The Powerlessness of God

[David Hahn]

Tamie emailed this to me this morning and I wanted to pass it along to all of you. What do you think?

Hey friends~

you know how we were talking about forgiveness two weeks ago at the abbey, and about powerlessness last week? i came across this quote by richard rohr that i thought put the two together rather beautifully:

The mystery of forgiveness is God's ultimate entry into powerlessness. Look at the times when you have withheld forgiveness. It's always your final attempt to hold a claim over the one you won't forgive. It's the way we finally hold onto power, to seek the moral high ground over another person.

Oh, we do it subtly to maintain our sense of superiority. Non-forgiveness is a form of power over another person, a way to manipulate, shame, control and diminish another. God in Jesus refuses all such power.

[Tamie]

Thanks for posting this, Dave. I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts.

[Lars Hammar]

I think it says it very well. I think of Matthew 5:23-24 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

Refusing to forgive is not just an attempt at keeping power over ourselves, but over God.

[JoAnn Gronskei]

In my life when I hold onto resentments, and not forgiving others, I find that I can only do that for a while before it starts to color my life. It is something I used to not really consider, feeling I had the "right" to be angry and the other person was wrong, but when the Lord's prayer says forgive our sins as we forgive others .. it is impossible for me to not work on forgiving the other person, as hard as that can be at times. I never thought of it as a form of power over someone else. I do know that it makes my soul sick to not forgive someone else. I have been blessed so much in this life I have, despite all the mistakes and wrong turns I have taken. There are hurts that have taken much time and effort to heal, but the practice that works ALWAYS for me is this ... pray fervently for that person, that they receive all the blessings that Christ offers. For me ... doing that daily, I find that through time, the forgiveness comes to me and I am at peace again. There have certainly been times in the last few years where that is the last thing I want to do, but am grateful that Christ opens my heart to do just that.

[Steve Talmage]

is it possible that the self-emptying in Philippians 2 is actually just what Dave is talking about? Jesus comes into this world and willing empties himself of the need to keep score, hold back, and seek control over others. I agree that forgiveness is an act of surrending power over another.
Steve T

[Existentialist]

I agree. And, I know for myself, not forgiving is a sign I don't feel safe. I hold that grudge or power or edge so I don't have to look at my own fear. The fear is typically about being hurt (again).