Much appreciated, Paul. My overall impression of holy scripture is that there is a subtle underlying narrative that emphasizes the ascending of individuals, tribes, nations or empires, only to be followed by their fall into destruction, especially into the hands of unbelievers, to be enslaved, tortured, killed or otherwise punished. And for some pretty nasty sins (Moloch), greed (Baal), and obsessive, unfaithful lust (Asherah - Billy Graham once eloquently detailed how this often happens in modern life).
Christ freed us from this if we but ask him into our hearts. But then again, purely for our edification, this greatest man whoever lived fell into the hands of unbelievers, was tortured and killed. So, in the scripture you address, His teaching was also that regardless of station in life, we alll die (usually under tortured circumstances). Your teaching, for me, subtly emphasizes this ironic paradox for all life by urging us to focus on achieving faith, hope and love in this life.
Hi Michael, I think you have put your finger on one of the great recurring patterns of Scripture. Again and again, we see individuals, nations, and empires rise to positions of great power, only to discover how fragile that power really is when it becomes disconnected from God.
The biblical story is remarkably honest about the human tendency to drift toward pride, idolatry, and self-destruction. Yet it is equally insistent that God continues to call people back to Himself.
Your observation about Jesus is especially powerful. The One who came to free humanity from sin did not avoid suffering, but entered fully into it. In doing so, he transformed what appeared to be defeat into the means of redemption and hope.
That is perhaps the great paradox at the heart of the Christian faith: we cannot avoid mortality, but in Christ, even suffering and death no longer have the final word.
I am really glad the article resonated with you in this way.
Thank you again for taking the time to share such a rich and perceptive response.
"There is a kind of existence that slowly becomes all maintenance and no movement." This statement beautifully summarizes what drove me half out of the church looking for something more vital, more likely to solve burning problems. I think it summarizes the main reason for the shuttering of churches in vast numbers over the past couple of decades.
Laurna, thank you. I think you have touched on something that many people have felt, even if they have struggled to put it into words.
When faith becomes reduced to maintenance, preserving structures, routines, and familiar patterns, it can begin to lose the sense of movement and expectancy that lies at the heart of the biblical story. Scripture is full of people being called to step into the unknown, often at great personal cost, trusting that God is doing something new.
I suspect that much of the disillusionment people feel with institutional religion stems from the gap between that dynamic vision and the more static experience they sometimes encounter in practice.
At its best, the church is not meant to be a museum for preserving the past, but a living community continually being drawn forward by the Spirit of God.
Thank you for adding to this conversation so richly.
“At its best, the church is not meant to be a museum for preserving the past, but a living community continually being drawn forward by the Spirit of God.” What a powerful statement!
Much appreciated, Paul. My overall impression of holy scripture is that there is a subtle underlying narrative that emphasizes the ascending of individuals, tribes, nations or empires, only to be followed by their fall into destruction, especially into the hands of unbelievers, to be enslaved, tortured, killed or otherwise punished. And for some pretty nasty sins (Moloch), greed (Baal), and obsessive, unfaithful lust (Asherah - Billy Graham once eloquently detailed how this often happens in modern life).
Christ freed us from this if we but ask him into our hearts. But then again, purely for our edification, this greatest man whoever lived fell into the hands of unbelievers, was tortured and killed. So, in the scripture you address, His teaching was also that regardless of station in life, we alll die (usually under tortured circumstances). Your teaching, for me, subtly emphasizes this ironic paradox for all life by urging us to focus on achieving faith, hope and love in this life.
Hi Michael, I think you have put your finger on one of the great recurring patterns of Scripture. Again and again, we see individuals, nations, and empires rise to positions of great power, only to discover how fragile that power really is when it becomes disconnected from God.
The biblical story is remarkably honest about the human tendency to drift toward pride, idolatry, and self-destruction. Yet it is equally insistent that God continues to call people back to Himself.
Your observation about Jesus is especially powerful. The One who came to free humanity from sin did not avoid suffering, but entered fully into it. In doing so, he transformed what appeared to be defeat into the means of redemption and hope.
That is perhaps the great paradox at the heart of the Christian faith: we cannot avoid mortality, but in Christ, even suffering and death no longer have the final word.
I am really glad the article resonated with you in this way.
Thank you again for taking the time to share such a rich and perceptive response.
"There is a kind of existence that slowly becomes all maintenance and no movement." This statement beautifully summarizes what drove me half out of the church looking for something more vital, more likely to solve burning problems. I think it summarizes the main reason for the shuttering of churches in vast numbers over the past couple of decades.
Laurna, thank you. I think you have touched on something that many people have felt, even if they have struggled to put it into words.
When faith becomes reduced to maintenance, preserving structures, routines, and familiar patterns, it can begin to lose the sense of movement and expectancy that lies at the heart of the biblical story. Scripture is full of people being called to step into the unknown, often at great personal cost, trusting that God is doing something new.
I suspect that much of the disillusionment people feel with institutional religion stems from the gap between that dynamic vision and the more static experience they sometimes encounter in practice.
At its best, the church is not meant to be a museum for preserving the past, but a living community continually being drawn forward by the Spirit of God.
Thank you for adding to this conversation so richly.
“At its best, the church is not meant to be a museum for preserving the past, but a living community continually being drawn forward by the Spirit of God.” What a powerful statement!