In this episode, I explore how many of us formed by the evangelical movement, have experienced the trauma of being entrained to be enablers, particularly of people in positions of religious power. I address the internal wrestling I have gone through, of struggling to seeing the difference between holding a perception of one sacred universe, and being expected to offer "cheap grace" to people who abuse their positions of power.
In this week's radio show, I also explore the roots and rise of Evangelicalism and how many of us who see ourselves as "post evangelical" need to be examining our own reactions... because the evangelical movement itself rose out of reactivity. Near the end of the episode I confess to the role I have played in the very present danger of political sectarianism that is on the doorstep of the entire Western world, and currently playing out in the United States. Click the play button below to listen, and if you would like to leave me a voice message, go directly to: anchor.fm/alana-levandoski Otherwise, feel free to type a comment here, as I always read them, and appreciate your insightful words. Please consider supporting Alana's work at www.patreon.com/alanalevandoski All of Alana's music is available in the gift economy. You can listen to her album Behold, I Make All Things New on all the streaming platforms, or get it on CD here, or by downloading it here.
3 Comments
Jennifer Porritt
1/17/2021 02:22:39 pm
Thank you for this talk. My husband and I have talked about the early 20th century rise in evangelicalism being our grandparents generation’s deconstruction. You are describing essentially disgruntled youth slinking out the back door and starting their own churches. The history of the Church could be described as a series of these rebellions. I’ve been guilty of sulking out as well. Although, I am trying to make clear that I am claiming the title of Christian and it does not belong to evangelicals. The difference you are describing, I think, is saying we belong together and you elders have been wrong and hurt me and others but I’m not going anywhere, we are going to work this out.
Denise L Lopez
1/17/2021 10:25:07 pm
Hi Alana! I have been listening to your podcast for several weeks and your messages and music really resonate with me. This weeks rumination blew my mind because it put words to some things that have been clattering around in my brain for awhile. I am reading a book called "An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and I have had uneasy feelings about the beginnings of this country and it's relationship to so much that is happening today. Our country was built on theft, murder, enslavement and lies. These tactics have not only been accepted but have often been glorified and rewarded and they continue to be used today. We see it in police brutality toward blacks, we see it in reckless abuse of indigenous lands and we even see it in the storming of our Capitol by radical white people. A great reckoning needs to happen before we will ever experience healing in this country. I was able to experience a deep feeling of "God with us" while listening to your song and was able to shed some bitter, but freeing, tears. Blessings to you!
april brenneman
1/18/2021 12:09:35 pm
Alana, Leave a Reply. |
AuthorAlana Levandoski is a song and chant writer, recording artist and music producer, in the Christian tradition, who lives with her family on a regenerative farm on the Canadian prairies. Archives
January 2022
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