The Engine Running on Victimization – Jonathan Foster
The Engine Running on Victimization
and some Girardian-inspired ways to change
The conservative Christians feel justified in their anger because they have bought into the idea that their way of life is under siege. With backs up against the wall (supposedly), they feel the panicked need to legitimize their importance, tighten boundaries, and generally increase their bizarre practice of claiming to be victims even as they victimize.
Meanwhile, the progressive Christians feel justified in their anger because they have bought into the idea that they are the true defender of victims. This justifies their canceling culture, legitimizes their importance, and generally increases the practice of “using” the victim for their benefit. Some days, one wonders whether the progressive really wants to eliminate all the victimizing ways; I mean, how would they operate in such an environment? How would they formulate an identity? What is a progressive without a victim?
Hermann Hesse and “The Christianity Without Religion” (CWR) Religion
Hermann Hesse (1877-1962) was viewed, in the 1960s-1970s, in North America, as a spiritual and literary icon of sorts. He embodied the best of the counter culture in a probing and poignant manner. He was, as Theodore Ziolkowski rightly notes, “Saint Hesse among the...
The Apocalyptic Cross: Preaching Mark 13 – Martin Little
Mark 13 is the longest speech attributed to Jesus within this shortest of Gospels. It is therefore highly significant for both Mark’s message and Christian tradition. How might one preach this passage as good news today? Of what significance are...
CWR Magazine – April 2017
CWR Magazine - April 2017 Click here to access CWR magazine archives Click here to subscribe for free digital copies Click here to donate and receive full glossy print issues The art of French painter Miki de...
We Are Not Alone – John 11 – Homily by Sean Davidson
From David Bowie, "Lazarus" We Are Not Alone April 2, 2017 | The Rez Good morning everyone, and welcome. Over the last number of weeks, we’ve been journeying through the season Lent together. We’ve had a theme: “Broken is the beginning.” And we’ve been...
“He annuled the curse, put an end to death, opened paradise, destroyed sin, flung wide the gates of heaven” – John Chrysostom
When the ten disciples were indignant with James and John for separating themselves from their company in the hope of obtaining the highest honor, Jesus corrected the disorderly passions of both groups. Notice how he did it. “He called them to him and said: Gentile...
The Story of Lazarus is the World’s Story – Kenneth Tanner
The Story of Lazarus is the World's Story The Story of Lazarus Is the World's Story John tells us in the last line of his gospel that there are many stories about Jesus he leaves out. He says the world could not contain all the books that could be written. And...
The Sacrifice of Christ – But to whom is it offered? Klaas Goverts (trans. Floris Kersloot)
On Sacrifice One of the central questions on the sacrifice of Jesus is the question of what his sacrifice actually means. The problem in interpreting that question is that we often think from a Roman background. In Latin, you have the word offere, which means ‘to...
Mountaineering and Spirituality – Ron Dart
I lift up my eyes to the hills. - Psalm 121:1 There are other Annapurnas in the lives of men - Maurice Herzog, Annapurna Mountains and hills, snow robed peaks and knife edged turrets have a way of drawing the spirit and soul to the heights. There are rock jocks,...
When Jesus Came into the World – Jessica Knight
When Jesus came into the world he came as God in skin. He came human. Like you and like me. When Jesus came into the world he came as a baby birthed and then placed on the chest of a woman. Let’s contemplate the gift of a baby-Jesus. When Jesus came...
Clean from the Inside Out – Bob Ekblad
In recent Bible studies in Skagit County Jail and in our Tierra Nueva worshipping community I have been struck by Jesus’ unusual approach regarding substances, whether they be food, drink or drugs. In substance abuse and recovery circles (and vegan and other religious...