“ And although the electorate is clamoring for "outsiders" in this political cycle, we feel like we're the real outsiders because we can't even identify with most Earthlings anymore. And not just when it comes to politics, but also cultures, communication, and commonality of purpose. Not just in our own wounded United States, but throughout the world.”This should describe Christians. I know it is how I feel when I drive among crazy people or listen to the leadership at our school. I seem to be surrounded by people with totally different ideas. I would say ideas of right and wrong but they reject those labels.
Then he quotes the Bible
“Maybe we're just having a bad day. But we feel like strangers in a strange land and, ...I know that most people think this was the creative writing of Robert Heilein but like many authors he was just borrowing a phrase from the Bible.
(Exodus 2:22 KJV) And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.We see the thought repeated in the New Testament.
(Hebrews 11:13 KJV) These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.I have not picked up that Hope and Change is written by someone who is serious about being a Christian. I can still enjoy his humor and his insights.
We, as followers of Jesus, are aliens. We are strangers. We are out of place. It has always been that way. It will always be that way. I don’t like it. I don’t enjoy it. I accept it. I am afraid I don’t identify with Earthlings any more, but then I never did.
homo unius libri
And it's getting stranger, I think.
ReplyDeleteI think that is part of the promise.
DeleteGrace and peace.