Posted on 04/19/2016 12:24:21 PM PDT by Lorianne
In his book From Nature To Creation, Duke University theologian Norman Wirzba talks about how nobody’s gaze is innocent, because it can create idols:
Our looking at something — how we look at it, and the fact that we are looking at it rather than something else — presupposes an interest and an intention. As people who want to know what something is, we have expectations, desires, and fears that invariably shape how something appears to us. This means that our looking at something is also at the same time (though not always knowingly) a looking at ourselves, because whatever we see is mediated by the boredom, anxiety, or hope we happen to feel. Our gazing at something includes a mirror reflection of the gazer’s capacities, dispositions, and expectations.
Wirzba writes: “Idolatry is one of humanity’s great sins because it encourages us to see and represent reality as, and thus limit reality to, the sphere of human power and convenience.”
(Excerpt) Read more at theamericanconservative.com ...
“Staring is caring.”
-— The Dinette Set
And, it often doesn’t get complained about because some people want to BE idols (or to make, or to bear idols).
Anyhow the cure is to at least try to see things the way God does. And that can mean having to toss out handy excuses.
Duke University theologian Norman Wirzba is a pretentious pseudo-intellectual jerk.
In my opinion...
That could be. I’m not familiar with his writing nor am I a regular reader of theologians.
However, in the excerpts I pulled I think he has a good case.
Jesus said it best: Matthew 5:28
I agree. It's rare to find a leftist analyzing leftist dysfunction. So the fact that it's done in a pompously dense fashion is understandable - it's a form of protective colouration by someone who lives in a very dangerous jungle - academia.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.