I think it's N. T. Wright who talks about 'pistis' being understood as 'loyalty' which I've always liked as an active form of 'faith'. Am I being loyal to Jesus and God? Am I acting in the way a loyalty servant does?
Also makes me think of the loving servant with the pierced ear - the desire to choose to remain my lord's servant, not out of obligation but out of a deep love that causes me to want to serve him.
Magnificent, yet again. And I couldn't agree more: 'the immediate meaning of imago dei is found in our role much more than in our rights.’ This is of the upmost importance, as you brought out wonderfully.
Excellent work. Was studying Judges 15 this morning and the story of Samson killing the thousand with a jawbone. Some strong symbolism at play there. Jawbone is of the mouth. God through Smason using a weak, disgraceful, unclean weapon that comes from the mouth to display His power and sovereign authority was gripping. God defeats His enemies not by the sword alone, but primarily by His Word. Divine, authoritative word over brute force, and through a broken and defiled vessel. The jawbone is a symbol of Samson himself, a weak and unclean instrument but unthinkably powerful in the hands of the redeemer.
Woah. Yeah, the jawbone as broken-call-and-response-slowly-being-redeemed is a great picture of Samson's whole life. I've never thought about that. Profound.
I’ve been really really encouraged by your work. Can’t stress that enough. I’ve been sharing it with ppl, and will def be using it at some point as a reference to teach. The analogy of the prince knowing his royal rights but not exercising his royal responsibilities was clear and helpful. I’m mostly approaching your work because of my deep convictions about the home and the biblical household order. Seems like this is where our understanding of authority begins on earth. It all starts at home. And it seems to be almost completely lost from our social imaginary, even in the church. But your work here is really helpful to me as I am working to re-enchant ppl’s beliefs about the home and God’s gift of the household order. Anyway, would love to keep in touch here. And will keep reading your work. Thanks.
Thank you, Jeff. I agree this kind of insight/authority begins in the home, and I agree that it is deeply overlooked in our moment. Glad you are recognizing that too! And I'm so glad this stuff has resonated with you. Hope you like the next one!
'Crowns are made for service'. That's it right there; the failure of western culture to be more than the philosophical/theological justification for various forms of individual and corporate oppression is in its failure to acknowledge this point, and to do something with it. I'm not blind to the good things in western culture, and I'm quite capable of enjoying many of them, but the point remains.
Those who would be the greatest among you must be the servants of all. Wives, submit to your husbands. You hear that verse used by Christians to justify the subjugation of those they should be helping to flourish. I could provide some links from downunder, but I wouldn't reckon I need to.
Thanks for this, much food for thought here, as always.
Well said, John. You are not wrong! Our failures to embody this truth abound. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Part 3 out today or tomorrow.
"The physics of true lordship is steadfast love." Amen! Last night I was thinking how abiding sounds passive to our modern ears, but it is wildly active and radically restful all at the same time. I think this definition of abiding is inherently linked to dominion.
Yes! Wildly active and radically restful. I love it. We just don't see how good God's calling on our lives is. His yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Continuing to read (and adding on to this comment!).
This statement Ross!!! 👉🏻 ""Dominion” as the telos of redemption." !!!! YES. YES. YES. If my kids were not napping, I would literally be shouting "YYEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS LORD" through the roof right now.
Babe, if you would simply feed him or take him for a walk every once in a while, the dog would probably listen to you.
Hahaha
I think it's N. T. Wright who talks about 'pistis' being understood as 'loyalty' which I've always liked as an active form of 'faith'. Am I being loyal to Jesus and God? Am I acting in the way a loyalty servant does?
Also makes me think of the loving servant with the pierced ear - the desire to choose to remain my lord's servant, not out of obligation but out of a deep love that causes me to want to serve him.
Man, that image of the pierced ear. Perfect. And yes about loyalty! Matthew Bates has also used the word "allegiance" to the same effect.
Magnificent, yet again. And I couldn't agree more: 'the immediate meaning of imago dei is found in our role much more than in our rights.’ This is of the upmost importance, as you brought out wonderfully.
Agreed! Not talked about enough. Thanks, as always. Honored to have someone like you all reading my stuff. Makes me not feel crazy or alone.
Thank you for writing such awesome work! I look forward to your writing. I’m always better for reading it.
Excellent work. Was studying Judges 15 this morning and the story of Samson killing the thousand with a jawbone. Some strong symbolism at play there. Jawbone is of the mouth. God through Smason using a weak, disgraceful, unclean weapon that comes from the mouth to display His power and sovereign authority was gripping. God defeats His enemies not by the sword alone, but primarily by His Word. Divine, authoritative word over brute force, and through a broken and defiled vessel. The jawbone is a symbol of Samson himself, a weak and unclean instrument but unthinkably powerful in the hands of the redeemer.
Woah. Yeah, the jawbone as broken-call-and-response-slowly-being-redeemed is a great picture of Samson's whole life. I've never thought about that. Profound.
I’ve been really really encouraged by your work. Can’t stress that enough. I’ve been sharing it with ppl, and will def be using it at some point as a reference to teach. The analogy of the prince knowing his royal rights but not exercising his royal responsibilities was clear and helpful. I’m mostly approaching your work because of my deep convictions about the home and the biblical household order. Seems like this is where our understanding of authority begins on earth. It all starts at home. And it seems to be almost completely lost from our social imaginary, even in the church. But your work here is really helpful to me as I am working to re-enchant ppl’s beliefs about the home and God’s gift of the household order. Anyway, would love to keep in touch here. And will keep reading your work. Thanks.
Thank you, Jeff. I agree this kind of insight/authority begins in the home, and I agree that it is deeply overlooked in our moment. Glad you are recognizing that too! And I'm so glad this stuff has resonated with you. Hope you like the next one!
'Crowns are made for service'. That's it right there; the failure of western culture to be more than the philosophical/theological justification for various forms of individual and corporate oppression is in its failure to acknowledge this point, and to do something with it. I'm not blind to the good things in western culture, and I'm quite capable of enjoying many of them, but the point remains.
Those who would be the greatest among you must be the servants of all. Wives, submit to your husbands. You hear that verse used by Christians to justify the subjugation of those they should be helping to flourish. I could provide some links from downunder, but I wouldn't reckon I need to.
Thanks for this, much food for thought here, as always.
Well said, John. You are not wrong! Our failures to embody this truth abound. Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts. Part 3 out today or tomorrow.
Ross, you might make a Christian out of me yet. Please, God!
Ha! One of these days…
"The physics of true lordship is steadfast love." Amen! Last night I was thinking how abiding sounds passive to our modern ears, but it is wildly active and radically restful all at the same time. I think this definition of abiding is inherently linked to dominion.
Yes! Wildly active and radically restful. I love it. We just don't see how good God's calling on our lives is. His yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Phenomenal stuff.
Thanks Sid. Means a lot.
This is so good, bro. 10 out 10.
Continuing to read (and adding on to this comment!).
This statement Ross!!! 👉🏻 ""Dominion” as the telos of redemption." !!!! YES. YES. YES. If my kids were not napping, I would literally be shouting "YYEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS LORD" through the roof right now.
BRO!
No way. Man, so glad it resonates. Been difficult for me to communicate (as you can tell with the multi-part scheme)! But yes, feels so important.
Man, the way you laid out "Trust" vs "Trustworthiness" and the picture, and the X being faith... so good. Thank you Lord for Ross.
Thanks Andrew. Really.