In The Promise of Paradox, Parker Palmer not only explores but actually celebrates the contradictions of the Christian Life. The 2008 edition is a republication of Palmer's first book, published 30 years ago when Palmer was 40. In his preface to the 2008 edition, Palmer explores the both the blessing and the curse associated with reissuing Promise. The blessing of returning to the joy of first time authorship, a feat he previously thought himself incapable of. The curse of reading in print what he once believed, and finding points of confirmation and contradiction with his convictions three decades later.
As I've wrestled this week with paradox - hope and fear, joy and suffering, disappointment and expectation - Palmer offers some wisdom: "The promise of paradox is the promise that apparent opposites can cohere in our lives, the promise that if we replace either-or with both-and, our lives will become larger and more filled with light". I think I'll hold onto that promise and allow the apparent opposites of my experience to live in tension, as it were, and just see what happens.
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1 comment:
I really appreciate your remarks in this post (and also in your most recent) about Paradox. It's been a struggle for me to reconcile some realities in my life and belief systems that seem to be opposites, but I think that Truth--and many times, an opportunity for profound personal and spiritual growth--is found in that tension.
Anyway, blessings to you this holiday season, and good luck walking the paradoxical line! :)
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