As Americans vote in the 2020 national and local elections, is there hope for power, politics, and privilege to foster human flourishing? Andy Crouch, the author of Strong and Weak, talks with Amy Julia about the paradox of authority and vulnerability, how political leaders can use power and risk for the good of humanity, the distinction between blessing and privilege, and pragmatic ways to contribute to human flourishing.
SHOW NOTES
Andy Crouch is partner for theology and culture at Praxis, an organization that works as a creative engine for redemptive entrepreneurship. His two most recent books—2017’s The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place and 2016’s Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing—build on the vision of faith, culture, and the image of God.
Follow Andy online:
- Website: andy-crouch.com
- Twitter: @ahc
Andy Crouch on politics and power, privilege and blessing:
“Authority is the capacity for meaningful action. Vulnerability is the exposure to meaningful risk.”
“Most of the benefits we enjoy come from a tangled legacy of past exercises of power, some of which were highly creative and beneficial and beautiful, and others of which were forceful, coercive, and violent.”
“Things that are called blessing in the Bible often happen at a moment of tremendous vulnerability. Blessing happens in the midst of vulnerability and unto vulnerability.”
“The ultimate risk is love.”
ON THE PODCAST:
- Andy’s books: The Tech-Wise Family, Strong and Weak, Playing God, and Culture Making
- Praxis podcast
- Strong and Weak quadrant
- Bible passages: Luke 12:13-21; Genesis 49; Genesis 27; Genesis 32:22-32; Matthew 4:18-20; Matthew 5:1-12
- Podcast interview with Sara Hendren
- My Tech-Wise Life: Growing Up and Making Choices in a World of Devices by Amy Crouch and Andy Crouch
- Breaking Ground article (coming soon)
Thank you to Breaking Ground, the co-host for this podcast.
White Picket Fences, Season 3 of Love is Stronger Than Fear, is based on my book White Picket Fences, and today we are talking about chapter 12. Check out free RESOURCES—action guide, discussion guides—that are designed to help you respond. Learn more about my writing and speaking at amyjuliabecker.com.
If you’ve enjoyed listening to Andy Crouch on politics and power, privilege and blessing, learn more with Amy Julia in thinking about the church and public education reform:
- Love is Stronger Than Fear | Season 3—White Picket Fences
- Thought on the Election of Donald Trump: Trust Your Love Instead of Your Fear
- Three Harms of Privilege
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