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.
When the Floods Come (SX Episode 27)
Fear Not? (SX Episode 26)
This Time It's Personal (SX Episode 25)
Bounded vs Centered (SX Episode 24)
Weaponized Scripture (SX Episode 23)
The Disrupter (SX Episode 22)
The Enemy Making Machine (SX Episode 21)
Beyond Enemies (SX Episode 20)
Enchanted: Guest Speaker Erika Toffelmire (SX Episode 19)
Memory & The Meal Jesus Asked Us To Remember (SX Episode 17)
Advent Watching (SX Episode 16)
Advent Loneliness (SX Episode 15)
Advent Nostalgia (SX Episode 14)
The Liturgy of Pornography (SX Episode 13)
That Dream Within A Dream (SX Episode 11)
Sexualosities: A Billion Wicked Thoughts (SX Episode 10)
Jesus & The Kids (SX Episode 9)
Dear Nexus (SX Episode 8)
That Ain't You (SX Episode 7)
Flirting With Power (SX Episode 6)
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)