Worms, Cracks and Wholeheartedness
Brené Brown is a shame and vulnerability research professor that I have been casually following for some years. Her Dare to Lead book is the recent offering of her research to the workplace. It seems slightly counter-cultural to bring these subjects to work and yet I think we are desperate for it. When it comes to a book primarily about shame, courage, and living ‘wholehearted’ with our work, there is no shortage of application for me. How could there not be?
Years ago I was impacted by her research on what it meant to be wholehearted. She explains in her book Daring Greatly that the difference between those living wholehearted, brave lives and those hiding in shame was one thing that over a decade of research eventually uncovered. The assumption was that it would be circumstantial – that wholehearted people would not have faced as many difficult, shaming ordeals or they would have more positive people around them telling them how good they are. This was not the case. Here it is:
Wholehearted people believed they were worthy of love.[1]
This has not been an easy thing for me. Early on I developed the paradigm that my value was based on what I was accomplishing for God. I did not carry a deep sense of being worthy of love even though I had been a ministry leader for over a decade. I believed the world was worth my love (John 3:16) and my tireless work. But I failed to see myself as part of the world He so loved. I came to believe that I am worthy of God’s love and that I am more than just a conduit for His love to get to others. Good News indeed.
How is this sometimes missed by ministerial leaders? I am finding in my research that it is complex.
Digby encouraged me in Hong Kong to look into historical views of atonement as part of my research. What is God’s view of us? Are we worms? Why did God act in history through Jesus? I have not landed on an atonement team yet. This is mostly because my study is in infancy and partly because I do not like to be wrong (I know, I know, Brené).
Personally, there is some intersection between believing I am worth being loved and deeply studying this from a biblical perspective. Is Brown’s thesis the stuff of the ‘God within’ heresy that Douthat purports[2]or is it ontologically true? Is it the Gospel in shame researcher language? Is this what the cross proves – that we are worthy of love? I recognize the subterranean thought of my wormish-ness. My depravity wants to stay ever before me. And yet.
Scot McKnight unpacks the word ‘Eikon’ in his book on the atonement. He sees it as one of six strands from which to weave a view of the atonement. It is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term tselelm and refers to ‘image’ derived from the ‘image of God’ in Genesis 1:26-27.[3]There is not space here to handle it well but it is a word that is potent and important. He summarizes:
…humans are created as Eikons, cracked in their present Eikonic struggle, shaped into Christ-like Eikons as they follow Jesus, and destined to be conformed to Christ in union with God and communion with others in eternity[4].
McKnight goes on further to discuss the issue of sin and its hyperrelational nature. Sin breaks and cracks relationships with God, with self and with others. But Christ. Because of Christ we can be broken and still worthy of love.
Reconciling that I am a sinner (cracked and insecure), dependent on Another to make me right before God, with the truth of God’s immeasurable love for me is not something I will resolve. I have made room to hold another tension – to surf another interdependent polarity. The longer I consider the upcoming Passion week and its manifold implications, the more convinced I become that we are worthy of love – and that Christ is the pathway from cracked to wholeheartedness.
[1]Brown, Brené. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. London: Penguin Life, 2015.
[2]Douthat, Ross. Bad Religion: How we Became a Nation of Heretics, New York: Free Press, 2012, 233.
[3]McKnight, Scot. A Community Called Atonement. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2007, 17-8.
[4]Ibid., 20.
About the Author
Andrea Lathrop
I am a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, a wife, mom and student. I live in West Palm Beach, Florida and I have been an executive pastor for the last 8+ years. I drink more coffee than I probably should every day.11 responses to “Worms, Cracks and Wholeheartedness”
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I wonder if the belief that we are worthy of love is part of Haidt’s elephant? I wonder what contributes to some people believing it and others not believing it? I find that this is a key part of ministering to people. If we don’t believe we are worthy than can we receive from God? I’m also convinced that this is a place that needs healing rather than well constructed arguments. I’m also reminded of Revelation 5:12 “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.” Which of course is precisely why a deep analysis of atonement theory is useful. I would also love to analyse the collection of those who believed they were worthy of love and sift them for church affiliation. How are we doing at getting the Good News out?
Jenn! I love your wonderings…I am wondering the same things. To your elephant point, I agree that healing is more operative than logic to convince us of our belovedness. Your thought on wholeheartedness and church affiliation is intriguing – yes. Appreciate you.
Interesting stuff here Andrea. I have always found being in the image of God as being a comforting component of the faith. Worms? Not so much!
Thank you, Jacob – I totally agree!
Andrea,
If Digby said it, it must be true! Seriously, God continually utilizes each member of our cohort to teach me and inform me of God’s leading in this great adventure of DMinLGP9. I pray your research, your reflections, and the Holy Spirit continue to lead you and those you lead. Happy Holy Week
Excellent, Andrea! Digby gave great counsel. This became very real to me through my studies in the MA program. I discovered the theories of atonement have a deep effect on people and their view of God, themselves and others, including me. I did a paper on Irenaeus that solidified my personal beliefs and it has affected many areas of leadership. Looking forward to your work!
Thanks Tammy – I looked up his atonement view after your comment and was vaguely familiar with it. It resonates for sure and I am going to dig in more – much appreciation.
Great post! I need to get that book by Scot!
As Tammy said I didn’t even know there were different atonement theories until the MA program LOL!
Do you think knowing that God loves you or that you’re worth of love then in turns helps you to be vulnerable?
If you haven’t yet, you should read René Girard’s “The Scapegoat”. This is the theory of atonement that I’ve found the most fulfilling as of late.
Thanks Sean – I will look into it! Sounds interesting.
Yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable and sometimes afraid, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am brave, and worthy of love and belonging.”
Brown, Brené. Dare to Lead (p. 72). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
I think this quote really speaks to what you wrote Andrea. I think this is something we all have to be reminded of. Blessings!