- Apr 30, 2013
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Pastor gave a sermon yesterday on the binding of Isaac. I found it deeply disturbing, and honestly, this is probably the most difficult story in the whole Bible. To not even acknowledge that aspect of the story seems problematic. I just don't get it. Pastor loves this story, because it shows a type of Christ and in his words it has "pathos" (huh? I think its just creepy and disturbing). I just see a redactor trying to salvage an ancient story of dubious morality, because the father of a nation tried to sacrifice his son on a particular hill (some scholars think the original story actually had Abraham killing Isaac). To not even engage with higher criticism of the text is just not something I care for.
And pastor largely preached on it being a shadow or type of Christ, but I am not sure it works all that well, unless we want to suggest that God is a child abuser. I think preaching on this subject in this manner wasn't helpful. Sometimes I think pastor is losing perspective. I mean, a 4 year old little girl was sitting there in the pews. What message is she supposed to take from that?
I think I'm going to try to dig up some other perspectives on this story, and I'd also like to hear from others here what we are to make of this story.
Sometimes I wonder why we cannot focus on the grace and hospitality of Jesus towards those on the margins of society, the clear message of the Gospels once you set aside what Bonhoeffer called the notion of a "religious a priori of mankind". Instead we focus on messages that are potentially very damaging.
And pastor largely preached on it being a shadow or type of Christ, but I am not sure it works all that well, unless we want to suggest that God is a child abuser. I think preaching on this subject in this manner wasn't helpful. Sometimes I think pastor is losing perspective. I mean, a 4 year old little girl was sitting there in the pews. What message is she supposed to take from that?
I think I'm going to try to dig up some other perspectives on this story, and I'd also like to hear from others here what we are to make of this story.
Sometimes I wonder why we cannot focus on the grace and hospitality of Jesus towards those on the margins of society, the clear message of the Gospels once you set aside what Bonhoeffer called the notion of a "religious a priori of mankind". Instead we focus on messages that are potentially very damaging.