John B. Coburn (1914–2009)
Author of Prayer and Personal Religion
About the Author
John Coburn was born in Connecticut in 1914 and educated at the Wooster School, Princeton University, and Union Theological Seminary. A World War II naval chaplain, he served as dean of Trinity Cathedral, Newark, New Jersey, and rector of parishes in New York and Massachusetts. He taught at Robert show more College, Istanbul, and later at what is now Episcopal Divinity School. He served as Bishop of Massachusetts from 1976 to 1986. He died in 2009 at the age of 95. show less
Works by John B. Coburn
Feeding Fire 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Legal name
- Coburn, John Bowen
- Birthdate
- 1914-09-27
- Date of death
- 2009-08-08
- Gender
- male
- Education
- Princeton University (BA - Politics)
Union Theological Seminary (MDiv)
Wooster School - Occupations
- Episcopal priest
Episcopal Bishop of Massachsetts
dean (ETS)
President, House of Deputies (Episcopal Church) - Organizations
- Episcopal Church
Episcopal Theological Seminary (Dean) - Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Danbury, Connecticut, USA
- Places of residence
- Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA - Place of death
- Bedford, Massachusetts, USA
- Associated Place (for map)
- Massachusetts, USA
Members
Reviews
This is an early, if not first, published book by a theologian who went on to lead the Episcopal Diocese through difficult times.
The idea of "personal religion" is a little -- OK, a lot -- unclear. And the idea of prayer as communication with a divinity is foreign to this text. Still, the author begins his concluding chapter with a beautiful sentiment from William Blake, below, and the admission that "suffering and joy are inextricably bound together". But what does that "mean"? !! [90]
He show more offers this non-explanation: "The reason that suffering joyfully for the love of God is so powerful is very simply that this is the way of the cross. This is the way Christ did his work." [95] This is not helpful. Who thinks, or could possibly "want", a divinity to suffer for any reason, much less for love!
So here is the excerpt from the Blake poem "Auguries of Innocence":
Man was made for joy and woe;
And, when this we rightly know,
Safely through the world we go.
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine."
We wear this vestment on the inside. show less
The idea of "personal religion" is a little -- OK, a lot -- unclear. And the idea of prayer as communication with a divinity is foreign to this text. Still, the author begins his concluding chapter with a beautiful sentiment from William Blake, below, and the admission that "suffering and joy are inextricably bound together". But what does that "mean"? !! [90]
He show more offers this non-explanation: "The reason that suffering joyfully for the love of God is so powerful is very simply that this is the way of the cross. This is the way Christ did his work." [95] This is not helpful. Who thinks, or could possibly "want", a divinity to suffer for any reason, much less for love!
So here is the excerpt from the Blake poem "Auguries of Innocence":
Man was made for joy and woe;
And, when this we rightly know,
Safely through the world we go.
Joy and woe are woven fine,
A clothing for the soul divine."
We wear this vestment on the inside. show less
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Statistics
- Works
- 17
- Members
- 431
- Popularity
- #56,716
- Rating
- 3.0
- Reviews
- 1
- ISBNs
- 20