Question: What impact does your work have on the world?
Transcript: Well I have it on good authority – that is the people to whom I do preach and the people who take the time to tell me about it over many years – that I make people think. I make them imagine .… see things that they would not have seen before. Or ask about things that they hadn’t thought about asking before. Or even I have the capacity, I hope, from time to time to lead people to what the theologian calls an “Aha” experience. Or, “I’ve never thought of that before!” Or, “What an interesting notion.” I rejoice in that. It’s the same skill and the same thrill that a teacher gets when somebody finally gets it after you’ve tried to put it before them. That’s the thrill of preaching for me, and I think I have the ability to do that in many cases.
Recorded on: 6/12/07
Discuss
Elizabeth Barnwell on January 20, 2008, 8:41 PM
I agree with Ms. Caldwell's observations and would like to add that besides the impact of diminishing natural resources on the poorest of the poor, conflict over disappearing arable land is going to exacerbate the suffering of already impoverished people eeking a meager existence from the small plots they have been able to cultivate. Military groups and governments are going to further add to environmental degradation by forcing eco-refugees (a most appropriate term) into areas already experiencing deforestation and desertification. We need to start speaking up and giving a voice to those that don't have one. We need to educate people on the importance of looking at Africa and Asia not as far away places but as a part of our global community and that what is happening to them now is a precursor of what will be happening to us in the near future if we don't stand up and put an end to it. We are only one major catastrophe away from being in their shoes.
Elizabeth Barnwell on January 21, 2008, 1:41 AM
I agree with Ms. Caldwell’s observations and would like to add that besides the impact of diminishing natural resources on the poorest of the poor, conflict over disappearing arable land is going to exacerbate the suffering of already impoverished people eeking a meager existence from the small plots they have been able to cultivate. Military groups and governments are going to further add to environmental degradation by forcing eco-refugees (a most appropriate term) into areas already experiencing deforestation and desertification. We need to start speaking up and giving a voice to those that don’t have one. We need to educate people on the importance of looking at Africa and Asia not as far away places but as a part of our global community and that what is happening to them now is a precursor of what will be happening to us in the near future if we don’t stand up and put an end to it. We are only one major catastrophe away from being in their shoes.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register