2 - James Alison - From the Outside In

The Ferment

James Alison might insist that he is “fairly clearly not an authority, and often just a silly old queen,” but underneath his mirth and modesty lies an exceptional theological depth. America: The Jesuit Review hails this institutional outsider as an authority who “belongs on any short list of the most important living Catholic theologians.”

In this conversation, Alison addresses himself to a generation that has good bullshit detectors, but little social glue, speaking into the challenge of how to cultivate a togetherness no longer defined over against the “baddie du jour.” Questions of catholicity, original sin and the high priesthood of all believers are dealt with in due course. An uncloseted priest from the edges of the Roman Catholic Church speaks into central issues for our time.

Episode References:

• James Alison’s websites: jamesalison.co.uk / forgivingvictim.com
• James Alison’s book: The Joy of Being Wrong
• Matthew Fox’s book: Original Blessing
• Duncan Derrett, NT scholar
• Ojibway Elder – The Ojibway, or Anishnaabe, as they call themselves in their own language, are one of the main original people groups in Manitoba. Their territory stretches far east into Ontario and Quebec and south into Minnesota.
• Alana’s song, The Heart of God, from the album, Behold, I Make All Things New:

The Heart of God has been revealed
The Heart of God has been revealed
To bring love not hate
Pour out not dominate
The Heart of God has been revealed.
The Heart of God has been revealed
The Heart of God has been revealed
To forgive not blame
To make whole not shame
The Heart of God has been revealed.
Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja, Halleluja
The Heart of God has been revealed