Beyond the God of Oppression

Many of us were raised with images of God that do not reflect our realities or worth. Some still hold onto that image—an old white man ruling from above—even when it no longer speaks to who we are or what we need. That image helped justify systems of domination and made many feel outside God’s love. Too often, we internalize that version of God, then judge ourselves and others accordingly. Some of us are walking around like the god of the oppressor is our god. Liberation talk means little if we cling to oppressive theology. God is not the property of empire. God stands with the silenced and the sidelined. That means standing with women. That means dismantling the lies that hold us back. That means reclaiming our sacred power to love, include, and liberate.

May courage guide us to reject oppressive images
and live fully in the truth of a God
who frees and unites all.

(inspired by Jacqueline J. Lewis, What If We Dance? Prophetic Theology for Hot-Mess Times; Sojourner Truth, speech at the Women’s Rights Convention)