Saturday, November 18, 2006

The atonement is for suckers

More deep insight from Elizabeth Kaeton? You decide. If anything, the book is interesting.

I've been using this book, Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering and The Search for What Saves Us, by Rita Nakashima Brock and Rebecca Parker, in one of the courses I teach at The Theological School at Drew University.

I highly recommend it.

It is precisely what it says it is, discussing redemption and salvation through the lens of domestic violence and child abuse, and taking direct aim at the Doctrine of the Atonement and the idea of 'Suffering Servant' as part of the problem of violence against women and children.

Read the whole thing here.

Colossians 1:21-22
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him.

1 Corinthians 1:23
We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles.

7 comments:

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I'm thinking perhaps you might benefit from a page from Mia VaVoa (My Grandmother's)book of every day wisdom:

"You never make yourself look good when you try to make others look bad."

Fr Timothy Matkin said...

I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

I didn't realize "You decide" was a put-down. But thanks for letting me know that I look bad all the same.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I don't make you look bad. You are quite skilled at that, all by yourself. To wit:

"The atonement is for suckers
More deep insight from Elizabeth Kaeton? You decide. If anything, the book is interesting."

Not to worry. By the look of things, no one reads your blog anyway.

Fr Timothy Matkin said...

Just you?

Anonymous said...

Ms. Keaton, if you have ever met Fr. Matkin, you would know that he is one of the most patient and kindest men you will ever meet. By him pointing out the fact that you embrace radical feminism, is hardly making him look bad.

You said:
"Not to worry. By the look of things, no one reads your blog anyway."

Making snide comments of this nature seem to be of the "nanny, nanny, boo, boo!" variety.

Also, many of us who read his blog don't necessarily always comment.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

My dear brother,

First, while I am a feminist (I don't know how one can be a follower of Christ and NOT be a feminist), I am no where near "radical".

Indeed, most of the folk in the Diocese of Newark will tell you that I'm down right conservative.

I actually use the BCP in my church. And, and, and: Rite I during Advent and Lent.

I know. I'll give you a moment to recover from the shock of that.

A woman who was instrumental in the Suffrage Movement once said, "I only know that I am called a feminist when I refuse to be treated as a doormat."

I have found that to be true. I have also found that the more articulate I am about resisting being treated as if my ordination were insignificant (much less invalid), the more "radical" I become to them.

I'm sure your pastor is kind and gentle to his flock. That is as it should be.

I can assure you, he has been neither to me.

Which, is fine. I don't need his approval or his affection in order to live my life.

I have Jesus as my savior and guide and friend.

I have an amazing congregation who know me well and love me still.

I have an incredible family - 6 children, one son in law, one daughter in law and 4 grandchildren - who are the absolute joy of my heart.

I am richly, abundantly, undeservedly blessed.

One final note: in the future, if you are to be a true Anglican - 'common' or not - you'll need to know about church manners.

I know this is new to y'all in the Diocese of Ft. Worth, but just so you'll be ready for the inevitable, here's a little tip in ecclesiastical manners:

If his title is "Father" then mine is "Mother."

So, if by some rare chance we have the opportunity to meet again - or, should you be blessed to be in the presence of a woman who is ordained to the Sacred order of Priests, you should never address her as "Ms."

It is always, "Mother."

Bless you,

Mother Elizabeth Kaeton

Anonymous said...

Hmmm, I seem to remember reading something in the Gospel of Luke about a mote...and an eye....how did that go again?

;)

Keep up the good work, Father. It is always a joy to read your blog and even more so to hear your sermons. God has truly blessed St. Alban's by sending you here.