When We Talk Politics
In this clip, Greg identifies a source of much of the conflict we experience in our conversations about politics, or other important topics. He does this by introducing the phrase, “your map is not the territory.” Your brain assembles and interprets the sensations you experience and forms maps of the world based upon those experiences. These “maps” help us to navigate through life, but they are imperfect representations of the realities that they point to. It’s important that we remain humble and curious regarding our maps. When we mistake these maps for the territories they represent, we miss opportunities to learn and grow, and instead descend into conflict.
If you would like to listen the entire sermon, you can do so here.
Category: Sermons and Video Clips
Tags: Conflict, Humility, Politics, Sermons
Related Reading
Sermon Clip: How Christians Should Respond to Ferguson
In this clip from this weeks sermon, Greg Boyd comments on how Christians should respond to the events in Ferguson St. Louis and how that response should always be in love and to help heal both sides. The full sermon is here: http://whchurch.org/sermons-media/sermon/heart-smart-qa
Jesus and Democracy
Question: I’ve heard that the reason Jesus didn’t speak up on political issues was because he didn’t have the benefit of living in a democracy. Since we do, don’t we have a duty both to God and our country to be involved in politics? Answer: If the reason Jesus didn’t speak up on political issues…
The Wrong “Bulls-Eye”: Reflections on the “Christian Left”
As it has since the fourth century, the Church today for the most part operates with a Constantinian (“power-over”) paradigm. Because of this, most socially concerned Christians are inclined to define the Church’s mission as adjudicating between and tweaking political options “in Jesus’ name.” We accept Caesar’s definition of “power” as the ability to get…
Listening with Humility and Love
Bindaas Madhavi via Compfight Robert Martin over at Abnormal Anabaptist published an article today concerning the recent post by the Gospel Coalition. The Gospel Coalition seems to be humbly acknowledging that maybe they have something to learn from Anabaptists. Martin notes that many Anabaptists have responded with something along the lines of “Yay! It’s about…
Love Conquers All
Paul prayed in this way for the church at Ephesus: I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, [God] may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in…
You Have What We Call a Theological Problem
Peter Enns posted a blog entitled: Dear Christian: If the Thought of Either Romney or Obama Getting Elected Makes You Fearful, Angry, or Depressed, You Have What we Call a Theological Problem. He makes some pretty good points. What do your emotions around this election tell you about where your hope lies? From the blog: There…