tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13415309.post115498718630712640..comments2023-08-19T06:38:23.659-07:00Comments on elnellis: desireUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13415309.post-1155338352987156542006-08-11T16:19:00.000-07:002006-08-11T16:19:00.000-07:00I agree - desire itself is not unholy. Like every ...I agree - desire itself is not unholy. Like every other area of our life, what sanctifies desire is what lies at its heart - whether it is narcissistic desire or whether it is a desire to connect in real relationship. I really like your thoughts on desire and gender. I remember hearing similar sentiments from De Roset in message prep for women. It's interesting - I think that the goal of feminism of empowering women is, at its heart, noble, but I think that in stead of truly empowering women it has made them slaves to desire. In encouraging women to seize what they desire, it has often gone to excesses and has become a power struggle in itself. I think thast men should desire for women to become empowered individuals and, in so doing, must sacrifice some of their gender-based power and priviledge. Similarly, I believe that the West must give up some of its economic and political power and must scale back its excessive rate of ocnsumption in order to empower the developing world. Christ sanctifies desire by crucifing those parts of our desire that are self-centered. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you. Who, if they find an invaluable treasure will not sacrifice all they have (even what is most dear to them) to gain it?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432097266338789860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13415309.post-1155313014544172412006-08-11T09:16:00.000-07:002006-08-11T09:16:00.000-07:00i like what you said about nostalgia- it reminds m...i like what you said about nostalgia- it reminds me of a quote by gabriel marcel that says- <BR/>"hope is a memory of the future."<BR/><BR/>and cs lewis' words about desire- i believe he said somewhere that no desire exists that does not find it's full completion in redemption. <BR/><BR/>in class i've been able to hear stories from different women who have put words to how male-dominant systems have systematically attempted to silence or shame the desires of women... (in leadership, sexuality, and in countless other ways...)<BR/><BR/>what will it take for the church to lean into and encourage desire connecting it to spiritual formation. so often we condemn desire on the basis that they are often lead to sin. i think of the buhdist idea that desire leads to suffering so one must eliminate desire... the incarnation of christ was based in the "for God so loved the world" (desire) that lead to suffering and death on behalf of the other. <BR/>ok now i'm rambling.<BR/>thoughts?elnellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06797708866823750436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13415309.post-1155159707254292112006-08-09T14:41:00.000-07:002006-08-09T14:41:00.000-07:00The word "nostalgia" particularly stuck out for me...The word "nostalgia" particularly stuck out for me because I am a nostalgic person. Nostalgia is, unfortuantely a yearning for a bygone era or experience that may, in fact, exist only as an idealistic (and unrealistic) yearning in my mind. I do, however, resonate with this description of spiritual desire. I think, Phil, that this desire is what drives me to insatiably devour, at turns, childrens' literature, ideas, intellectual conversation, knowledge, etc. C.S. Lewis aptly describes this desire, which eventually proved his saving grace, in his memoir "Surprised by Joy." This book does a great job of enfleshing the concept of spiritual desire.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432097266338789860noreply@blogger.com