Outstanding work, Ross: I will be suggesting this piece to others. Connecting the question of "dominion over nature" with Moses and the mustard seed is very illuminating. Thank you very much for your work!
"We must learn how to speak to storms and mountains and broken bodies and confused minds. We were made for nothing less, and, as I hope to prove in future posts, our salvation involves nothing less than the restoration of this office. For faith and authority—faith and dominion—are not two separate things but one."
Is it naive to say that Jesus could talk to storms in ways that we cannot and will not be able to? I mean, to me this doesn't seem only like a microbe of faith, that seems like a huge step to say that we can and will and must be able to do so.
Also, it seems like God sort of has power as a backup plan too, if authority fails, but I don't. So what happens when Nature doesn't listen and I don't have power? Even the paradigm of the child vs the parent doesn't help me think through it here bc the parent still has some pretty serious power over the child.
What a great question. I share your trepidation. I don't think it's naive to say that Jesus could talk to storms in ways that we cannot. That is obviously true. But I do think we misunderstand his ministry if we begin to see him as the only storm-talker. He said that we would do even greater things than he. I believe his storm-talking was evidence of his true humanity, the firstfruits of the fulfillment of Adam's dominion. Which means: the way this happens is probably not as crazy as people suppose. I think, if you and I could begin to do it (honestly, we already are in some ways), we would find it much more integrated, more "natural"--more like authority and less like sorcery--than we might be tempted to believe from the outset.
When I say we must be able to do as he does, I mean that our right relationship with nature--and with one another--must be restored, not just "our individual relationship to God" (in the abstract). Vertical restoration entails horizontal restoration. This is the promise of the new creation, and it is our destiny, but we have to learn to begin to live it out here and now, because his kingdom is at hand. This is why Jesus taught the disciples to do many of the same things he did, and why stories of the saints continue to tell of the same.
Yes, I do think power can be understood as a kind of backup plan. But we have means of power as well--think of all the technologies we use, which would have made people in Jesus's time think we were far greater sorcerers than he. And yes, parents have power over children. But that power is not bad--and can be quite useful, like a tool in their hand--if the relationship is first shaped by proper authority. Power was made to be the servant of authority, not its replacement.
My favorite aspect of your writing is how it helps me in my personal journey toward reenchanting my protestant faith. Just the notion of Jesus speaking to the wind, it sounds like something Aslan would do in Narnia.
One of the things I love about this idea is how it connects with everything else. It essentially offers a new pair of eyes to the kingdom of God and helps us see better this “upside- down system”. In this day of the different shapes Christian nationalism is taking, this is a provocative read.
"The technological powers we continue to accrue and depend upon have hidden authority structures behind them, which are not advertised (nor even mentioned in the fine print), because not even their makers are fully aware of them. But turn your phone off for a mere twelve hours, and you will discover beyond a shadow of a doubt that these are not “neutral tools” we carry around in our pockets."
YES bro.
This is why I'm like "Y'ALL. DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH AI. PERIOD."
I've been mulling over what it means to have dominion over the earth as well and haven't landed in quite the same place where you are, but I'm looking forward to seeing where you are going with this conversation. And also: as much as I love a good, long essay, I have to admit I'm much more likely to read in smaller chunks, so thanks for breaking it up.
Really enjoyed this, Ross. You mentioned the Lord of the Rings and I couldn’t help think of Tom Bombadil as I read through this essay. Kind of a mysterious character that I’ve never quite understood, but he expresses his authority over nature through song.
Thank you, Kemp. Yes, I was thinking about Tom Bombadil quite a bit while writing this. I agree he expresses the kind of (joyful) authoritative dominion I’m talking about better than almost any figure outside Scripture.
I'm one of those who came in late, sorry abut that.
Bombadil is interesting also because he is not corrupted by the lust for power. Therefore, he does not fear the ring, and neither does he desire it. It has no hold over him.
Also, he has no desire to extend the territory under his control. Tom's country ends here, is a statement that I recall - probably not too exactly, but it's a statement of limits, limits within which he is entirely content. Would that there were more like him.
I do think it makes sense that mankind was made to have dominion over nature through authority, even through speaking. It fits in that part of the curse was adding the "by the sweat of the brow," and it makes sense of the time Jesus took care of the removal of an unfruitful fig tree by speaking to it. But it seems so far removed from our actual experience right now. It does seem like "sweat of the brow" aka physical energy (either direct, mediated via tools, or increased by working with other animate beings) is all we have to work with to bring things to pass, especially in the inanimate world. I suppose even then adding an element of love and care seems to bring better results, but it's hard to see how one would begin training in this reality. However, the juxtaposition of power and authority is helpful in thinking about parenting. Not cause and effect, but call and response, a way of honoring and valuing freedom.
'The physics of Heaven is call and response.' <-- bars! Thank you Ross
Outstanding work, Ross: I will be suggesting this piece to others. Connecting the question of "dominion over nature" with Moses and the mustard seed is very illuminating. Thank you very much for your work!
So glad it was helpful! Appreciate you guys.
"We must learn how to speak to storms and mountains and broken bodies and confused minds. We were made for nothing less, and, as I hope to prove in future posts, our salvation involves nothing less than the restoration of this office. For faith and authority—faith and dominion—are not two separate things but one."
Is it naive to say that Jesus could talk to storms in ways that we cannot and will not be able to? I mean, to me this doesn't seem only like a microbe of faith, that seems like a huge step to say that we can and will and must be able to do so.
Also, it seems like God sort of has power as a backup plan too, if authority fails, but I don't. So what happens when Nature doesn't listen and I don't have power? Even the paradigm of the child vs the parent doesn't help me think through it here bc the parent still has some pretty serious power over the child.
What a great question. I share your trepidation. I don't think it's naive to say that Jesus could talk to storms in ways that we cannot. That is obviously true. But I do think we misunderstand his ministry if we begin to see him as the only storm-talker. He said that we would do even greater things than he. I believe his storm-talking was evidence of his true humanity, the firstfruits of the fulfillment of Adam's dominion. Which means: the way this happens is probably not as crazy as people suppose. I think, if you and I could begin to do it (honestly, we already are in some ways), we would find it much more integrated, more "natural"--more like authority and less like sorcery--than we might be tempted to believe from the outset.
When I say we must be able to do as he does, I mean that our right relationship with nature--and with one another--must be restored, not just "our individual relationship to God" (in the abstract). Vertical restoration entails horizontal restoration. This is the promise of the new creation, and it is our destiny, but we have to learn to begin to live it out here and now, because his kingdom is at hand. This is why Jesus taught the disciples to do many of the same things he did, and why stories of the saints continue to tell of the same.
Yes, I do think power can be understood as a kind of backup plan. But we have means of power as well--think of all the technologies we use, which would have made people in Jesus's time think we were far greater sorcerers than he. And yes, parents have power over children. But that power is not bad--and can be quite useful, like a tool in their hand--if the relationship is first shaped by proper authority. Power was made to be the servant of authority, not its replacement.
My favorite aspect of your writing is how it helps me in my personal journey toward reenchanting my protestant faith. Just the notion of Jesus speaking to the wind, it sounds like something Aslan would do in Narnia.
This makes me happy. Thanks man.
Ahh, the last two paragraphs of this are beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you, David!
Excellent.
Finally got a chance to read. Provocative, intimidating, & inviting at the same time
Kind words. Thanks for reading it man! Let me know what you think of the next part whenever you get a chance.
Ross. This is phenomenal.
It's so good that I'm at once both a little more upset and yet entirely pacified that you didn't just release the whole essay at once.
While the algorithmic response has not been great, this makes me happy, Thank you. I’ll keep working at it.
One of the things I love about this idea is how it connects with everything else. It essentially offers a new pair of eyes to the kingdom of God and helps us see better this “upside- down system”. In this day of the different shapes Christian nationalism is taking, this is a provocative read.
Thank you Ross
Yes, the “new lens” is definitely what I was going for. And yes, it does have social/political implications!
"The technological powers we continue to accrue and depend upon have hidden authority structures behind them, which are not advertised (nor even mentioned in the fine print), because not even their makers are fully aware of them. But turn your phone off for a mere twelve hours, and you will discover beyond a shadow of a doubt that these are not “neutral tools” we carry around in our pockets."
YES bro.
This is why I'm like "Y'ALL. DO NOT MESS AROUND WITH AI. PERIOD."
Exactly!
Love this!
Thanks for reading!
Yeah! Would love your thoughts on some writing I’ve done?
I've been mulling over what it means to have dominion over the earth as well and haven't landed in quite the same place where you are, but I'm looking forward to seeing where you are going with this conversation. And also: as much as I love a good, long essay, I have to admit I'm much more likely to read in smaller chunks, so thanks for breaking it up.
Thanks for reading, Stefanii. Glad you’re thinking about the same things.
Really enjoyed this, Ross. You mentioned the Lord of the Rings and I couldn’t help think of Tom Bombadil as I read through this essay. Kind of a mysterious character that I’ve never quite understood, but he expresses his authority over nature through song.
Rewriting the third section of this series now (been rough), and might actually center a lot of it on Tom.
But mostly on your dog, I hope.
Oh now you’re taking my wife’s side?! :)
Thank you, Kemp. Yes, I was thinking about Tom Bombadil quite a bit while writing this. I agree he expresses the kind of (joyful) authoritative dominion I’m talking about better than almost any figure outside Scripture.
I'm one of those who came in late, sorry abut that.
Bombadil is interesting also because he is not corrupted by the lust for power. Therefore, he does not fear the ring, and neither does he desire it. It has no hold over him.
Also, he has no desire to extend the territory under his control. Tom's country ends here, is a statement that I recall - probably not too exactly, but it's a statement of limits, limits within which he is entirely content. Would that there were more like him.
Yes! I am currently writing about this very thing!
Perfect timing! I wonder if 'moving mountains' is about transforming our iner-world framworks.
I do think it makes sense that mankind was made to have dominion over nature through authority, even through speaking. It fits in that part of the curse was adding the "by the sweat of the brow," and it makes sense of the time Jesus took care of the removal of an unfruitful fig tree by speaking to it. But it seems so far removed from our actual experience right now. It does seem like "sweat of the brow" aka physical energy (either direct, mediated via tools, or increased by working with other animate beings) is all we have to work with to bring things to pass, especially in the inanimate world. I suppose even then adding an element of love and care seems to bring better results, but it's hard to see how one would begin training in this reality. However, the juxtaposition of power and authority is helpful in thinking about parenting. Not cause and effect, but call and response, a way of honoring and valuing freedom.