Listening to Jurgen Moltmann today has stirred reflection within me about the power of the gospel to announce and demonstrate the reign of God through our lives. Moltmann reminds us that the gospel hope engages matters of life and death. There is no greater power than this: the gift of life that conquers death.
Unfortunately the church reflects the world in countless ways with regard to power. The notion of power in the world is so often associated with authority to control. Yet the power of hope lies in its ability to grow and transform - like yeast in Jesus' parables.
The power of hope lies in its abundance to the creative possibility of God. Each victory of life over death brings newfound possibility. This is hope - a power that no prison of body or spirit can control.
It is remarkable to consider the fascination with death that grips the human imagination. In medieval times, this fascination was on display through countless superstitions. Today, the fascination is clearly seen in countless horror and suspense films and books we engage with our "free time" and money.
Terrorists thought they would gain control over our imagination with the shock, terror, and death of September 11th. As I recall those days. The greater power was found in the faith, hope, and love of all who survived. Jesus Christ brought hope to the fore - victory over death.
Such power need not control. It is the freedom of life to live alert to the goodness of God, abounding in gratitude. It is hope - power in powerlessness that conquers the world.
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
How far away from Jesus?
After visiting the Crystal Cathedral in California, he said, "it's a long way from a Jew in Palestine." Will Willimon was reflecting with me over a cup of coffee during a visit to Duke University some years ago. I told Will that the cathedral where he worked was also a long way from Palestine.
Now, years later, I find myself on a national commission reflecting on the Nature and Mission of the Church. I've also been asked to write a document for a group of Presbyterian leaders on the way I think about the church in light of Christian faith and tradition.
My association with the Waldensian Christians of Italy over the years has shaped some of my thinking about the church. In particular I find myself struggling to frame the call of God with the accretion of structures we've inherited over the centuries. I've recently been reading a book called "The Ruin of the Roman Empire". Here are some excerpts:
".. before Constantine .. Christianities were everywhere, but a force to be reckoned with nowhere. I use the surprising plural "Christianities" to speak of this religious movement .. Yet, by 395 .. Theodosius 1 left behind .. an empire-wide leadership of Christian bishops and their wealthy supporters and associates. Christianity flourished, was privileged, and did its business. In cities all over the empire, bishops and wealthy Christians took decisive control."
I can remember hearing a Waldensian friend named Franco Giampiccoli quoting French philosopher Paul Ricoeur as he spoke to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Turin about the dangers Christians in the use of power in the world. (Italian Bishops had just instructed the faithful not to vote in a recent election.)
It seems to me that the church has been afflicted time and again by the temptations to power. As a Presbyterian in the United States I must confess this as vigorously as any other Christian in power. I've been fascinated to read about how long and deep this assertion of unwieldly power has hindered our witness and distanced ourselve from the wandering Galilean.
Now, years later, I find myself on a national commission reflecting on the Nature and Mission of the Church. I've also been asked to write a document for a group of Presbyterian leaders on the way I think about the church in light of Christian faith and tradition.
My association with the Waldensian Christians of Italy over the years has shaped some of my thinking about the church. In particular I find myself struggling to frame the call of God with the accretion of structures we've inherited over the centuries. I've recently been reading a book called "The Ruin of the Roman Empire". Here are some excerpts:
".. before Constantine .. Christianities were everywhere, but a force to be reckoned with nowhere. I use the surprising plural "Christianities" to speak of this religious movement .. Yet, by 395 .. Theodosius 1 left behind .. an empire-wide leadership of Christian bishops and their wealthy supporters and associates. Christianity flourished, was privileged, and did its business. In cities all over the empire, bishops and wealthy Christians took decisive control."
I can remember hearing a Waldensian friend named Franco Giampiccoli quoting French philosopher Paul Ricoeur as he spoke to the Roman Catholic Bishop of Turin about the dangers Christians in the use of power in the world. (Italian Bishops had just instructed the faithful not to vote in a recent election.)
It seems to me that the church has been afflicted time and again by the temptations to power. As a Presbyterian in the United States I must confess this as vigorously as any other Christian in power. I've been fascinated to read about how long and deep this assertion of unwieldly power has hindered our witness and distanced ourselve from the wandering Galilean.
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