Thursday 27 July 2017

In Parables #notgb17

I was thinking about that bit where Jesus tells his disciples the explanations to parables, but "the crowds" only get half a story.

And I realised for the first time (for I'm a little dim) that the two groups don't have a Donald Trump style wall between them. These groups aren't as Lazarus and Dives who have a gulf set between them. Rather, they're potentially dynamic. Someone wanting to know the second half doesn't need to sit in eternal darkness, wondering who the goats are or what darnel represents. They just have to move themselves from the outside to the inside group. Then they can have the explanation.

Which goes against 50+ years of Church making itself accessible by simplifying; of dumbing our theology to God as our dad and Jesus as our boyfriend. Of simple theology and burying mystery and hard stuff. Of floating paper hearts in paddling pools at All Souls when we should be considering the Fear of Israel and praying we are saved from the wrath to come. We can just put things in our own way, half-explained. And if people want to know more they can ask

To that end, this year's Beaker Folk stream at #notgb17 will be "Preach the Gospel. And don't worry if they don't understand it." The keynote speaker will be Drayton, who will be speaking on the hymn "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood." Vespers will be in the Syriac tradition. And in keeping with this conceal/reveal model of parables, people proving by their donations that they are true believers will receive an English translation.

Just giving page for #notgb17 in aid of Big Issue Foundation

3 comments :

  1. Yes, I mulled over the same sort of question on my blog and came up with-
    The Esoteric Christ:Did Jesus Teach a Secret Gnostic Doctrine?
    https://catholicscot.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/the-esoteric-christ.html

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  2. donations for #notgb17 very welcome at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/notgb17 raising money, as always, for Big Issue, and t runs over the Bank Holiday Weekend of August

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  3. If you ask me (or even if you don't), I think that dumbing-down practice and liturgy has a lot to do with the haemorrhaging of the faithful from Anglican and Catholic pews. I remember with a wince a Sunday Vigil Mass a few years ago, which happened to be the anniversary of the consecration of the church I was attending at the time. The priest made the congregation - nearly all adults - sing Happy Birthday to the church. Honestly. "Happy Birthday dear chu-urch, Happy Birthday to youuuu!"

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