By Grace Anew. Text: John 13:31-35 , Revelation 21:1-6
Preached by Rev. James Murray at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, May 2, 2010.
A few years ago I showed my children a photograph taken of my Grade One Sunday School class. My sons hit the floor laughing. All the girls in my Sunday School class were wearing hats and gloves. The boys were all wearing a blazer and a tie, as we did every Sunday.
This isn't terribly "new" of course, but for me, it pretty much sums up the crux of the debate that generally divides the so-called traditional and emerging paradigms of Christianity.
Rather than interpret our relationship with God through Scripture, Jesus shows repeatedly that we have to interpret Scripture through our relationship with God. And that we must see that relationship as extending to all.
Often when I listen carefully to points of view within the church that are called "emerging" or "progressive," my impression is that they are missing something that is vital. This is obvious if you've read my posts here or my blog, to the point that some might wonder if I'll ever stop kvetching about it. Maybe, someday, but that day has not yet come, because I just came across a beautiful quote in a book that I'm reading by E. F. Scott that speaks to the concern that I feel about that "something missing" in how we at times approach development.
