So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. – Genesis 1:27

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 12, 2018): Genesis 1

With the birth of a little brother for Prince George and Princess Charlotte on April 23, 2018, something happened in the English Royal Family that had never happened before, at least not for those who live at the core of the Royal Family and who are first in the line of ascension to the throne. The birth of a second male heir to the family of William and Kate, a boy named Louis, did not move Charlotte down the list simply because she was a girl. In the past, that would have always been the case. Even Great-Grandma Elizabeth II could have been prevented from the ascending to the throne and reigning over the United Kingdom simply through her parent’s decision to have another child and that child turning out to be male. Before the birth of Charlotte’s younger brother, the line of ascension went Charles, William, and George, with Charlotte standing fourth in line to the throne. In the past, the birth of a male child to William and Kate would have moved Charlotte to fifth, behind her younger brother, in the line of ascension. But that was in times past. In a gesture of Royal gender equality, the rules have been changed. Louis now occupies the spot formally held by his Uncle Harry. Charlotte will move down the ascension list someday, but the only thing that can make that happen is George growing up and having children, male or female, of his own.

The Christian Church has often seemed to lag behind in issues regarding gender equality. And sometimes the blame for that is laid on the creation story in Genesis. What we sometimes forget is that there are two creation stories, and if proving gender inequality is your thing, then you have to refer to the second creation story, conveniently found in Genesis 2. It is in that story that we find the tale of God putting Adam to sleep and making a helpmate for him out of one of his ribs. This idea of a helpmate has caused no small amount of trouble for women who have for centuries been made to feel like they are second rate people. But the story in Genesis 2 is more of an allegory trying to explain a cultural reality which no longer exists in many parts of our world. And because the cultural reality is absent, the words make less and less sense to the contemporary ear.

But in Genesis one, we are presented with an alternate explanation and less of a cultural story. Genesis 1 lacks an Adam and Eve and simply states that we are made in the image of God. All of us, male and female, reflect God’s image. To say that there is no difference between a man and woman isn’t quite true. But neither is it true to say that one is doomed to be forever second to the other, or that one is doomed to be the helpmate throughout eternity. God created us male and female so that together we might reflect the whole of who God is. We really do need each other.

Of course, the Genesis 1 creation story reveals something else which we seem to find to be an important detail. Is God male or female? The Genesis 1 reality is that he is both or neither. Just because he created us to be male and female does not mean that he needs to be either, and in creating us in his image as male and female, God refuses to restrict himself to such a binary reality.     

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 2

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. – Revelation 22:13

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 11, 2018): Revelation 22

God. The concept of this Creator is hard to get our minds around. We can describe him in many ways. He is the glue that holds creation together, and we seem to have a need for that. He is the prime mover; the one who went first. As much as we might rail against the Big Bang, I am convinced that the theory is the friend of all who believe in a God. The Big Bang Theory (not the T.V. show) seems to require that something goes first. There has to be a reason for why the cosmic filament explodes bringing with it all that has been created. And there has to be something into which this creation will collapse at the end of time. The Big Bang Theory would seem to echo the biblical belief. God went first, and when everything is gone, God still remains.

Can we argue against such a belief? Of course. But I am not sure what that changes. We still live in this temporal space that seems to require a first mover and the reality of what remains after all has collapsed. For me, the best explanation of this is some sort of being, the one to whom we refer to as God. God exists outside of time. He is not temporal, where we are. In the very beginning when all that existed of this universe was found in a filament of energy, God was there. At the end of time when our arguments and voices and presence has ceased, God will still be there. Our arguments only exist and have any meaning inside of this space that we occupy. Our words only make sense in this temporal climate. But even something as secular as the Big Bang Theory argues that this is not all of what is necessary for our existence. Something must exist outside of the Big Bang.

This is the affirmation that Jesus gives to John in Revelation’s closing remarks. Here Jesus declares his divinity. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Before the Big Bang, Jesus was. He existed before this temporal pocket was created. And after all has collapsed, after our arguments have long since been defeated, he will continue to exist.

He is the first mover that we seem to need to make any of our theories of creation to work, and he is the collector that will still exist after everything has ended. From his own lips, spoken to the ear of John, Jesus admits his own divinity. He is God. He always was, and he always will be.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 1

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. – Revelation 21:23

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 10, 2018): Revelation 21

The opening words of the Bible are written in a poetic form. Don’t panic. That does not mean that the words are not true. I have never met a poet who lies. But poet’s see the world differently from the rest of us – and they describe things with words that some of us would have never imagined. A good friend of mine recently penned these words -

            Oh, midnight hour you savage beast,

            upon my soul you tear and feast.
            Begone, begone from west to east,
            CHRIST rose again to chain you Beast.

                                                 Malcolm Cochrane (2018)

Is the midnight hour a beast in the way that a lion might be? Not really. Does this hour feast on our souls like a dark character from a Stephen King novel? Again, probably not. Does this small portion of poetic expression lie to its readers? No. We understand the feelings that give rise to the poetic expression. Each one of us knows the battle that we do with the midnight hour (Or maybe the 3 A.M. hour). We have felt the sense of hopelessness that seems to attack us when we are tired. It sometimes feels like some kind of a monster is tearing at our very souls. We know the truth of the words even though the author has chosen to express them in poetic form.

Unfortunately, there seems to be few of us who read poetry anymore. It is the reason why few seem to enjoy Shakespeare, for at the innermost core of William Shakespeare lies the heart of the poet. What we want is literal truth. So we look at the six days of creation, and we want them to be six days. It is a literal interpretation of the words, even though the words were written by a poet. So on the first day, God separated the light from the darkness leaving day and night, even though the sun and moon do not come into our creation narrative until day four. From a literal standpoint we have to come up with an answer. So sometimes we argue that Christ is the light on the first day of creation so there is no need for a sun (if that is true, then I don’t want to even get into a discussion of what is happening in the night in this advent story of our universe.) But to the heart of a poet, and I am convinced that Genesis 1 is an ancient poem, this all makes sense. There is a great poet dualism in  our Genesis narrative that perfectly matches Day 1 with Day 4, Day 2 with Day 5, and Day 3 with Day 6.

John takes us back to the Genesis 1 problem as he begins to close Revelation. The New Jerusalem does not need a sun and a moon because it is lit by the Glory of God and by the Lamb. But again, we need to understand the words with the heart of a poet. The words of John go much deeper than just a lack of celestial bodies in the New Jerusalem. The poetic truth is that this will a place of pure worship. All of the things that we employ here to help us worship but sometimes also seem to distract us from our worship, such as buildings and music and sound systems, won’t be necessary. In the New Jerusalem, God will be physically present with us, and worship will be automatic. Our focus will not be on what has been created, not even on the sun and moon which has been created by his hand. Our focus will finally be solely on the Creator, and we will worship as we have never worshipped before.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 22

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. – Revelation 20:14

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 9, 2018): Revelation 20

In the final episode of M*A*S*H (Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen) there is an exchange between Colonel Potter and the now hard of hearing Father Mulcahy. Potter’s words to the Father are “Well, Francis, you’ve been a godsend.” It is not all that clear that Mulcahy hears the words. His response is “Look on the bright side: When they tell us to serve our time in Purgatory, we can say, “No thanks, I’ve done mine.” Maybe as Protestants, we could echo the sentiment by arguing that we have spent their time in hell.

The idea of hell and purgatory and all that is conjured up inside of us by the words is a complex argument in the Bible. No theory of hell is perfect. But part of the problem is that the Bible does not always seem to be on the same page when it speaks of hell. Maybe that’s okay. We dwell too much there anyway. But part of the confusion is because the Bible talks about hell using three different words.

The first is Sheol. It is the place of the dead. Contemporary Bible translations often use the word “grave” to describe it. There is no moral implication, no good or evil, when the word Sheol is used. It is simply where the dead go and may form the basis for the idea of purgatory

The second word used is Hades. This is the world beyond this life. It is the bottomless pit or the abyss; it is the darkness of death. There is more of a moral implication, and yet still this is far from the image of hell that most of us have carried with us throughout our lives.

The third, and worst, image of hell is Gehenna. It is taken from the Valley of Hinnom just outside of the gates of Jerusalem. The Valley of Hinnom was desecrated by the human sacrifices made to the false god Molech and in the first century was a place where garbage was burned. It was believed that the fires in the valley could never be extinguished. It is these garbage fires that reflected the image of hell for early believers. Is that an accurate description of hell? Probably not. But like the Valley of Hinnom, hell is not a place that any of us really want to go.

But all of this is just human imagery used to describe what is essentially the indescribable. Welcome to hell. Even in this section of Revelation, we have two competing images. First, we are introduced to the lake of burning sulfur, a place of torment that may be reserved for the devil, who has caused humankind so much pain through the length of our existence on the earth, along with his compatriots, the beast, and the false prophet. Suffering here will last forever and ever (or maybe just a long, long time). The second image is that of the lake of fire, essentially an image of Valley of Hinnom which is called the second death. But the use of the word death is important. Death means no more life; the second death would seem to mean no more existence, especially as it pertains to death and Hades. Death and Hades are thrown into the lake of fire. The penalty for sin no longer exists because it has been destroyed in the fire, and with death and Hades are those who refused to follow God in this life. Here would seem to lie the seeds for a belief in Annihilation Theology. But it is only the seeds.

The result of all of this is that we are left with questions which seem unanswerable. But maybe that is just the way that it should be anyway. Just as I cannot describe heaven, I have no idea how to describe a literal of hell.

So what do I believe?

Hell exists. There are simply too many mentions in the Bible for that not to be true.

It is avoidable and should be avoided. Jesus came and died on a cross so that none of us would have to experience the reality of hell. There is little need to argue over the description of hell, in the end that doesn’t matter. Just make sure that you do not go there.

We send ourselves to hell, whatever hell is and for whatever length of time that suffering might last. But I also believe that those who condemn themselves to hell would have never been happy in heaven.

Even hell is in the hands of God. I don’t understand the intricate points of the existence of hell, but God does. And because hell is real, he weeps over those trapped in that kind of existence, both in the real hell of our nightmares after this life is through, and the hell that we create for ourselves on this planet.

The rest I leave up to God.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 21

Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” – Revelation 19:9

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 8, 2018): Revelation 19

I met her at a convenience store. In a world where everyone from major chains to mom and pop stores seem to have heard the same lecture, make sure that you greet the customer as they enter and smile at them as they pay and leave, she seemed to have missed that part of the orientation. I stepped into the store and saw no one. I looked down the aisles, and they were empty as well. As I was getting my Diet Coke, I heard a gentle beeping and looked around the counter and saw her squatting, counting packs of cigarettes. There was no greeting. When she told me how much I owed, there was no smile. After I paid her, without a word, she simply went back to the task at hand – counting the cigarettes.

My first response, as I walked out of the store was “I wonder how long she will be able to keep this job?” My second was a bit different. Is there room in this word for people who are uncomfortable and prickly; people like her?

I have to admit that I am not the greatest conversationalist. I have never had the patience to put up with small talk. I often smile because I know that I am supposed to, greet because it is expected of me. I also often stay silent because I am often unconvinced that anyone really wants to hear from me. It would not take much for me to be like her. In fact, I know the truth; when I am busy and stressed, my behavior is exactly like hers. So it makes the question even more personal. Is there room in this world for people like me?

As I read the words of the angel, the natural question seems to be – so, who gets invited to this wedding supper? Actually, it is a question that theologians have fought over for centuries. For some, it is just a determined set of people – like God will invite all of the Republicans to the Feast, but no Democrats or all of the Conservatives, but no Liberals. Others see the invitation as being more general, all are invited, but just certain people choose to show up. I tend to support the idea of a more general invitation, but that really doesn’t matter. The important reality of the angel’s words are that the invitation is not issued according to our preferences. I am pretty sure that there will be some prickly and uncomfortable people at the wedding feast. It is not just the popular people, or the contemporary people, or the old-time revival people who will be invited. We won’t be separated according to political ideology or musical preferences. And I am pretty sure that there will be some surprises about who is there, and who isn’t, as we gather together around the table. But the ones who are invited, and accept the invitation, are blessed.

I keep on thinking about the woman who phoned me to complain about the music in my church. It wasn’t that she went to my church, or even lived in my city, but that didn’t stop her from being offended by my music. And I remember her final words to me on that phone call. “If there is contemporary Christian music in heaven, I don’t want to go.” Those are some of the saddest words that have ever been spoken to me because we are not the ones who issue the invitation, God does. And the angel says that all who are invited are blessed. I think that includes you and me, the woman at the convenience store, and the woman who I spoke to on the phone. All are invited and blessed. These are the true words of God.

So the only real question that is left is this – with all of those prickly people present at the feast, will you accept the invitation?

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 20

With a mighty voice he shouted: “‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. – Revelation 18:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 7, 2018): Revelation 18

For a thousand years, Babylon has laid empty and void. The once great city has been lost, but never really forgotten. Early in the 19^th Century, Claudius Rich began a concentrated effort to excavate the city. Since then, several people have been involved in the process, and the city ruins have been rebuilt. There has also been a dream of reconstructing the city. On February 14, 1978, Saddam Hussein began the “Archeological Restoration of Babylon Project.” The Iraqi leader, among many others, had dreams of rebuilding the city to its former splendor. If the dream of reconstructing Babylon were ever completed, it would likely swiftly become one of the world economic leaders because of Middle East oil. But so far, no reconstruction of the city has been successful.

In John’s Revelation, we actually find the story of two Babylons. The first is the spiritual Babylon. And the spiritual Babylon is usually considered to be an allegory reflecting the spiritual decay present in other great cities and organizations that have captured our imagination, for a time, in this world. But the second Babylon, and the one mentioned in this passage of Revelation, is the economic or commercial Babylon. And the question that has plagued scholars is simply this – is this Babylon meant to be literal or symbolic. Some still hold that this Babylon is one that will be rebuilt at some time in the future. Someday there will be someone like Saddam Hussein, who will come to power and be able to rebuild the ancient city, only to watch it fall one more time. But most hold that this commercial Babylon, like the spiritual Babylon, is merely a symbolic representation. The desolate desert that has gathered the ancient city of Babylon into its harsh grasp symbolizes the end of any of our commercial enterprises when they are devoid of God. They exist for their moment, and then they are gone.

And so, John presents us with a dirge. “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great.” All of her economic power and prestige could not protect the city from her ultimate fate. She has become a place for demons to inhabit. John paints for us a picture of absolute devastation and desolation. And he presents a call so that all who hear it can avoid her sad fate.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 19

Personal Note: Happy Birthday to my son, Craig. I hope you are having a great day.

The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES, AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. – Revelation 17:5

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 6, 2018): Revelation 17

Babylon. One of the most famous cities of the ancient world. The city has captured the imaginations and the hearts of many. It is the proposed site for the ancient “Tower of Babel.” It is the famed home of Nebuchadnezzar II who brought Babylon into world-wide fame. It was the object of desire for the Macedonian conqueror “Alexander the Great” who wanted to make the city his capital. More recently, Saddam Hussein, who considered himself a “son of Nebuchadnezzar II” was infatuated with the ruins of the city, and had great plans for its rebuilding.

It continues to own our imaginations and those of many writers, both religious and secular. Babylon was and maybe is, although all that is left of the city today is ruins, an important city. But unlike other important cities, it seems that Babylon died with a whimper. Somehow, the city simply disappears from the pages of history. For centuries, the city almost took on a mythical character. World travelers wanted to find the city, but couldn’t, often mistaking the cities of Baghdad or Fallujah as the site of ancient Babylon. There has always been something of a mystery about Babylon.

John sees a woman and on her forehead, he says, is written a mystery: Babylon the Great, the Mother of Prostitutes and of the Abomination of the earth. It should be noted that in John’s time prostitutes would often wear headbands that would reveal their name. Apparently, this is true of this woman as well. But there is a mystery in the name. John would have recognized the name of Babylon, both from history and from the fact that the city still stood during his day. But more than that, even in John’s day the city had lost its luster. Babylon was a dream that had lost its substance. And in that, it was much like a prostitute.

Modern scholars often believe that the real Babylon that John was talking about was Rome. Once again, it was a city of power that was somehow empty inside. The days of Julius Caesar and Augustus had passed and given way to the Caligula’s and Nero’s. Rome was still in power, but somehow it was also empty and void. Like Babylon, Rome possessed a dream but had long ago lost its substance. It was false, and could only continue to be false.

Since John’s Revelation, biblical readers have found many other Babylons. From the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church to Hollywood, we have identified a number of Babylons within reach of our experiences, but what they have all shared is this sense of emptiness and falseness. There is no power there, even though they still can attract our imagination. And these Babylons all could become religions in the minds of humans that stand opposed to any movement of God.

They are all empty and doomed to fail.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Revelation 18