Author | Lightnews

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

The mystery of a parable is trying to determine which character you are supposed represent in the story.

In the parable of the 10 Virgins (Matthew 25), which character do you think you're supposed to be in the story?

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

If this isn't the Christianity you want, it's not Jesus you follow.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

Loving God doesn't look like zealous devotion and loyalty, or flag-waving or saber rattling.

It looks like seeking justice for the vulnerable and extending mercy to those who seek it, and crying out "Father, forgive them" even as they are killing you.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

Mercy is exactly the distance between our brokenness and God's forgiveness, and I find this distance immeasurable.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

The "kingdom of Heaven" is a statement about relationship. It's not a destination.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 2d

Counter-point: If you are trying to earn your way into heaven by your good works, you are chasing the horizon.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 3d

Confession: I LOVE watching Love is Blind.

But watching the British version made me realize that I have an accent prejudice: I cannot take British romance seriously, because I only do a British accent to be silly.

It’s odd.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 3d

Right.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 3d

You're not saved by good works. But do good works, because this reflects the goodness of God.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 3d

The theological position of “you’re not saved by good works” seems to lead to fewer Christians doing any good works at all.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 4d

There are two realities.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 7d

If you can't love God, love your neighbor by extending grace and mercy, refusing vengeance and choosing to forgive debts.

This is sufficient.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 7d

What's fascinating about this passage is that the "good or bad" is the same "tov" and "ra" from the garden. It points to the deception of the serpent re: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Laban is called "the Aramean," which we already know refers to his trickery.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 8d

If we allow Genesis to inform our theology, and we frame Jacob’s deliverance of the sheep and the goats to stand in as a parable about God delivering his people, what do you suppose this passage is telling us?

It seems important.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 11d

A reminder: the Apostles Creed, which defines Christian faith, places the blame of the suffering of Jesus squarely on Pontius Pilate, and not the Jews.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 11d

Notably, neither make any statement about the consequences of *not* believing. There is no hellfire or damnation mentioned. There is only a blessed hope.

This is what the early church believed. I think this is important.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 11d

The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed are statements of belief for anyone who claims to trust in Jesus. They declare who Jesus is and what Jesus did. Beliefs that run contrary run afoul of the Scriptures.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 11d

Maybe the whole "OT is Christ concealed; NT is Christ revealed" is a broken view.

jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 14d

Some folks are trying to make it into heaven, when the prayer is to bring heaven here.

The Kingdom is here. Love your neighbor as yourself.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 15d

Discovering you are loved by an eternal God is seeing the light. Living life to show others that they, too, are loved by that same God through your love for them is letting your light shine.

That light looks like compassion and mercy and lifting people out of pits and snares.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 16d

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 17d

Those in positions of weakness should know that God’s ear is tilted towards their cry, and that injustice provokes God to rescue.

This is everything.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 17d

The first shall be last. The meek shall inherit the earth…

Those in positions of power are called to lift up the weak. The presence and indwelling of God is only found among the weak.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 17d

I think about this all the time.

In right relationship with God, we do not feel coerced or bullied, or made to feel shame or to feel stupid. We are lifted up. We are made whole.

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jovial_cynic @jovialcynic.bsky.social · 17d

God as husband.
God as father.
God as older brother.
God as the richest of all.
God as the greatest genius.

Yet the story we are given is that God does not lord the power dynamic over us.

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