Comments on: Circumvent Relational Morph into Cheap Syncretism http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/05/31/circumvent-relational-morph-into-cheap-syncretism/ A virtual notebook of Christian expression, journey, and study. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:24:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7-beta3 hourly 1 By: Shawn Anthony http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/05/31/circumvent-relational-morph-into-cheap-syncretism/#comment-4502 Shawn Anthony Thu, 31 May 2007 13:55:43 +0000 http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/05/31/circumvent-a-relational-morph-into-cheap-syncretism/#comment-4502 Hey, ck. One word: "context." Context is especially important in terms of differentiation between individual and organizational dynamics. Sooner or later, all of those different individuals are going to have to center upon something to achieve authentic collective cohesion (a must for a healthy, forward-moving organization or institution). This will require a move by all collected, or it will not be honest. In my specific context, this move is a specific one, and yes, it requires a change in beliefs, attitudes, and ways of living. So, I can still chat nominally with those who diverge, but it won't be under one roof. I will neither build that roof, nor will I park under it because it is propped up by the flimsiest of corners (cheap pluralism, spiritual syncretism, and North American Religious Liberalism [and North American Religious Conservatism, in a roundabout sort of way]). That said, I suppose I can summarize what I'm envisioning with one word too: "Agreement." Put the two words together and you get: "Context(ual) Agreement." Hey, ck. One word: “context.”

Context is especially important in terms of differentiation between individual and organizational dynamics. Sooner or later, all of those different individuals are going to have to center upon something to achieve authentic collective cohesion (a must for a healthy, forward-moving organization or institution). This will require a move by all collected, or it will not be honest. In my specific context, this move is a specific one, and yes, it requires a change in beliefs, attitudes, and ways of living. So, I can still chat nominally with those who diverge, but it won’t be under one roof. I will neither build that roof, nor will I park under it because it is propped up by the flimsiest of corners (cheap pluralism, spiritual syncretism, and North American Religious Liberalism [and North American Religious Conservatism, in a roundabout sort of way]).

That said, I suppose I can summarize what I’m envisioning with one word too: “Agreement.”

Put the two words together and you get: “Context(ual) Agreement.”

]]> By: ck http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/05/31/circumvent-relational-morph-into-cheap-syncretism/#comment-4501 ck Thu, 31 May 2007 13:33:40 +0000 http://www.lofitribe.com/2007/05/31/circumvent-a-relational-morph-into-cheap-syncretism/#comment-4501 Hey Shawn, what are you envisioning when you say "move all involved"? I ask because Sharon Welch, whose course I'm taking, and whose books I've been reading, has a concept of "deep connection" in relationships that are forged between very different people. She didn't expand on it too much, and it left me wondering: does deep connection require that beliefs change? or attitudes? or ways of living? I wonder how you could gauge whether the relationship is stale and superficial versus "deep" (or in your words, maybe, "incarnational"). Any thoughts? Hey Shawn, what are you envisioning when you say “move all involved”? I ask because Sharon Welch, whose course I’m taking, and whose books I’ve been reading, has a concept of “deep connection” in relationships that are forged between very different people. She didn’t expand on it too much, and it left me wondering: does deep connection require that beliefs change? or attitudes? or ways of living? I wonder how you could gauge whether the relationship is stale and superficial versus “deep” (or in your words, maybe, “incarnational”).

Any thoughts?

]]>