I find this quote to be entirely suited as a corrective to this moment in American history. But I suggest it only because I've found that it speaks powerfully to my own personal experience. I've been following a hunch that post WWII German theologians would have a lot to offer for some time now as I find the view of people who are humbled is often different from that of those who are triumphant. And by different I mean more reality based, more prone to the virtue of compassion and the utility of listening and silence.
Monday, March 21, 2016
"Not Victorious"
"Who are the children of the future? I should like to answer: the people who renounce domination and the dreams of rule, people who are not victorious and do not dream of victories, but who open themselves and their institutions in creative receptivity towards what is divine, towards what is human, and towards what is natural. These people are the heirs of his future." - Juergen Moltmann
I find this quote to be entirely suited as a corrective to this moment in American history. But I suggest it only because I've found that it speaks powerfully to my own personal experience. I've been following a hunch that post WWII German theologians would have a lot to offer for some time now as I find the view of people who are humbled is often different from that of those who are triumphant. And by different I mean more reality based, more prone to the virtue of compassion and the utility of listening and silence.
I find this quote to be entirely suited as a corrective to this moment in American history. But I suggest it only because I've found that it speaks powerfully to my own personal experience. I've been following a hunch that post WWII German theologians would have a lot to offer for some time now as I find the view of people who are humbled is often different from that of those who are triumphant. And by different I mean more reality based, more prone to the virtue of compassion and the utility of listening and silence.
"Skeptical About the Enterprise"
I've just run across this quote from Barack Obama on his interaction with Bob Dylan:
“Here’s what I love about Dylan – he was exactly as you’d expect he would be. He wouldn’t come to the rehearsal. He didn’t want to take a picture with me; usually all the talent is dying to take a picture with me and Michelle before the show, but he didn’t show up to that. He played The Times They Are a-Changin’. A beautiful rendition. The guy is so steeped in this stuff he can come up with a new arrangement and the song sounds completely different. Finishes the song, steps off the stage ... comes up, shakes my hand, sort of tips his head, gives me just a little grin and then leaves. That was our only interaction with him. And I thought, That’s how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don’t want him to be cheesin’ and grinnin’ with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the enterprise.” ~President Barack Obama
What I love in this posture from Dylan is his willingness to engage structures and persons of power but to have the artistic discipline to remain 'a little skeptical about the enterprise'. It seems this is the type of posture I've been seeking to articulate spiritually when it comes to structures of formal religion. I understand there are sincere actors and that the structures themselves are necessary. But there must also always be an element that retains the spiritual and artistic (or may I be so bold to say - prophetic) discipline to remain skeptical about the enterprise, to not be coopted by that poisonous urge to take the Lord's name in vain for the sake of self-righteous juice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2sYIIjS-cQ
“Here’s what I love about Dylan – he was exactly as you’d expect he would be. He wouldn’t come to the rehearsal. He didn’t want to take a picture with me; usually all the talent is dying to take a picture with me and Michelle before the show, but he didn’t show up to that. He played The Times They Are a-Changin’. A beautiful rendition. The guy is so steeped in this stuff he can come up with a new arrangement and the song sounds completely different. Finishes the song, steps off the stage ... comes up, shakes my hand, sort of tips his head, gives me just a little grin and then leaves. That was our only interaction with him. And I thought, That’s how you want Bob Dylan, right? You don’t want him to be cheesin’ and grinnin’ with you. You want him to be a little skeptical about the enterprise.” ~President Barack Obama
What I love in this posture from Dylan is his willingness to engage structures and persons of power but to have the artistic discipline to remain 'a little skeptical about the enterprise'. It seems this is the type of posture I've been seeking to articulate spiritually when it comes to structures of formal religion. I understand there are sincere actors and that the structures themselves are necessary. But there must also always be an element that retains the spiritual and artistic (or may I be so bold to say - prophetic) discipline to remain skeptical about the enterprise, to not be coopted by that poisonous urge to take the Lord's name in vain for the sake of self-righteous juice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2sYIIjS-cQ
Notes on Spiritual and Political Awakenings (3)
Richard Rohr's description of 'Order, Disorder, Reorder' is a good basic primer for spiritual awakening. Ultimately, it is necessary to enter into a life of solidarity with the poor to come to a place of spiritual maturity.
https://cac.org/the-invitation-of-grace-2016-03-21/
https://cac.org/the-invitation-of-grace-2016-03-21/
Sunday, March 20, 2016
Notes on Spiritual and Political Awakenings (2)
A key moment for anyone in understanding the roots of the Christian heresy of white supremacy is learning about the Doctrine of Discovery. The work of Mark Charles is key in this area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3oc84aLC-Q&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3oc84aLC-Q&feature=youtu.be
Notes on Spiritual and Political Awakenings (1)
http://www.redletterchristians.org/facing-americas-extremism/?platform=hootsuite
This is a great article by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove. I resonate strongly with his journey of political and spiritual awakening. I believe that history shows and my personal experiences confirm that in the US white supremacy is a form of Christian heresy that runs to the very core of our national identity.
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