tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post4763614065489490334..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Be Faithful 2Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-59601149049197615342010-12-15T11:39:49.578-05:002010-12-15T11:39:49.578-05:00Correction, It wasn't etnic identity that Paul...Correction, It wasn't etnic identity that Paul was trying to "correct", as ethnicity is about nation-states. He was trying to correct religious identity as exclusive....right?<br /><br />This is another aspect to our nation's greatness. We have allowed and believe in diverse ways of understanding faith and religious conviction....Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-82818967333627733012010-12-15T09:24:55.095-05:002010-12-15T09:24:55.095-05:00Perhaps, I should clarify..I understood Romans fro...Perhaps, I should clarify..I understood Romans from an individual viewpoint from WITHIN the Body, as my place wasn't questioned, in the first place. Now, I understand that I don't belong to the "Body", as it is only about ingroup thinking, whatever the ingroup has collaborated is to be affirmed or "sanctioned" as "the Truth"...Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-47703306129251585622010-12-15T09:18:45.421-05:002010-12-15T09:18:45.421-05:00I had always understood Romans as an individual. R...I had always understood Romans as an individual. Romans 7 being understood as Paul's metaphorical experience of "being under law". (Romans was a way for Paul to explain to the Jew that their ethnicity had little to do with "the Body of Christ"). I have come to understand that the political purposes of any organization, is to survive and this also includes the Church. But, when power combines with political purposes, with no accountability of the law, then there is little recourse for the 'little guy'. This is what makes our country great, because our citizens are protected by law, from intrusiveness into their personal life). America is no collective State, at least in the eyes of our Founding Fathers.<br /><br />Wesleyans believe in corporality. "There is no holiness without social holiness"...I am not into collective thinking or being, in principle. And I have met with Drury, DeNeff, and some others to specifically talk about this (carrying many books in my satchel to "prove my point"). There is much danger in this type of thinking. (I also recognize its good). <br /><br />That being said, the Wesleyans are understanding everything in "collective terms". What purposes that the "Body of Christ" has, is to be the individual's "meat and sustenance". That means that whatever is deemed collectively by the "Body" is to be "my goal and purpose". There is no individual purpose(s). This thinking also means that whoever leadership "sets aside" to do the dangerous work, menial work, or frustrating work are to do it...no questions asked...this is being faithful and holy. And the struggle that might be entailed is the personal cross of one's sanctification.<br /><br />Not only does this way of thinking negate individuality in ALL its componants, it sets up those that are "the leaders" and those that aren't. Leadership is about making decisions and setting goals, but Americans believe that without indviduals being informed, there can not be "negotiation". This kind of leadership is dictatorship. Those that determine another's life, which is really about another's "death", are acting in arrogance and treating another as a slave (no rights). Without a right to choose what goals I want to set, who I want to be, etc. another is "taking my life" in a metaphorical sense. And it doesn't matter whether anyone thinks they take that life for "the greater good", "God's Kingdom", "scientific investigation" etc., it is still taking a life!<br /><br />Because I did meet and express my opinions and convictions about individuality, and no one explained to me what Wesleyans really believe, I don't find any "moral obligation" to "be faithful". All that was said is that I knew what it was like for Christians when Nero ruled and the Christians were blamed....the role of "Scapegoat" is not a "healthy role" in the "family". Equality under law must be an individual's right, otherwise corruption will reign in our government or organization.Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.com