November's Book - Adam

"Adam, God's Beloved", by Henri J.M. Nouwen

"Adam, God's Beloved" is a moving book in which Nouwen, a renowned theologian, befriends a profoundly disabled and mute young man at a monastery where Nouwen is residing.  Nouwen is transformed by this relationship, and shortly after Adam's death, writes this book in which he explores parallels and contrasts between the life of Christ and the trajectory of Adam's life.  In Adam, Nouwen encounters the suffering and risen Christ.

In a wonderful discussion exercise, led by Judie, we made a column for Adam and for Henri on a piece of paper.  Then we explored pairs of opposite words, writing them under the name to which they most applied:

• Wordy vs. Mute
• Famous vs. Unknown
• Dependent vs. Independent
• Accepting vs. Searching
• Worldly vs. Unworldly
• Accomplished vs. Untrained
• Receiving vs. Giving
• Listening vs. Speaking
• Being Healed vs. Healing
• Seeking Grace vs. In a State of Grace
• Serene vs. Busy
• Patient vs. Impatient
• Part of a Community vs. Famous for Himself
• Wise in Theology
• Intrinsic Trust and Faith
• Dependent on Others for Physical and Spiritual Help

This led to some excellent avenues for discussing the spiritual gifts of both men and how those gifts intersected in the book.