The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.
APOCALYPSE
The literature of apocalypse is scary stuff, the kind of thing that can give religion a bad name, because people so often use it as a means of controlling others, instilling dread by invoking a boogeyman God... It is not a detailed prediction of the future, or an invitation to withdraw from the concerns of this world. It is a wake-up call, one that uses intensely poetic language and imagery to sharpen our awareness of God's presence in and promise for the world... The word "apocalypse" comes from the Greek word for "uncovering" or "revealing," which makes it a word about possibilities. And while uncovering something we'd just as soon keep hidden is a frightening prospect, the point of apocalypse is not to frighten us into submission... Maybe we're meant to use apocalyptic literature...not as an allowance to indulge in an otherworldly fixation but as an injunction to pay closer attention to the world around us. When I am disturbed by the images of apocalypse, I find it helpful to remember the words of the fourth-century monk about the task of reading scripture as "working the earth of the heart," for it is only in a disturbed, ploughed-up ground that the seeds we plant for grain can grow.
Apocalyptic literature in the bible has been the source of so much fear within Christianity that some people don't want to open a book like the Revelation to John. I hate domestic violence and I hate spouse or child abuse...I am also greatly disturbed by Bible abuse. This takes place particularly in those passages and books that some want to call "prophesy" books...here referred to as literature of apocalypse. It is abuse because people try to us these pieces of scripture as a secret map that will predict the future. As Norris writes, we end up with a boogeyman God...that tries to scare the hell out of people. In our lifetime, we run into people like the Watchtower (JWs), the writers of the "Left Behind" series, Hal Lindsey from the "Late Great Planet Earth" of the 1970, and I would say many literalist preachers who are afraid to let poetry be poetry and apocalyptic writing be apocalyptic writing. I told someone the other day that I love to read the book of Revelations because it is such a simple story...Jesus is Lord. That is the beginning and the end...alpha & omega. God's reign is about a love that holds on to us even when the world is acting like a horrible beast and we are being seduced to follow its beastly ways. That's encouraging not frightening.
Connection: The next time you hear people talking about "the end times" and it is filled with "scare the hell out of you" language, you have my permission to use this highly technical and theological word I teach to the children in our worship during the children's lesson. Simply say, "Bologna!" In other words, literalistic talk like that is like shredding up a bunch of bits and pieces that aren't worth anything and selling it as good food. Demand the Gospel instead!!!
Lord of this day and all of time, we give you thanks for you promise to be with us and never abandon us. Send your promised Holy Spirit to keep our eyes fixed on your gracious and loving reign and our hearts open to the power of your love. Amen.
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