New (Perspectives) Require Releasing the Old
Frankopan’s The Silk Roads: A New History of the World links ancient Greece and Rome to what we now call the Middle East (perhaps more accurately the Near East). After that, Frankopan locates the geographical and historical strategic epicenter of the globe somewhere between the Middle East and Central Asia. These two areas were linked by the Persian Empires (currently Iran), who desired both access to and control of this inherent interconnection of trade routes. Frankopan highlights in the fifteenth century how discoveries from the Portuguese and the Spanish in Africa and (South) America, tipped and changed the balance of power dramatically. From this historic point forward, northern Europeans (and by extension the US Americans in the west) developed the rationale of viewing themselves as heirs of Greece and Rome. This way, Frankopan contends and criticizes eurocentrism as a result of the “spoils of war” throughout his limited “New History of the World.” The author continues to drive home the main idea of his book that the center of Eurasia will regain its former status as the true geopolitical epicenter of the world again.[1]
Frankopan’s central argument is that The Silk Roads are rising again, and the rest of the world needs to recognize their re-emergence quickly. That is, the rest of the world (especially the United States in the west and Europe in the north) should invest strategic resources to build relations with peoples and cultures they have historically spent little or no time trying to understand.[2]
The central argument of this book caught my attention relative to history and cartography. That is, if you think your homeland is preeminent to global history, you tend to believe your motherland, culture, and language are central to the worldwide community. I wonder how the centrality of the United States in both world history and global maps is connected? Perhaps this can best be portrayed graphically.
The Mercator Projection was designed by its creator to make calculations of sea navigation charts easier and consistent. On a Mercator projection, for example, the landmass of Greenland appears to be larger than that of the continent of South America; in the actual area, Greenland is smaller than the Arabian Peninsula.[3] Unfortunately, it’s distortions of landmass and scale have influenced students for generations. How often is our internal “map” of other places affected by erroneous perspective and scaling errors?
The AuthaGraph map provides a more accurate representation of the distances between continents. No longer does Africa look the same size as North America, or Antarctica looks like one of the biggest continents (it’s smaller than all except for Europe and Australia).[4] As we compare the two maps, how are our geographical perspectives challenged? How do scale and perspective influence our assumptions of relative size, importance, and centrality?
Frankopan’s central argument relative to historical geopolitical epicenters and map perspectives and scales prompts me to think about (wait for it) – coaching! Coaching strives to draw out and help clients or coachees process their thoughts, develop action steps for their plans, and follow-up on progress towards goal accomplishment. That is for those who want to get somewhere and don’t know how coaching is an excellent tool and construct.
However, another prime candidate for coaching is those who are stuck and want to become unstuck to move forward. Often the epiphany moment of the coaching relationship is gaining a new perspective along with associated clarity. This new perspective and clarity are the “lightbulb” or “aha” moment.
Once I recognize this is the essential work of the coaching session, I strive to ask clients questions that will cause them to “relocate” to a new “temporary” perspective to view their current immovable position “differently.” Inevitably, clarity will come if they can and will consider their current reality from another angle. I never cease to be amazed by how we can view the same situation from another perspective with the Spirit’s help and experience new-found hope and faith.
My coaching background has fueled my desire to study with and learn from all who typically have very different perspectives from my own. While initially, my view may be challenged/jolted (much like looking at a new map designed from a very different creative premise) and I am very uncomfortable, giving the Holy Spirit time and space to work on my positional perspective always results in new clarity and new insight.
[1]SANMARTÍ, Marçal. “Ressenya: The Silk Roads: A new history of the world/Peter Frankopan (2015).” Entremons: UPF Journal of World History 9 (2017): 154-157.
[2] Peter Frankopan, The Silk Roads: A New History of the World (New York, NY: Vintage Books, 2017), 505.
[3] https://www.britannica.com/science/Mercator-projection
[4] http://mentalfloss.com/article/88138/more-accurate-world-map-wins-prestigious-japanese-design-award
About the Author
Harry Fritzenschaft
Harry is the Coordinator of Coaching for Multiply Vineyard (the church planting resource arm for Vineyard USA) and part-time pastor of business administration for the Vineyard Church of Houston. He is a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and is pursuing a DMin in Leadership and Global Perspective with a focus on internal coaching networks. Harry has been married to Gloria for almost forty-two years and has two grown children; Michelle, who is married to Brandon and has two sons (Caleb and Judah), and Mark, who is engaged to Cannus. He loves making new friends (living and dead) from different perspectives, watching college football with Mark, and helping global ministry leaders (especially church planters and pastors) accomplish their goals in fulfilling their call. He especially loves learning about and nurturing internal coaching networks.10 responses to “New (Perspectives) Require Releasing the Old”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Excellent connection between our national or global perspective and our need for coaching and introspection. The key is seeing the world (and myself) from a new map. Thanks, Harry!
Tammy,
I am excited for the new map the Holy Spirit has you on! Our brief conversation at Oxford highlighted the conundrum that often new maps, new perspectives also include painful discomfort. While I grieve the painful discomfort for others (and especially myself!), I truly welcome the new perspectives gained from new maps. Yes, you are so right, we are so appreciative for the GPS of the Holy Spirit!
Such a great post. Reminded me of Sertia’s guest lecture. I love the connections with internal maps. This will make a great leadership talk/ coaching session!
Mario,
Yes, I look forward to using both history and maps as an example of perspective changes in coaching sessions. Let me know how this works for you!
Thank you Harry for reminding me of the importance of being open to the Holy Spirit and to allow Him to open my understanding in new and the better way of God.
Wallace,
To your point, I do not know how any of us is open to new perspectives without the help of the Holy Spirit! I wonder if the reverse is true when we are most resistant to a new map, a new view; I wonder if we may be somewhat resistant to the Holy Spirit? That is, what is the Holy Spirit wanting to teach us through this “banana” moment?
Love it, Harry. I laughed at your “wait for it” comment. I thought a lot while reading about being disoriented and the power of trying to see things from a different perspective. It’s so hard to do and yet so critical to leading.
Andrea,
I am glad I could make you laugh, I often find I take myself and what I am pursuing way too seriously! Leaders must always strive to be open to new lessons of the Holy Spirit, new perspectives of seeing both the new and the familiar. I wonder if we have ceased leading when we are resistant to new “maps” of the Holy Spirit?
Harry, thank you for this post. Sometimes we need to be reminded that we need a change of perspective. I also know I need a better map of my life! Thank God for the Holy Spirit, our personal GPS!
Mary,
This is an amazing response, I love the GPS of the Holy Spirit! We also need each other to remind us that painful discomfort is often an indication of a “banana” moment in our life. I look forward to seeing what next God has for you!