There just might be a centralized Way, Truth, and Life after all. But the path to it is Decentralized.
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“He therefore let you be afflicted with hunger, and then fed you with manna, a food unknown to your fathers, in order to show you that not by bread alone does one live, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord.”
—Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16aThere are lots of ways to make “bread” out there. Are you seeking the right kind? Try going without for long enough, and you just might understand.
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“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.”
“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.”
—First Letter of Saint Paul to the CorinthiansSomething binds us all together. Like a “central authority” that holds no office. We are all parts – but it’s up to each of us to seek the whole.
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“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”
“Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem…”
“They were astounded, and in amazement…how does each of us hear them in his native language?”
—Acts of the ApostlesYou don’t have to understand every single word a person is saying to catch their vibe. When it feels right, it feels right. And the right Way will transcend all other boundaries. Build community with those people.
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“May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones”
“far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion”
—Letter of Saint Paul to the EphesiansThe greatest riches are not to be found under the thumb of any “central authority” but can perhaps be found in decentralizing the ability for everyone to discover them.
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“It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem”
—Acts of the ApostlesYou’ll never know when it’s the right time. You just have to be ready for whenever the time comes. With great power comes great responsibility, and if you know the Way, you know your responsibilities. If you’re doing it for the right reasons, you’ll have no problem defending your motives.
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“He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered…”
“While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for ‘the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak’…”
—Acts of the ApostlesEven when things seem to be crumbling all around you (whether in the world at large, or just your own community) if someone with a track record of knowing The Way goes out of their way to give you a really great opportunity to help fix things, it might be best to stick around to…
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“It says in scripture… Behold, I am laying a stone… a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame”
“Therefore, its value is for you who have faith…”
“But for those without faith… The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone… and… a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall…”
“They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.”
—First Letter of Saint PeterAs they say, any stone (or coin or token?) can have value if enough people believe it does. The question is – whose word are you listening to and why? Is it the word of he who has the most followers? Or is it the word of He who brings the good news? Put your…
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“As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained to the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.”
“So the Twelve called together the community…”
“Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men… who we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to… the ministry of the Word.”
“The proposal was acceptable to the whole community…”
“…the word of God continued to spread, and the number of disciples… increased greatly.”
—Acts of the ApostlesAlmost sounds like a rapidly-growing DAO figuring out how to scale operations & marketing while staying true to its mission?
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“…although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him…”
—First Letter of Saint PeterIf you’re doing it for the wrong reasons, you can’t stop thinking about how much gold (or fiat?) you’d trade it all for. If you’re doing it for the right reasons, well, what more proof do you need?
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“All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need.”
—Acts of the ApostlesThe difference between Jesus and “well-intended” guys like Marx & Lenin? One suggests anyone can submit to Him on their own terms, and form like-minded communities at will. The other suggests everyone must submit to his terms, and be forced into a community against their will.
Have a perspective to share?