Tag Archives: domination
The Shadowlands of Domination
Christianity and Empire The Shadowlands of Domination Tuesday, October 19, 2021 Facing Christianity’s entanglement with empire building means learning how to incorporate the “shadow side” of reality. This is necessary and yet exceedingly difficult to do, which is why Richard returns to the subject of the shadow so often: Western civilization has failed to learn… Continue Reading The Shadowlands of Domination
Jesus as Central Reference Point
Christianity and Empire Jesus as Central Reference Point Sunday, October 17, 2021 The first of the Center for Action and Contemplation’s Eight Core Principles is that “The teaching of Jesus is our central reference point.” Affirming Jesus as central provides Fr. Richard and all of us with a confidence that comes from the Gospel. Richard… Continue Reading Jesus as Central Reference Point
No Domination in God
Good and Bad Power No Domination in God Friday, August 13, 2021 Jesus seems to recognize that it’s either a world of domination or it’s a world of love. To understand Jesus’ paradigm of love, though, we must first understand the Trinity in whose image God says “Let us create” (Genesis 1:26)! The Trinitarian God… Continue Reading No Domination in God
A Communion Paradigm
Good and Bad Power A Communion Paradigm Wednesday, August 11, 2021 The contemplative theologian Beatrice Bruteau explores how Jesus took his intimate experience of Trinitarian love and empowerment into his ministry. Of course, when we read the Gospels and the New Testament, we see how difficult it was for even Jesus’ earliest followers to follow… Continue Reading A Communion Paradigm
Dominating Power
Good and Bad Power Dominating Power Tuesday, August 10, 2021 Contemplative teacher Beatrice Bruteau (1930‒2014) understood domination, what I’ve referred to as “power over” others, as the cause of much of the world’s suffering. Jesus by contrast models a loving, self-giving alternative to domination power. Here is Bruteau’s description of domination: The theme that I… Continue Reading Dominating Power
Growing in Power
Good and Bad Power Growing in Power Monday, August 9, 2021 It is precisely the parts of the body that seem to be the weakest which are the indispensable ones. (1 Corinthians 12:22) How ingeniously you get around the commandment of God in order to preserve your own traditions! (Mark 7:9) The epigraphs above are… Continue Reading Growing in Power
Good Power
Good and Bad Power Good Power Sunday, August 8, 2021 Despite the many abuses of power documented throughout history, power itself cannot be inherently bad. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as dynamis, which means power (Acts 10:38; 1 Corinthians 2:5). Jesus tells his disciples before his Ascension that “You will receive… Continue Reading Good Power