12 January 2006

Today we hear about words spoken by God and the speechlessness of other gods in "Hopeless Imagination" by Walter Brueggemann.

The word of the word is utilized negatively concerning false gods who can speak no word. The lawsuit form of Isaiah 41:22-23 taunts the other gods. They are challenged to speak: "tell us...tell us...declare...tell us." But there is a long silence in heaven, because the other gods are mute and dumb. Speech is power. To have power, a god must speak. Such speech must be a serious decree that causes something to happen. But Babylonian gods are silent, have no word to speak, because they can cause nothing.

If you are a person of faith - a person who trusts in the promises of our God and the word of our God for new life - are you bothered by the nonsense over the teaching of "intelligent design" in the science classes of our schools? Ohio has affirmed, again, their position to teach this "stuff" as part of the science curriculum in our schools. As people of faith, we have to remember that even when their are religious sounding words and claims being made (such as the creationists) it doesn't mean that we are hearing the "word" from them. Rather, I think we are in a time when some "religious" folks are afraid of the culture...afraid of the gifts God has given to humanity...afraid of a mind set that is not stuck with ancient images and ancient world views...afraid of trusting God and wanting instead some kind of fantasy or magic to rule us. I think ancient images and ancient world views are powerful even as we move into the day at hand. But...we must be able and willing to translate those words into the words that bring the presence of God into our lives as a God who moves through time and keeps on making things new. The creationists of today are like the Babylonians of the days of Exile. They worship the gods of their anxieties and fears. In the past, one would make a sacrifice in the belief that a piece of wood carved into a certain shape and adorned with gold would be able to make a couple fertile. No wood with gold can do that! We do not bow down to such false gods as the ones that seem to be needed by the "creationists." They can speak no good news to us. They can speak no good news because those who must have the story told in just one way forever...must spend all their time propping up their god rather than being sustained by the one and only God. Creationist are grand advocates of a god they must sustain for fear that their god and the story of their god will not survive. On the other hand, People of Faith in the Creator of all things know from the very depth of our hearts that our God will prevail in all times. Even as we use the fullness of our imaginations to let God speak life to us in every time and place.

Connection: We never have to prop up our God. So do not worry and live today as though you are firmly standing of the Rock of Life that is always ready to surprise us with new life.

Come, O Timeless One, so that we may once again hear your word of life that cannot be owned by any people...a word that is not based in fear but rather the glory of your promises. Amen.