The Anti-Manichaeist

Bob Robinson tells it straight about how the birth of Jesus is about the subversion of powers. 

There is an implied contrast between Jesus and the Roman Emperor.   In the announcement to the Shepherds, we find that the real good news is that the real savior of the world has been born, and that he is none other than the Messiah, the Christ the Lord.

The subversiveness of Jesus Christ means not trying to overpower that which is overpowering me or others with worldly strength.  It means being gentle and weak, humble and meek.  It means not trying to manipulate life in order to overcome that which oppresses. 

One does not overpower others in using political jujitsu to make needed reforms(and try talking with foreigners whose countries didn’t make the sorts of reforms that were made in the US in the early 20th ctry to get a sense of how important reforms are).  And one can be humble in a third party movement if that means to value more that reforms are made than for you to get into power. 

dlw