Colossians RemixedColossians RemixedSubverting the Empire: Subverting the Empire: Session 3Session 3

Opening Prayer:Opening Prayer:

““Ours is a seduced world”Ours is a seduced world”

By Walter Brueggemann, By Walter Brueggemann, Awed Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, to Heaven, Rooted in Earth, p.p. 129129

The Word of TruthThe Word of Truth Focus on Colossians 2:8-23Focus on Colossians 2:8-23 What truth claims does Paul make What truth claims does Paul make

in this letter?in this letter?Gospel as the “word of truth” (Col. 1:5)Gospel as the “word of truth” (Col. 1:5)Prays that the Colossians “may be Prays that the Colossians “may be

filled with the knowledge of God’s will filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom, and in all spiritual wisdom, and understanding” (Col. 1:9)understanding” (Col. 1:9)

Prays that the Colossians will “grow in Prays that the Colossians will “grow in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10)the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10)

Serves the Colossians “to make the Serves the Colossians “to make the word of God fully known” (Col. 1:25)word of God fully known” (Col. 1:25)

Teaches “everyone in all wisdom” (Col. Teaches “everyone in all wisdom” (Col. 1:28)1:28)

The Word of Truth The Word of Truth More truth claims made by PaulMore truth claims made by Paul

Desires the Colossians “have all the Desires the Colossians “have all the riches of assured understanding and have riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery, the knowledge of God’s mystery, …,Christ” (Col. 2:2-3)…,Christ” (Col. 2:2-3)

Concerned that the Colossians be “taken Concerned that the Colossians be “taken captive through philosophy and empty captive through philosophy and empty deceit” (Col. 2:8)deceit” (Col. 2:8)

Admonishes the Colossians to stay Admonishes the Colossians to stay focused on the crucified, resurrected, focused on the crucified, resurrected, ascended, “coming-again” Christ (Col. ascended, “coming-again” Christ (Col. 3:1-4)3:1-4)

Speaks of the Colossians’ “new self” as Speaks of the Colossians’ “new self” as “being renewed in knowledge according “being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator” (Col. 3:9-10)to the image of its creator” (Col. 3:9-10)

Colossians & WorldviewsColossians & Worldviews Aspects of worldviewsAspects of worldviews

Specific way to think about life that Specific way to think about life that is identified as realityis identified as reality

Tend to forget they are a viewpointTend to forget they are a viewpoint Walter Wilson’s definitionWalter Wilson’s definition

““A person’s comprehensive and pre-A person’s comprehensive and pre-reflective understanding of reality, reflective understanding of reality, an integrating framework of an integrating framework of fundamental considerations which fundamental considerations which gives context, direction, and gives context, direction, and meaning to life in light of one’s meaning to life in light of one’s ultimate commitments.” (as quoted ultimate commitments.” (as quoted on p. 100)on p. 100)

Colossians & Worldviews in Colossians & Worldviews in Postmodern EraPostmodern Era Colossians is a worldviewColossians is a worldview Post-modernism seeks to Post-modernism seeks to

deconstruct worldviewsdeconstruct worldviews Texts presenting a worldview Texts presenting a worldview

are read with a “hermeneutic are read with a “hermeneutic of suspicion”of suspicion”

““Question authority”Question authority” Post-moderns see truth in Post-moderns see truth in

terms of regimesterms of regimes

Regimes of TruthRegimes of Truth““Truth is a thing of this world: it is Truth is a thing of this world: it is

produced only by virtue of multiple produced only by virtue of multiple forms of constraint. And it induces forms of constraint. And it induces regular effects of power. Each society regular effects of power. Each society has its regime of truth, its ‘general has its regime of truth, its ‘general politics’ of truth: that is, the types of politics’ of truth: that is, the types of discourse which it accepts and makes discourse which it accepts and makes function as true; the mechanism and function as true; the mechanism and instances which enable one to instances which enable one to distinguish true and false statements; distinguish true and false statements; the means by which each is sanctioned; the means by which each is sanctioned; the techniques and procedures accorded the techniques and procedures accorded value in the acquisition of truth; the value in the acquisition of truth; the status of those who are charged with status of those who are charged with saying what counts as true.” (Michel saying what counts as true.” (Michel Foucault as quoted on p. 102)Foucault as quoted on p. 102)

Is Colossians 2:8-23 a Is Colossians 2:8-23 a Regime of Truth?Regime of Truth? Like regimes of truthLike regimes of truth

Paul uses his letter to exert constraint on Paul uses his letter to exert constraint on the Colossians confronting a different the Colossians confronting a different philosophyphilosophy

Paul invokes the authority of Christ in a Paul invokes the authority of Christ in a manner similar to Foucault’s manner similar to Foucault’s “mechanisms”“mechanisms”

Paul speaks with apostolic authority, a Paul speaks with apostolic authority, a specific type of discourse accepted as specific type of discourse accepted as valid valid

Reading this text with a “hermeneutic Reading this text with a “hermeneutic of suspicion”of suspicion” Raises the lost voice of Paul’s opponentsRaises the lost voice of Paul’s opponents Questions the validity of Paul’s claimsQuestions the validity of Paul’s claims Ultimately does to Paul’s voice what it Ultimately does to Paul’s voice what it

claims Paul does to his opponentsclaims Paul does to his opponents

““What’s Sauce for the What’s Sauce for the Goose…”Goose…” What if we subject the opposing What if we subject the opposing

philosophy to the same type of scrutiny?philosophy to the same type of scrutiny? Have to use the Colossians text since we Have to use the Colossians text since we

don’t have a letter from this opposing don’t have a letter from this opposing philosophyphilosophy

Are Paul’s opponents a regime of truth?Are Paul’s opponents a regime of truth? Exert a type of captivity based on deceit and Exert a type of captivity based on deceit and

oppression oppression Hide a merely human tradition behind this Hide a merely human tradition behind this

façade of deceitfaçade of deceit Exerts its power of constraint with a Exerts its power of constraint with a

multiplicity of rulesmultiplicity of rules Uses its power for exclusionUses its power for exclusion Employs the “mechanisms” of asceticism, Employs the “mechanisms” of asceticism,

fasting, & visionsfasting, & visions

Regimes of Truth & the Regimes of Truth & the Kingdom of GodKingdom of God Looks like Paul is unmasking a “regime Looks like Paul is unmasking a “regime

of truth”of truth” Is this just a battle between 2 Is this just a battle between 2

“regimes of truth”?“regimes of truth”? ““Is the biblical metanarrative, together Is the biblical metanarrative, together

with its large-scale truth claims about with its large-scale truth claims about the whole cosmos, inherently the whole cosmos, inherently totalizing, violent and oppressive, or totalizing, violent and oppressive, or are there counterideological, are there counterideological, antitotalizing dimensions of this grand antitotalizing dimensions of this grand story that militate against, story that militate against, delegitimate and subvert any delegitimate and subvert any ideological, violent, totalizing uses of ideological, violent, totalizing uses of this narrative?” (p. 106)this narrative?” (p. 106)

The Kingdom of the Beloved The Kingdom of the Beloved SonSon ““Antitotalizing” dimensions of Antitotalizing” dimensions of

the biblical metanarrativethe biblical metanarrative““A radical sensitivity to A radical sensitivity to

suffering” (p. 107)suffering” (p. 107)Begins with the covenant Begins with the covenant

established with Noah in Genesis 6- established with Noah in Genesis 6- 99

God identifies with suffering of the God identifies with suffering of the slaves in Egypt (Ex. 3:7-8)slaves in Egypt (Ex. 3:7-8)

Continues in the liturgy of the Continues in the liturgy of the psalms of lament (Ps. 44)psalms of lament (Ps. 44)

Reaches its apex on the cross of Reaches its apex on the cross of ChristChrist

On SufferingOn Suffering““By deciding to endure a wicked world, By deciding to endure a wicked world,

while continuing to open up the heart to while continuing to open up the heart to that world…God has decided to take that world…God has decided to take personal suffering upon God’s own personal suffering upon God’s own self.” (Terence Fretheim as quoted on p. self.” (Terence Fretheim as quoted on p. 107)107)

““Biblical texts in this trajectory critique Biblical texts in this trajectory critique the unjust status quo that legitimates the unjust status quo that legitimates itself on the basis of a false presence itself on the basis of a false presence (notably that of the temple and (notably that of the temple and monarchy) in the name of a God of monarchy) in the name of a God of justice and liberation….A story that has justice and liberation….A story that has God intimately involved with suffering God intimately involved with suffering and that sees violence to be the root of and that sees violence to be the root of the human predicament should the human predicament should engender a worldview that eschews all engender a worldview that eschews all violence, including violence to those violence, including violence to those who radically disagree with us.” (p. 108)who radically disagree with us.” (p. 108)

The Kingdom of the Beloved The Kingdom of the Beloved SonSon Israel as a “light to the nations”(Is. 49:6), Israel as a “light to the nations”(Is. 49:6),

“a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Ex. “a priestly kingdom and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6)19:6)

Purpose to bring about the restoration of all peoplesPurpose to bring about the restoration of all peoples To restore all of creation, a party to the covenant with To restore all of creation, a party to the covenant with

NoahNoah The emphasis on total restoration actually undercuts The emphasis on total restoration actually undercuts

reading the biblical narrative as a violent regime of reading the biblical narrative as a violent regime of truthtruth

““First, …a story rooted in and radically First, …a story rooted in and radically attentive to suffering is a story of attentive to suffering is a story of liberation from violently imposed regimes liberation from violently imposed regimes of truth, not a story that legitimates newly of truth, not a story that legitimates newly imposed slavery. Second, a story with the imposed slavery. Second, a story with the redemption of all of creation as its focus redemption of all of creation as its focus subverts any partisan, self-justifying co-subverts any partisan, self-justifying co-option of its message.” (p. 109) option of its message.” (p. 109)

Colossians & the Biblical Colossians & the Biblical MetanarrativeMetanarrative Language of Colossians 1:12-14Language of Colossians 1:12-14

Recalls the story of the exodusRecalls the story of the exodusSlaves are released from captivitySlaves are released from captivitySlaves are given an inheritanceSlaves are given an inheritanceGod responds to Israel with forgiving God responds to Israel with forgiving

love, even when they turn against him love, even when they turn against him (Ex. 32:7-34:10)(Ex. 32:7-34:10)

Jesus re-enacts the story of the Jesus re-enacts the story of the exodusexodusWe move from slavery to freedomWe move from slavery to freedomWe are rescued “from the power of We are rescued “from the power of

darkness and transferred …into the darkness and transferred …into the kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13)kingdom of his beloved Son” (Col. 1:13)

Colossians & Regimes of Colossians & Regimes of TruthTruth ““In profound contrast to regimes of truth In profound contrast to regimes of truth

with their multiple forms of constraint, with their multiple forms of constraint, the kingdom of the beloved Son is a the kingdom of the beloved Son is a kingdom won not through violence kingdom won not through violence imposed on others but through violence imposed on others but through violence imposed upon the Son.” (p 110)imposed upon the Son.” (p 110)

Cross of Christ takes central placeCross of Christ takes central place ““The cross was ‘the victory of weakness The cross was ‘the victory of weakness

over strength, the victory of love over over strength, the victory of love over hatred. It was the victory that consisted hatred. It was the victory that consisted in Jesus’ allowing evil to do its worst to in Jesus’ allowing evil to do its worst to him, and never attempting to fight it on him, and never attempting to fight it on its own terms. When the power of evil its own terms. When the power of evil had made its last possible move, Jesus had made its last possible move, Jesus had still not been beaten by it. He bore had still not been beaten by it. He bore the weight of the world’s evil to the end, the weight of the world’s evil to the end, and outlasted it.” (N. T. Wright as quoted and outlasted it.” (N. T. Wright as quoted on p. 111)on p. 111)

Centrality of the CrossCentrality of the Cross Paul uses inflammatory Paul uses inflammatory

language (Col. 2:13-15)language (Col. 2:13-15)Our trespasses are nailed to the Our trespasses are nailed to the

cross as the charge against Jesuscross as the charge against Jesus Jesus turns the tables on the Jesus turns the tables on the

authorities leading them captive authorities leading them captive in a victory paradein a victory parade

The Scandal of the CrossThe Scandal of the Cross

““Instead of aping the Instead of aping the enemy’s act of violence and enemy’s act of violence and rejection, Christ, the victim rejection, Christ, the victim who refuses to be defined by who refuses to be defined by the perpetrator, forgives and the perpetrator, forgives and makes space in himself for the makes space in himself for the enemy.” (Miroslav Volf as enemy.” (Miroslav Volf as quoted on p. 112)quoted on p. 112)

Colossians & CreationColossians & Creation Paul’s greeting points to a shalom that Paul’s greeting points to a shalom that

extends throughout creationextends throughout creation Gospel “has been proclaimed to every Gospel “has been proclaimed to every

creaturecreature under heaven” (Col. 1:23) under heaven” (Col. 1:23) Sweeping nature of this gospel Sweeping nature of this gospel

undermines the opposing philosophy undermines the opposing philosophy that denies the embodiment of creation that denies the embodiment of creation through ascetic ritualsthrough ascetic rituals

““All things All things have been created through have been created through Christ and for Christ. He is beforeChrist and for Christ. He is before all all things,things, and in him and in him all things all things hold hold together. Therefore through him God is together. Therefore through him God is pleased to reconcile pleased to reconcile all things.all things.” (p. 112 ” (p. 112 version of Col. 1:16-20)version of Col. 1:16-20)

Col. 1:20 pairs the concepts of Col. 1:20 pairs the concepts of “creational scope” with “embrace of “creational scope” with “embrace of pain” pain”

Vision of ColossiansVision of Colossians““Here is a vision of radical, Here is a vision of radical,

creationwide inclusiveness of the creationwide inclusiveness of the kingdom, in contrast to the kingdom, in contrast to the dismissive exclusiveness of the dismissive exclusiveness of the regime. All things are to be regime. All things are to be reconciled—even the thrones, reconciled—even the thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities dominions, rulers and authorities that put Christ on the cross and that put Christ on the cross and continue to wreak havoc in continue to wreak havoc in countless human lives. But that countless human lives. But that redemptive inclusion comes via the redemptive inclusion comes via the path of the cross, the embrace of path of the cross, the embrace of pain” (p. 113)pain” (p. 113)

Truth Emerges from PraxisTruth Emerges from Praxis Paul doesn’t debate theology Paul doesn’t debate theology

with the philosophical with the philosophical opponentsopponents

Paul points to the problems Paul points to the problems with faulty praxiswith faulty praxis

The fruit that the Colossian The fruit that the Colossian Christians bear points to the Christians bear points to the truthtruth

Revisiting ModerismRevisiting Moderism Upholds objective, rationalism as Upholds objective, rationalism as

model for distinguishing truthmodel for distinguishing truth Definition objectivismDefinition objectivism

““an approach to knowledge that an approach to knowledge that attempts to eschew all perspective attempts to eschew all perspective rooted in particular times, places and rooted in particular times, places and traditions, in order to aspire to the traditions, in order to aspire to the ‘view from nowhere’.” (p. 121)‘view from nowhere’.” (p. 121)

How does the concept that “truth How does the concept that “truth will set us free” square with the will set us free” square with the violence and oppression that violence and oppression that reached its apex in the 20reached its apex in the 20thth century century at the height of modernism?at the height of modernism? “’“’Objectivity’ does not set us free from Objectivity’ does not set us free from

oppressive regimes.” (p. 120)oppressive regimes.” (p. 120)

Modernism RevisitedModernism Revisited““The agenda of modernity has The agenda of modernity has

overreached itself. Its optimism about overreached itself. Its optimism about human capacities is misplaced and its human capacities is misplaced and its assumption that there is a neutral assumption that there is a neutral standpoint wrong. There can be no standpoint wrong. There can be no indubitable foundation of knowledge, no indubitable foundation of knowledge, no uninterpreted experience, no completely uninterpreted experience, no completely transparent reading of the world. A transparent reading of the world. A cosmic or a divine language to express cosmic or a divine language to express ‘what was the case’ is not available to us; ‘what was the case’ is not available to us; all our languages are human languages, all our languages are human languages, plural dialects growing on the soil of plural dialects growing on the soil of diverse cultural traditions and social diverse cultural traditions and social conditions.” (Miroslav Volf as quoted on conditions.” (Miroslav Volf as quoted on p. 122)p. 122)

Modernism RevisitedModernism Revisited Overreaching Overreaching pride pride idolatry idolatry Remember modernity was viewed as Remember modernity was viewed as

being in opposition to the Christian being in opposition to the Christian faith when it emergedfaith when it emerged

““This is not a world of objects that sit This is not a world of objects that sit mutely waiting for the human subject mutely waiting for the human subject to master them. Rather, this (is) a to master them. Rather, this (is) a world of created fellow subjects, all world of created fellow subjects, all called into being by the same Creator, called into being by the same Creator, all born of the Creator’s love, all all born of the Creator’s love, all included in the Creator’s covenant of included in the Creator’s covenant of creational restoration, and all creational restoration, and all responsive agents in the kingdom of responsive agents in the kingdom of the beloved Son.” (p. 123)the beloved Son.” (p. 123)

Toward Biblical KnowledgeToward Biblical Knowledge ““Knowing” in biblical terms Knowing” in biblical terms

connotes intimacy and connotes intimacy and relationshiprelationshipYadaYada, the Hebrew word for , the Hebrew word for

knowing, is used for sexual knowing, is used for sexual intercourseintercourse

““Christians know the world Christians know the world from a committed place, a from a committed place, a place of faith.”place of faith.”

Modernism replaces God as the Modernism replaces God as the judge of truth with “reason”judge of truth with “reason”

Criteria for a Truthful Criteria for a Truthful Worldview (p. 127)Worldview (p. 127) ““Comprehensive in scope”Comprehensive in scope”

Should address all of lifeShould address all of life ““Coherent”Coherent”

Specifically in the way of life it Specifically in the way of life it endorsesendorses

““Sensitize its adherents to Sensitize its adherents to justice”justice”Do we hear the cries of the Do we hear the cries of the

oppressed?oppressed? Makes humble claims and is “open Makes humble claims and is “open

to correction”to correction” ““Generates a praxis … of life”Generates a praxis … of life”

Why Praxis MattersWhy Praxis Matters ““What our world is waiting for, and What our world is waiting for, and

what the church seems reluctant to what the church seems reluctant to offer, is not more incessant talk offer, is not more incessant talk about objective truth, but an about objective truth, but an embodied witness that clearly embodied witness that clearly demonstrates why anyone should demonstrates why anyone should care about any of this in the first care about any of this in the first place.” (Phillip Kenneson as quoted place.” (Phillip Kenneson as quoted on p. 128)on p. 128)

Compare with Col. 2:1-4Compare with Col. 2:1-4 Paul wants to “encourage the hearts” of Paul wants to “encourage the hearts” of

the Colossiansthe Colossians Paul wants the community at Colossae to Paul wants the community at Colossae to

be “united in love”be “united in love” Christian truth is embodied truthChristian truth is embodied truth

When Christian Praxis FailsWhen Christian Praxis Fails““When the church fails to be a When the church fails to be a

listening community, attentive to the listening community, attentive to the cries of the poor, then the gospel is cries of the poor, then the gospel is implausible and alternative social implausible and alternative social philosophies take on an air of philosophies take on an air of plausibility. When the church plausibility. When the church becomes a site of bitter enmity while becomes a site of bitter enmity while the world is spinning ever more the world is spinning ever more quickly into war and violence, then the quickly into war and violence, then the gospel is not only implausible, it is an gospel is not only implausible, it is an embarrassment. In the face of such embarrassment. In the face of such failures to be a community that failures to be a community that embodies the truth that came to save embodies the truth that came to save the world, it is no wonder that the world, it is no wonder that alternative visions become more alternative visions become more plausible to us.” (p. 130)plausible to us.” (p. 130)

Notes on Targums of Walsh Notes on Targums of Walsh & Keesmaat& Keesmaat Organize biblical story in 6 actsOrganize biblical story in 6 acts

Act I - CreationAct I - CreationAct II - Break in relationship with Act II - Break in relationship with

CreatorCreatorAct III - Israel’s storyAct III - Israel’s storyAct IV - Jesus’ storyAct IV - Jesus’ storyAct V - Church’s storyAct V - Church’s storyAct VI – EschatonAct VI – Eschaton

We are in Act V acting with no We are in Act V acting with no scriptscriptWe need to improvise based on the We need to improvise based on the

script for Acts I – IV and part of Act Vscript for Acts I – IV and part of Act V

Targums & Biblical Targums & Biblical InterpretationInterpretation Improvisational nature of life requires Improvisational nature of life requires

a paradoxical reading of scripturea paradoxical reading of scripture Innovation paired with consistencyInnovation paired with consistency Fidelity to the narrative paired with Fidelity to the narrative paired with

imaginative readingimaginative reading Stability paired with flexibilityStability paired with flexibility

Justified by “inner-biblical exegesis” Justified by “inner-biblical exegesis” within the scriptureswithin the scriptures

Living a faithful life implies being in Living a faithful life implies being in touch with the scriptures and with the touch with the scriptures and with the worldworld

Suggest reading Bible using “dynamic Suggest reading Bible using “dynamic analogy”analogy”

Targum on Colossians 2:8—Targum on Colossians 2:8—3:43:4 Read targum by Walsh & Read targum by Walsh &

KeesmaatKeesmaat

BibliographyBibliography Background Clipart. Microsoft Office Online. Background Clipart. Microsoft Office Online.

http://http://office.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lcoffice.microsoft.com/clipart/default.aspx?lc=en-us=en-us (16 Jan. 2005) (16 Jan. 2005)

Brueggemann, Walter(2003). Brueggemann, Walter(2003). Awed to Heaven, Awed to Heaven, Rooted in EarthRooted in Earth. Minneapolis: Augsburg . Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress.Fortress.

Curran, Leo. Photo of “Arch of Titus: Curran, Leo. Photo of “Arch of Titus: Triumphal Booty”. Triumphal Booty”. MaecenasMaecenas: Images of Ancient Greece and Rome: Images of Ancient Greece and Rome. . http://http://www.tlg.uci.edu/~tlg/index/resources.htmlwww.tlg.uci.edu/~tlg/index/resources.html (27 (27 Feb. 2005).Feb. 2005).

Walsh, Brian J. & Keesmaat, Sylvia C. (2004). Walsh, Brian J. & Keesmaat, Sylvia C. (2004). Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Colossians Remixed: Subverting the Empire. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity PressDowners Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press