You’ve nailed something I’ve noticed for quite a while now. In our desire to get away from conservative fundamental ideas, we often plunge ourselves into progressive fundamental ideas. The heart and attitude don’t really change, just the list of expectations and required behaviors. We are still just as black and white, just as rigid, and just as us versus them in our thinking.
Living in a land of paradox and tension where we don’t claim to have all the answers and are okay with that is tricky, but it’s SO good. Thank you for these words!
This is such good insight, Jenai. It’s been a strange journey for me to come to recognize that when I take pride in not doing something harmful, that just incentivizes me to not look deeply at my shadow and see how I’m doing that exact thing. For me, that’s been the power of original sin doctrine (although I know it’s not this way for everyone) -- when I can let go of the existential need to be a “good person,” I’m actually more willing and better able to recognize the ways I’m harming people and actually do something to correct it. I’ll definitely be looking more for the ways that I explicitly or implicitly other people, now, as well. Thank you for this.
(And that is a wonderful title, and I’m so glad you get to be your own illustrator!!!)
Jenai! This is stunningly beautiful in so many ways. Your discernment and ability to communicate what is happening is so... maybe prophetic. And I cheered with glee and tears to hear that you will be designing your cover. 🎉 Cheering you on as you model what a softer Christendom could look like.
Reading along as I listened to you read your thought provoking and beautiful essay, I am left without words for a response that conveys how much I resonate with so much of what you have expressed here. You articulate your lived experiences, insights, and academic studies brilliantly, but in a very easy to digest way. Now to absorb it all. That will take some time. I can’t wait to read your book. Blessings as you pursue the path you are on.
You’ve nailed something I’ve noticed for quite a while now. In our desire to get away from conservative fundamental ideas, we often plunge ourselves into progressive fundamental ideas. The heart and attitude don’t really change, just the list of expectations and required behaviors. We are still just as black and white, just as rigid, and just as us versus them in our thinking.
Living in a land of paradox and tension where we don’t claim to have all the answers and are okay with that is tricky, but it’s SO good. Thank you for these words!
I want to sit with this post. So much gold here. I cannot wait for the book!!!
This is such good insight, Jenai. It’s been a strange journey for me to come to recognize that when I take pride in not doing something harmful, that just incentivizes me to not look deeply at my shadow and see how I’m doing that exact thing. For me, that’s been the power of original sin doctrine (although I know it’s not this way for everyone) -- when I can let go of the existential need to be a “good person,” I’m actually more willing and better able to recognize the ways I’m harming people and actually do something to correct it. I’ll definitely be looking more for the ways that I explicitly or implicitly other people, now, as well. Thank you for this.
(And that is a wonderful title, and I’m so glad you get to be your own illustrator!!!)
Jenai! This is stunningly beautiful in so many ways. Your discernment and ability to communicate what is happening is so... maybe prophetic. And I cheered with glee and tears to hear that you will be designing your cover. 🎉 Cheering you on as you model what a softer Christendom could look like.
I’m excited for the book! Love you.
So much good here, Jenai. You gave me several things to marinate in.
Reading along as I listened to you read your thought provoking and beautiful essay, I am left without words for a response that conveys how much I resonate with so much of what you have expressed here. You articulate your lived experiences, insights, and academic studies brilliantly, but in a very easy to digest way. Now to absorb it all. That will take some time. I can’t wait to read your book. Blessings as you pursue the path you are on.
I've shared your unease about this for a while, and you've diagnosed the root cause brilliantly. Thank you.