There was a time when I was less affected. Everyday there is opportunity for a new awakening.<\/p>\n
I believe there is an easier way, one that I can\u2019t seem to get far enough away from. That way is apathy. Over the last year, whilst facing confounding heartbreak, I asked my mom to pray that I would care less. It has felt at times like \u2018my care\u2019 has affected both a deeper breaking and a more profound division. I\u2019m learning now that it is apathy that is divisive, not care.<\/p>\n
There was a time that I cared about Finite Mathematics, a course necessary to achieve in order to carry on a particular career path. I failed Finite Math two times, not because I didn\u2019t care and not because I cared too much. Not quite confounding heartbreak though thoroughly, confusing. In such times as these, may the Spirit God lead us to rest, lean in and listen closer (John 13:25).<\/p>\n
Max Weber, in his Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism<\/em>, declares that \u2018The capitalistic economy of the present day is an immense cosmos into which the individual is born, and which presents itself to him, at least as an individual, as an unalterable order of things in which he must live.\u2019 [1]. There is a next desperation for the one who believes to have found another system for living by Jesus Christ, a way as one of his followers describes \u2018not conformed to this world but, transformed by the renewing of (our) minds\u2019 [2]. Jesus secure and resolute proclaimed another way that unhinges systems of power and control in the world [3].<\/p>\n The hope is that his message would be backed up with the same stance and resolve by the community of those who profess to follow Him. Thus, the second desperation, as this does not occur. Jason Swan Clark, in his prolific thesis (a magnum opus<\/em>that deserves a depth study for maximum impact), Evangelicalism and Capitalism<\/em>, \u2018seeks to remedy this situation by providing a robust diagnostic, not to refute Evangelicalism, but as a reparative.\u2019 [4]. With the help of a diversity of resources he \u2018attends to the faulty responses of either over-dichotomising capitalist markets against ecclesial life, or the further capitulation of ecclesial life to the deforming forces of capitalism.\u2019 [4]. Dr. Clark gives careful consideration for the future of evangelicalism, \u2018how imaginations for life are enacted in capitalism, and further, how beliefs and practices of Christianity become co-opted by the practises of life within capitalism.\u2019 [4].<\/p>\n When my daughter was in her first year of Elementary School, she heard about the struggles of our First Peoples in the north of our province (British Columbia). Our First Peoples were standing in opposition to North American Oil Companies (Enbridge, in particular) as they sought to coordinate the movement of oil (bitumen) from the Tar Sands of Alberta through to tankers waiting off one of our northern coast villages (Kitimat, BC). This was called the Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline. Upon hearing of the problems this pipeline would pose to the environment and the unrest of the people whose land it was targeted to pass through, she drew up a poster and we posted it. Pre-Greta and articulate enough for any adult to produce, the solidarity and voice of her simple outstanding poster exclaimed, \u2018No to the Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline! No to Enbridge! Leave our environment be!\u2019<\/p>\n The Northern Gateway Oil Pipeline project is no longer on the table for discussion as of December 2016. However, a new plan for the pipeline was introduced by the Federal Government to be re-routed at the Alberta-BC border and to extend from Edmonton to Vancouver. This is called the Trans-Mountain Oil Pipeline. Do you see how they just don\u2019t give up? Apathy. It can no longer be reasoned out for me that the creation of the pipeline is about people and jobs (life is not encouraged in the propagation of apathy). What is the impact on our planet of such apathy?<\/p>\n Over the last week, along with the study of Dr. Clark\u2019s impactfulEvangelicalism and Capitalism<\/em>, I have viewed and reviewed a video clip of a friend of mine (who serves as a priest of a local Anglican community) being pushed by a police officer down the stairs at the entryway of our Provincial Parliament buildings here in Victoria. He was standing in solidarity with young people who represent the Wet\u2019suwet\u2019en Hereditary Chiefs and their land that will be affected by the enforcement of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline. The people cried \u2018shame\u2019 in their resistance and, their volume and emotion increased as my friend fell. As he was helped up by the same hand of the officer that just moments before twisted his arm behind his back, only one question could be seen quietly mouthed, \u2018why did you push me?\u2019 And again, \u2018why did you push me?\u2019<\/p>\n There is an ugliness that continues to decide outcomes that cause harm. There seems to be a growing uprising in opposition to this ugliness, an uprising that groans louder for liberation. So, Clark references Daniel Bell\u2019s Liberation Theology<\/em>, \u2018the State operates on the basis of other power relationships; there is good and bad about the State. Models of power which locate the State as sole possessor of power are now bankrupt. For the State now finds itself under the control of the market.\u2019 [4]. In the case of the Trans-Mountain Pipeline, the people have decided \u2018No!\u2019 for the sake of their land, families and heritage. Now, they protest and cry \u2018Shame!\u2019 as the market pursues another way, through the pockets of politicians and legislators.<\/p>\n Who cares, anyways? Original care is one that is willing to suffer. Waiting is painful. As my mom continues to encourage through the pain, one step at a time. Let it also be, one word at a time, one push at a time, one cry at a time toward change that has \u2018set the captive free.\u2019 Come Lord Jesus, come.<\/p>\n \u2018I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course and I\u2019ve kept my heart full of faith.\u2019 [5]\u00a0What does this really mean, anyways?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Bibliography<\/strong><\/p>\n [1] Weber, Max. The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. New York: Scribner, 1958.<\/p>\n [2] Romans 12:2. NIV.<\/p>\n [3] Luke 4:18-19. NIV.<\/p>\n [4] Swan-Clark, Jason. \u201cEvangelicalism and capitalism: a reparative account and diagnosis of pathogeneses in the relationship\u201d. PhD thesis, Middlesex University\/London School of Theology. Academia.edu.<\/p>\n [5] 2 Timothy 4:7. TPT.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There was a time when I was less affected. Everyday there is opportunity for a new awakening. I believe there is an easier way, one that I can\u2019t seem to get far enough away from. That way is apathy. 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