Comments for Ways of Resistance http://www.waysofresistance.com fostering conversation, rambling on, occasionally ranting Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:01:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 Comment on Preaching Holiness in the 21st Century by jason http://www.waysofresistance.com/preaching-holiness-in-the-21st-century/46#comment-1256 jason Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:06:16 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/preaching-holiness-in-the-21st-century/46#comment-1256 I agree with what you're saying, Danny. The interesting thing about that night was that the preacher redefined a vote <em>for</em> Barack Obama as a vote <em>for</em> death. In other words, it wasn't a vote <em>for</em> change or hope but the negation of life in the form of a baby. Some suggest that the politics of Jesus and Christians can be completely defined by voting on two single issues (abortion and homosexual marriage). This, IMO, is just wrong. That's why I love Wendell Berry's approach (most exemplified in his essay Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community). Elsewhere he writes: "[Movements] often become too specialized, as if finally they cannot help taking refuge in the pinhole vision of the institutional intellectuals. They almost always fail to be radical enough, dealing finally in effects rather than causes. Or they deal with single issues or single solutions, as if to assure themselves that they will not be radical enough." He goes on to say, "And so I must declare my dissatisfaction with movements to promote soil conservation or clean water or clean air or wilderness preservation or sustainable agriculture or community health or the welfare of children. Worthy as these and other goals may be, they cannot be achieved alone. I am dissatisfied with such efforts because they are too specialized, they are not comprehensive enough, they are not radical enough, they virtually predict their own failure by implying that we can remedy or control effects while leaving causes in place." Anyway, that's how I feel about the "conservative" agenda. Not that I'm more comfortable with the "liberal" version. I guess dissatisfaction is the operative word. I agree with what you’re saying, Danny. The interesting thing about that night was that the preacher redefined a vote for Barack Obama as a vote for death. In other words, it wasn’t a vote for change or hope but the negation of life in the form of a baby.

Some suggest that the politics of Jesus and Christians can be completely defined by voting on two single issues (abortion and homosexual marriage). This, IMO, is just wrong. That’s why I love Wendell Berry’s approach (most exemplified in his essay Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community).

Elsewhere he writes:

“[Movements] often become too specialized, as if finally they cannot help taking refuge in the pinhole vision of the institutional intellectuals. They almost always fail to be radical enough, dealing finally in effects rather than causes. Or they deal with single issues or single solutions, as if to assure themselves that they will not be radical enough.”

He goes on to say,

“And so I must declare my dissatisfaction with movements to promote soil conservation or clean water or clean air or wilderness preservation or sustainable agriculture or community health or the welfare of children. Worthy as these and other goals may be, they cannot be achieved alone. I am dissatisfied with such efforts because they are too specialized, they are not comprehensive enough, they are not radical enough, they virtually predict their own failure by implying that we can remedy or control effects while leaving causes in place.”

Anyway, that’s how I feel about the “conservative” agenda. Not that I’m more comfortable with the “liberal” version. I guess dissatisfaction is the operative word.

]]> Comment on Preaching Holiness in the 21st Century by Danny http://www.waysofresistance.com/preaching-holiness-in-the-21st-century/46#comment-1255 Danny Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:49:06 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/preaching-holiness-in-the-21st-century/46#comment-1255 I think that if we took the Sermon on the Mount seriously and tried to carry out those things, the world would be a better place. It is not about what we're not doing, it's about what we should be doing. It is not enough to vote "against" death, but to be for life. It is not enough to be anti-war, but to be pro-peace. I think that if we took the Sermon on the Mount seriously and tried to carry out those things, the world would be a better place. It is not about what we’re not doing, it’s about what we should be doing. It is not enough to vote “against” death, but to be for life. It is not enough to be anti-war, but to be pro-peace.

]]> Comment on After the Post-Election Euphoria and Sweat by The Nature of Christian Organization Today - Part 2 « Community of the Risen http://www.waysofresistance.com/after-the-post-election-euphoria-and-sweat/47#comment-1254 The Nature of Christian Organization Today - Part 2 « Community of the Risen Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:47:50 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/after-the-post-election-euphoria-and-sweat/47#comment-1254 [...] so often want it to be something large that we forget it is like a mustard seed…and props to Jason for the link to Fitch’s article).  Over at Kingdom Grace, there is also a wake-up call going [...] […] so often want it to be something large that we forget it is like a mustard seed…and props to Jason for the link to Fitch’s article).  Over at Kingdom Grace, there is also a wake-up call going […]

]]> Comment on Unusual Politics: With or Without the Church? by Danny http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1253 Danny Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:41:21 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1253 I can totally relate to the "finding space" time. I find writing extremely cathartic. I can totally relate to the “finding space” time. I find writing extremely cathartic.

]]> Comment on A Psalm for Missional Leaders by jason http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1252 jason Mon, 10 Nov 2008 07:24:15 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1252 Hey Timbo, thanks for the encouraging words. I soooooo appreciate your friendship and the conversations we get to have. It's great to hear you guys are enjoying the trip. You deserve it. We'll meet at the Naked Lounge when you get back! Hey Timbo, thanks for the encouraging words. I soooooo appreciate your friendship and the conversations we get to have. It’s great to hear you guys are enjoying the trip. You deserve it. We’ll meet at the Naked Lounge when you get back!

]]> Comment on Unusual Politics: With or Without the Church? by jason http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1251 jason Sun, 09 Nov 2008 01:32:27 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1251 Thanks for the compliment, Danny. Relationships and conversations/experiences are often the only ways one has to imagine life truthfully. Good thing we have writing! I'm glad we're on the same journey--it's been good to read your thoughts as well. Writing for me is as much an 'antidote to despair' as it is an artifact/exhortation to my community. I would love to write more and read more (as well as about 100 other things more!), but alas it's hard to find the space. :( Thanks for the compliment, Danny. Relationships and conversations/experiences are often the only ways one has to imagine life truthfully. Good thing we have writing!

I’m glad we’re on the same journey–it’s been good to read your thoughts as well. Writing for me is as much an ‘antidote to despair’ as it is an artifact/exhortation to my community. I would love to write more and read more (as well as about 100 other things more!), but alas it’s hard to find the space. :(

]]> Comment on Unusual Politics: With or Without the Church? by …read MORE to learn MORE…hopefully… « Community of the Risen http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1250 …read MORE to learn MORE…hopefully… « Community of the Risen Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:45:43 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1250 [...] 3. I mentioned briefly the other day the imperial cult of Rome, but over at Ways of Resistance, we are remind that there is also a cult of imperial consumerism. [...] […] 3. I mentioned briefly the other day the imperial cult of Rome, but over at Ways of Resistance, we are remind that there is also a cult of imperial consumerism. […]

]]> Comment on Unusual Politics: With or Without the Church? by Danny http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1249 Danny Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:45:28 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/the-unusual-politics-of-homelessness/45#comment-1249 Great post. I too love being parts of these types of conversations. Please continue and keep writing about them because I love to hear about fellow journeyers. Great post. I too love being parts of these types of conversations. Please continue and keep writing about them because I love to hear about fellow journeyers.

]]> Comment on A Psalm for Missional Leaders by Timbo http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1248 Timbo Fri, 07 Nov 2008 08:03:56 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1248 Jason, you have always been one, who can push the line a little bit farther, and one who is very conscious of the well-being of people. That my friend is a good trait. So many thinkers out there are so set on getting the point across that, well, where did all the people go? You me and coffee when I return. I will keep Psalm 37 as a stone tablet in my heart to meditate on and find the peace that the scriptures bring. I miss you. We are having a blast and just enjoying one another. Make sure that you too take your own advice, remember your a papa soon. I love you bro, always your communal friend.... Tim Fret not… Trust in the Lord and do good Dwell in the land, and cultivate faithfulness Jason, you have always been one, who can push the line a little bit farther, and one who is very conscious of the well-being of people. That my friend is a good trait. So many thinkers out there are so set on getting the point across that, well, where did all the people go?

You me and coffee when I return. I will keep Psalm 37 as a stone tablet in my heart to meditate on and find the peace that the scriptures bring. I miss you. We are having a blast and just enjoying one another. Make sure that you too take your own advice, remember your a papa soon. I love you bro, always your communal friend…. Tim
Fret not…
Trust in the Lord and do good
Dwell in the land, and cultivate faithfulness

]]> Comment on A Psalm for Missional Leaders by jason http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1247 jason Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:48:52 +0000 http://www.waysofresistance.com/a-psalm-for-missional-leaders-and-sustainable-ministry/44#comment-1247 me too :) me too :)

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