M u s i n g s - o f - a - G e n t l e - C y n i c

M u s i n g s - o f - a - G e n t l e - C y n i c
Staying actively engaged in the interpretive process of renogotiating our lives

An Invitation to the Practice of Gentle Cynicism


This gentle cynic invites you to take a tour of his episodic public journal (blog)--if you wish--where he share his practice of gentle cynicism. This practice does not follow the modern concept of cynicism, but a philosophical way of living with ancient biblical, classical and medieval roots. It takes the form of a dynamic filter between one’s full self (to include one's community) and the world, like shifting chaff from wheat. Moreover, it is a search for what is best (or simply good) rather than what is simply accepted, and what it means to actually participate with or work toward God’s Shalom while differentiating what misses the mark (illusions). By "Shalom", he seeks a vision of God's promised and emerging wholeness, peace, grace, wellness, wisdom.

Gentile Cynicism is thus a way of training the whole self (soul, mind, body) to actively discover and experience more fully the vibrant, flowing, and invigorating reality of God's creative energy and purposes, and less the draining emptiness and forthcoming bitterness of a fragmented world. It is a way of moving through (not stepping away from) tensions where there is a complex array of easy-to-get-to thin practices, answers and ideals on one side; while on the other, profound, thick sources of questions and insights that invite persistent souls toward the way of becoming more fully human.

Currently Reading

Dj Seifert's currently-reading book recommendations, reviews, favorite quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists

Some Musings of a Gentle Cynic

A gentle dealing with the limitations of my world juxtaposed with the social and moral issues of the day filtered through the Christian narrative and social ethic--the church of Jesus Christ

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Leaving the Empire


As the American Empire wrestles about how it will continue with its part and contribution to the violence in Iraq, this gentle cynic resumes his reflection on the question, “Why violence?” Now I am one in exile, patiently waiting to leave the military in the coming months; for I am one who during a recent deployment experienced and began a conversion from blindly giving my allegiance to a nation ridden with anxiety to hearing the call of Yahweh’s Messiah, Jesus, who says, “Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of it, purify yourselves, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 52:11-12) Beginning with a sober awakening and the opening of Scripture, there resumes for me an ongoing theological reflection, which is the beginnings of an ethical response to this simple claim: military service is incompatible with Christian existence.

In the weeks ahead, I wish to share some theological content and the workings of an ethical response, as I begin my final months of military service. Of course, this is more about being God’s people called to exist in faithful worshiping communities enabled to do the will of God (“what is good and acceptable and perfect” Rom. 12:1-2) than it is about military involvement in Iraq or any other violent, illusionary power.

Posted by Daniel Seifert at 9:18 AM

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

A glimpse of my story

My Photo
Daniel Seifert
Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States
Reared in Hamilton OH, served as an altar boy, excelled as a Boy Scout, an aviation enthusiast, and a golfer; joined the U.S. AF in '77 and stepped out in a lonely world. In '80 I encountered the Story of Jesus in a big way which began to transform me in all aspects. Aware of God's kingdom, I discerned a call to ministry and studied at Trinity College. Married in '87, taught mid. sch. English. Later I began pastoral work in Richmond, VA, was ordained in '92 in a Baptist trad. In '93, I encountered ministry with a meta-church structure until '97, when I took a sabbatical and followed a path of enrichment, taking on classic spiritual disciplines and the broadening of my theological horizons while applying doubt to my advantage. Moved in '98 to Harrisonburg, VA, and consulted in two industries. '03 I worked out some significant formational projects at Eastern Mennonite Seminary (MDIV) seeking to inch my way into something missional in purpose while responding to the ongoing emerging church conversation and being more cognizant of God's Kingdom coming non-violently into a chaotic, fragmented and violent world filled with harsh realities and challenges.
View my complete profile