I am becoming a great believer in defiance, so long as it is the gentle persistent defiance of peace, the non-violent belligerence that seeks righteousness, the gently, annoyingly impatient hunger for justice. Isaiah is the great prophet of theological defiance -
for Isaiah desert isn't irredeemeable wilderness, deserts blossom
for Isaiah swords are re-forgeable as military purpose gives way to horticultural
for Isaiah gloom and deep darkness are doomed as soon as dawn comes, and it is coming.
So I like Alan Boesak's biblically informed defiant worldview - it is one of the litanies I'll use daily during Advent
IT IS NOT TRUE
It is not true that this world and its people are doomed to die and be lost –
This is true : For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life ;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction –
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly;
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction have come to stay forever –
This is true : For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counsellor, might God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world –
This is true : to me is given all authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church, before we can do anything –
This is true : I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and you sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall have dreams….
It is not true that our dreams for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history –
This is true : The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth………..
Alan Boesak, at the World Council of Churches, Vancouver
It is not true that this world and its people are doomed to die and be lost –
This is true : For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life ;
It is not true that we must accept inhumanity and discrimination, hunger and poverty, death and destruction –
This is true: I have come that they may have life, and that abundantly;
It is not true that violence and hatred should have the last word, and that war and destruction have come to stay forever –
This is true : For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful counsellor, might God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
It is not true that we are simply victims of the powers of evil who seek to rule the world –
This is true : to me is given all authority in heaven and on earth, and lo I am with you, even unto the end of the world.
It is not true that we have to wait for those who are specially gifted, who are the prophets of the Church, before we can do anything –
This is true : I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and you sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall have dreams….
It is not true that our dreams for liberation of humankind, of justice, of human dignity, of peace are not meant for this earth and for this history –
This is true : The hour comes, and it is now, that the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth………..
Alan Boesak, at the World Council of Churches, Vancouver
1 comment:
Brilliant - I think I'll join with you in it's daily use during Advent. Thanks
Post a Comment