Lucy, You Have some Splaining To Do!
For nearly a decade in the fifties, American television showcased the comedy sitcom I Love Lucy, which remains an icon and one of the most beloved shows ever. In the starring role, Lucille Ball plays Lucy Ricardo, a silly and lovable housewife who gets herself into ridiculous and humorous situations. The line, “Lucy, you have some splaining to do,” is famously used by her husband, Ricky Ricardo, played by Ball’s real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, when Lucy gets into one of her infamous predicaments, resulting in chaos, embarrassment, or trouble.[1]
This week’s reading by Stephen Hicks, Explaining Postmodernism,[2] is far from the quirky humor of “Lucyisms.” In fact, the concepts articulated by the author were downright confusing, causing me to search for clarity on the topic through the writings of others. At one point, the humorous voice in my mind said, “Stephen, you have some splaining to do.”
I had to break things down into chunks to understand postmodernism and narrow my thoughts to consider only the topics of power and knowledge. I reviewed what Scripture says about these issues and compared it with the traditional view and the differing perspectives of Michael Foucault, a key reference in Hicks’ book. At one point, I attempted to contrast views with Noam Chomsky because I thought it would be an interesting comparison, but ultimately, I felt ill-equipped to do all of that in a single blog with limited space, so I scaled back.
Foundations of Power and Knowledge
2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”[3] The Bible teaches us that all the power available from God to live and be godly comes through knowledge. While this alone doesn’t guarantee godliness, ignorance does seem to guarantee ungodliness.[4]
The traditional secular epistemology of power and knowledge is typically assessed based on the number of rulers and whether their work is done in the public’s interest or for self-gain. Aristotle argues, “There are six regimes overall, but only three are correct.”[5] He believed a regime is correct only if it serves the interests of society as a whole, not just its ruling elite. Here is a visual explanation of his categories.
| Number of Rulers | Public Interest | Self-Interest |
| One | Monarchy | Tyranny |
| Few | Aristocracy | Oligarchy |
| Many | Polity | Democracy |
Aristotle’s Six Regimes
Foucault, a secular thinker, flips the traditional hierarchical top-down concept by shifting the focus from the rulers to the people being ruled instead.[6]
Foucault’s View
Foucault felt that conventional power concepts, which were hierarchical and moved only one way from the top down, were far too simple. He argued that power moves around and even through people; the more interesting view is to study the followers. Scriptures concur with Luke 8:46: “But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Like Michael Foucault, I believe divine power is internal and external. It moves and flows in ways that direct our steps with help from the Holy Spirit and affect others along the way. It is the sweet spot of connection, those serendipitous experiences that leave us in wonder.
Although the cultural norm has primarily been to consider the power in places such as the Capital or courthouses, its forces truly reside in some of the most unexpected locations such as prisons, hospitals, and even schools. You cannot deny that a unique force occurs within a prison riot, a hospital strike, or a school walkout. “The state is far from being able to occupy the whole field of actual power relations and, in fact, can only operate on the basis of the other, already existing power relations.”[7]
“If you want total security, go to prison. There, you’re fed, clothed, given medical care, and so on. The only thing lacking…is freedom” – Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Rather than looking at the leaders of these institutions, consider studying the followers and their potential power. I have often talked about the value of followership, which is vastly underappreciated. What good is a leader if you cannot inspire your followers?
Conclusion
The intersections between traditional and postmodern perspectives on power and knowledge are intriguing, especially when biblical wisdom is incorporated. While thinkers like Aristotle and Foucault emphasize different angles on the distribution and movement of power, the Bible recognizes that power and knowledge are not merely about dominance from above but flow through individuals and circumstances. Whether it’s through divine power (as 2 Peter reminds us) or the everyday interactions of society, power is dynamic and shared.
At the end of the day, much like Lucy’s chaotic escapades in I Love Lucy, the complexities of power and knowledge in our world can leave us feeling a bit confused. But instead of waiting for someone else to explain it all to us, maybe it’s about us stepping into the flow ourselves, gaining a deeper understanding, and navigating these forces with wisdom and humility. And as for Stephen Hicks—well, he has certainly given me a lot to think about!
[1] “I Love Lucy TV Show History.” Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, n.d. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://lucydesi.com/i-love-lucy-history/.
[2] Hicks, Stephen R.C. Explaining Postmodernism: Skepticism and Socialism from Rousseau to Foucault. 2nd ed. Coppell, TX: Ockham’s Razor Publishing, 2011.
[3] “Bible Gateway Passage: 2 Peter 1:3 – New International Version.” Bible Gateway. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Peter%201%3A3&version=NIV.
[4] Piper, John. “The Power of Knowledge.” Desiring God, September 9, 1985. Accessed February 22, 2025. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/the-power-of-knowledge.
[5] Whitney, Stephen. “Aristotle’s 6 Forms of Government – Intellectual Takeout,” March 7, 2023. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://intellectualtakeout.org/2023/03/aristotle-6-forms-of-government/.
[6] GreatBooksProf. “Foucault Power and Knowledge.” Video. YouTube. Last modified June 13, 2021. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brqCtHSlaAQ.
[7] Foucault, Michel. Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. New York: Random House US, 2012.
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Operations and fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.13 responses to “Lucy, You Have some Splaining To Do!”
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Jennifer,
You discuss the exercise of power. I’m thinking of laws that forbid the use of power. For example, Ohio is passing a law that will forbid faculty at public universities from going on strike. Using Aristotle’s, categories that you posted, the big idea is that limiting the power to strike ensures that the students’ (consumers) education is not interrupted, protecting public interest and that faculty are focused on self-interest. I understand that there are some professions that are not allowed to strike because of public safety issues (law enforcement, fire fighters), but beyond First Responders are there other professions where the government should limit the power found in striking? If so, how do those professions advocate in a way that their voice is heard?
Good question, Jeff. I am a certified mediator and use this skill in pre-trial situations to help unclog the court system. I think that would be one approach to consider being heard without the need to strike. Also, state or local policy changes can occur to make an impact, even in an indirect manner, which could drastically change the conditions. Collective bargaining through advocacy groups has been used in the past, as have billboards to encourage public pressure on the leadership in question. There are probably more, but those come to mind now.
Jennifer, that’s my next class, when we’re done with the doctorates: mediation training! (I’m not very good at looking at multiple sides of an issue. I need to grow in that area.)
Thanks Jen. You mention Foucault’s idea that power isn’t just top-down but moves through people, and you connect this to biblical principles of divine power. How do you think this understanding of power should influence Christian leadership and followership today?
Hi Glyn, you asked how I thought this understanding of power should influence Christian leadership and followership today?
I wish that all Christians, me included, fully understood the power that God gives us because we are made in His image. With His power working through us, we can do anything. It doesn’t matter whether we are leading or following because there’s always an ebb and flow between the two. But we need to be reminded of this power often—not in an ego-building way but rather in a confidence-in-Christ way that gives us more courage to do the hard stuff—the right stuff. I want to hear more in my church about supernatural works by Jesus. The ones he performed in his day on earth and in today’s society. I get so inspired by the stories of terminal cancer healed or the long lost sibling who is discovered to live two streets over. Stories like those serve as contemporary lessons about God and His work in our lives today. However, the supernatural aspect rarely comes up. If it did, I might learn to recognize the miracles happening before my eyes more quickly.
Hi Jennifer, As you spoke about power of followers I started thinking about the power that Christ gives His followers. Where do you see that kind of power lived out in the prison ministry with the women?
Your question made me smile. I love the women that I am privileged to meet in prison. They are my pastors! Where I see their power appear is often in the mediator role. Many are really good at diffusing conflict. However, many of those same women lacked sufficient coping skills to navigate the traumas of their lives, which led to the crimes for which they are serving (drug use/sales). But watching them counsel others is beautiful, especially when they do it from a faith lens.
Jennifer,
I realize that you read this book a while ago and have had some time to digest it a bit more. I wonder if some of these ideas have solidified for you since reading and writing or if they are still fuzzy with some splaining to do?
Good question. I understand the concept much better now than when I initially wrote the blog. The author’s writing style was tough to read, and I see parts of this blog that I might compose differently today. Still, I am learning so much through this program and appreciate the ability to detangle and name the unseen political, economic, and social forces that are at play in the world around us. One thing is for certain, everything is temporary.
Hi Jennifer, I have learned a lot from you concerning followership. What affects do you see postmodernism having on the followers? What are ways Christians can “navigating these forces with wisdom and humility?”
Thank you, Kari. Overall, postmodernism has confused followers because the notion of what makes a leader has changed so much in authority (hierarchy) and character. The qualities that once would have caused people to turn away from “that jerk” now serve as a source of inspiration.
I recently heard a pastor say that simply telling people you are a Christian is not enough. Now, you must qualify what type of Christian you are or aren’t. I see that happening a lot in the nuance of nationalism. “We’re not one of those people.”
Followers are confused about who a leader is or what a follower does because the situation is upside-down, with no common vernacular or sense of shared values or norms. One thing I wish we discussed more is leadership burnout.
Jen, I loved all the questions and answers in this thread! And I am doing what I can about leadership burnout…
Jennifer, I am delinquent so you don’t need to answer. But In your exploration of power and knowledge, you mention the significance of divine power and its movement within individuals and society. I wonder how you see the integration of biblical wisdom influencing contemporary discussions on power dynamics, especially in secular contexts where traditional hierarchies are being challenged I wonder if this integration offer a more constructive framework for understanding and navigating power relations today.