This is a selection of writings on themes of trauma and transformation, hope and anguish, in a time of reckoning.
The first section is biographical fragments about life after the “bulldozer” runs you over. How do you get up? How do you live with others who don’t understand? How do you keep walking? They draw upon life experiences in Boston, Iona, and New Jersey. Faith is not so much about agreeing with doctrine, but a dynamic, active, seeking, questioning, trust in God. It includes both audacity and humility.
The second section draws upon fragments of historical reflection, “On Violent Innocence, Mourning, and Metanoia in New Jersey.” This is an exploration of the principality of white racism, state-based violence, and exploitation of the poor. It asks the question: How did the Confederate flag get in the front window of the Presbyterian church on Lincoln’s birthday? Some of the white terrorism that happened at the Capitol is prefigured here. Yet there is grace hidden in judgment. We cannot heal from what we do not name.
The third section is fragments of prophetic wisdom from Lorna Goodison, Richard Fenn, Mike Gecan, Karen Hernandez-Granzen, and Archange Antoine. Along with Traci West and Chris Hedges, their voices are strong and true.
Michael Granzen, Ph.D. is a writer and activist with a call to transformational teaching and ministry. He grew up in New York and was captain of his high school baseball team before going to Colgate University and studying philosophy and religion with Coleman Brown. He worked as a community organizer in Boston and Oklahoma, then went to Harvard Divinity School. He was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and has worked in multiple cities in the United States and Scotland.
He studied social ethics at Drew University and received a Ph.D. with honors in 2011. He has lectured at Harvard University, Drew University, Colgate University, Princeton University, New Brunswick and Princeton Theological Seminary. He moderated the ordination of the Chris Hedges in Elizabeth with James Cone and Cornel West giving the charges. He is actively involved in interfaith work for justice and is co-founder of NJ Clergy for Justice. He was in a front page article of the New York Times, "Blue Shadows in Elizabeth."
Granzen lives in New Jersey with his wife, the Rev. Karen Hernandez-Granzen, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Trenton. They have two daughters Mikaella and Olivia. He is an avid bicyclist, lover of baseball, good conversation, and books. His favorite quote, "The heart has reasons that reason cannot know."
