Growing numbers of us are acknowledging with grief that many forms of supremacyChristian, white, male, heterosexual, and humanare deeply embedded not just in Christian history, but also in Christian theology. We are coming to see that in hallowed words like almighty, sovereignty, kingdom, dominion, supreme, elect, chosen, clean, remnant, sacrifice, lord, and even God, dangerous vices often lie hidden. . . . We are coming to see in the life and teaching of Christ, and especially in the cross and resurrection of Christ, a radical rejection of dominating supremacy in all its forms.The theological term for [this] is kenosis, which means self-emptying. . . . Rather than seizing, hoarding, and exercising power in the domineering ways of typical kings, conquistadors, and religious leaders, Jesus was consistently empowering others. He descended the ladders and pyramids of influence instead of climbing them upwards, released power instead of grasping at it, and served instead of dominating. He ultimately overturned all conventional understandings of . . . power by purging [it] of violenceto the point where he himself chose to be killed rather than kill.
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About Brian D. McLaren
Brian D. McLaren was a contemporary American pastor and author. Brian D. McLaren is an American author, speaker, activist, public theologian and was a leading figure in the emerging church movement. Read more on Wikipedia →
Themes
- Power — The dynamics of influence, authority, and leadership