Hierarchical dominion is not a new thing. It came into existence at all levels of society when people first began to form into families, then bands, then groups, then tribes, then city-states. Hierarchical dominion anywhere it exists has always lead to separation and to blame. It is the oldest story in Christian Scripture. In the Garden of Eden, Adam says to God: "I didn't do it, [eat of the forbidden fruit], the woman made me do it". Since separation and blame are among the oldest stories of humankind, why are we surprised that they exist everywhere in the world today? Jesus was crucified in large part for his preaching that humanity at all levels could be restructured into communities of inclusion, fairness, justice and love. So far very few of us, inside or outside the church, have come to have enough faith, confidence, and trust in that message to put it into practice in our lives. It is no good pointing the finger of blame at others. The answer to seeing something done poorly is not blame, it is doing it better. I pray every day that God will help me to become the kind of person who can live as an embodiment of the Jesus message.
Quote from article: Bruteau convincingly argues that the communion structure is the one TAUGHT AND MODELED by (communitarian/socialist...with a small s) Jesus; the domination structure of what became Christendom was a A BETRAYAL OF JESUS himself.
Makes all the sense in the world to me: sadly, I'm not sure Jesus's "way" (one where political/theological leaders were local "shepherds" who knew their flocks personally as well as spiritually, rather than top-down, my-way-or-the highway organizers....as is the case with/for/in far too many "shepherds" today.
I think you've described Ukraine's escape from the Soviet Union just beginning to acheieve the buds of fruition. I also think you've decribed what people do with religion for better or worse. The human condition is always a conundrum. No pat answers. And always we're on the brink of getting it all wrong, frighteningly catastrophically. You said something about that, too.
Excellent column. One of the problems of being a student of the history of religion, is that religion's complicity in, and sometimes the driving force in human conflict, is all too evident. After 44 years of parish ministry and seminary teaching on three continents, I find more benefit reading in the areas of neuro-science and particle physics for understanding the roots of our humanity than just about any number of theologians. The church, at its best, can produce wonderful examples of community, but alas, it has rarely been at its best.
Diana-- Thank you so much for this powerful, powerful witness to what is happening in Russia/Ukraine and the world. I believe you are right on target, the forces of evil - dominion are at work to dominate and control. Now, may the people of the Way show a different way of being in the world. Thank you for your good work and ministry to all of us. --Jo
Only when we come to the full realization that there is no external God controlling anything can we realize that it is the human citizens of this world that are in control of this world and it is we that must manage all our problems. Believing in an external God does not help at all. It’s all up to us.
One of my favorite preachers, the late Reverend Dr. Colin Brown, Episcopal priest, and professor of New Testament theology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, preached on a Maundy Thursday when the Rector was asserting more obnoxiously than usual his authority as Christ-Substitute and King of the Liturgy. Colin presented very firmly rhe ideal: "THERE IS NO HIERARCHY, ONLY DIFFERENT JOBS!"
Most churches, most branches of Christendom, have lost sight of servant leadership.
Ukraine and their President are showing the world what a new focus on communion, peace, taking care of neighbors, and tolerance can accomplish. Russia and Putin are showing the world that domination and war are to be feared but that they are not invincible.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is alive in Ukraine, reminding all of us of David’s courage when facing Goliath - and his victory…
Excellent offering of insight that we are not seeing regarding Ukraine. I appreciate the contributions from Bruteau as well as the other quotes and prayer. All are most helpful and worth sharing.
Thank you for your thought provoking article . I am reminded of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s well repeated quote “ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace” May it be so. Barb
What an insightful paper! You present a very different approach to this tragedy by showing how religion can be open and inclusive, without domination by hierarchy.
illuminating. thank you. It has nagged in my conscience that what we are witnessing is the greater question-- who gets to decide. Many are simply aghast that one man, a man for whom the accepted rules of civility seem fully irrelevant-- not argued with but fully irrelevant-- can determine life and death for babies and old ladies and soldiers. And, as he threatens with a nuclear threat, the wider world. But the underlying question I think is who gets to decide? and that is on us. Leadership is under a microscope right now yet to think we can have impact on this question eludes most. Majority of the majority. But in every act it is our choice and responsibility. I think this is the domination or a communion of us all question. Thank you for your observations, your knowledge, your willingness to keep on
Thank-you once again for clarifying something that does not appear obvious on the surface.
Now our prayers and hope for a future rest firmly with the communion structure. The true spiritual essence of a loving compassionate Creator has set forth this pattern as the very foundation of existence. Deception and distortion in the minds of those hungry for power at all costs have repeatedly twisted this narrative to the detriment of masses of people. Here we go again has a familiar ring with stakes higher than ever. May peace prevail on Earth.
Hierarchical dominion is not a new thing. It came into existence at all levels of society when people first began to form into families, then bands, then groups, then tribes, then city-states. Hierarchical dominion anywhere it exists has always lead to separation and to blame. It is the oldest story in Christian Scripture. In the Garden of Eden, Adam says to God: "I didn't do it, [eat of the forbidden fruit], the woman made me do it". Since separation and blame are among the oldest stories of humankind, why are we surprised that they exist everywhere in the world today? Jesus was crucified in large part for his preaching that humanity at all levels could be restructured into communities of inclusion, fairness, justice and love. So far very few of us, inside or outside the church, have come to have enough faith, confidence, and trust in that message to put it into practice in our lives. It is no good pointing the finger of blame at others. The answer to seeing something done poorly is not blame, it is doing it better. I pray every day that God will help me to become the kind of person who can live as an embodiment of the Jesus message.
Quote from article: Bruteau convincingly argues that the communion structure is the one TAUGHT AND MODELED by (communitarian/socialist...with a small s) Jesus; the domination structure of what became Christendom was a A BETRAYAL OF JESUS himself.
Makes all the sense in the world to me: sadly, I'm not sure Jesus's "way" (one where political/theological leaders were local "shepherds" who knew their flocks personally as well as spiritually, rather than top-down, my-way-or-the highway organizers....as is the case with/for/in far too many "shepherds" today.
I think you've described Ukraine's escape from the Soviet Union just beginning to acheieve the buds of fruition. I also think you've decribed what people do with religion for better or worse. The human condition is always a conundrum. No pat answers. And always we're on the brink of getting it all wrong, frighteningly catastrophically. You said something about that, too.
Excellent column. One of the problems of being a student of the history of religion, is that religion's complicity in, and sometimes the driving force in human conflict, is all too evident. After 44 years of parish ministry and seminary teaching on three continents, I find more benefit reading in the areas of neuro-science and particle physics for understanding the roots of our humanity than just about any number of theologians. The church, at its best, can produce wonderful examples of community, but alas, it has rarely been at its best.
Diana-- Thank you so much for this powerful, powerful witness to what is happening in Russia/Ukraine and the world. I believe you are right on target, the forces of evil - dominion are at work to dominate and control. Now, may the people of the Way show a different way of being in the world. Thank you for your good work and ministry to all of us. --Jo
Only when we come to the full realization that there is no external God controlling anything can we realize that it is the human citizens of this world that are in control of this world and it is we that must manage all our problems. Believing in an external God does not help at all. It’s all up to us.
One of my favorite preachers, the late Reverend Dr. Colin Brown, Episcopal priest, and professor of New Testament theology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, preached on a Maundy Thursday when the Rector was asserting more obnoxiously than usual his authority as Christ-Substitute and King of the Liturgy. Colin presented very firmly rhe ideal: "THERE IS NO HIERARCHY, ONLY DIFFERENT JOBS!"
Most churches, most branches of Christendom, have lost sight of servant leadership.
Thank you for this.
Ukraine and their President are showing the world what a new focus on communion, peace, taking care of neighbors, and tolerance can accomplish. Russia and Putin are showing the world that domination and war are to be feared but that they are not invincible.
I believe that the Holy Spirit is alive in Ukraine, reminding all of us of David’s courage when facing Goliath - and his victory…
Excellent offering of insight that we are not seeing regarding Ukraine. I appreciate the contributions from Bruteau as well as the other quotes and prayer. All are most helpful and worth sharing.
"a struggle between structures of religion"
Thanks for this - so helpful!
Thank you for your thought provoking article . I am reminded of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s well repeated quote “ When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace” May it be so. Barb
What an insightful paper! You present a very different approach to this tragedy by showing how religion can be open and inclusive, without domination by hierarchy.
Thank you for this very thoughtful piece!
illuminating. thank you. It has nagged in my conscience that what we are witnessing is the greater question-- who gets to decide. Many are simply aghast that one man, a man for whom the accepted rules of civility seem fully irrelevant-- not argued with but fully irrelevant-- can determine life and death for babies and old ladies and soldiers. And, as he threatens with a nuclear threat, the wider world. But the underlying question I think is who gets to decide? and that is on us. Leadership is under a microscope right now yet to think we can have impact on this question eludes most. Majority of the majority. But in every act it is our choice and responsibility. I think this is the domination or a communion of us all question. Thank you for your observations, your knowledge, your willingness to keep on
Thank-you once again for clarifying something that does not appear obvious on the surface.
Now our prayers and hope for a future rest firmly with the communion structure. The true spiritual essence of a loving compassionate Creator has set forth this pattern as the very foundation of existence. Deception and distortion in the minds of those hungry for power at all costs have repeatedly twisted this narrative to the detriment of masses of people. Here we go again has a familiar ring with stakes higher than ever. May peace prevail on Earth.
Thank you.Dians for this excellent article.