06.24.04
Posted in faith, culture at 12:37 pm by
Do you ever get that sinking feeling that there’s a powderkeg about to blow? I do. I just read an article on the BBC news website about a new translation of the scriptures. One powderkegish issue that comes up is that of homosexuality. One of St. Paul’s passages from his letters to the Corinthians is translated:
There’s nothing wrong with remaining single, like me. But if you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated,” he says in the new version.
Popular fundamental ideology would state that Rowan Williams (Archbishop of Canterbury) is driving a wedge into the church by proclaiming such a translation to be an acceptable reading of the scriptures. I’m not so sure that the fundies have accurately identified what the wedge really is.
I feel that the wedge isn’t a viewpoint or a perspective, a reading or any particular translation. The wedge is sin, imperfection. So, while the “God hates fags” people will be out in force protesting such a blatant “sign of the apocalypse” and declaring Rowan Williams and the Church of England to be the anti-christ, I think they’ll be driving their own wedge of sin.
I hope for the day that we all share a singular viewpoint on homosexuality…but, in truth, I’ve lost hope that that day will exist on this side of the everlasting. What I haven’t lost hope in is love and peace and justice. Maybe one day love and peace and justice will transform the “God hates fags” people, I don’t know. At least I have the wisdom to be able to proclaim that God doesn’t hate the “God hates fags” people, even though he quite has the right to hate them.
As I reflect, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if the ultra-fundies drove their own wedge between themselves and the church global, moved down to missisippi and formed their own theocracy…oh wait…hasn’t that already happened? Ah, yes. Nazi Germany, the Ku Klux Klan, the Branch Dividians…the list goes on.
Either way maybe a massive split would leave the rest of us to proclaim the good news–the gospel of Jesus Christ. You know, the one about love and peace and justice. But deep down, I don’t long for a split, I long for equal love and equal justice and equal peace to find us all. How long, O Lord?
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Posted in faith, culture at 12:37 pm by
Do you ever get that sinking feeling that there’s a powderkeg about to blow? I do. I just read an article on the BBC news website about a new translation of the scriptures. One powderkegish issue that comes up is that of homosexuality. One of St. Paul’s passages from his letters to the Corinthians is translated:
There’s nothing wrong with remaining single, like me. But if you know you have strong needs, get yourself a partner. Better than being frustrated,” he says in the new version.
Popular fundamental ideology would state that Rowan Williams (Archbishop of Canterbury) is driving a wedge into the church by proclaiming such a translation to be an acceptable reading of the scriptures. I’m not so sure that the fundies have accurately identified what the wedge really is.
I feel that the wedge isn’t a viewpoint or a perspective, a reading or any particular translation. The wedge is sin, imperfection. So, while the “God hates fags” people will be out in force protesting such a blatant “sign of the apocalypse” and declaring Rowan Williams and the Church of England to be the anti-christ, I think they’ll be driving their own wedge of sin.
I hope for the day that we all share a singular viewpoint on homosexuality…but, in truth, I’ve lost hope that that day will exist on this side of the everlasting. What I haven’t lost hope in is love and peace and justice. Maybe one day love and peace and justice will transform the “God hates fags” people, I don’t know. At least I have the wisdom to be able to proclaim that God doesn’t hate the “God hates fags” people, even though he quite has the right to hate them.
As I reflect, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if the ultra-fundies drove their own wedge between themselves and the church global, moved down to missisippi and formed their own theocracy…oh wait…hasn’t that already happened? Ah, yes. Nazi Germany, the Ku Klux Klan, the Branch Dividians…the list goes on.
Either way maybe a massive split would leave the rest of us to proclaim the good news–the gospel of Jesus Christ. You know, the one about love and peace and justice. But deep down, I don’t long for a split, I long for equal love and equal justice and equal peace to find us all. How long, O Lord?
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James said,
June 24, 2004 at 3:28 pm
Don’t go forgetting the good people at http://www.christianexodus.org/
Brandon said,
June 24, 2004 at 3:32 pm
Good call, James. Hmm…this gives me an idea…to the linkblog!
J.R. said,
June 24, 2004 at 5:38 pm
nice.
BC, did you read the letter I sent my pastor, I put it up in my blog.
Michaela said,
June 25, 2004 at 12:05 pm
I generally agree with your idea, but have you READ this “One” translation? Its not only laughable, but degrading to the Bible, in my opinion. And the Archbishop really annoys the hell out of me anyway.
But that’s just me.
James said,
June 25, 2004 at 8:22 pm
Michaela: can you expand on why Rowan Williams annoys you so much?
Having watched his progress, heard him speak, been at services he’s officiated at, and read one of his (shorter) works of theology, I’m rather a fan. He seems to me just the sort of engaged, non-reactionary, enthusiastic and original thinker the Church needs at the moment.