Folks, you have been summoned to serve as members of a jury this Sunday at Nexus. As we explore the tensions we experience with God, this week we want to explore the question: is God cruel?
To do that, we are going to put God on trial for the cruel story of God asking Abraham to sacrifice (kill) his son Isaac. Is God guilty? The answer may seem obvious. Anyone, or any deity, that asks a father to kill his son, seems guilty of cruelty, at the least. Case closed.
And yet, this Sunday I will be acting as the defense attorney for the story. I intend to bring forward evidence that would suggest, beyond a reasonable doubt, that something is amiss here. Further, I intend to showcase that while the story may seem grisly on the surface, a closer look might reveal there is some actual good news to be found.
Now, you can thank Kristen for sparing you from my flair for the dramatic. I intended to show up in my best Columbo costume (raincoat, cigar, ill-fitted suit, and thick New York accent) but she thought the idea corny. While I disagree, she made me self-conscious, so you are just getting plain old Brad serving as defense lawyer.
You folks get to serve as the jury. Now, if you want to be prepared jurists, a simple reading of Genesis 22 should do the trick. As it reads on the page is all the prosecution needs to make their case. Can I prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that this grisly story on the surface might be good and welcome news about God? You be the judge.
The Exorcist (S7 Episode 18)
Are The Monsters In The Forest Real? (S7 Episode 17)
Two Ways To Position Yourself (S7 Episode 16)
What Time Is It? (S7 Episode 15)
God With Skin On (S7 Episode 14)
To Choose Our Trail (S7 Episode 13)
Jesus The Nazarene & His Cross (S7 Episode 12)
Scripture, Surrender, Art, Flag & Mirror (S7 Episode 11)
Gravity, Grace & God (S7 Episode 10)
Faith Remixed (S7 Episode 9)
Of Boats & Exploding Bottles (S7 Episode 8)
Life As Broken Glass (S7 Episode 7)
The Saints of Winter (S7 Episode 6)
An Infinite Horizon (S7 Episode 5 - one off)
Religion Strikes Back (S7 Episode 4)
The Mystery of the Peacock's Tail (S7 Episode 3)
The Veil of Ignorance (S7 Episode 2)
Whispers & Nudges (S7 Episode 1)
06/26/16 - Season 6 Finale: Sustenance in the Wilderness
06/19/16 - Wilderness Paths: Walking the Path (Phill Pearson)
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