Today’s Readings: Psalm 37; Numbers 35:1-3, 9-15, 30-34; Matthew 24:1-14; 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13; Psalm 14
One of the most basic questions people of faith wrestle with is the question of theodicy. Theodicy can basically be defined by the age-old question: “Why do bad things happen to people?” Most folks who ask this question don’t even realize the theology that they’ve bought into that gives rise to the question. And what theology is that? The theology that suggests God rewards those who do good things and punishes those who do bad things. In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus really throws a wrench into this kind of thinking as he talks about the end days. Jesus said, “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other” (Matthew 24:9-10 from The Message). So much for the notion of the good receiving only rewards, eh. Some might hear these words and wonder, “What’s the point then in living in relationship with this God revealed in Jesus?” While the words may sound off-putting on the surface, there are actually concepts that can help and/or strengthen one’s faith buried within those words. You see, Jesus words would help us take the question I asked earlier (“Why do bad things happen to good people?”) and redo the phrase until it is transformed into “Bad/Good things happen to ALL people!” So how can these downer words help and/or strengthen one’s faith? Well, when bad things happen in our lives as Christians, we don’t have to spend hours asking ourselves, “What did I do to deserve this bad thing?” Instead, we can react by asking ourselves, “What am I going to do with this bad thing?” Conversely, when something good happens to what we perceives to be a bad person, we don’t have to ask, “Why did that good thing happen to what I perceive to be that bad person?” Instead, we can ask, “How am I going to deal with the good thing that happened to what I perceive of as that bad person?” In each case, the questions we ask shift the focus from us trying to completely figure God out (as if that would ever happen!) to us trying to figure out our own faith. Today, as you encounter what you might initially feel are the injustices perpetuated around you, remember Jesus’ words from Matthew and use them as an opportunity to gain insight into the depths of your own faith. You might not understand the multi-faceted nature of God better at the end of the day – but you will get in touch with your own beliefs and expectations about God. Til next time…
One of the most basic questions people of faith wrestle with is the question of theodicy. Theodicy can basically be defined by the age-old question: “Why do bad things happen to people?” Most folks who ask this question don’t even realize the theology that they’ve bought into that gives rise to the question. And what theology is that? The theology that suggests God rewards those who do good things and punishes those who do bad things. In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus really throws a wrench into this kind of thinking as he talks about the end days. Jesus said, “They are going to throw you to the wolves and kill you, everyone hating you because you carry my name. And then, going from bad to worse, it will be dog-eat-dog, everyone at each other’s throat, everyone hating each other” (Matthew 24:9-10 from The Message). So much for the notion of the good receiving only rewards, eh. Some might hear these words and wonder, “What’s the point then in living in relationship with this God revealed in Jesus?” While the words may sound off-putting on the surface, there are actually concepts that can help and/or strengthen one’s faith buried within those words. You see, Jesus words would help us take the question I asked earlier (“Why do bad things happen to good people?”) and redo the phrase until it is transformed into “Bad/Good things happen to ALL people!” So how can these downer words help and/or strengthen one’s faith? Well, when bad things happen in our lives as Christians, we don’t have to spend hours asking ourselves, “What did I do to deserve this bad thing?” Instead, we can react by asking ourselves, “What am I going to do with this bad thing?” Conversely, when something good happens to what we perceives to be a bad person, we don’t have to ask, “Why did that good thing happen to what I perceive to be that bad person?” Instead, we can ask, “How am I going to deal with the good thing that happened to what I perceive of as that bad person?” In each case, the questions we ask shift the focus from us trying to completely figure God out (as if that would ever happen!) to us trying to figure out our own faith. Today, as you encounter what you might initially feel are the injustices perpetuated around you, remember Jesus’ words from Matthew and use them as an opportunity to gain insight into the depths of your own faith. You might not understand the multi-faceted nature of God better at the end of the day – but you will get in touch with your own beliefs and expectations about God. Til next time…
1 comment:
Pastor Craig: timely posts for both yesterday and today. Yesterday for the human rights "downer" of the elections and today for the theodicy question in light of the fact that today would have been my 26th wedding anniversary. Your words are a blessing again and help me to just sit, reflect, and be with God during a difficult day. Bless you. Sincerely, Jon
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