#peter rollins

[storyarcscribe]

STOP WHAT YOU’RE DOING.

AND LISTEN TO CASE 63 ON SPOTIFY.

Oscar Issac and Julianne Moore are just 🤌🤌🤌

I'm at a loss for words but here is the vibe:

[surroundedbytheworld]

We are constantly being told that we can be happy and fulfilled if only we pursue the right dream, make the correcty amount of money, look a certain way, buy a particular product, or worship a particular diety. The demand upon our lives is the demand that we should pursue our happiness and fulfillment at all costs. It is then as imporant as ever that we create clearings where we are invited to give up this vision, spaces where the deception of this demand is exposed and where we can learn simply to be. Where instead of certainty and satisfaction, we can embrace unknowing and celebrate life without the felt need to be complete.

Peter Rollins, The Idolatry of God (2012)

[nowhere-herenow]

“If we fail to recognize that the term “God” always falls short of that towards which the word is supposed to point, we will end up bowing down before our own conceptual creations forged from the raw materials of our self-image, rather than bowing before the one who stands over and above that creation. Hence Meister Eckhart famously prays, “God, rid me of God”, a prayer that acknowledges how the God we are in relationship with is bigger, better and different than our understanding of that God”.

- Peter Rollins

[doseofdavis]

When a system of thought, however great, is given authority over all, it becomes oppressive and undermines its own liberative elements. The point then is not to find the "right" way of things and then give it a place of power and influence, but rather to question the place of power and influence itself. Is this not what we learn from the following biblical insight? "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

Peter Rollins, The Fidelity of Betrayal

[alosereffort]

We must exorcise the inner voice that demands we be happy, the demand of tyranny.

[surroundedbytheworld]

[T]he abstract recognition of our prison does not cause the bolted doors to open.

Peter Rollins, The Idolatry of God (2012)

[surroundedbytheworld]

But the moment we experience the ground beneath our feet dissolving and feel the loss of all certainties is the moment we touch upon the experience of the Cross. Sadly, it is this very experience that the church today seems dedicated to protecting us from.

Peter Rollins, The Idolatry of God (2012)

[nowhere-herenow]

Where does your faith lie?

Does your faith lie in the belief that the universe was created in six twenty-four-hour days?

Does your faith lie in there being an ark on Mount Ararat?

Does your faith lie in the notion that the next politician you vote for will not support the next war?

Does your faith lie in the hope that heaven is full of people like you?

Does your faith lie in the free market?

Does your faith lie in scientific rationalism?

Does your faith lie in your own ability to discern the mind of God?

Does your faith lie in your tradition being closer to the truth than another?

Does your faith lie in the virgin birth?

Does your faith lie in a balanced diet and exercising?

Does your faith lie in maintenance of the status quo?

Does your faith lie in your beloved eventually coming to their senses and taking you back?

Does your faith lie in a hell beyond this life for those who didn’t accept Jesus Christ?

Does your faith lie in your job?

Does your faith lie in financial savings?

Does your faith lie in liberalism?

Does your faith lie in your own good intentions?

Where does your faith…

Where does your faith…

Lie?

 -Jon Hatch (Edited by Peter Rollins, The Idolatry of God)