3. Subtle Exclusion Disguised by Self-Deceptive Rhetoric: ‘Climbers’ Third, worse than stigmatising by naming would be discriminating structures of judgement and exclusion cloaked or disguised by a politically correct rhetoric about inclusion or about ‘attempts’ to be inclusive. This is where somebody is sinned against, but the rhetoric denies it. In other words, ‘politeness’ replaces relationship and... Continue Reading →
Labelling as the Very Definition of Manipulation First, there is the clue of self-deceptive and manipulative ‘labelling’ of others. For example, if a congregation member writes a letter about an issue to the church leadership, and they are either ignored or labelled as ‘God’s awkward squad’, then an attitude of superiority has been assumed. If the... Continue Reading →
From Wrong Forms of Critical Judgement to Right Forms of Critical Judgement So then, on the basis of Jesus’ teaching, it seems to me that self-designated church ‘traditionalists’ should be trying to be self-critical before pouring judgement on any view they oppose. Conversely, they also should be trying to be self-critical before pouring judgement on... Continue Reading →
The Choice: Self-Criticism First, or, “Pigs and Dogs” So, it is largely an absence of self-criticism that Jesus is largely attacking in Matthew 7:1-6. For if, in the case of ‘honour’, we lift up the other first and ourselves second, then it is the other way round with criticism. We are to criticise ourselves first,... Continue Reading →
Wrong Forms of Critical Judgement Matthew 7:1-6 says that it is wrong to judge others in four senses. First, Jesus says, we are blind but claim to be able to see. How can we see when we have a great big plank in our eyes? So often, in a pub or a restaurant, we overhear... Continue Reading →
It occurred to me in the last few days that there is a comparable situation between two unlikely events, that can end up producing similar outcomes. At the turn of the millennium, I was a YWAM missionary, first training in the UK then in the Middle East. Part of my own research and study involved... Continue Reading →
Below are the teaching video's of the great spiritual writer Richard Rohr, as he explains the Enneagram and its implications. Wonderful stuff, and a few hours WELL SPENT. Here is the superb book that gave rise to the lectures. And here is the link to his website, The Centre for Action and Contemplation. And... Continue Reading →
Gralefrit Theology 