No man or woman is an island, and no one should aspire to be one, either. That, at the core, is the claim of illiberalism, post-liberalism, or any of the other names given to the movement that pushes back against individualism as an ideal. The liberalism of Locke, deeply woven into American culture and political philosophy, takes the individual as the basic unit of society, while an illiberal view looks to traditions, family, and other institutions whose demands define who we are.
It always confuses me that illiberalism is taken as a belligerent ideology – both by its detractors and some of its proponents – as though it were rooted in strength and prepared to wield that power against others. It is contemporary liberalism that begins from an anthropology of independence, and presumes a strength and self-ownership we do not in fact possess.
The best corrective the growing illiberal enthusiasm can offer is not a rival strength – no fist clenched around a flagpole of any standard. Instead it must offer a re-appreciation of weakness – the kind I see in the chubby, fumbling fingers of my daughter, reaching out to her parents.
Leah Libresco Sargeant, “Dependence: Toward an Illiberalism of the Weak” in Plough No. 26, page 55.
Tag: Plough Quarterly
Excerpt #12
“Once, at an ecumenical reception, I remarked that perhaps much of our ecumenical reconciliation within Christianity has to do with the fact that we were deprived of our power. No longer are we seventeenth-century Protestant and Catholic states that went to war with each other, nor does the pope rule over an ecclesiastical state that wages wars. We live in secular countries. As far as issues of power are concerned, we are marginalized, which is probably also a blessing.
We must remember that Christians have often been persecuted, and still are today. It’s interesting that historically our opponents made no distinctions among the various confessions. Christians helped one another in the concentration camps and the gulag; they were all simply Christians. We had to become powerless to surrender ourselves to Christ’s power and put our trust in him – not in weaponry, not in political power, but “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,” as Paul says (1 Cor 2). The lovely thing is that we recognize one another anew, not from the standpoint of our confessions, but with a view to Christ, Whenever I encounter a brother or sister and I see that they really love the Lord, then there is an immediate basis for communication.
Of course, there are still enormous differences between confessions – in how we worship, for instance – but we know that the center is the same, the center is Christ. As Pope Benedict XVI told us, “What is meant by ecumenicism? Simply this: that we listen to one another and learn from one another what it means to be a Christian today.”
Cardinal Christoph Schonborn, OP, interviewed by Kim Comer in “Why Inheritance Matters” in Plough, No. 26, pages 46-47.
Must Read Books and Blogs
Hey everyone.
I’m hard at work on content for my new series “A Defense of Progressive Theology”; it all works together, so I’m working on it all at once, something I’ve never done before. My first posts should be up soon.
In the meantime, check out a couple blogs that friends of mine run, if you need some throughts on progressive Christianity in your life!
Shane Russo is a candidate for ministry in the Eastern Ohio Conference of the UMC, and is an up-and-coming progressive voice. In addition to his ministry, he is also a young father of two (like yours truly) and he always has unique perspectives to share. Check out his self-titled blog, where he will soon be starting the #30daysofPaul journey! Be sure to read and engage with him as he explores the Apostles letters!
Rev. Aaron Todd is the Director of Youth Ministries at First Christian Church in Midwest City, OK. I met Aaron earlier this summer when he brought his mid-high youth to do some volunteer garden work for me at StoneSoup. His kids were great, and they are all a reflection on Aaron and his leadership. A former lead pastor in Pasadena, CA, Aaron is also a young father (do you see a pattern here?) His blog, Chasing the Holy, is a must read, and a few of his posts have been picked up by Patheos and Huff Post.
In addition to my next series, I also received a new book from Plough to review, called Six Months To Live by Daniel Hallock, so look for that soon. And in my Sunday school class at church, we just started doing a study on Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans, and I’m so excited about it that I may have to share some thoughts here.
I also just started a second job, with United Campus Ministries at the University of Tulsa. Well known as the “Little Blue House,” UCM is an ecumenical campus ministry focused on peace and justice issues in Tulsa. We are also the only open and affirming ministry on campus, and we encourage doubt and questions and self-discovery, making the work we do essential to the health and well-being of so many TU students. It’s a very, very cool place and I’m so excited to get started there.
Thanks for being loyal readers, and I look forward to engaging with you as we move forward!
Justin
Justin DaMetz 