In this episode of Faith in Process, Harry and Millard dive deep into Walter Brueggemann’s concept of “royal consciousness” and what it means for the church today. Drawing from Brueggemann’s book The Prophetic Imagination, they explore how empire creates a numbness in the populace—convincing people that the way things are is the way things must be.
Key Topics Discussed:
* Royal consciousness vs. prophetic imagination: How empires maintain power by numbing people to injustice and suffering
* Beyond individual tyrants: Why focusing on single leaders misses the systemic nature of empire consciousness
* Civil religion in America: How American civil religion has created its own form of royal consciousness from the nation’s founding
* The Church’s response: Are we as the church numb to what’s happening around us? How do we wake up?
* Jesus and empire: How Jesus addressed the Roman Empire and elite religious systems in his context
* Venezuela and peace theology: Wrestling with the Church of the Brethren’s peace position in light of recent events
* The need for honest conversation: Why transparent dialogue about messy, difficult topics is essential for transformation
Harry shares insights from his reflection paper on Chapter 5 (I said four, but it is five; oops) of The Prophetic Imagination and connects it with Dana Cassell’s class on addressing tyranny. Together, Harry and Millard consider what it means to practice prophetic imagination in an age dominated by empire consciousness—and how the Church of the Brethren motto “continuing the ministry of Jesus, simply, peacefully, together” offers a framework for response.
This conversation challenges listeners to ask: Are we numb? What alternative vision are we offering? And how do we help people imagine that something else is possible?
Referenced in this episode:
* The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
* Harry’s Substack article: “Beyond Herod Comparisons: Practicing Prophetic Imagination in the Age of Royal Consciousness.”
* Dana Cassell’s “Outwit” class on addressing tyranny
Join the conversation and continue processing your faith with us.
Faith in Process: Sunday’s Cool
Recorded live on Sunday mornings at Pleasant Valley Church of the Brethren in Weyers Cave, Virginia. Hosted by Pastor Harry Jarrett.
Join us in person or listen on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or Substack.Learn more about our congregation at pleasantvalleyalive.org
