Many of you know that Denny (choir director) was part of the Gaither Ministry Team. They are famous. Yet today’s choir anthem is indicative of a struggle that continues to be widespread in American Christianity. The anthem is by Gloria Gaither, and is entitled “I Then Shall Live”. The struggle is the choosing of words – as many conservative Christians continue to use language, words, and theology that is highly problematic for millions of post-modern people. Meanwhile, living the Christian life often means softening the old-line theology when it comes to dealing with people and not just our belief system.
So, verse 1 of the anthem is a recitation of the type of thinking that results when supernatural and monarchical concepts categorize God and Jesus. Humanity in this scheme is fallen (original sin) and in need of redeeming (salvation). Only God can redeem through His (note the always Patriarchal male pronoun) mercy – and the price we are supposed to pay (our punishment/judgement) is paid by Jesus who takes our place and pays our debt on the cross.
Here’s the 1st verse: “I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven. I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid. I know my name is clear before my Father I am His child and I am not afraid. So, greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother; The law of love I gladly will obey.”
Note the key words: Forgiven / Debts are Paid / My Father/ Pardoned / Law / Obey
I struggle with the idea that an angry and judgmental Father needs his Son to die in order to Love us again. This meta-narrative (creation, sin, judgment, forgiveness, redemption) is worth questioning – Are we being honest to God? Is that who God is?
Verse 2: “I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion. I’ve been so loved, that I’ll risk loving too. I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges; I’ll dare to see another’s point of view. And when relationships demand commitment, Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.”
Verse 3: “Your Kingdom come around and through and in me;Your power and glory, let them shine through me. Your Hallowed Name, O may I bear with honor, And may Your living Kingdom come in me. The Bread of Life, O may I share with honor, And may You feed a hungry world through me. Amen”
Now notice how wonderfully the language changes when Gloria speaks of the Christian life … words like compassion, Love, bridges, shine, bread. So, even though I am not a fan of the sin-judgment scheme, and I am not sure about the image of God as a disappointed Father whose Son has to die in order to forgive humanity’s debt (sin). I am grateful for this anthem as it is a reminder to me of how slowly older ideas change – and how quickly the change comes when we allow God’s power and glory to shine through us.
Kerry
Joan Chittester (from last week’s sermon) (9/10/23)
“If the question is “Who is God for you in the year 2000? Then for me at least—in the face of new glimpses into the universe, the findings of science, the continuing insights of an ancient tradition, the piercing experience of light, the many faces of God around the globe, and the revelations of ecofeminism—the answer is certainly “God is not now who God was for me in 1950.” The God at the other swing of my trapeze is fierce but formless presence, undying light in darkness, eternal limitlessness, common consciousness in all creation, and inclusiveness, greater than doctrines or denominations, who calls me beyond and out of my limits.
The only proper response to that, as far as I’m concerned, is “Thank God. Thank God.” I have learned clearly that in this new world I must allow no one to draw too small a God for me.
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The Current Big Question for you to answer.
Imagine our church is the best it could be as a place where all are welcome and radical hospitality abounds … What one thing could you do, starting today to help this become a reality?
A few answers submitted already: Get a name tag, overcome my shyness and introduce myself, let Rosanna take my picture or give BJ one for the name tag slots, learn to tell people what I like about our church family. Make sure I am in directory. SMILE!
Six Thinking Hats
Edward De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats is a book about different ways to approach things. Putting on a colored hat means thinking from that specific place. The white hat is neutral and objective, concerned about facts (yes – that are multiple source fact checked) and figures. The red hat is emotional, usually full of anger and upset that things are the way they are. The yellow hat is sunny and positive – hopeful and optimistic. The green hat is creative and seeks new ideas. The black hat is negative and does not see any possible way out of the mess perceived. The blue hat is concerned with the way everything fits together and seeks to organize all the other hats.
Lately, I am experiencing a lot of red and black, or at least these are the ones I notice. Maybe the post Covid era has left some people edgy – so they are quick to anger (red hat) and complain about things that would not have been a bother before. I have fallen victim to wearing a black hat lately, getting caught up in a state of gloominess that seems to be overwhelming.
As we approach the latter 1/3 of summer and the Annual Meeting, I would like to suggest everyone do our best to wear our yellow or green hats! In whatever we do, when we are with others, let us strive to be positive and creative. Let us build up one another in the love of Christ. And, if we have to wear a different hat at times – let us do it with grace and compassion.
Kerry
John Donne penned the phrase “No man is an island”. The church is a community at the core – it is not a collective of individuals. Community – like the word communion – implies a spiritual dimension where heart speaks to heart. There are 3 entities, 2 individuals and the Holy Spirit (God), who is the connecting piece for the individuals. What is common and deep down in each of us is the presence of the Holy Spirit – and so we have a foundational connection.
To make the most of this connection and of the time we share in life, we need to go beyond the surface. We need to begin with names and information as we get to know one another. NAME TAGS are the key if there are more than 4 people. If you don’t have one – please get one.
It would be nice for everyone to have their name tag and a picture with it on our new name tag display board. Rosanna (in sound booth) can take your picture – or you can bring one in and put it with your name tag.
There is no other way for us to get to know one another at the initial surface level – and without this initial step, the deeper Christian connection in Christ is hard to create.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE! Name tags and pictures.
“In our African language we say ‘a person is a person through other persons’. I would not know how to be a human being at all except I learned this from other human beings. We are made for a delicate network of relationships, of interdependence. We are meant to complement each other.” ~Desmond Tutu
~Kerry