Tag Archives: Sin
The Scapegoat Mechanism
Scapegoating and the Cross The Scapegoat Mechanism Sunday, March 28, 2021 Palm Sunday Human nature, when it is seeking power, wants either to play the victim or to create victims of others. In fact, the second follows from the first. Once we start feeling sorry for ourselves, we will soon find someone else to blame,… Continue Reading The Scapegoat Mechanism
Corporate Evil and Corporate Good
What Do We Do with Evil? Corporate Evil and Corporate Good Friday, October 16, 2020 Both Jesus and Paul radically reframe the human situation and invite us to live a vulnerable human life in communal solidarity with both sin and salvation. Neither sin nor salvation could ever be exclusively mine, but both of them are… Continue Reading Corporate Evil and Corporate Good
An Agreed-upon Delusion
What Do We Do with Evil? An Agreed-upon Delusion Tuesday, October 13, 2020 The world (or “system” as we use the word now) is a hiding place for unconsciousness or “deadness” in the words of Paul. Both Thomas Aquinas and C. S. Lewis taught that the triumph of evil depends entirely on disguise. [1] [2]… Continue Reading An Agreed-upon Delusion
A Negative Matrix
What Do We Do with Evil? A Negative Matrix Monday, October 12, 2020 One reason we lost interest in the concept of sin is because we usually heard it being used to judge, shame, exclude, or control others or ourselves. Seldom was the concept of sin used to bring discernment or deeper understanding, much less… Continue Reading A Negative Matrix
The Nature of Evil
What Do We Do with Evil? The Nature of Evil Sunday, October 11, 2020 Over the years, it has become increasingly clear to me that we are confused about the nature of evil. We don’t seem to understand what evil is, how it operates, or what we can do, personally or collectively, to reduce its… Continue Reading The Nature of Evil
The Illusion of the Separate Self
True Self/Separate Self The Illusion of the Separate Self Tuesday, September 1, 2020 CAC faculty member James Finley studied under Thomas Merton as a young monk in formation. While many have been influenced by Merton’s writings, few have had the opportunity to learn from the mystic himself. Today, Jim reflects on the insights on the… Continue Reading The Illusion of the Separate Self
A Radically Optimistic Theology
Julian of Norwich A Radically Optimistic Theology Friday, May 15, 2020 My friend Mirabai Starr is gifted with the ability to deliver the teachings of the mystics straight to our hearts. Here is what she says about Julian of Norwich: The medieval English anchoress Julian of Norwich bequeathed us a radically optimistic theology. She had… Continue Reading A Radically Optimistic Theology
Two Sides of the Coin
Enneagram Part Three: Head Center Two Sides of the Coin Sunday, March 8, 2020 If taken seriously and used responsibly, the Enneagram is a tool that can help us move from dualistic thinking to nondual consciousness. It helps us recognize and forgive the paradoxes that we all carry, what we might call our “sins.” The Enneagram… Continue Reading Two Sides of the Coin
A Quiet Refusal
Action and Contemplation: Part One A Quiet Refusal Thursday, January 16, 2020 Because Jesus did not directly attack the religious and institutional systems of his time until his final action against the money changers in the temple [1], his primary social justice critique and action are a disappointment to most radicals and social activists. Jesus’… Continue Reading A Quiet Refusal
Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Contemplation helps us discern what is truly important in the largest, most spacious frame of reality and to know what is ours to do in the face of “evil” and injustice. As a confessor, I know for a fact that many… Continue Reading Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure