This is taken from a book I am presently reading. ENGAGING THE POWERS by Walter Wink
"The unquestionably authentic religious experience of "rebirth" often fails to issue in fundamentally changed lives because this social dimension of egocentricity is not addressed. Many Chilean charismatics died to their privatized egos, but not to the dictator Pincochet. Many South African evangelicals died to their privatized egos, but not to apartheid. Many North Americans die to their privatized egos, but not to the hybris of American imperialism. Thus, dying to one's ego can be just another delusional spirituality unless it involves dying to the Powers."
7 comments:
Awesome!
Kent,
I haven't read the book and so do not at all understand what "privatized egos" means. Checked out some dictionary meanings and I'm lost. Are you able to elaborate?
Ian, I don't have time this morning. I will try to explain as best as I can tonight.
Rob, might want to take a shot at it also.
Ian, for me ego has to do with the self-life. It always reacts to circumstances from this place of self and it always considers the cost to me first, before being able to care for "the other" in any situation.
This statement from the book takes it even farther than the personal aspect of ego to the effects that the National ego has on us.
For me, as someone trying to follow Jesus, this speaks to the negative effects that Nationalism (national ego or pride)can have on the body of Christ or better yet, those who are a part of the kingdom of heaven world wide. The Church Jesus is building has no bounderies.
Here is where I am feeling this Nationalism causes us problems. If the United States, to maintain our democratic freedom, our economic way of life, or any other thing for that matter, has foriegn policies that hurt the way of life for my brothers and sisters of the faith around the world and I am supporting those actions by my government, I am participating in harm to God's family. Jesus seemed to take it even a step farther. He tells us to even love our enemies.
So, I think this is what is being addressed in this statement. Many of us (me included) have grown up with a Christianity that doesn't even deal with the privatized ego in reality, and encourages us to fight for the National ego.
It seems this causes us many problem?
Kent,
I think you did a good job unpacking that. I haven't read the book (yet) - but when I read this quote it spoke to me that one aspect of dying to self is also dying to our national self. When following Jesus and cooperating with government cross paths - we must die to cooperating with government and follow Jesus. We are first and foremost citizens of the kingdom. Usually a govermental system will be thankful that we are citizens of the kingdom - authentic ones will not require excessive legislation to motivate healthy behavior - but when a governmental system is asking us to violate our conscience - the system may find us to be a threat and respond to us with the sword (or at least threaten us with the sword).
Blessings,
Rob
Thanks Kent for taking time out to clarify my query. I agree with you regarding the dangers of nationalism. Our current Prime Minister here in Australia is keen on equating jingoistic fervour with national identity and at the same time refusing to assist one of our citizens (David Hicks) languishing in Guantanamo Bay. Shame!
I note that the the book you are referencing is part of a trilogy. In your opinion does one have to read all three in order to fully appreciate what the author is trying to get across?
Ian, at this time I don't plan on reading all of them. I'm jumping aound in the Engaging The Powers also. It is an interesting read. Like all books I'm not endorsing it all by any means. It has been helpful.
For me, this stuff about the controlling aspects of the world systems has been on my mind on and off through out my life. It has just been in the past year that my attention and focus has turned back to the simple (yet complex) fact that there are only two kingdoms. Because some of the personal freedoms I was experiencing my eyes were being opened like never before to see it and connect the dots and understand it like never before.
It was around that time I started understanding the value and I believe necessity of asking questions and searching for answers in ways that weren't familiar to me. My eyes have been opened even more.
So as to your question about the other books, I have no intention of reading thenm today, but these days I'm learning to not speak of what I might be doing to far into the future. We really don't even know as to what tomorrow holds.
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