There are always two worlds. The world as it operates is power; the world as it should be is love. The secret of Kingdom life is how can you live in both--simultaneously. The world as it is will always be built on power, ego and success. Yet we also must keep our eyes intently on the world as it should be--what Jesus calls the Reign of God. Power apart from love leads to brutality; but love that does not engage with power is mere sentimentality.
Hey Richard, I think you're on to something big here. Now, just give me the abcs of how to live into that place. I suspect it is a life long journey.
Does anyone have any thoughts to share about how "love engages with power"? It seems to me, as a person in the ministry, that human power is a very dangerous thing and leads to all kinds of abuses. How many Christian workers have started out in such a wonderful way until they sensed the power they had, and that corrupted their efforts! How about a little discussion on this, all you great folks?
I often find the pieces presented here on Inward/Outward, like just a taste of dessert. They give you a sense of something, but not the whole experience.
I ordered Richard Rohr's book, and would love to discuss it after I read it if anyone wants to come back to the subject say in a couple of weeks. Right now, I don't know what he is basing his comment on, and therefore have no way of commenting.
Deanna J
For years I have felt the tension of living in these "two worlds" and have always been at odds in trying to reconcile one with the other. While as Chistians we are called to "engage with Power" and make a profound difference in this world - being Disciples IN the world but not OF the "World as it Operates", still it is becoming more apparent that we can no longer sit on the fence between these "two worlds". I have come to understand that when "we keep our eyes INTENTLY on The Reign of GOD" ..."The secret of Kingdom Life" is made More and More clear - we must CHOOSE "the world as it should be", that is, JESUS' LOVE - GOD'S LOVE!
GOD's LOVE is Not devoid of Power - it is THE 'Power of Truth'! JESUS is the Embodiment of both, TRUTH and LOVE! When HE stood before Pilate, Pilate asked "What is Truth?" Pilate was staring TRUTH (Real Power) and Real LOVE in the Face and did Not recognize it. We as Christians need NOT be like Pilate and "wash our hands of the guilt of THIS INNOCENT MAN" or we also stand to "CRUCIFY HIM" in the "world as it operates"!!!
While I resonate with Mr. Rohr's general thesis, without challenge and context, love has no meaning; however, I do wonder about the exceptions. The Desert Fathers and Mothers fled to the wilderness just because of such corrupting power. What does this say about the monastic tradition in general?
I agree Shirley, churches and religious leaders do seem to have a certain power. I know far too many people who have been hurt by the use of that power.
Congregations have also hurt people, especially when they say one thing and do something else. Just yesterday I had a conversation with someone who attended a church that claimed to be a caring community. What he discovered was that the 'caring community' didn't care about his deep grief when a family member died. Apparently, within that church, support was only offered when the DEAD person was known to the congregation. They didn't know this man's father so they didn't respond at all.
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