The Strength of Powerless

Prepared by Peter Lichang Kuo

John D. Caputo, an American structuralist philosopher, promoted the concept of "Weak Theology," envisioning a distant and peculiar realm—a loosely structured and fragile collective that operating "without sovereignty." In this kingdom, the only permissible power is "powerlessness." When Linda Din returned from her studies in religious studies, she told me, "I discovered a kind of 'The Strength of Powerless'."

* The Strength of Powerless

In his work "More Attention to the Economics of Poetry," Caputo introduced the idea of "a more extensive economy of power." This concept involved a rethinking of power, economics, and morality, challenging traditional notions of power. He emphasized the expansiveness of power and called for the integration of ethics, morality, and human concern into economics and politics, while also focusing on vulnerability and difference. This perspective offers a more inclusive and humane way to understand the distribution of power and resources.

Caputo argued that power should not be viewed merely as a tool for political or economic control; rather, it should be seen as an expanded force that emphasizes human relationships and ethics. In this view, power should be no longer solely about domination and control; it became a force that promoting creativity and collaboration. This perspective encouraged individuals to consider how power can operate on broader social and ethical levels, prompting them to create a more inclusive and respectful environment within power structures, ultimately aiming for a fairer and more humane society.

The journey of theological study has finally uncovered a common theoretical foundation. As stated in 2 Corinthians: "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor 12:10) This reflected the idea that Jesus, having incarnated and performed many miracles, was ultimately crucified to fulfill God's plan of salvation. It also said, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1 Cor 1:18)

Of the 27 books in the New Testament of “Holy Bible”, nearly half were written by the Apostle Paul. In his early years, when he was known as Saul, he lived in comfort with abundant resources at home and enjoyed the finest cattle. However, after the Calling, he stepped out of his comfort zone to become a chained messenger for the mystery of the gospel. Even while imprisoned, Paul continued to spread the gospel across the world through his writings and the efforts of his coworkers.

Paul, as a chained figure, exemplifies inner strength and steadfast faith. This situation emphasized his resilience in the face of adversity and how he utilized difficulties to advance his ministry. In some ways, this parallels Linda Din’s experiences, particularly in her perseverance and indomitable spirit in challenging times. It similarly highlights the "strength of powerlessness" and how individuals in a disadvantaged position within power structures can leverage their "powerlessness" to achieve their goals, even influencing the global ecosystem.

In modern society, the concept of "the strength of powerlessness" has many practical examples, with former South African President Nelson Mandela being one of the most prominent. His story illustrated how immense inner strength can emerge in seemingly powerless situations, leading to profound societal impact.

Mandela played a crucial role in South Africa's “Anti-Apartheid Movement”. He was imprisoned for 27 years due to his opposition to apartheid policies, enduring extremely difficult living conditions and immense pressure. However, even during his imprisonment, Mandela remained steadfast in his belief in freedom and justice, exemplifying the strength of powerlessness. He continued to learn and grow intellectually in prison, and after his release, he used his influence and moral authority to promote a peaceful transition in South Africa, achieving racial reconciliation. His persistence and leadership ultimately transformed the political landscape of South Africa and earned him global respect.

Additionally, Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the “Democratic Movement” in Myanmar, was placed under house arrest for many years due to her struggle against military rule. During her prolonged detention, she continued to advocate for peaceful protests and democratic reforms, also demonstrating “the strength of powerlessness”. Her commitment to democracy and perseverance eventually led to political reforms in Myanmar, and she was elected as State Counsellor in 2015. Her experience highlighted how loyalty to ideals and steadfastness can bring about significant change, even in the face of oppression.

These examples showed how individuals can exert profound influence through unwavering belief and effort, even in seemingly powerless circumstances. Whether it’s Mandela’s persistence in prison or Aung San Suu Kyi’s courage under house arrest, they embodied the true meaning of "the strength of powerlessness": upholding ideals in adversity and ultimately driving social progress and transformation. These instances remind us that faith can be a powerful force for changing the world.

The core idea of "the strength of powerlessness" emphasized that "Power does not solely arise from direct control and resources; it can also come from achieving goals through wisdom, strategy, and moral advantage within unequal power structures." This concept challenged traditional notions of power, illustrating how marginalized individuals can realize their intentions and drive social change through non-traditional means in situations of power imbalance.

"The strength of powerlessness" served as a framework for understanding and addressing power inequality. It indicated that even from seemingly disadvantaged positions, individuals or groups can influence and deconstruct the status quo through creative and unconventional strategies. This concept encourages us to reconsider the nature of power and seek pathways to achieve goals in adversity.

As the saying goes, "By examining history, one can understand rise and fall; by observing others, one can learn from gains and losses." The Apostle Paul, despite being chained, was able to spread the gospel widely; Mandela, after being imprisoned for 27 years, ultimately became the President of South Africa; and Aung San Suu Kyi, even after years of house arrest under military rule, was able to enter the parliament. These stories reveal the impact of "the strength of powerlessness".

When we reflect on the struggles of great historical figures, we often feel a profound power that does not stem from material wealth or external strength but from their persistence and belief in the face of difficulties. "The strength of powerlessness" is not about lacking resources or passively accepting adversity; rather, it refers to the ability of individuals to maintain inner conviction and faith in extremely challenging circumstances, ultimately overcoming obstacles to realize their ideals. This kind of strength is a deep inner motivation that transforms adversity into a driving force for progress.

In these stories, we witness courage and perseverance in the face of challenges. These heroes are not supermen but rather remarkable individuals among ordinary people; they used their determination and wisdom to turn seemingly hopeless situations into sources of influence. These historical narratives remind us that regardless of how severe the challenges may be, as long as there is light in the heart, there is a way to break through adversity.

After experiencing the baptism of injustice in "The New Job," Linda Din found herself in various predicaments—marginalization, economic difficulties, health crises, and so on. Faced with significant failures and setbacks, she felt a deep sense of powerlessness; however, she reassessed her goals and values, igniting her inner resilience and drive.

"To live is to have hope!" In days when powerful adversaries surrounded her and she felt utterly helpless, she struggled internally with the determination to "keep going," surviving through 2004 and 2005 until she could finally speak again. Even when evildoers employed more ruthless tactics, she persisted despite her frail body, taking the cheapest bus from Taichung to Zhongli every week to complete her religious studies, while also discovering "The Strength of Powerless".

* Linda Din’s Religious Study

During this period, I conveyed Linda Din’s experiences on the island to global political and economic leaders through the APEC CEO Summit. The E-Commerce System she invented, along with her TranSmart chip card, Contactless technology, and Cashless transaction systems, became even more sought after than during her prosperous times, becoming necessities in the civilized world.

While Linda suffered unjustly, bound to the island, she tirelessly pursued her religious studies. At that time, she encountered the Deconstructionism, and French philosopher Jacques Derrida’s exploration of individual responsibility in the face of death in "The Gift of Death" inspired her to write a book titled "A Prayer of Faith," which conveyed the strength of powerlessness.

Next, in "How to Deconstruct Christianity," Caputo explored the core of Christian faith and reinterprets religion from a deconstructive perspective. Deconstruction is not only a critical method but also a way to understand religion, encouraging people to approach the complexities of faith with an open attitude. He advocated for a dynamic view of faith, emphasizing its vitality and change, arguing that faith should seek new meanings in modern society, helping her recognize the necessity of deconstruction before construction.

In Linda’s spiritual pursuit and journey of religious faith, she discovered a profound source of spiritual growth in adversity—an empowering force that “Transcends Boundaries”(Transcendence), revealing strength in vulnerability and the appeal of the marginalized. Despite being ordered by the prosecutor to destroy her work, her writings, like Paul's letters during imprisonment, remained filled with power and wisdom. This illustrated how, even when external conditions seem limited, their inner spirit and thoughts can still powerfully influence others.

In summary, "The Strength of Powerless" draws out the appeal of the marginalized, allowing us to draw strength from these stories. We learn how to uncover and cultivate our inner strength of powerlessness in our own adversities, enabling us to continue moving forward and achieve our mission goals.

Peter Lichang Kuo, the author created Taiwan's Precision Industry in his early years. Peter was a representative of the APEC CEO Summit and an expert in the third sector. He advocated "anti-corruption (AC)/cashless/e-commerce (E-Com)/ICT/IPR/IIA-TES / Micro-Business (MB)…and etc." to win the international bills and regulations.