Something to chew on today. From Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk, the executive director of The Center for Prophetic Imagination.
Tag: Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk
Why Would I Persist to Anchor Myself in Christianity?
By Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk
I don’t think it is accurate to call myself a Christian at this point.
My operative theology and spirituality hasn’t changed suddenly or anything.
My relationship with Jesus is fundamentally unchanged.
But several things have made it clear that my relationship with Christianity has changed in such a way that I cannot see myself “in” it. Both in an abstract “universal church” level as well as in particular expressions and institutions that consider themselves Christian.
1) Such a vast majority of Christian communities excludes me at a core level. There isn’t a single denomination that has a thorough and unreserved inclusion of trans women in a consistent way. And though I can name specific congregations, organizations, and particular folks who embrace Christianity and celebrate my transness, I would have no problem being fully embraced in any of those communities as a non-Christian.
Continue reading “Why Would I Persist to Anchor Myself in Christianity?”The Holy Fool
A new zoom offering from Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk who writes:
It is a 4-week elective for folks in our spiritual direction training program, but I’m opening it up to folks who aren’t a part of the program. Registration is sliding scale, but the sliding scale is a guideline. Folks who can’t afford it should feel free to apply and folks who can more-than-afford it should feel free to be generous. Register here.
A Radical Understanding of Grace
From Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk, executive director of The Center for Prophetic Imagination
I find myself increasingly drawn to a particular understanding of “grace.”
Perhaps the most dominant theological definition of grace is “unmerited favor.” Often, this is understood in contrast to merited judgement or punishment. We are so messed up, mired in sin, and rebellious against God that we have earned wrath…either in the form of judgement in this life or in the life to come (hell). Yet, God chooses not to punish his children, because of God’s great love.
Most of us know that this logic applied to our own children is cruel. Imagine telling a child that they deserve to live on the streets without food or care, but because of our own great benevolence, we offer them food and lodging.
Continue reading “A Radical Understanding of Grace”True Self-Fulfillment
By Maki Ashe Van Steenwyk, director of the Center for Prophetic Imagination (please consider making an end-of-the-year donation to this compelling organization doing the work of radical discipleship)
You’re under no obligation, whatsoever, to maintain relationships with people who treat you dismissively or disrespectfully.
This idea that you need to embrace self-diminishment in a way that shows love or compassion or empathy towards others is toxic.
Christian folks in particular seems to misunderstand Jesus’ admonition to “take up your cross.” The idea that your deepest fulfilment is at odds with love and liberation of others is false.
Self-fulfillment in a capitalist way is a lie. But true self-fulfillment is bound up in collective liberation.
Radical Discipleship 