CMYK: Life Together by Justin McRoberts

Singer/Songwriter and Pastor, Justin McRoberts recently released an album called CMYK.  The premise is based on the idea that like the colors used in a printer (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) to make every other color so we as humanity need each other and our unique experiences in life together to understand God, faith, and life.  If you have the time you can read an interview he gave about the project that encompassed a book and visual art alongside his music here: http://www.arthouseamerica.com/blog/cmyk-a-conversation-with-justin-mcroberts.html

But I wanted to share a piece of the interview and the quote was far too big to put on Facebook or Twitter.  It follows below...

Jenni Simmons: I recently read this quote by Teju Cole: “The basic question which no public event alters: how can I, myself, in my limited sphere of influence, be more just?” How would you answer that question? In the same vein, “How can I foster more truth, goodness, and beauty in the image of my Creator?”
Justin McRoberts: I really like that and particularly the emphasis on limitation. I think, when it comes to justice, limitation is the ballgame.

Gideon Strauss said, “Justice is when all God’s creatures receive what is due them and contribute, out of their uniqueness, to our common experience.” Part of what he is saying is that at the heart of justice is the question of identity. What is due to God’s creatures is not some cold, statistical end of an equation having to do with geography and base income. What is due to God’s creatures is due to them according to the love of their Creator. So, in order for me to think justly about my world, I have to know my world the way my Creator does — namely, that I belong to my world and it belongs to me. And I belong more immediately and vitally to my immediate surroundings. As it relates to people, justice is rooted in God’s desire for people. In my opinion, that desire is never general and statistical but always particular and personal. So if I am to live more justly and foster truth, goodness, and beauty, I must localize. I must know, personally and particularly, the place and the people to whom I’ve been given. Then I can begin to know what God wants for them (rather than what the State or the Church wants) and work, alongside them, toward that vision.


In the spirit of "life together" I would love to hear your thoughts on this quote, justice, God, etc.

Matt

p.s. I highly recommend his ep's (C, M, and Y) and the final album (K).  Just so you know, it will take you deep into hard questions and realities of faith, life and God.  But I think the journey is worth taking.

A little C, M and Y.  I'm sure there is some K in there somewhere.