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Life in the Void

April 26, 2020 by Joe Leave a Comment

Before exploring where we ended last time before we consider how the man born blind uses his freedom, it is important to reflect more on life in the void. This is especially true for those born into the void who never experienced an early return to presence.

This topic is important to me because, as mentioned, I spent decades in the darkness and I know others are currently dwelling there. For those who are trapped there, I want to use this post to do two things. First, I want to let you know that while each experience is different, you are not alone. Second, I will help make sense of what is going on at a biological level.

[Read more…] about Life in the Void

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: Genesis, John

A Better Question

April 20, 2020 by Joe Leave a Comment

Is there a better question to ask about the man born blind? The disciples saw the man and from their world of transcendent-enchantment asked, “Who sinned?” The assumption is that it must be the man or his parents. In our world of immanent-disenchantment we ask, “Who’s to blame?” We use frameworks like meritocracy and victimhood to help us figure out the answer.

But is there a better question that we should be asking in this situation?

[Read more…] about A Better Question

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: John

Victimhood

April 15, 2020 by Joe Leave a Comment

Like the meritocracy, victimhood is another way we seek to answer the question, “Who sinned?”

The Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”

Genesis 3:9–13, NRSV
[Read more…] about Victimhood

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: Galatians, Genesis

Meritocracy

April 11, 2020 by Joe Leave a Comment

Last time we left off with the claim that an embrace of meritocracy is one of two primary ways we 21st Century Americans like to answer the question, “Who sinned?“ It is a question that is really about blame. We need to know who is at fault?

While in an ancient world built on transcendent enchantment the search for who to blame was all about appeasing an offended deity, in our world of immanent disenchantment it often comes down to knowing who to shame.

[Read more…] about Meritocracy

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: Luke, Matthew

Who Sinned?

April 11, 2020 by Joe 1 Comment

The question, “Who sinned?” launches us into a multi-week exploration of the local context of John 10:10 and Jesus’ offer of an abundant life.

Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

John 9:2, NRSV
[Read more…] about Who Sinned?

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: Exodus, Ezekiel, Genesis, John, Psalms

Jesus’ Abundant Life in Context

April 9, 2020 by Joe 1 Comment

Jesus talked about the abundant life in context. It is not a random saying. It happens as part of a broader story. So if we want to understand what Jesus meant, we have to consider that story. That is the goal of these posts.

What did Jesus really mean when he said:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10, NRSV
[Read more…] about Jesus’ Abundant Life in Context

Filed Under: Jesus Abundant Life Tagged With: John

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