present – the danger of punctiliar thinking about the eternal.
I'd say this statement definitely has an eschatalogical framework (sounds impressive). - So part of the more will be given you- is this new resurrection life, which enters a different phase when you die, and for those who even what they have will be taken away- perhaps the option on this life and an eternity in hell (is that the biblical picture- is everyone's soul immortal?).
I'm sure there is a danger about punctiliar thinking about the eternal- when we die we go to be with him and everything will be perfect- the worries of this life will be left behind (true) sin will be done away with, we will fully know, etc.
But our picture of eternity has to be limited- its a fair way beyond our ken- doesn't do much good being focused here. The whole, where eternity touches our experience is the present. And I think the emphasis in the bible with eternal life isn't on its duration but on its nature or quality.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know you and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”
Somehow if you are in relationship with the indestructible, powerful, loving, vital life at the heart of the universe- you know him (that probably needs more than an eternity) a by product is you will live forever.
I imagine Jesus was talking mostly about this life- when he said to those who have more will be given and from those who have nothing even what they have will be taken away. The 'topsy turvey' (as Chesterton would say) economy of the kingdom of God- you give away your life and you get it back with massive interest- you hold onto it, and its taken away- And not starting at the point of death- the important part (and what we can get a handle on) is all happening in our 3 score years and 10 (I think that's right) So that by holding onto life, you find your world smaller and smaller- because you cannot overcome yourself- and delight becomes less and less- niggles greater- foibles greater- but if you use a good measure, you find the world enlarged- discover your neighbour and the God of the two of you- niggles and foibles begin to be redeemed- Grace begins to be a lived experience.
Was it Hemingway who wrote at the end of his life how he'd become a shell of a man because he had not restricted his passions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment