TENSE MOMENTS IN CHURCH/STATE RELATIONS   (Number 2)
 

  1. A case of the Light too Bright
  • The first Jesus people found they could not renew their Sabbath worship.  Too many raw and troubling memories.  But on the first day of the week there was limitless joy.  So this became their day of worship.
     
  •  They tried to explain the change by setting out the Jesus story as the logical and inevitable fulfillment of the whole Old Testament story.  Luke gives Jesus’ explanation (24:: 13-48) and describes the process as “opening the Scriptures”.
     
  • It was Stephen, however, who made the full statement.  He tried to show how God ‘s movements of the Spirit arise from among the people and are often rejected by organized authority.  People listened to his reasoned arguments for some time (Acts 7:1-8; 1) then rejected them with an explosion of anger and violence.  The light was too bright.
     
  • Killing by stoning is like lynching – a rage event against a victim.  This victim, Stephen, “with the face like the face of an angel” repeats Jesus’ prayers from the Cross, while young Saul shouts “leave your wallets and coats with me!” because someone had to take charge.
     
  • What are movements of the Spirit in a civilized society? We might suggest three for consideration.

        a. The opposition to war in Vietnam.
        b. Aboriginal reconciliation – “Sorry Day”
        c. Compassionate treatment for Refugees.
     
  • No civilized society should pressure its people so that the “light too bright” response becomes inevitable.

    Rev Graydon Swain

webmaster@mosm anuniting.org

 

MOSMAN UNITING CHURCH