Active Passivity
A newsletter exploring the intersection of spiritual formation and orthodox Christian theology.
What is Active Passivity? On the surface "active passivity" might appear to be a term that contradicts itself.
Yet, Schaeffer used this term to summarize a faithful approach to spirituality, characterized by Mary's responsive prayer:
“I am the Lord’s servant... May your word to me be fulfilled.” (Luke 1:38 NIV)
Mary had been promised through angelic visitation that she, a young, engaged but unmarried girl, would give birth to the Messiah and Son of God. This would not happen by natural means but would happen by the Holy Spirit.
Mary could have resisted this promise and refused to cooperate with God; the news of this angelic visitation invited an active, willing response. This cooperation with God could come at great cost. What would Joseph think? However, to embrace the promise and to cooperate with the Spirit of God meant that ultimately the result was outside of her control. She could not produce God incarnate on her own.
Active Passivity will explore the mysterious tension of our role, and God's role by the Holy Spirit, in the spiritual life as we become more like Jesus Christ. The spiritual life of active passivity acknowledges the need for an intentional faith in the Triune God, moment by moment, in this present life. Yet, it is a spirituality that recognizes that as finite, broken human beings in a fallen world that we cannot ultimately produce Christ-like transformation on our own. Spiritual formation requires exploring human means for transformation, while trusting that ultimate transformation into Christ-likeness is dependent upon the work of the Holy Spirit within.
This is a spiritual life that echoes prayers like:
Upon the basis of your promises I am looking for you to fulfill them, O my Jesus Christ; bring forth your fruit through me into this poor world.1
My own prayer is that Active Passivity might be one of many resources that God might use to shape others into the image of Jesus Christ.
Francis A. Schaeffer, True Spirituality (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale, 2011), 53.
I love this idea and the way you've described it. It's a new term for me. Years ago after a very intense dream with the Lord, I promised Him that I'd never be passive again. Now I can cooperate with a righteous version of it. Thanks!