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.
October 5 - The One With 'Memento Mori'
The One With World's Colliding
September 21 - The One with the Soiled Sheets
September 14 - The One with the Water and Wine and Urine
September 7 - The One With the Spit
May 25 - Falling Man
May 4 - Julie Cairn's 'Motherhood Ate Chunks of My Soul'
May 4 - Teresa's "Dear Body' Read by Sarah
May 4 - Glenn Pascoe's 'A Conversation With My Mood'
Easter 2014 (Sermon) This Is Not The End
Easter 2014 This Is Not The End
Easter 2014 Sun Arise
Easter 2014 Say Something
April 13 - Spiritual Currency & Why Nexus Exists
April 6 - Sweating Blood Part 2
March 30 - Sweating Blood Part 1
March 23 - The One Where I Do Not Believe My Own Teaching
March 16 - Nexus and Community
March 9 - Those Awkward Conversations
March 2 - The Quest
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