Lissy

I think everyone's made really interesting points, but so often the Bible has been used to empower oppressors and keep the weak in their place "Slaves obey your masters etc."

I think the cultural context applied to this text brings it into a totally new light. Is this not exactly what civil rights activists did? The interesting thing about passive resistance is that not only does it avoid violence and give control to the oppressed it also forces the oppressor to think. "Why won't you fight back?", "Why are you being so kind to me?" etc.

People are so willing to see Jesus as just the submissive Lamb of God when there are many facets to who He is. They forget the place He grew up in, the people He grew up with, can you imagine what Simon the zealot would have thought of this? Jesus telling him there are more ways to fight back than your sword and your fists? I think that is part of the Kingdom on earth. Fighting injustice without causing harm.

I remembered reading this book The Powers That Be: Theology For A New Millennium by Walter Wink while I was at University. This extract popped back in my head while reading Matthew 5: 38-41. It totally revolutionised the way I saw this particular verse that had been explained to me as a child as submitting to evil as Jesus did.

I was wondering what other people's thoughts are on this excerpt? http://cpt.org/files/BN%20-%20Jesus'%20Third%20Way.pdf

Allllllll byyyyyy myyyy seeeeeeellllfffff......

I've been Alisha, Alishia, Alisia, Alecia, you name it I've had it!

Just noticed my partner and I seem to be in the minority...are there any other active female users in here?

Well my full name is Alicia but I use Lissy because even fewer people get Alicia right XD

 

Unless you are referring to a nice single malt, I can think of a few exceptions.

Badum tssst!

Hello! Fellow PK here but in the Anglican church of united kingdom!

Hello darling! Fancy seeing you here

Since last night (when we finished Mark) I did a bit of reading up. The general consensus is that 16:9 onwards was added on because the original ending of Mark is a bit doom and gloom and does not explain how the spread of Christianity came about....again I'm not sure about the snakes but maybe someone else could help explain that?

Welcome Libby ...

 

I am agnostic by inclination ... so you can treat me as your adversary ... in the nicest possible way of course.

 

rom

My only adversaries are people who oppress others especially those who use the word of God (any God for that matter) to do so so I think you and I will get along just fine!

Also...the name is Lissy

Hi baby

 

 

Isn't she marvellous?

I try to be darling !

My name is Lissy and I'm a 24 year old openly gay universalist Anglican (try saying that five times faster!). I've joined this forum because of the wonderful things my partner StillSeekingGod has said about this place. It's been awhile since I've been part of a liberal Christian community (not since my uni days). My father is an Anglican priest in the Church of England and until recently I've been closeted in my home and at church since I came back from university. While my parents have been accepting and I haven't had any backlash from church as of yet it's nice to be part of a Christian community where I won't be the gossip of the village. I'm certain the assistant Priests daughter coming out as a lesbian caused quite the stir...

I have a degree in theology and religious studies and I'm looking forward to lots of discourse! (most of mine happens at Bible study and prayer group now where my parents and I are the only liberals present...)

Annnyway...peace out!

Firstly I'm this wonderful womans partner and secondly thank you to all of you who have given her such good advice and providing such a supportive and welcoming atmosphere.