For me the dominant narratives that are cracking at the foundations are patriarchy, capitalism and racism. Sadly three major systems that our modern churches have been built on. Either consciously or unconsciously.
They created the men-first, white-first, expansion at all costs narrative that so many are now questioning. These systems are why we are killing the planet, killing each other and killing anything that feels like the antidote.
And it’s why female, queer, non-white, poor and underrepresented voices are rising and are necessary. This is where, for me, hope lies. With those who have been repeatedly silenced and brutalised with the foot of the empire on their throats.
Any new movement that creates voice for healing for the planet, or the down trodden, for womxn, for those in poverty feels like glimmer that for-tells some of what could be possible once the old systems are finally brought to their knees. (Gets off soap box) 😬
I so appreciate your ability to name the things we’re all trying to grapple with. Yes. And of course beneath them all is a dominant narrative about God that needs an update. That one, I think, feeds into all the others. Can’t wait to continue the conversation with you.
Exactly. Because I think we made God in our image without realising it. White, male, ready to conquer the world. It’s not surprising that the big surges in Christianity have come from Empires - Rome, mine then yours.
And the thing I find most redemptive is that it will release our men from another dominant narrative that is also killing them in droves. If World Mental Health Day stats showed us anything, it’s that men need a kinder, better narrative to release them. I suppose the waterfall of changing out narrative about God will also help us all change out narratives about ourselves.
I could not agree more. The current narratives are choking the life out of all of us. Have you read Richard Reeves’s Of Boys and Men? His research confirms so much of what we have intuitively known for some time: men and boys are struggling, both under the old narratives, but also now in the uncertainty of this liminal unknown. The old roles have crumbled, and they are adrift in the wreckage. It’s hurting us all in ways we’re only beginning to feel.
I have! Phyllis Tickle's views have been helpful to me for sure. Also, the book The Fourth Turning by Neil Howe and William Strauss. They've written more insightfully than anyone about GenX, so I was eager to know their thoughts on ages/eras. Also helpful. I'm finding there are many ways to parse the rhythms of human history, and each of them brings unique insights of its own. I've come upon the meta-story approach via my story/narrative coaching work with clients and teams. I'm hoping my ideas add a helpful new lens through which to understand our current times.
For me the dominant narratives that are cracking at the foundations are patriarchy, capitalism and racism. Sadly three major systems that our modern churches have been built on. Either consciously or unconsciously.
They created the men-first, white-first, expansion at all costs narrative that so many are now questioning. These systems are why we are killing the planet, killing each other and killing anything that feels like the antidote.
And it’s why female, queer, non-white, poor and underrepresented voices are rising and are necessary. This is where, for me, hope lies. With those who have been repeatedly silenced and brutalised with the foot of the empire on their throats.
Any new movement that creates voice for healing for the planet, or the down trodden, for womxn, for those in poverty feels like glimmer that for-tells some of what could be possible once the old systems are finally brought to their knees. (Gets off soap box) 😬
I so appreciate your ability to name the things we’re all trying to grapple with. Yes. And of course beneath them all is a dominant narrative about God that needs an update. That one, I think, feeds into all the others. Can’t wait to continue the conversation with you.
Exactly. Because I think we made God in our image without realising it. White, male, ready to conquer the world. It’s not surprising that the big surges in Christianity have come from Empires - Rome, mine then yours.
And the thing I find most redemptive is that it will release our men from another dominant narrative that is also killing them in droves. If World Mental Health Day stats showed us anything, it’s that men need a kinder, better narrative to release them. I suppose the waterfall of changing out narrative about God will also help us all change out narratives about ourselves.
I could not agree more. The current narratives are choking the life out of all of us. Have you read Richard Reeves’s Of Boys and Men? His research confirms so much of what we have intuitively known for some time: men and boys are struggling, both under the old narratives, but also now in the uncertainty of this liminal unknown. The old roles have crumbled, and they are adrift in the wreckage. It’s hurting us all in ways we’re only beginning to feel.
Love this insightful and thoughtful analysis. Have you read Phyllis Tickle? A quick summation here: https://vancouversun.com/news/staff-blogs/christianity-undergoes-revolution-every-500-years-including-now
This thesis has been hopeful solace in these times of such bewilderment, disillusionment, and bitter divisiveness.
I have! Phyllis Tickle's views have been helpful to me for sure. Also, the book The Fourth Turning by Neil Howe and William Strauss. They've written more insightfully than anyone about GenX, so I was eager to know their thoughts on ages/eras. Also helpful. I'm finding there are many ways to parse the rhythms of human history, and each of them brings unique insights of its own. I've come upon the meta-story approach via my story/narrative coaching work with clients and teams. I'm hoping my ideas add a helpful new lens through which to understand our current times.