I wanted to share this wonderful thought of Willimon's as we end this week - just prior to All Saints Sunday.
Note that we affirm in the Apostles' Creed that "he shall come to judge." In the end, as at the beginning, we do not come to Jesus; he comes to us. Christ the Judge is not like our judges - sitting back and dispassionately pronouncing judgment. God the seeking shepherd, the searching woman, comes to us, this time as the Judge who draws near to set things right between us and God, loving us enough to judge us. In all of Scripture, God's anticipated judgment is celebrated as a joyful event, a time when God at last actively overcomes the injustice and inequity of the world and gives evil what it deserves.
Remember within the creation of humankind God steps back to look at everything and "it is good...very good." This is the way we are in the eyes of our God. The final judgment is a liberation from all that would grab us and steal us and twist us and steer us away from such a vision for life. Could this judgment be a once and for all - welcome home my beloved...let us now - all of us in every place and time - dance in the midst of God's love and be shaped by God alone.
Connection: I also like to dream and wonder and imagine.
Be for us, O God, the one you have always promised to be - our loving God who is our foundation and resting place. Amen.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday 29 October 2009
This notion of damnation is really one that overwhelms too many of us...and unfortunately, many are under its rule - for it breeds dread and fear. More from Willimon - quoting others.
One of the appealing aspects of reading Origen on our eternal fate is that he manages to make his assertions with admirable intellectual modesty, refusing to explain away or to ignore that scripture that may be counter to his theological claims. He asserts, not a knock-down argument but rather a genuine, though not legally defined, hope that is based upon the identity of Jesus Christ.
My mentor in these matters is, once again, Karl Barth, who know a great deal about Christian theology but, in discussions of our eternal damnation or reward, demonstrated uncharacteristic intellectual reticence. Barth refused to lock God into either an "All are saved" or "Not all are save" position, though I have admitted that Barth hoped for universal restoration. Barth found it difficult to believe that Christ's work for the salvation of the world will be finally thwarted. Still, the resilience and persistence of human sin is impressive. After all, we managed to hear and to see God With Us and still cried, "Crucify him!"
Can we learn to let ourselves live within a religious world in which we do not have to try to be definitive about damnation?!? I only want to be sure about the promise - the hope - the forever that is in the grasp of our God who will abide with us and be for us in and through all that will be. The lessons for this Sunday - All Saints Day - ring out with promise that is more powerful than any other reality in which we may find ourselves. By the way...is God ever "Not With Us"!?!?!? If God With Us is an eternal reality...to hell with damnation. In fact the hell of damnation is another place where God is With Us - but it is now a new place defined by the God of Grace and Glory.
Connection: What joy is at hand. There are too many people living under a veil of threat who must be made free. My only consolation if some will not find rest in this joy, is that they will be wonderfully surprise - someday...by a greeting that will wipe away every tear.
Invade our lives with your Gracious Reign, O God. In Christ, Jesus, you walked among us and we saw the Glory of your Reign as it is set in motion within the day to day of all the travails of life. We need your Spirit of all Hopefulness to nurture our faithfulness. Amen.
One of the appealing aspects of reading Origen on our eternal fate is that he manages to make his assertions with admirable intellectual modesty, refusing to explain away or to ignore that scripture that may be counter to his theological claims. He asserts, not a knock-down argument but rather a genuine, though not legally defined, hope that is based upon the identity of Jesus Christ.
My mentor in these matters is, once again, Karl Barth, who know a great deal about Christian theology but, in discussions of our eternal damnation or reward, demonstrated uncharacteristic intellectual reticence. Barth refused to lock God into either an "All are saved" or "Not all are save" position, though I have admitted that Barth hoped for universal restoration. Barth found it difficult to believe that Christ's work for the salvation of the world will be finally thwarted. Still, the resilience and persistence of human sin is impressive. After all, we managed to hear and to see God With Us and still cried, "Crucify him!"
Can we learn to let ourselves live within a religious world in which we do not have to try to be definitive about damnation?!? I only want to be sure about the promise - the hope - the forever that is in the grasp of our God who will abide with us and be for us in and through all that will be. The lessons for this Sunday - All Saints Day - ring out with promise that is more powerful than any other reality in which we may find ourselves. By the way...is God ever "Not With Us"!?!?!? If God With Us is an eternal reality...to hell with damnation. In fact the hell of damnation is another place where God is With Us - but it is now a new place defined by the God of Grace and Glory.
Connection: What joy is at hand. There are too many people living under a veil of threat who must be made free. My only consolation if some will not find rest in this joy, is that they will be wonderfully surprise - someday...by a greeting that will wipe away every tear.
Invade our lives with your Gracious Reign, O God. In Christ, Jesus, you walked among us and we saw the Glory of your Reign as it is set in motion within the day to day of all the travails of life. We need your Spirit of all Hopefulness to nurture our faithfulness. Amen.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday 28 October 2009
Willimon doesn't stop making us think of all side of this notion of hell and damnation.
However, valid objections can be raised against the claims of contemporary sentimentalists. Jesus as the all-affirming, indulgent, and inclusive therapist must answer to Scripture's Jesus the Prophet, the Judge, the one who hated our sin enough to take its full force upon himself and save us through, suffering for us and because of us. Jesus was crucified for telling judgmental stories like the one about Lazarus and the rich man. If finally our eternal destiny is in God's hands that applies both to the possibility of divine restoration and to the prospect of divine punishment. We just don't know. all we know for sure about any forecasted final judgment (on the basis of Matthew 25) is that there are large surprises because of the surprising Savior.
I don't even know what will be meant by "divine punishment." It could be the most rewarding thing that comes to me. It may be that which saves me from myself and opens up a world beyond my imagination. I don't know. So...in the meantime, the restoration and the judgment are both part of a grand picture beyond what I may know but within my faithful imagination that has Jesus always - for us...in and through all things. Now, how would you define for us. Hmmm.
Connection: A simple exercise may be to simply imagine how God if "for us" in and through all that takes place today. It will take stretching our imagination...but I think it is within our powers to imagine.
Take us up into your arms, O God. Lift us up to see the grand vision of your Reign and the place that is set for each of your beloved. Amaze us again and again so that we will not fear what the day holds. Amen.
However, valid objections can be raised against the claims of contemporary sentimentalists. Jesus as the all-affirming, indulgent, and inclusive therapist must answer to Scripture's Jesus the Prophet, the Judge, the one who hated our sin enough to take its full force upon himself and save us through, suffering for us and because of us. Jesus was crucified for telling judgmental stories like the one about Lazarus and the rich man. If finally our eternal destiny is in God's hands that applies both to the possibility of divine restoration and to the prospect of divine punishment. We just don't know. all we know for sure about any forecasted final judgment (on the basis of Matthew 25) is that there are large surprises because of the surprising Savior.
I don't even know what will be meant by "divine punishment." It could be the most rewarding thing that comes to me. It may be that which saves me from myself and opens up a world beyond my imagination. I don't know. So...in the meantime, the restoration and the judgment are both part of a grand picture beyond what I may know but within my faithful imagination that has Jesus always - for us...in and through all things. Now, how would you define for us. Hmmm.
Connection: A simple exercise may be to simply imagine how God if "for us" in and through all that takes place today. It will take stretching our imagination...but I think it is within our powers to imagine.
Take us up into your arms, O God. Lift us up to see the grand vision of your Reign and the place that is set for each of your beloved. Amaze us again and again so that we will not fear what the day holds. Amen.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday 27 October 2009
There is just something about how we think we know or need to know what will be.
I fear that Augustine allows his sense of human original sin to overcome his sense of Christ-initiated divine grace "for the sins of the whole world." Augustine gives too much credence to sinful Adam and too little to the triumphant Christ. How does Augustine know for sure that some are irretrievably damned? Damnation is possible, but is it probable? Neuhaus asks if biblical talk about hell is predictive (this is the way it shall be) or cautionary (this is the way it can be if one turns away from Christ's outstretched hand). Whereas Origen has nobody in hell, Augustine appears to have just about everybody there. How do either of them know this much?
In the meantime, what does it matter what they think about hell and who will or will not be there. What does it add to the life of the followers of Jesus each and every day. Do you go about your day based on what you know or have been taught about hell? Or...do you go about your day being drenched by the grace of God and the life of promise that is available for all - even as I write this and forevermore?! Just within the past week, I have been thinking about this simple notion. The Reign of God is the road before me - what now?! There is for me a sense of urgency but not a sense of coercion. It is there/here. It is not waiting for my response to its availability. It is for me and you without any condition or excuses. Now what!?! In some ways, I am a bit afraid to answer or even talk about that question. It has an impact on what comes next. That's kind of powerful.
Connection: So, now what!?!
Grant us courage and wisdom as you once again invite us to share in the unfolding of your Reign within this day, O God. There are so many other ways to walk - and yet you alone bring us into the fullness of our humanity. Amen.
I fear that Augustine allows his sense of human original sin to overcome his sense of Christ-initiated divine grace "for the sins of the whole world." Augustine gives too much credence to sinful Adam and too little to the triumphant Christ. How does Augustine know for sure that some are irretrievably damned? Damnation is possible, but is it probable? Neuhaus asks if biblical talk about hell is predictive (this is the way it shall be) or cautionary (this is the way it can be if one turns away from Christ's outstretched hand). Whereas Origen has nobody in hell, Augustine appears to have just about everybody there. How do either of them know this much?
In the meantime, what does it matter what they think about hell and who will or will not be there. What does it add to the life of the followers of Jesus each and every day. Do you go about your day based on what you know or have been taught about hell? Or...do you go about your day being drenched by the grace of God and the life of promise that is available for all - even as I write this and forevermore?! Just within the past week, I have been thinking about this simple notion. The Reign of God is the road before me - what now?! There is for me a sense of urgency but not a sense of coercion. It is there/here. It is not waiting for my response to its availability. It is for me and you without any condition or excuses. Now what!?! In some ways, I am a bit afraid to answer or even talk about that question. It has an impact on what comes next. That's kind of powerful.
Connection: So, now what!?!
Grant us courage and wisdom as you once again invite us to share in the unfolding of your Reign within this day, O God. There are so many other ways to walk - and yet you alone bring us into the fullness of our humanity. Amen.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday 26 October 2009
We will continue in the section called "Damned" in William Willimon's book, "Who Will Be Saved."
...it seems to me that valid objections can be raised against Augustinian claims of eternal, widespread damnation and a crowded hell. One objection is that 'eternal' is not something that is a possession of humans, be they damned or blessed. "Eternal" is a gift of a living God who raises the dead. To ascribe immortal, everlasting life to the damned seems odd. Second, advocates of this eternal, penal, irrevocable misery must surely contend with the Savior as depicted in Scripture. Jesus the Judge must be held in tension with Jesus the Savior, the Evangel, the one who was criticized, not for having too strict a standard of justice, but rather for seeking, inviting, and saving the lost.
Jesus is the Judge who is also our Advocate
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
"Eternal is a gift of a living God who raise the dead." Would it be a gift if it was something with a hellish "forever?" I don't think so. And yet, we are very willing to keep wanting to make much of "eternal life" that is spent in a gift-less state. Unfortunately, as long as the gift of life eternal is spent wondering about what will be after we die, we will continue to speculate by writing in the air. Eternal life rarely is placed within the context of now. We are invited and handed the eternal life that is the Reign of God...and it is handed to us now...for now. Our Advocate is already on the job changing us in the midst of life and changing the world as we are alive within the Reign of God even as we are walking and living within the ordinary brutality of today. Better to live anew than wonder about what if...this....or...that.
Connection: We must remember to keep our eyes on the life that is already before us as we enter today established within the Reign of God. It would be good if we would think less about hell and more about "leaving a bit of heaven around" (Cornel West).
When you bring us life, O God, it is for now and forever. We give you thanks for the many ways you invite us to share the life of your Reign as a part of our own. Praise to you, O God. Amen.
...it seems to me that valid objections can be raised against Augustinian claims of eternal, widespread damnation and a crowded hell. One objection is that 'eternal' is not something that is a possession of humans, be they damned or blessed. "Eternal" is a gift of a living God who raises the dead. To ascribe immortal, everlasting life to the damned seems odd. Second, advocates of this eternal, penal, irrevocable misery must surely contend with the Savior as depicted in Scripture. Jesus the Judge must be held in tension with Jesus the Savior, the Evangel, the one who was criticized, not for having too strict a standard of justice, but rather for seeking, inviting, and saving the lost.
Jesus is the Judge who is also our Advocate
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
"Eternal is a gift of a living God who raise the dead." Would it be a gift if it was something with a hellish "forever?" I don't think so. And yet, we are very willing to keep wanting to make much of "eternal life" that is spent in a gift-less state. Unfortunately, as long as the gift of life eternal is spent wondering about what will be after we die, we will continue to speculate by writing in the air. Eternal life rarely is placed within the context of now. We are invited and handed the eternal life that is the Reign of God...and it is handed to us now...for now. Our Advocate is already on the job changing us in the midst of life and changing the world as we are alive within the Reign of God even as we are walking and living within the ordinary brutality of today. Better to live anew than wonder about what if...this....or...that.
Connection: We must remember to keep our eyes on the life that is already before us as we enter today established within the Reign of God. It would be good if we would think less about hell and more about "leaving a bit of heaven around" (Cornel West).
When you bring us life, O God, it is for now and forever. We give you thanks for the many ways you invite us to share the life of your Reign as a part of our own. Praise to you, O God. Amen.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday 22 October 2009
Leading into today' piece from "Who Will Be Saved" was this sentence from yesterday's devotion.
"Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants."
As he was led away to be hanged by the Nazis, Alfred Depp - friend of Bonhoeffer and powerful preacher - said to the soldier who took him to the gallows, "In a few minutes, I'll know more than you do."
We do horrible things to one another in the name of what we now know. We do them in the name of so many good things and all that we think will make the world and our lives better. Alas, the Reign of God is already given and the peace of God prevails even when death appears to be the victorious power of the day. The soldier knew the orders and what would keep things just as they are - a world of the good and the bad...a world where we try to destroy everything that is bad (or not like me). But...whenever we attempt to control our world, we make a real hell of it. In Depp's death, he reminds us of that for when we claim to know more than the other, it is often used in such a way that we make life a hell for us all. That soldier may have thought he was being a part of all that was supposed to be good.
Connection: I'm not sure. Already we must be open to that which will surprise us so that we do not claim to own the hour or the day or the lives of others.
Within you Reign, O God, you continue to open up doors for us so that we can catch a glimpse of the shalom of your coming among us. We humbly thank you. Amen.
"Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants."
As he was led away to be hanged by the Nazis, Alfred Depp - friend of Bonhoeffer and powerful preacher - said to the soldier who took him to the gallows, "In a few minutes, I'll know more than you do."
We do horrible things to one another in the name of what we now know. We do them in the name of so many good things and all that we think will make the world and our lives better. Alas, the Reign of God is already given and the peace of God prevails even when death appears to be the victorious power of the day. The soldier knew the orders and what would keep things just as they are - a world of the good and the bad...a world where we try to destroy everything that is bad (or not like me). But...whenever we attempt to control our world, we make a real hell of it. In Depp's death, he reminds us of that for when we claim to know more than the other, it is often used in such a way that we make life a hell for us all. That soldier may have thought he was being a part of all that was supposed to be good.
Connection: I'm not sure. Already we must be open to that which will surprise us so that we do not claim to own the hour or the day or the lives of others.
Within you Reign, O God, you continue to open up doors for us so that we can catch a glimpse of the shalom of your coming among us. We humbly thank you. Amen.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday 21 October 2009
Here is another take on hell...and all of us.
Slaves, working out in the cotton fields on a hot Sunday morning in the Old South, looked up from their forced labor. They saw the master and his family getting into their fine coach, wearing their nice clothes, and preparing to go to their fine church for Sunday morning worship. One of the slaves began singing the spiritual, "Everybody Talkin' 'bout Heaven Ain't a-Goin' There."
At other times they sand, I got shoes, you got shoes, all God's children got shoes. And when I get to heaven, gonna put on my shoes, I'm gonna walk all over God's heaven." That was the song of slaves, many of whom did not have shoes in this world. Hell is that time and place where those who have had everything that this world can give are made to see the poverty of their lives. Heaven is that time and that place where those who had to go barefoot in the world, at last have shoes. Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants.
Let me start with the last sentence: "Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants." All God's children will be one. No one left out...all are renewed. No one is punished...all are healed and set free...all have shoes. Those who have...come to see the world in a new light so that they become familiar with how God is God of all. Those who have not...receive dancing shoes...to be reminded that God does provide. In the meantime, the two peoples begin to look at each other face-to-face and human community begins to see how full and blessed it can be with the whole house of the Lord is full with all God's children.
Connection: It is amazing how many times I am unwilling - unable...to experience the fullness of God's Reign by reaching across to touch the world of one who is not me. It is quite embarrassing. But then again, it is always an available scenario for all of us...the beginning of life within the restorative power of our God.
When you heal us, O God, you are also healing the world. As I am made whole, I become available to others. When you inspire us to be available to others, your creation shines and we are given a glimpse of the more into which you call us every day. Amen.
Slaves, working out in the cotton fields on a hot Sunday morning in the Old South, looked up from their forced labor. They saw the master and his family getting into their fine coach, wearing their nice clothes, and preparing to go to their fine church for Sunday morning worship. One of the slaves began singing the spiritual, "Everybody Talkin' 'bout Heaven Ain't a-Goin' There."
At other times they sand, I got shoes, you got shoes, all God's children got shoes. And when I get to heaven, gonna put on my shoes, I'm gonna walk all over God's heaven." That was the song of slaves, many of whom did not have shoes in this world. Hell is that time and place where those who have had everything that this world can give are made to see the poverty of their lives. Heaven is that time and that place where those who had to go barefoot in the world, at last have shoes. Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants.
Let me start with the last sentence: "Heaven is the delightful, disarming place and time where God gets what God wants." All God's children will be one. No one left out...all are renewed. No one is punished...all are healed and set free...all have shoes. Those who have...come to see the world in a new light so that they become familiar with how God is God of all. Those who have not...receive dancing shoes...to be reminded that God does provide. In the meantime, the two peoples begin to look at each other face-to-face and human community begins to see how full and blessed it can be with the whole house of the Lord is full with all God's children.
Connection: It is amazing how many times I am unwilling - unable...to experience the fullness of God's Reign by reaching across to touch the world of one who is not me. It is quite embarrassing. But then again, it is always an available scenario for all of us...the beginning of life within the restorative power of our God.
When you heal us, O God, you are also healing the world. As I am made whole, I become available to others. When you inspire us to be available to others, your creation shines and we are given a glimpse of the more into which you call us every day. Amen.
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