Beautiful essay. Your conclusion might be true, but I vote to take love more 'seriously' in its particularity that allows no 'comforting' resolution in mystical oneness that eliminates competition. Universal love (utterly unconditional and non-hierarchical) which ends competition is a philosophical attempt to assure the story ends the same for all. But without 'opposition' (trade-offs) there is no existence. Love is valuable in its forced option between rivals. This is the trade-off that the gods we worship made: no disappointment, no unrequitedness, and above all no envy OR love that is particular and comparative and the MOST delicious above alternatives. Eternity without the either/or tension of hierarchical evaluation and choice is not dramatic enough to sustain our interest. So through eons of eternity, so far, love is 'the best.' As you are at writing short essays these days.
Terryl, I love that you used Jayne’s Crow in this piece—-a masterpiece indeed. The idea you present here, makes me wonder what to do with the story of Abraham. For the entirety of my life it’s been interpreted as a story of love in competition. Abraham needing to love God more than his son as a test.
In fact, a fundamental part of our mortal existence, the entire plan of salvation, is said to have one goal: that first commandment which puts love of God and others squarely in competition.
How can I reconcile this idea with the beautiful new one you’ve presented?
One of the Book of Mormon's great teachings is that we keep the first commandment BY keeping the second (Mosiah 2:17). One of John's most beautiful teachings is that we are to love each other in the way Christ loved us. If Christ is the perfect reflection of God's love, then once again, our love of each other is not being placed in competition with any other but likened to God's.
I prefer to read the story of Abraham as a story about trust in God's promises--and as the ultimate--albeit harrowing--dismantling the idea that love of God and love of our children are in competition.
I appreciate this perspective so much. Most of all I appreciate this exercise in learning to see that truth can be more expansive and less restrictive than the lens I’ve been provided with. Thank you.
Beautiful essay. Your conclusion might be true, but I vote to take love more 'seriously' in its particularity that allows no 'comforting' resolution in mystical oneness that eliminates competition. Universal love (utterly unconditional and non-hierarchical) which ends competition is a philosophical attempt to assure the story ends the same for all. But without 'opposition' (trade-offs) there is no existence. Love is valuable in its forced option between rivals. This is the trade-off that the gods we worship made: no disappointment, no unrequitedness, and above all no envy OR love that is particular and comparative and the MOST delicious above alternatives. Eternity without the either/or tension of hierarchical evaluation and choice is not dramatic enough to sustain our interest. So through eons of eternity, so far, love is 'the best.' As you are at writing short essays these days.
The only thing better than reading your writings Terryl is listening to you! Thank you. What a gift!
The only thing better than reading your writings Terryl is listening to you! Thank you. What a gift!
Terryl, I love that you used Jayne’s Crow in this piece—-a masterpiece indeed. The idea you present here, makes me wonder what to do with the story of Abraham. For the entirety of my life it’s been interpreted as a story of love in competition. Abraham needing to love God more than his son as a test.
In fact, a fundamental part of our mortal existence, the entire plan of salvation, is said to have one goal: that first commandment which puts love of God and others squarely in competition.
How can I reconcile this idea with the beautiful new one you’ve presented?
One of the Book of Mormon's great teachings is that we keep the first commandment BY keeping the second (Mosiah 2:17). One of John's most beautiful teachings is that we are to love each other in the way Christ loved us. If Christ is the perfect reflection of God's love, then once again, our love of each other is not being placed in competition with any other but likened to God's.
I prefer to read the story of Abraham as a story about trust in God's promises--and as the ultimate--albeit harrowing--dismantling the idea that love of God and love of our children are in competition.
I appreciate this perspective so much. Most of all I appreciate this exercise in learning to see that truth can be more expansive and less restrictive than the lens I’ve been provided with. Thank you.