Misrecognizing that there will always be a relation and distinction between self and other leads to inappropriate ways of connecting that both demand too much, and expect too little. Self and other deserve to be ‘mutually recognized’ as having worth and value, which is to result in developing a finely tuned dialogical interaction between them. But when self or other is the sole referent for life or no referent at all – each becomes artificially constituted in a double misrecognition – neither should be perceived in such roles. Since it is always tempting to ignore the complex tension of relation and distinction, it will be ‘hard work’ to avoid false characterizations and thus to reject the liabilities of forcing self to be other or other to be self. In this regard, care and compassion, delicately balanced on the tight rope of trust and suspicion, are continually in play.
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Living Spiritual Rhythms - August 14
Struggling with a biblical notion of revelation is the way it’s supposed to be. It’s in the struggle to understand that the pursuit of what’s true continues. In some instances, it appears that the biblical writers were doing likewise. They didn’t have it all together. Thus, a significant dimension of the reality of theism and Christianity is found in the struggle to believe it. Apparently, in this life, hermeneutical entanglements with God, the world, self, and other should never end.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Reflection for the Week - August 12
In personal struggles with self-hate an appeal to an Act of the will is essential to combat such falsehoods, but it can never be an end in and of itself. Trying to “will” self-hate to diminish is not a sustainable enterprise. That is, the will has to find its bearings in a larger context, which includes multiple informers capable of offering a reorientation towards an appropriate and viable self-love.
Thursday, August 8, 2019
Thursday Thoughts - August 8
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Living Spiritual Rhythms - August 7
Monday, August 5, 2019
Reflection for the Week - August 5
Wednesday, July 31, 2019
Living Spiritual Rhythms - July 31
Many believers assume the fixed absolute authority of the Bible, so I’m aware that what follows doesn’t often happen, but I think it should. Adopting a version of authority for the biblical text ought to be tentative, not complete. Here’s why. Authority has to take into account an ANE, Jewish and Greco-Roman setting, the natural world, the theological environment, and the literary context if it’s to have credibility. In the hope of understanding and explaining the text better after engaging with these informers, the plausibility of ‘authority’ can only then be assessed. On this account, I’d wager that the outcome should be that authority is going to be in motion and will have to be open to the emerging and unfolding information available to us as time goes on.
