Panic! at the Div School: The Distant Other and our Problem with Pluralism
Panic! at the Div School: The Distant Other and our Problem with Pluralism

We might have radically different experiences and beliefs, but that does not mean that the Other is unworthy of love. In short, by emphasizing the differences between us, we turn the Other into a caricature. But by ignoring these differences, we simply turn the Other into a reflection of ourselves.

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Justin Davispluralism, graduate school, conflict, fundamentalism, neoliberalism, tolerance, diversity, lack, Other, Zizek, Amy Jill-Levine, George Orwell, Neighbor, psychoanalysis, religion, religious studies, identity, identitarianism, identity politics, particularism, universality, solidarity, community-building, economics, politics, emancipation, polarization, ideology, faith, tolerant, diverse, non-sectarian, liberalism, antagonism, similarities, differences, revolution, capitalism, social change, subjectivity, intersubjectivity, Abu Hanifa, proximity, Good Samaritan, Being, political, cultural, religious, divides, bridges, understanding, growth, progressive, academia, alienationComment
Post-Exvangelical: Reflections on Cambridge Christianity and the Potentially Subversive Spaces within Evangelicalism
Post-Exvangelical: Reflections on Cambridge Christianity and the Potentially Subversive Spaces within Evangelicalism

All of us are on different parts of the process of faith. If we are to move forward in our pursuit of reconciliation and justice, we all need to be able to cultivate and extend grace to those who are on a different path.

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Justin Davisevangelical, evangelicalism, harvard, cambridge, spirituality, exvangelical, emptythepews, #emptythepews, #exvangelical, christianity, christ, god, progressive, conservative, progressive Christianity, grace, openness, compassion, understanding, communityComment
Searching for a Place of Rest: Deconstruction, Doubt, and Spiritual Homelessness
Searching for a Place of Rest: Deconstruction, Doubt, and Spiritual Homelessness

Each step of my journey has revealed a different aspect of my faith that I cherish and respect. By paying homage to my past, I can come to grips with where I am now, even if it feels like a million miles from where I’ve been. No one has a corner on orthodoxy. We are all seeing through a glass darkly. Home is held in a promise, not in a proposition. And I hold onto that promise.

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Justin Davisevangelicalism, evangelical, exvangelical, #exvangelical, deconstruction, faith, doubt, progressive, progressive Christianity, spirituality, church, leaving church, alienation, vulnerability, christianity, theology, brokeness, home, spiritual homelessnessComment
Finding My Voice Again: Lessons Learned in Silence
Finding My Voice Again: Lessons Learned in Silence

Perhaps, in our current climate, it feels too soon to talk about construction and reconciliation. We, as a society, face systemic issues that are deeply rooted in the very fabric of the cultures we’ve created. Untangling the chords of oppression and evil will not be done overnight. Yet, we must also come to realize that every revolution, if it fails to contain and cultivate virtue, is doomed to self-destruction.

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Justin Daviswriting, conflict, violence, politics, finding my voice, silence, Harvard, HDS, rejection, understanding, evangelican, evangelical, call-out culture, censorship, social media, nuance, gray, fundamentalism, left-wing populism, identity, identitarianism, identity politics, ideology, diverse, diversity, differences, boredom, ennui, constructive conflict, dialectics, Other, perspective, culturalComment