--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But should we accept this negative view…" description: "\"“But should we accept this negative view of power? Is power all bad? Specifically, can Christians share in this devaluation of power and discipline as ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/james-k-a-smith-11405_christianity_but-should-we-accept-this-negative-view_3141855.png" --- # But should we accept this negative view of power? Is power… ![“But should we accept this negative view of power? Is power all bad? Specifically, can Christians share in this devaluation of power and discipline as inherently evil? Can we who claim to be disciples - who are called and predestined to be conformed to the likeness of the Son (Rom. 8:29) - be…” quote by James K.A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/james-k-a-smith-11405_christianity_but-should-we-accept-this-negative-view_3141855.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/james-k-a-smith-11405_christianity_but-should-we-accept-this-negative-view_3141855.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/971/james-k-a-smith-11405_christianity_but-should-we-accept-this-negative-view_3141855.png) > ““But should we accept this negative view of power? Is power all bad? Specifically, can Christians share in this devaluation of power and discipline as inherently evil? Can we who claim to be disciples - who are called and predestined to be conformed to the likeness of the Son (Rom. 8:29) - be opposed to discipline and formation as such? Can we who are called to be subject to the Lord of life really agree with the liberal Enlightenment notion of the autonomous self? Are we not above all called to subject ourselves to our Domine and conform to his image? Of course, we are called not to conform to the patterns of 'this world' (Rom. 12:2) or to our previous evil desires (1 Peter 1:14), but that is a call not to nonconformity as such but rather to an alternative conformity through a counterformation in Christ, a transformation and renewal directed toward conformity to his image. By appropriating the liberal Enlightenment notion of negative freedom and participating in its nonconformist resistance to discipline (and hence a resistance to the classical spiritual disciplines), Christians are in fact being conformed to the patterns of this world (contra Rom. 12:2).”” [James K.A. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-k-a-smith/) ## 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 challenges the view that power and discipline are inherently evil, urging Christians to embrace disciplined formation toward Christ’s likeness rather than liberal notions of autonomous self‑determination. **In simple terms:** Christians should see power and discipline as tools for spiritual formation, not as evil. Key Takeaway Embrace disciplined formation toward Christ’s image. Themes theiritual formation power discipline autonomy conformity Mood reflective serious inquisitive Type theilosophical theological When to use this quote - church leadership - personal spiritual practice - education - counseling - public policy Key Concepts Theology Christian ethics Enlightenment critique Questions to Reflect On - How can disciplined formation coexist with personal freedom? - What does “counter‑formation” look like in daily life? A Different Perspective Liberal individualism can undermine communal responsibility and spiritual growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/church/) [Conformity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conformity/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Jesus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jesus/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Is Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-is-power/) [Spiritual formation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-formation/) [Spiritual-discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-discipline/) ## Related quotes > [“While formally or structurally speaking, there are mechanisms of discipline operative in both the convent and the prison, in both the factory and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-k-a-smith/while-formally-or-structurally-speaking-there-are-mechanisms-of/) [James K.A. 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Of course, we are called not to conform to the patterns of 'this world' (Rom. 12:2) or to our previous evil desires (1 Peter 1:14), but that is a call not to nonconformity as such but rather to an alternative conformity through a counterformation in Christ, a transformation and renewal directed toward conformity to his image. By appropriating the liberal Enlightenment notion of negative freedom and participating in its nonconformist resistance to discipline (and hence a resistance to the classical spiritual disciplines), Christians are in fact being conformed to the patterns of this world (contra Rom. 12:2).”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James K.A. 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