Imagine the contrast of these two processions, the peasant procession and the imperial procession. One joyfully celebrated by the peasant families, young and old in a simple earthy style. The grand marshal is seated on the colt of a donkey, leafy foliage is being placed on the path and the air is filled shouts of Hosanna! All quite humble yet many would recognize an ancient story unfolding, the fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophetic words passed down through the generations. Under the celebratory gathering was the seriousness of a radical political movement. I imagine the tension to be palpable, excitement and fear at one time.
From the opposite direction comes the enormity and power of Roman rule and oppression. The powers that be we’re making their presence known so as to dissuade anyone who might find inspiration for revolt in the celebration of Passover, the Jewish liberation from an earlier empire.
Pilate’s military procession was a demonstration of both Roman imperial power and Roman imperial theology. “According to this theology, the emperor was not simply the ruler of Rome, but the Sun of God. It began with the greatest of the emperors, Augustus. His father was the god Apollo, who conceived him in his mother Atia. Inscriptions refer to him as “son of God,” “lord” and “savior,” one who had brought “peace on earth.” After his death, he was seen ascending into heaven to take his permanent place among the gods.” (page 3)
POINTS OF DISCUSSION:
Certainly you noticed the similarities between the Roman theology of their emperor and the Gospel depiction of Jesus. This theology already existed in their culture. Did the Gospel writers steal the son of god motif? Are you bothered by the knowledge that the concept of the son of God, and even his ascension into heaven is not unique to Christianity? Does it change anything about your concept of Jesus?
Borg and Crossan spend considerable space in this first chapter describing and illustrating a “domination system” with Jerusalem at its center. According to them a domination system is a social system marked by three major features: 1. Political oppression; 2. Economic exploitation; and 3. Religious legitimation.
Certainly I can see how domination systems with these three features continue to exist across our world today. But I wanted to bring this closer to home than Afghanistan, or Africa. Where does it exist in my world, where does it or has it touched my life? Where has my religion (Christianity) been the religious legitimation for oppression and exploitation?
1. Slavery would be one example. My own denomination (Methodist) was at one point split over the legitimation of slavery. And I am questioning whether the Christian church plays any role today in racial oppression. Is our silence a continuation of a legitimation that was more blatant earlier?
2. I am quite clear that the inequality that continues between women and men in this country is legitimized by some segments of Christianity that perpetuate limitations on the roles of women in the church and in society.
3. Does the predominance of Christianity in this country and the outspoken religious right participate in a domination system which oppresses people from faith traditions other than Christianity?
Note from page 19 with regard to participation in a domination system specifically the role of the wealthy and powerful: “The issue is not their individual virtue or wickedness, but the role they played in the domination system. They shaped it, enforced it, and benefited from it.”
PERSONAL EPIPHANY:
Just as I have had a love hate relationship with Christianity, I have always been conflicted about the cross as a symbol of my faith. I much preferred the dove, but the cross is everywhere. On page 28, Borg and Crossan give me a sway towards the cross. In the second paragraph when they dissect Mark 8:24, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” They pull out the two meanings held by the cross in first century Christianity.
1. a representation of execution by the empire
2. a symbol of the “way” or the path of death and resurrection, of entering new life by dying to the old life.
In this first week of Lent, I really can embrace the “way” and the cross that symbolizes that way. Where am I ready to die to the old life and give birth to a new creation? Where is there a resurrection in the coming weeks?
To all my online community, I am currently in Ohio with my terminally ill father. It is going to be a Holy Week journey throughout Lent for me. I look forward to your interaction. It might be nice if you feel like introducing yourself to this online community as you make comments. Thanks for being part of the journey!
ReplyDeleteUnity/Oneness is basic to my sense of God. To find stories in the bible that are similar to the foundational stories of other curtures gives me hope that a broader ligitimation of religious beliefs will lead to the end of domination systems. Focusing on differences contributes to people making choices between beliefs; beliefs then become right or wrong and must be defended. Deriving political or economic benefit gives greater motivation to defending the rightness of our religious beliefs. It also leads to questionable alliances between political, economic, and religious segments of our society. The silence of any opposing factions gives strength to the dominance system.
ReplyDeleteAn aside on crosses; I thought the dove with wings outstretched was a cross symbol.
GMKR, thanks for the comment that focusing on "differences contributes to people making choices between beliefs" making beliefs right or wrong. I often need to be reminded of that truth. I am so polarized by religious fundamentalism and biblical literalism that I can fall into the trap of seeing our differences more than our similarities. I saw a really good statement of intent in the First Community Church of Columbus, Ohio's belief statement. After their brief statement of beliefs they write therefore we strive to: Agree to differ, unite to serve, and resolve to love. I want to make that statement a part of prayers this year. God help me to live into that statement. Sharalyn
ReplyDeleteThis is Michael Menchaca. I have been at ASC for about 5 years now. My activities include work with the Lay Guidance Ministry and the Lay Eucharistic Ministry. I am also currently doing Year 2 of Education for Ministry. One of the things I have learned from EFM is a respect for the similarity in themes that emerge from the various theologies and philosophies of the times in which the scriptures were written. The Laws having been written specifically to keep the people of Israel "pure" it was impossible to do so as they travelled. This may be a stretch on my part but I would imagine that those who actually wrote the texts were probably more educated and may have been exposed to other ideas in their life experience. I think I may have had a similar discsussion with Sharalynn about this in which she had a slightly different take. I'm not bothered at all by the many similarities that exist. In fact, I see them as God being revealed in many different ways to many different people. While we may see God through slightly different lenses, in the end, it is still the same God. Does any of this change anything about my concept of Jesus? Heck no! I approach Jesus from the same 3-legged stool approach that I try to apply to other areas of my personal theology. In that process I find it permissable to admit that I don't possess a completed concept of what/who Jesus is. It is a concept that is dynamic and changes slightly as my life is lived and I encounter other ideas that seem to fit the puzzle for me and as I am led through my relationship with God. I really like the metaphor of the two processions. The lesson here of the two conflicting forces both entering my life in triumph with room for only one can be seen in many different aspects of my own life. The example that is most obvious and familiar to all is the conflict between the dominant system in the faith community of my church and the Jesus who comes to liberate me from the weight of their oppression. As an openly gay man who has no idea how to live his life in secrecy I know what it is to have the door shut in my face as I look to find a meaningful relationship with God. Because of the human being that I was created to be, not because of anything I have done myself, there was no place for me at the table in my youth. In fact, I turned away from what I know was a call to ministry at the age of 16 because I knew that to follow that call within the community I found myself would have meant to lie to myself, to the people I served and to God herself. Instead of following that call I ran as fast as I could in the opposite direction. That, however, is only one side of the story. I have not yet discussed what was happening on the other side of town with the triumphant Jesus coming in to liberate me from oppression, suppression, repression and depression. I refer to them as the "shuns.' They certainly share the same phonetic suffix and are used beautifully to shun others. As Jesus marches in I am empowered to discover the marvelous gifts granted me at my birth that I may choose to use to raise myself above the mire of oppression. We all are granted the gifts of courage, strength and wisdom. When we need to tap deeper into those divine gifts Jesus walks alongside, sharing the burden of our personal cross. I have discovered that not only do I not have to submit to the dominant systems of specific faith communities, but there are other places where I can be nurtured in my relationship with God. Jim Wallis spoke at ASC on Thursday in part about our failure to adequately tap into these gifts and in the failure to do so support the dominant system by our silence and inactivity. I am resurrected into a life of empowerment from a life of surrender to bigotry. This is a long, meandering path that takes many different directions. Sometimes there are maze-like turns from which I need to find my way and get back on track. I fall down all the time. The trick is that I don't have to stay down.
ReplyDeleteMichael, Thank you so much for sharing your journey with domination systems especially your experience of the church. I am so glad you are part of ASC and I look forward to hearing more from your experience in Education For Ministry. I hear such wonderful things about that program. Blessings, Sharalyn
ReplyDeleteEFM is a wonderful space in which to explore one's concept of, and relationship with, God. I think it is underrated or skipped over because of the title. It IS NOT preparation for priesthood nor is it a Bible study in the classic sense of that phrase. My own group has 12 participants, all bringing their individual contribution to the discussions which can be quite intense. The cohesiveness within the group is indescribable! It is probably impossible to draw together a group of people who are willing to grow together by sharing from the soul without forming very close bonds. I love it!
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