Over and over and over…

Dear Minooka UMC Found Family,

Despite what you may have been taught or lead to believe, the word ‘sin’ doesn’t appear in the bible until Genesis chapter 4. According to the text, the original human sin has nothing to do with Adam, Eve, a snake, an apple, or sex. 

No, the first use of ‘sin’ in our scriptures happens when Cain kills his brother, Abel. Why would Cain do such a thing? Because Cain was jealous of Abel. So Cain made his brother the scapegoat for his angry, hurt feelings.

Violence is our original sin.  

Perhaps then, violence is simply human nature and we should stop being so bothered by it? That sounds to me like a fast track for losing our humanity. Let’s not do that. Plus, Jesus shows us a very different way: The way of creative, non-violent resistance to violence and oppression. 

So, yes, it is human and natural and normal and right to be horrified by the news of the violent attack on a Mormon church in Michigan; the violent attack on a Jewish synagogue in England on the holiest day of the Jewish year; the 600,000+ people trapped in famine and starving to death in Gaza; and, and, and…

Violence is our original sin and continues to be our preferred sin. Though horrific, we don’t have to let it paralyze us. I’ve written about this a lot lately. You can read those recent letters full of ideas, actions, resources, and prayers by clicking here, here, and here. 

I really, really wish I didn’t have to keep writing about this. I really, really wish I could focus on something else. But we live in the world as it is, even as we strive to collaborate with God’s Spirit to bring to life the world as God intends. 

Honestly? That quest is at the heart of our current sermon series, Terms & Conditions. 

As followers of God in the Way of Jesus, what constitute our terms and conditions? What are the rules and agreements and covenants that guide us as we live our faith in the real world? What kind of world do we choose to build together?

Plotting Goodness,
Pastor Dave