On the Edge of the Inside: The Prophetic Position

24 T I K K U N W W W. T I K K U N . O R G S E P T E M B E R / O C T O B E R 2 0 0 7 O ne is struck, in the study of saints, angels, and gods, by a pattern that seems quaint and harmless, yet it is so common that I know there must be a deeper meaning. There always seem to be guardians and spirits of doors, bridges, exits, and entranceways. I saw it all over Asia, read about it in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and am familiar with it in Greek mythology, guardian angels, and Catholic saints like St. John Nepomuk, St. Christopher, and even St. Peter. What is going on here? Ancients knew that you need guidance, patronage, and protection as you move from one place or state to another, whenever you cross a bridge. There are boundary issues that must be dealt with, dues and respects that must be paid, and you better not enter or leave anything until you know what you are doing. “Don’t move your boundary markers before you know the price and you have the right inspiration.” Even Charon, who ferried the dead Greeks across the River Styx into Hades, would not do it unless the dead had been properly buried and they carried his payment in their mouths. On the Edge of the Inside: The Prophetic Position by Richard Rohr • We all believe that we need to look both inward to our traditions as we do this work, and look outward to share results and receive feedback. • We recognize we have continuing tensions, unresolved issues, and tasks…. • We all agree to mine our own religious traditions to further develop the Just Peacemaking practices. Weplanamonographandabook,andfurthermeetingtospecifyourtrifaithjustpeacemaking ethics. You will be hearing from us. Every person who moves from just being anti-war to working for specifically identified just peacemaking practices that are of proven effectiveness moves us toward spiritual renewal . When significant segments of our three faiths move to supporting specific just peacemaking practices, we are participating in a movement to heal the world. I Glen Harold Stassen is the Lewis B. Smedes Professor of Christian Ethics and Fuller Theological Seminary . He has published a number of books, including Just Peacemaking: Ten Practices for Abolishing War,LivingtheSermonontheMount,andKingdomEthics,whichwontheChristianityTodayaward for best book of 2004 in theology or ethics. 5.Religion:Politics rev. 8/7/07 10:16 AM Page 24 The edge of things is a liminal space—a very sacred place where guardian angels are especially available and needed. The edge is a holy place, or as the Celts called it, “A thin place,” and you have to be taught how to live there. To take your position on the spiritual edge of things is to learn how to move safely in and out, back and forth, across and back. It is a prophetic position, not a rebellious or antisocial one. When you live on the edge of anything with respect and honor, you are in a very auspicious position. You are free from a place’s central seductions, but you are also free to hear its core message in very new and creative ways. When you are at the center of something, you usually confuse the essentials with the non–essentials, and get tied down by trivia, loyalty tests, and job security. Not much truth can happen there. To live on the edge of the inside is different than being an insider, a “company man,” or a dues paying member. Yes, you have learned the rules and you understand and honor the system as far as it goes, but you do not need to protect it, defend it, or promote it. It has served its initial and helpful function. You have learned the rules well enough to know how to “break the rules” without really breaking them at all. “Not to abolish the law but to complete it” as Jesus rightly puts it (Matthew 5:17). A doorkeeper must love both the inside and the outside of his or her group, and know how to move between these two loves. I am convinced that when...