Years and years ago, the aged spouse of a former clergy person in the church I was then serving said to me, "You are clearly a JESUS person - while I am a God person." This was said in a snide and somewhat judgmental way. Now, my less than generous inclination was to smack her - and shout, "You're damn right I am a Jesus person, you abstract, elitist sot! We're not Unitarians CONSIDERING Christ, but members of the United CHURCH of Christ.!" - but discretion is the better part of valor. So, I simply replied, "Yes, my friend, I am a disciple of Jesus and I am very grateful to say that out loud and in public." And after the shock left her face, I added, "And if you ever want to talk about WHY I follow Jesus - rather than some abstract notion of a deity - or move towards Buddhism - I would be happy to tell you. But only if you really want to know, ok?" (She chose never to go any deeper.)
So over the next few days I am going to try to articulate some of my on-going thoughts and questions about Jesus and atonement - after all this IS the season, yes? - and I will be eager for your insights, questions and reactions. Let me start by simply sharing a list of hymns and songs that REALLY matter to me as part of my theological confession. (And when I say REALLY matter, I mean they not only bring me into a deep mystical reunion with Jesus, but also express part of my understanding and experience - and to me they are united - with Christ.)
Traditional hymns would include:
+ I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
+ Amazing Grace
+ Precious Lord
+ What a Friend We Have in Jesus
+ Softly and Tenderly
+ It Is Well With My Soul
+ God of Grace and God of Glory
+ Lift High the Cross
+ Of the Father's Love Begotten
+ A Mighty Fortress
+ Our God, Our Help in Ages Past
+ Beautiful Savior
+ Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
+ All Creatures of Our God and King
Contemporary Christian tunes/hymns would include:
+ Bring Many Names
+ The Servant Song
+ Come Into God's Presence
+ Neighbors
+ Alleluia, He Is Coming
+ Christ Be Our Light
+ Jesus, Lamb of God
+ Gather Us In
+ My Lord, He Is a'comin' Soon
+ We Are Marching in the Light of God
+ Come and Bless the Lord
+ Jesus Is Our King
+ Be Still
+ Healer of My Soul
Non-traditional contemporary songs include:
+ Vertigo
+ Beautiful Day
+ Jesus Is Just Alright with Me
+ A Thousand Beautiful Things
+ When Love Comes to Town
+ 40
+ Oh Happy Day
+ The entire score of "Godspell"
+ War/No More Trouble
+ Love and Peace or Else
+ Grace
+ You Gotta Serve Somebody
+ Graceland
+ In the Presence of the Lord
+ Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
+ Bridge Over Trouble Water
+ El Condor Pasa
+ Love Me Like a Rock
+ Somebody to Love
+ He Was a Friend of Mine
+ Oh Happy Day
A number of people in my congregation have been reading the "Jesus Diaries" this Lent. So, for what remains of the season, I'm going to do some exploring of what I know and experience of God's grace through Jesus as Christ.
3 comments:
Speaking as a small-u unitarian, I would have been just as appalled as you at that lady's remark. What arrogance!
It was incredible, Peter: so condescending - a tone that would be called bigotted if altered to fit a Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist context. Something like, "you plebian low life, can't you see the BIG picture?" What a funny and odd world we live in exploring religion and faith and spirit, yes?
{cringe}
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