PROVOCATIVE THOUGHT ( HELPFUL OR DANGEROUS?)

Some people are afraid of questioning or critical thought. I think history has proven that it is the status quo we should be afraid of. The best artist has to take a step back away from his work to get a proper perspective. This applies to everything and everybody.

If we in the Church never step back and take a look from outside of what we are doing, we could find ourselves doing things we aren't even aware of. This is just a fact that has been proven over and over. Why does history continue to repeat itself? I would say maybe it is because we always believe in our own stuff. I don't know about you, but I don't always trust myself to get it right. But I do trust that God knows all things. We need God and we need each other to remind us to step back and take a look at what we are doing from another perspective.

#4 below reminded me of some of the things I have been saying about the ridiculous voices we are surrounded by. I am finding much freedom in recognizing more and more of these voices that clamor for our attention.

If you are interested in having some of your comfort zones challenged, read through Brueggemann's thoughts and give them some consideration yourself if they seem different from how you think normally or naturally from your own biases or perspective. The link at the end will direct you to the entire article.

Here is an excerpt from a piece done by Walter Brueggemann.

"I HAVE BEEN thinking about the ways in which the Bible is a critical alternative to the enmeshments in which we find ourselves in the church and in society. I have not, of course, escaped these enmeshments myself, but in any case I offer a series of 19 theses about the Bible in the church."


"4. This script--enacted through advertising, propaganda and ideology, especially in the several liturgies of television--promises to make us safe and happy. Therapeutic, technological, consumerist militarism pervades our public life and promises us security and immunity from every threat. And if we shall be safe, then we shall be happy, for who could watch the ads for cars and beers and deodorants and give thought to such matters as the trade deficit or homelessness or the residue of anger and insanity left by the war or by destruction of the environment? This script, with its illusion of safety and happiness, invites life in a bubble that is absent of critical reflection."

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_24_122/ai_n15966653