Elizabeth D. A Tension Between the Local and the Universal

A tension between the local and the universal is a summary of the ideas involved in Lane's fourth axiom. This tension between local and universal is another way of saying there is a double impulse in relation to sacred place. This double impulse is a movement which is at one time a centripital, and centrifugal process. There is an ever present pushing in and pulling out from a center, and a tendency toward a local and a universal. I better undetrstood this axiom after understanding that the push and pull of beliefs, and a quest for a center are both parts of sacred place. While one is recurrently driven to a quest for centerdness, or a particular sopt in which an important event occured, they are at silmutaneosuly driven out from the center with an awareness that God is never confined to a single locale. The idea that sacred place can be local AND universal is an important concept in understanding the lack of limits in sacred place. I have gained this knowledge in relation to my own faith as growing up in a Christian community. While reading the bible we learned of various locations which hold significance. This is an exemplification of the 4th axiom because while we have knowledge about different important locations, such as Jersualem, we are also given the knowledge that God is omnipresent. There is a recognition of a localized presence of the divine, yet the subsequent refusal to limit that presence.