Questions

What if Jesus meant what he said?

What if I actually let apocalyptic language be just that – apocalyptic language - and not literal descriptions?

What if some of the original discpliples actually saw the Son of Man coming in his kingdom, as promised? (Matt 16:28)

What if some in Jesus’ generation actually saw his return as promised? (Matt 24:34)

What if Jesus actually knew what he was saying when he said, “Look! I am coming soon!”? (Rev 22:12,20)

What if the world, as the Jews knew it, did come to an end in the first century?

What if I have full and total access to the kingdom now?

What if Christ has brought victory over death?

What would that victory look like?

What if all my preconceptions of what the Kingdom would be like have kept me from seeing its presence in our world today, just as the early apostles had misconceptions about the Kingdom?

What would the Kingdom look like?

What if Paul was justified in “anxiously awaiting” the Lord, expecting him during his lifetime?

What if the New Testament was in fact not a new law, but the beginning of a story, which we are a part of today?

What if I have totally missed the point of much of the Bible?

What am I supposed to do now?

Two Poems To Ponder

My time at the Truth Voice Conference in Springfield, Ohio, and at the Emergent Theological/Philosophical Conversation in Philadelphia has left my head spinning, my heart racing, and my faith stretched. There is far too much to share in brief posts on a blog. However, there are two poems that have come to mind that explore some of my thoughts.

The first is Harlem, by Langston Hughes:

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore-
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over-
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

The second poem plays with the concept of Truth. It is by Emily Dickenson:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant-
Success in circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth's superb surprise
As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind-