OK, let’s elaborate. Jesus came to bring life, before and after death. The revolution started with his friends claiming that, although they saw him die, he’s not dead after all. He broke the chains and set life free.
Never, not once did Jesus call us to believe in hell. The point is LIFE.
Hell is not about life; no it’s death all the way and God doesn’t do death.
Then why is there a need for Faith?
‘Cause this life is hell enough. People, from all walks of life go through it every day.
The kingdom of God is about the restoration and healing of this life as sign of hope that even in death, life will go on. The story of God as told in the Bible ends with heaven coming here.
So it is hell in some poverty stricken place, in some AIDS ridden family, in some corruption driven government, in some fear filled refugee camp, in some depressive, abusive relationship and in some painful story where death made its home. Why then bother with a theology of hell, when, what we really need is a theology of hope?
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Monday, 18 May 2009
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Day 11
Still busy with the “throwing out” theme. Where do I start? What will the label on the first box of Christian kitsch be? How about “Guilt”?
Through the centuries the church perfected the art to turn guilt into faith, service, prayer and tithes. I used to feel guilty about almost every “do” and don’t” that I learnt in church. I should pray more, confess more, listen more, believe more and especially tithe more. I should sin less, doubt less and enjoy less.
Usually to great effect, guilt got me to do all those things.
Except love.
Love and guilt don’t sit around the same table. You cannot love out of a feeling of ought to or ought not to.
Out of guilt we can build houses, move mountains, feed thousands and pray like angels, but still it will amount to nothing.
Because love and guilt just don’t gel.
So I am wrapping up everything I have ever done, because I thought that that is what God expects from me. The list is long. It includes some big names such as The Bible, Prayer, Faith, Charity and Church.
No obligation, no expectation, just pure, honest, broken, vulnerable love.
“A box full of guilt”, sounds like something I should’ve chucked out a long time ago.
But here goes nothing...
Through the centuries the church perfected the art to turn guilt into faith, service, prayer and tithes. I used to feel guilty about almost every “do” and don’t” that I learnt in church. I should pray more, confess more, listen more, believe more and especially tithe more. I should sin less, doubt less and enjoy less.
Usually to great effect, guilt got me to do all those things.
Except love.
Love and guilt don’t sit around the same table. You cannot love out of a feeling of ought to or ought not to.
Out of guilt we can build houses, move mountains, feed thousands and pray like angels, but still it will amount to nothing.
Because love and guilt just don’t gel.
So I am wrapping up everything I have ever done, because I thought that that is what God expects from me. The list is long. It includes some big names such as The Bible, Prayer, Faith, Charity and Church.
No obligation, no expectation, just pure, honest, broken, vulnerable love.
“A box full of guilt”, sounds like something I should’ve chucked out a long time ago.
But here goes nothing...
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