Categories: uncategorized
Date: 21 November 2007 20:04:00
I've been reading Exiles by Michael Frost recently. I have to say that it is an interesting book which is largely coming from the direction I would describe myself as coming from. However, it is not a comfortable book to read because Frost doesn't allow any reader to feel fluffy rather he challenges you constantly from a range of positions.
Why do we blog? Why do we make the consumer decisions we do and is our "ethical shopping" actually so ethical? Why do we worship in the way we do? Do we take the easy way out and dress it up as authenticity? How do we support those who are persecuted, particularly for their faith? These are just a few of the things that challenge the reader.
Overall, I found it an informative and interesting book but I was disturbed that yet again the dominant voice in this area was a western (and one presumes white), male, married, middle aged, middle class voice and one who seems to be comfortably located in the elite academy which appears to have emerged in relation to this area of theological thinking and practice. He seemed to be another writer who whilst seeking to be inclusive ended up constantly referring to "the other" in a manner which echoed the more liberal colonialists.
I think there is certainly a place for people with these social characteristics within the conversation but my worry is they are the voices dominating the conversation and there is little chance for us to hear, on an equal basis, the voices of people often labelled as "the other", whose stories are often only heard second hand.