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Embracing Dualities: BFG Handbook Chapter 2 Living in Truth for the New Evangelization
Discover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-2-embracing-dualities/
Chapter 2: Embracing Dualities
If beauty is recognized in the world a
Then ugliness arises
If good is recognized in the world b
Then bad arises
Spirit and flesh form each other
Difficult and easy define one another
Long and short are measured against each other
High and low contrast with each other
Music and tone harmonize each other
Front and back follow each other
Therefore, the Son of God c
Achieves His purpose but not by His own actions d
Conveys the teachings but not by His own words
Holds all things together but not by controlling
Creates all but does not possess
Serves all but does not seek glory
Fulfills the promise to all but does not claim it
Since He does not claim anything
Nothing is ever lost
a 1 Peter 3:3-5; b Job 30:26; Ecclesiastes 9:1-3; Galatians 5:16-26; c Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 3:11; Luke 22:70; John 10:22-36; Acts 13:34; d Colossians 1:15-23; John 5:19-20; John 14:10.
Scriptural References:
a: 1 Peter 3:3-5; b: Job 30:26, Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, Galatians 5:16-26; c: Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 3:11, Luke 22:70, John 10:22-36, Acts 13:34; d: Colossians 1:15-23, John 5:19-20, John 14:10.
Chapter 2 of the Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching explores divine balance, where opposites exist in relationship, giving meaning and context to life. Beauty is known through ugliness, and good is understood through bad. This mirrors creation in Genesis 1:1-5, where light and darkness coexist. The Christian view acknowledges suffering and sin in a fallen world, yet also redemption and beauty in Christ. Opposites are not to be feared but are essential in grasping God’s divine order.
The chapter lists dualities—spirit and flesh, difficult and easy, high and low—showing how contrast shapes understanding. This finds fulfillment in Jesus, fully God and fully man, demonstrating divine harmony. His mission was not self-driven but perfectly submitted to the Father.
Jesus accomplishes His work not through striving but by aligning with God’s will (John 5:19-20). He teaches not for self-glory but to reveal the Father (John 17:1-5). He serves all yet seeks no recognition, fulfilling Isaiah 53:3. He creates yet does not claim, serves yet does not boast (Mark 10:45). His humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:6-8) exemplify divine balance, showing that by surrendering all, nothing is truly lost.
This chapter calls Christians to embrace life’s dualities, trusting in God’s will, serving humbly, and reflecting Christ’s selfless love, where all things are reconciled in Him.
Contact us at [email protected]
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By KeithDiscover the highlights of this chapter shaping the New Evangelization today: https://www.builtforgreatness.com/tao-te-ching-chapter-2-embracing-dualities/
Chapter 2: Embracing Dualities
If beauty is recognized in the world a
Then ugliness arises
If good is recognized in the world b
Then bad arises
Spirit and flesh form each other
Difficult and easy define one another
Long and short are measured against each other
High and low contrast with each other
Music and tone harmonize each other
Front and back follow each other
Therefore, the Son of God c
Achieves His purpose but not by His own actions d
Conveys the teachings but not by His own words
Holds all things together but not by controlling
Creates all but does not possess
Serves all but does not seek glory
Fulfills the promise to all but does not claim it
Since He does not claim anything
Nothing is ever lost
a 1 Peter 3:3-5; b Job 30:26; Ecclesiastes 9:1-3; Galatians 5:16-26; c Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 3:11; Luke 22:70; John 10:22-36; Acts 13:34; d Colossians 1:15-23; John 5:19-20; John 14:10.
Scriptural References:
a: 1 Peter 3:3-5; b: Job 30:26, Ecclesiastes 9:1-3, Galatians 5:16-26; c: Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 3:11, Luke 22:70, John 10:22-36, Acts 13:34; d: Colossians 1:15-23, John 5:19-20, John 14:10.
Chapter 2 of the Christian edition of the Tao Te Ching explores divine balance, where opposites exist in relationship, giving meaning and context to life. Beauty is known through ugliness, and good is understood through bad. This mirrors creation in Genesis 1:1-5, where light and darkness coexist. The Christian view acknowledges suffering and sin in a fallen world, yet also redemption and beauty in Christ. Opposites are not to be feared but are essential in grasping God’s divine order.
The chapter lists dualities—spirit and flesh, difficult and easy, high and low—showing how contrast shapes understanding. This finds fulfillment in Jesus, fully God and fully man, demonstrating divine harmony. His mission was not self-driven but perfectly submitted to the Father.
Jesus accomplishes His work not through striving but by aligning with God’s will (John 5:19-20). He teaches not for self-glory but to reveal the Father (John 17:1-5). He serves all yet seeks no recognition, fulfilling Isaiah 53:3. He creates yet does not claim, serves yet does not boast (Mark 10:45). His humility and sacrifice (Philippians 2:6-8) exemplify divine balance, showing that by surrendering all, nothing is truly lost.
This chapter calls Christians to embrace life’s dualities, trusting in God’s will, serving humbly, and reflecting Christ’s selfless love, where all things are reconciled in Him.
Contact us at [email protected]