The misinterpretation of James 4 certainly has contributed to the arrogance I was raised in, and the destruction of young people to not have goals and reach their potential in careers and hobbies outside of the church, and even isolates those in the church from being open to other opinions.. at least where I was raised. Definitely it contributes to the ideas proposed in the Dominionism movement and what we are seeing today with the religious nationalistic movement. Thank you for clearing that up, but I fear that it won't make a dent in those churches that need to hear.
And, I have many faults of my own too that I bring to a church, it is just I feel I can be real in the world, be more honest, it isn’t that I am friends with the world - sometimes I feel like I don’t fit into the world OR the church, which is, I think 🤔 meant to be in the world but not of it.
I don’t know….But, one thing I do know, is I have been asking God for more opportunities to enjoy this world and the wonders and good things in it, despite its fallenness. It’s truly beautiful too.
Needless to say, jostling for leadership and prime positions and the platform in church makes me really sick inside. Like so sick it has stopped me going for years. But, I have now accepted that it will always be there somewhere, it will always pop up like relentless, stubborn weeds…
It took me years to accept and stop believing in the delusional dream that I would find a church community, or be a part of building a community where the spirit of the world, selfish ambition wasn’t rife. Now that I have accepted this, I have started to feel safe enough, with my heart fully guarded, and strong enough to start going back to a church. I am happier ‘in the world’ as I do not expect anything of anybody. The world also doesn’t project guilt on to me, like the church does. I feel guilty if I am sad, or in pain in the church. The world makes sense, we live in a fallen world - but the church over the years has brought utter anguish and confusion.
My views on the concept of leadership are forever changed too. I am not even sure I believe in the concept of church leadership anymore. I see Jesus as more of a humble teacher, gentle friend, humble King, on the edge rather than a leader. His leadership was of a different essence, he refused to take on a ‘worldly’ leadership role - well, that is how it looks to me. He simply says his sheep ‘know my voice.’ I am not even sure if he even talks about leadership? He commissioned Peter to ‘feed my sheep’ not ‘lead’ my sheep, or build a personal empire.
And, dominionism, the numbers game etc. has definitely crept into my church. I have not got the energy to correct it, or fight it, or make my point, I am just accepting that this is the reality - that when a bunch of human beings get together, even in the name of Jesus, that there will be good fish and bad fish. The recent series on the parables helped me with organise my thoughts on this…
Appreciate you naming this misinterpretation, Richard. Something I'm noodling on is how to do this work of peace-making and division-healing in ways that respect the freedom, dignity, heritage, differences of others. White supremacy, specifically, can often sneak in here; i.e. the work of peace and unity can end up having a whiteness wash, smothering the voices and ancestry of other peoples.
The misinterpretation of James 4 certainly has contributed to the arrogance I was raised in, and the destruction of young people to not have goals and reach their potential in careers and hobbies outside of the church, and even isolates those in the church from being open to other opinions.. at least where I was raised. Definitely it contributes to the ideas proposed in the Dominionism movement and what we are seeing today with the religious nationalistic movement. Thank you for clearing that up, but I fear that it won't make a dent in those churches that need to hear.
And, I have many faults of my own too that I bring to a church, it is just I feel I can be real in the world, be more honest, it isn’t that I am friends with the world - sometimes I feel like I don’t fit into the world OR the church, which is, I think 🤔 meant to be in the world but not of it.
I don’t know….But, one thing I do know, is I have been asking God for more opportunities to enjoy this world and the wonders and good things in it, despite its fallenness. It’s truly beautiful too.
Needless to say, jostling for leadership and prime positions and the platform in church makes me really sick inside. Like so sick it has stopped me going for years. But, I have now accepted that it will always be there somewhere, it will always pop up like relentless, stubborn weeds…
It took me years to accept and stop believing in the delusional dream that I would find a church community, or be a part of building a community where the spirit of the world, selfish ambition wasn’t rife. Now that I have accepted this, I have started to feel safe enough, with my heart fully guarded, and strong enough to start going back to a church. I am happier ‘in the world’ as I do not expect anything of anybody. The world also doesn’t project guilt on to me, like the church does. I feel guilty if I am sad, or in pain in the church. The world makes sense, we live in a fallen world - but the church over the years has brought utter anguish and confusion.
My views on the concept of leadership are forever changed too. I am not even sure I believe in the concept of church leadership anymore. I see Jesus as more of a humble teacher, gentle friend, humble King, on the edge rather than a leader. His leadership was of a different essence, he refused to take on a ‘worldly’ leadership role - well, that is how it looks to me. He simply says his sheep ‘know my voice.’ I am not even sure if he even talks about leadership? He commissioned Peter to ‘feed my sheep’ not ‘lead’ my sheep, or build a personal empire.
And, dominionism, the numbers game etc. has definitely crept into my church. I have not got the energy to correct it, or fight it, or make my point, I am just accepting that this is the reality - that when a bunch of human beings get together, even in the name of Jesus, that there will be good fish and bad fish. The recent series on the parables helped me with organise my thoughts on this…
Appreciate you naming this misinterpretation, Richard. Something I'm noodling on is how to do this work of peace-making and division-healing in ways that respect the freedom, dignity, heritage, differences of others. White supremacy, specifically, can often sneak in here; i.e. the work of peace and unity can end up having a whiteness wash, smothering the voices and ancestry of other peoples.
mimetic desire again