14 August 2006

Today we begin a section that looks at Suffering as Consequence of Obedience in "The Cross in Our Context" by Douglas John Hall.

There are those who complain of Christians that they are much too interested in suffering. They ought to be listened to!... The source of the complaint is of course related to the first point that I have been making, namely, that there are some forms of the church that manifest a certain fixative and glorification of suffering. But the objection also relates to the fact that the connection between true faith and suffering seems to be so deterministic, allowing for no decision on the part of the faithful. Feminism has been especially critical of this, because such a theology has been used to persuade women of their duty to accept their lot as long-suffering wives and mothers, in much the same way as this theology has been used to keep enslaved races or economic groupings from complaint or revolt.

I had an interesting conversation with a friend who noted that when I preached one Sunday I used the expression "give myself/yourself away to others" and "self-sacrifice. Both were used as part of the path I was painting in regard to how the Church is to walk. Well, I came to realize in that conversation that I was painting a picture that could quite easily be used to keep women and others in their place. What I was saying may have more to say to men coming from their position of power within a society that gives men that power to greater or lesser degrees. Being an introvert, I had to breath and take that in and listen and attempt to process it within the conversation. Yes, I was addressing a group from one position - the one of men who very often do need to turn and walk into a place of sacrifice because we so often have so much given to us we therefore are called into greater sacrifice. Others, may need to do just the opposite - walk into a place of power and take it on even though it has been denied them. So, preaching thus becomes an exercise in knowing and hearing many voices of life and then - making the news that is Good...really good for all. We all then can act freely when we do something like serve others. It is not the mandatory obedience. It is a gift because we are gifted...and sometimes one group of people must suffer in order to work with another group as they are liberated from oppression and given opportunities for shaping a new life.

Connection: Watch the roles we take on today. How is it that some of our expectations deny people the opportunity to enter into an obedience that is not able to come from a place of freedom and a more full expression of self-power?

Lord, you have created us all as your own children...all in your image. Show the way that brings all your children to a place of honor and strength, service and weakness, bold witness and humble influence. Show us the way to build up the life of Christ in the community of saints who as diverse as the stars in the sky. Amen.