked him:

  1. Please tell everyone why I’m talking with you about this topic. What do you research and how did Satanism become one of your interests?
  2. One of the first things I tell my students about Satanism—and it’s something that find somewhat surprising—is that most Satanist don’t actually believe that Satan is a real, metaphysical being. Instead, he’s more of a symbol. Can you explain what Satan symbolizes for most Satanists?
  3. I’m from the San Francisco Bay Area, so I’ve known the name ‘Anton LaVey‘ and I’ve known of the Church of Satan (CoS) for years. Can you explain why LaVey and his CoS is important to understanding Satanism in the United States?
  4. In your excellent book, Speak of the Devil: How the Satanic Temple i Changing the Way We Talk about Religion, you focus on a new group of Satanists: The Satanic Temple (TST). Can you explain what TST is and what’s their mission and purpose is?
  5. Last year when I taught my class on American religion, I showed my students the graphic that can be found on TST’s website that juxtaposes their identity with that of the CoS. What would you say is the most important difference or differences between these two groups?
  6. In Chapter 6, ‘Satanic Bake Sales’, you wrote about a fascinating concept. You walk about how Satanists wrestle with the best way to appropriate ‘the inverted order’ or ‘the discourse of evil’. What does this mean and why are these concepts important for understanding TST (or even Satanism in general)?
  7. Some people dismiss TST, and even COS, as ‘fake’ religion or a mockery of religion. My students have read J.Z Smith’s article ‘Religion, Religions, Religious’, so they get the gist of why the word ‘religion’ can be tricky but can you explain why it’s problematic to dismiss TST or COS as a ‘fake’ or ‘mock’ religion?

You can watch the (unedited…because I haven’t developed that skill set yet) interview here:

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Educating in the Era of COVID-19: Week 2

Another week in the books. Another day sitting at home. Another opportunity to worry less about whether we’ll resume this school year and to worry more about whether next school year will be delayed. I’m handling the anxiety of the pandemic well but I worry for those who aren’t. I worry about my students who can easily fall through the cracks if we don’t keep up with them day-to-day. I worry about the financial stability of my government, employer, family-members, friends. But overall, all things considered, I’m doing good.

Next week should be a good one. I’m interviewing several scholars and practitioners about their work including Joseph Laycock (Satanism), Kevin R. Daugherty (the ‘Convergence’ Movement, i.e, liturgical Pentecostals), and James McGrath (the doctrine of the ascension). A few others are being lined up or have been lined up for the weeks ahead. I’ll share my interviews here will permission.

Day 9
Day 8
Day 7
Day 6
Week 1