thursday reflection for week 3

After reading Transforming the Powers and hearing Ryan's lecture on Walter Wink's theory that all powers have both an outer and inner dimension, I have begun to wonder if this is a dangerous dualism. I am always hesitant to full on agree with someone who thinks dualistically—even though I too think dualistically (one the downfalls of Descarte and Modernity)—because I think this kind of thinking does more damage than good.

I have learned from our reading that Wink emphasizes the unity of both dimensions because we see the unity in our material world. From what I understand, we cannot separate one from the other. Due to this inability to separate the two dimensions, I think Wink hopes to prevent a dualistic perspective. However, how can we know that these systems have these two dimensions? Does there need to be proof of the two dimensions?

I think Wink saying this: "Every power on earth—anything on earth really—is fully spiritual, but, for us, this spirituality is instantiated in the material world; if this were not the case, then we would not be able to perceive and interact with it. As a result, two realms exist, but they only exist when bound together." If this is what he is saying, then I feel this avoids dualism. If not, what is he saying?