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.
Good Friday - Reflections on the Cross (S13 Episode27)
A Grave For Hate (S13 Episode26)
When You Are Engulfed In Flames (S13 Episode25)
Caravaggio’s Head (S13 Episode24)
This Is Not The End (S13 Episode23)
When Love is Not Enough (S13 Episode22)
The Path of Shame (S13 Episode21)
Do I Matter? (S13 Episode20)
The Nemesis Path (S13 Episode19)
Serpentine Side Trails (S13 Episode18)
The Goat on the Cow (S13 Episode17)
The Fortune Teller (S13 Episode16)
O Little Town of Bethlehem (S13 Episode15)
Inspirata Flourit (S13 Episode14)
The Mystery of Compulsion (S13 Episode11)
Compelled > Converted (S13 Episode10)
A Tactful Reduction of Options (S13 Episode9)
Tribute to Murray (S13 Episode8)
Your Questions, My Responses (S13 Episode7)
Things that Keep Me Up At Night (S13 Episode6)
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