Exclusion and Embrace: Distance and Belonging

Wolf helpfully illustrates his points on identity, distance and belonging by using the example of Abraham:

"If [Abraham] is to be a blessing he cannot stay; he must depart, cutting the ties that so profoundly defined him...

The courage to break his cultural and familial ties and abandon the gods of his ancestors (Joshua 24:2) out of allegiance to a God of all families and all cultures was the original Abrahamic revolution. Departure from his native soil, no less than the trust that God will give him an heir, made Abraham the ancestor of us all." (Wolf, Miroslav, Exclusion and Embrace, Abingdon Press, 1996: 38-39)

Wolf emphasises the importance of stepping out of "inherited culture" on the basis of faith in one God with one message that transcends human ethnicity and culture.

- Those who have been called to leave the familiar can find some comfort in this. (And I do!)
- Those who are called to stay among the familiar are challenged to break out of what defines them at the expense of the exclusion of others.
- Isn't "stepping out of inherited culture" the opposite of what some people call "incarnational ministry?"

Wolf is helpful but challenging reading. When I need a break from him the cover photo of a sculpture entitled, "Abraham's farewell to Ishmael" is very thought-provoking. Here is exclusion in action, but exclusion through which God works His sovereign purposes. However, the image of excluded Hagar turning her back on Sarah is very chilling. Exclusion AND Embrace all in the same artwork...

...but I guess that's why they put it on the cover of the book!