|
Written by Matt Wilson
|
|
Friday, 13 October 2006 |
|
Every once in a while you read a book that has a great and important voice for a generation. Walter Wink’s book “The Powers That Be” is one that I would put up there as a book that has an important voice within many of the conversations going on in our culture today.
Wink looks to “rethink” the way Christians think of their role in the world. However, “rethink” is a terrible way to put it. Wink looks to remind Christians of the original message brought by Jesus and was the way of the early church. Wink deals greatly with the idea of that nonviolence, not violence, is not only what God expects, but also what ultimately works in the world. He talks about humans living under “domination system” or the “powers and principalities that be”. These things manipulate our minds, lives, activities, etc. As Christians, we are called to resist these things without buying into the idea that “might makes right”. Jesus shows an alternative way: the path of nonviolent resistance. Wink does a great job of analyzing what Jesus’ meaning was behind “turning the other cheek” or “walking a second mile” (and goes beyond the stereotype of nonviolence). He also offers a great analysis on the “just war doctrine” (which I will leave for you to read when you read the book).
He gave me some thoughts to think about within his use of Scripture (I won’t say he is wrong in his thinking, I’ll say I want to look at it more) but this is a very important for all people to read who are interested in subverting the powers that be.
Original content at: http://matthewjameswilson.blogspot.com/2006/10/powers-that-be.html.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 October 2006 )
|
Articles, Media, and More 
Scott Bartchy is a radical. He believes in a subversive system that embraces those on the fringes of our society and seeks to establish a new way of life that goes against the status quo.