13 Comments
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Bobby Gilles's avatar

I love this! β€œit’s wild that a subversive text like this would turn into some invitation to cosplay empire.” So true. Thanks for bringing clarity to this passage!

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Kat Armas's avatar

You’re welcome! It’s wild how some things just become β€œnormal” and we’ve been trained to think a certain way without even realizing it

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Kat Armas's avatar

Oh, and thanks for being here, Bobby!

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Kim Batchelor's avatar

Another beautiful and enlightening article.

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Kat Armas's avatar

Thank you, Kim! Grateful you’re here

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Persida (Persi) Moran's avatar

I remember signing that song in VBS. Now it sickens me.

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Laura's avatar

Enjoyed this very much. I'm currently reading and very much enjoying your book Sacred Belonging. I look forward to your next book as well.

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Kat Armas's avatar

Laura, this means so much! Thanks for reading Sacred Belonging. I think you’ll enjoy Liturgies for Resisting Empire!

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Lil's avatar

Thank you for putting words to the internal conflict that came up when reading this passage of scripture … if we are a people of peace and reconciliation why are we preparing for β€œbattle”?!? Your words were so helpful to read these now as preparation for resistance to domination and unjust systems through communion, truth, justice, and peace … works of mutual flourishing πŸ™πŸ½

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Margo's avatar

I especially appreciate the swap in the translation of the Greek word as "righteousness" with another legitimate meaning as "justice." It pulls us from the navel-gazing focus on ourselves, when instead we should be working together, seeking justice for all, particularly those on the margins of society.

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Kat Armas's avatar

Yes!!! I think this detail in translation is HUGE!!!

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Lauren Grubaugh Thomas's avatar

I appreciated this point of translation SO much! Also, when you invoked "bases, bombs and borders," I read that as the unholy trinity of empire. It's incredibly helpful to be clear about the heresies we are confronting, so thanks for that alliterative aid.

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Kat Armas's avatar

unholy trinity of empire!!!! yes. and i agree 100% about being clear about the heresies we're confronting and the ideologies/theologies behind them! thanks, Lauren!!!

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