Separating politics from theology seems impossible, as political actions and views are the living out of values and faith. Seeing who Jesus is and seeing him as a model certainly steered me towards a political position, but not necessarily landing firmly to the democrats.. as they too have become corrupted.. ..but certainly to the left. It was never my intention.. but a natural progression (although I was never a Republican.) Being a progressive is a result of me taking years of study and reflection in college as a religious studies major at evangelical Biola College where I experienced I inflexibility, harshness, judgement and a lack of concern for the poor and suffering, and refusal to read theologians that did not fit their agenda (felt like brainwashing), and then tranfering to Occidental College where my studies were broadened, and also led me in my faith. Years of reading and studying economics, psychology, and currently neuropsychology, also helps me align my faith and politics. Deconstruction leads to political views and actions.. how can it not? I have seen over the past 40-some years the twisting of theology and beliefs in the evangelical church (I was raised in it) to fit the right-wing agenda... and with that desire, the lens has become more and more discolored and has corrupted. That simple question, What would Jesus do? makes some decisions including political ones pretty simple.
As I have morphed into being a more profound and constructed Christian, I am leaning more social Democrat and can feel, in my bones, that inevitable pull toward being a good Marxist. Then, I suppose, it will be easier to deconstruct my Christianity.
Well at first glance this is what I thought what had happened to me but when thinking about it I have been transitioning from male to female so now my positions and beliefs are different and who I feel would better protect my rights and interests. Evolution and a young earth explanation about the "beginning" present problems for me. And it seems my more devoted part of my walk as a christian is tied up into literal translations of the Scripture.
What has helped me better understand & less demonize the other side of the aisle is the definition of politics as being ‘public policy’. How WE decide to interact with one another. As followers of Christ, His final command to love as He has loved should be what drives & motivates how we interact with one another.
Another point that relates to the above is that in a 2 party system both parties are at most half right. In a large society like the US there is more like a 3 party system, Republican, Democrats & Independents, which would make all groups at most a 3rd right. Deciding how we interact with one another God leaves that to us & with that liberty we get to benefit from following Him & we get to realize the wages of sin as a result from defying God.
How we see the world & the problems in it comes down to temperament. Temperaments do change & shift depending on various conditions, this has been proven.
My wife & I vote on opposite sides of the aisle. What she cares about & what drives her with regards to public policy isn’t what drives me but this doesn’t mean that I don’t care about what she cares about, we just see the solution differently & this is the difference in temperaments.
Jesus was neither republican or democrat, He & His Father desired to be Ruler, of our hearts & lives. This leaves no room for any other God before them. How we work that out in our interacting with the world & His kids is totally up to us. The warning of God’s 1st command is that no other god will suffice. What we must always be on the look out for is when we put another god before the true & living God, in our hearts & public policy. In all matters, of everything but especially with regards to the ones God loves our marching orders are “What does love (Jesus style love) require of me?” Answer that question & the rest trivial.
I've always heard the adage that you're conservative and idealistic when your young and get more progressive with age and wisdom... deconstruction? I'm curious why this neo- deconstruction of sorts has colonized the moment? Is there something at the core of this that makes it different? It feels deeper than a shift in political allegiance in my community.
I've heard a form of the reverse, "If you're not liberal when you're young, then you don't have a heart. If you're not conservative when you're old then you don't have any money."
Nope. I offer it mostly in jest with the caveat that most jokes have some truth in them. My spiritual journey was less a deconstruction and more a slow awakening that really began in college and then was really kickstarted after spending a year at age 25 in SW Philly with a program called Mission Year. Though its true my political affiliation changed it was just one of many things that changed.
I agree that deconstruction brings us closer to Christ. I began with two assertions: the Bible is inspired and if your interpretation is inspired there will be no contradictions. I learned that the Evangelical gospel is the other gospel Paul warned us about in Galatians. They still subscribe to the law of sin and death, the Great Commandment. Check it out: love with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength- all you, no Spirit. But the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and death. And that is the tip of the tip of the iceberg.
Separating politics from theology seems impossible, as political actions and views are the living out of values and faith. Seeing who Jesus is and seeing him as a model certainly steered me towards a political position, but not necessarily landing firmly to the democrats.. as they too have become corrupted.. ..but certainly to the left. It was never my intention.. but a natural progression (although I was never a Republican.) Being a progressive is a result of me taking years of study and reflection in college as a religious studies major at evangelical Biola College where I experienced I inflexibility, harshness, judgement and a lack of concern for the poor and suffering, and refusal to read theologians that did not fit their agenda (felt like brainwashing), and then tranfering to Occidental College where my studies were broadened, and also led me in my faith. Years of reading and studying economics, psychology, and currently neuropsychology, also helps me align my faith and politics. Deconstruction leads to political views and actions.. how can it not? I have seen over the past 40-some years the twisting of theology and beliefs in the evangelical church (I was raised in it) to fit the right-wing agenda... and with that desire, the lens has become more and more discolored and has corrupted. That simple question, What would Jesus do? makes some decisions including political ones pretty simple.
A Long Repentance 2: Plantation Capitalism vs. Jesus' Jubilee Economy
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmSUUa8L8bo2F8WwG0gSqvNVxYXJ6FHH1
Or, we often fail to recognise that we are essentially children of culture and it’s currents, rather than God and his Spirit
As I have morphed into being a more profound and constructed Christian, I am leaning more social Democrat and can feel, in my bones, that inevitable pull toward being a good Marxist. Then, I suppose, it will be easier to deconstruct my Christianity.
Isn't this a symptom of politics as an idol/religion?
You're first sentence could have been written by me with the exception that I still attend the same church. (sometimes)
Well at first glance this is what I thought what had happened to me but when thinking about it I have been transitioning from male to female so now my positions and beliefs are different and who I feel would better protect my rights and interests. Evolution and a young earth explanation about the "beginning" present problems for me. And it seems my more devoted part of my walk as a christian is tied up into literal translations of the Scripture.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
What has helped me better understand & less demonize the other side of the aisle is the definition of politics as being ‘public policy’. How WE decide to interact with one another. As followers of Christ, His final command to love as He has loved should be what drives & motivates how we interact with one another.
Another point that relates to the above is that in a 2 party system both parties are at most half right. In a large society like the US there is more like a 3 party system, Republican, Democrats & Independents, which would make all groups at most a 3rd right. Deciding how we interact with one another God leaves that to us & with that liberty we get to benefit from following Him & we get to realize the wages of sin as a result from defying God.
How we see the world & the problems in it comes down to temperament. Temperaments do change & shift depending on various conditions, this has been proven.
My wife & I vote on opposite sides of the aisle. What she cares about & what drives her with regards to public policy isn’t what drives me but this doesn’t mean that I don’t care about what she cares about, we just see the solution differently & this is the difference in temperaments.
Jesus was neither republican or democrat, He & His Father desired to be Ruler, of our hearts & lives. This leaves no room for any other God before them. How we work that out in our interacting with the world & His kids is totally up to us. The warning of God’s 1st command is that no other god will suffice. What we must always be on the look out for is when we put another god before the true & living God, in our hearts & public policy. In all matters, of everything but especially with regards to the ones God loves our marching orders are “What does love (Jesus style love) require of me?” Answer that question & the rest trivial.
I've always heard the adage that you're conservative and idealistic when your young and get more progressive with age and wisdom... deconstruction? I'm curious why this neo- deconstruction of sorts has colonized the moment? Is there something at the core of this that makes it different? It feels deeper than a shift in political allegiance in my community.
I've heard a form of the reverse, "If you're not liberal when you're young, then you don't have a heart. If you're not conservative when you're old then you don't have any money."
Does this hold true for you?
Nope. I offer it mostly in jest with the caveat that most jokes have some truth in them. My spiritual journey was less a deconstruction and more a slow awakening that really began in college and then was really kickstarted after spending a year at age 25 in SW Philly with a program called Mission Year. Though its true my political affiliation changed it was just one of many things that changed.
Slowing awakening. I can relate to that too. What makes deconstruction as something uniquely different?
Yup
Spot on.
Nailed it
I agree that deconstruction brings us closer to Christ. I began with two assertions: the Bible is inspired and if your interpretation is inspired there will be no contradictions. I learned that the Evangelical gospel is the other gospel Paul warned us about in Galatians. They still subscribe to the law of sin and death, the Great Commandment. Check it out: love with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength- all you, no Spirit. But the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus set me free from the law of sin and death. And that is the tip of the tip of the iceberg.