Our task is to announce in deed and word that the exile is…
““Our task is to announce in deed and word that the exile is over, to enact the symbols that speak of healing and forgiveness, to act body in God's world in the power of the Spirit. Luther's definition of sin was homo incurvatus in se , "humans turned in on themselves." Does the industry in which you find yourself foster or challenge that? You may not be able to change the way your discipline currently works, but that isn't necessarily your vocation. Your task is to find the symbolic ways of doing things differently, planting flags in hostile soil, setting up signposts that say there is a different way to be human. And when people are puzzled at what you are doing, find ways - fresh ways - of telling the story of the return of the human race from its exile, and use those stories as your explanation.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote urges believers to embody healing and forgiveness, challenging self‑centered sin by creating symbolic actions that demonstrate a new way of being human.
In simple terms: Act with symbols of healing to counter self‑absorption.
Key Takeaway
Create visible signs of transformation.
Themes
faith
healing
symbolism
social change
spiritual renewal
Mood
hopeful
determined
reflective
Type
inspirational
theological
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- community organizing
- education reform
- artistic activism
Key Concepts
theology
psychology
cultural anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you make your symbolic actions resonate beyond your immediate circle?
- What barriers exist to adopting a more outward‑focused ethic?
A Different Perspective
Symbolic acts may be ignored or misunderstood without broader cultural shift.