tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post7412633971455894617..comments2024-03-28T00:58:29.445-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Divine Power -- Unilateral or Relational? (Bruce Epperly)Robert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-57072935061777220412010-05-26T13:34:11.269-04:002010-05-26T13:34:11.269-04:00Good points Dr. Epperly. There is plenty of histo...Good points Dr. Epperly. There is plenty of historical support for your position. <br /><br />The divine rights of kings certainly illustrates unilateral power. Likewise, overthrowing oppression only to replace it with unilateral power will result in further oppression. <br /><br />A relational approach makes most sense for me, both in living my own life as well in the observation of human relations. <br /><br />I'll confess that I'm currently in at a place in my thinking where any confident statments about God sound like foolishness to me. However, I acknowledge that this says more about me (at the moment) than it does about the people making such statements. It certainly says more about me than it does God. <br /><br />That said, we cannot "do" theology without making some kind of statements about God, even if hedged with all kinds of footnotes.<br /><br /> I believe a serious reflection on the process perspective cannot be avoided for those of us who consider outselves to be liberal Christians. That said, I do see conflict between process and liberation approaches. These conflicts do not need to be destructive or divisive. Hopefully they can provide opportunities for interesting discussion. <br /><br />Thanks for your work. You respresent the Disciples well.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396901667077846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-71308868303900125102010-05-25T22:14:43.433-04:002010-05-25T22:14:43.433-04:00I appreciate both of your responses, Doug and Bria...I appreciate both of your responses, Doug and Brian....social location makes a difference, and I agree with you on this point, Brian...however, those who live by unilateral also die by it...to say that God wields unilateral power also justifies the sovereignty of oppressors, encouraging the belief that God has chosen them and will sustain them in relationship to those who are not chosen. On the other hand, revolutionary unilateral power may lead to a situation in which the formerly oppressed become the new oppressors, using the same techniques as those they opposed in the past.bepperlynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-7013897718761511412010-05-25T15:49:47.704-04:002010-05-25T15:49:47.704-04:00(As posted in reply on The Intersection)
Scriptur...(As posted in reply on The Intersection)<br /><br />Scripture portrays God as weilding both kinds of power. Basically, the question is, "What God do you need?".<br /><br />Oppressed people seem to need a God who has sovereign power and will triumph over evil. Middle class white folks seem to need a God who will work with us as a good boss and colleague. What do you need? That is what you will say God is.<br /><br />If there is an "afterlife", I hope God is unilateral in saving me whether I make good choices or not. Universal salvation relies on this point of view (mostly).<br /><br />LIkewise, powerless people cry out for a unilateral God. One who will bring justice regardless of their oppressors' willingness to co-create with God.<br /><br />On the other hand, I have white priviledge (and male priviledge). I want God to be cool with me and work with me in a collaborative effort.<br /><br />Frankly, I lean toward Epperly's approach. But this should come as no surprise. My social location reveals my bias.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18396901667077846319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-89049615127997321702010-05-25T10:13:26.268-04:002010-05-25T10:13:26.268-04:00(Thank you, Bruce. This is going in my personal th...(Thank you, Bruce. This is going in my personal theology paper)<br /><br />God’s power is relational.<br /><br />God’s power is subservient to the healthy and dialogical relationship God has with creation.<br /><br />God’s power works through a shared vision.<br /><br />God’s power is not unilateral or demanding.<br /><br />God’s power is not definitive of God’s character (Epperly 2010).<br /><br />----------<br /><br />God has limits.<br /><br />God without limits is too small.<br /><br />God is not omnipotent, omniscient, or omnipresent.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />God is not omnipotent.<br /><br />God cannot destroy, control, hate, lie, impose, manipulate, exclude, punish, retaliate, judge, condemn, act vindictively or capriciously.<br /><br />-----<br /><br />God is neither omniscient nor omnipresent.<br /><br />God is always here with us.<br /><br />God cannot intrude in or impose on life.<br /><br />God does not predestine the course or end of life.<br /><br />God imbues our being – our thoughts, emotions, choices, and actions – only through our invitation and practice.<br /><br />God is an influential presence only to the extent<br />that we make ourselves aware of it and learn to be sensitive to it.<br /><br />God is in relationship with us while being deliberately unaware of our future and forgivingly dismissive of our past.<br /><br />----------<br /><br />God requires nothing of us.<br /><br />God has never required, recognized, or accepted any sacrifice by anyone for anything.<br /><br />God accepts whatever we bring to the God/person relationship – love, hate, anger, peace, hurt, health, agitation, serenity, fractures, wholeness, etc. – as a gift.Doug Sloannoreply@blogger.com