Gleaning New Truths from the Old Stories

August 26, 2013 by Melvin Bray

Continued from Page 2

Ever since, I've been encouraging folks who feel called into this Wild Goose Christianity to begin telling better—more beautiful, more just, more virtuous—stories. Stop leaving the interpretation of our sacred myths to the most strident voices among us. In fact, stop thinking the telling of our stories is only for professionals. Like faith, our stories belong to all of us.

I don't know where this will lead, but it feels right. (I can see the red flags for folks raised in selectively or overly rational traditions. Let me borrow a line from one of the fathers of the faith, Thomas Aquinas: "We know things better through love than through knowledge.") At least, I'm finally accepting the truth of how religious people have always had to deal with the stories of their faith in a world where no telling of any story is neutral.

I want my children to join the radical tradition of those who conspire with God's Great Shalom Project (often called the Plan of Redemption). I want to bequeath to them eyes to see and ears to hear a God who "so loved the [whole] world," not just a select few. To hell with the save me/love me/do for me religion I once embraced. I want better for my children. I don't know if this journey I'm on will produce dramatically superior results, but like the old folks used to sing, "I've opened my mouth to the Lord, and I won't turn back. I will go. I shall go... to see what the end is going to be." Unless you've found something more beautiful to pursue, you're more than welcome to come along with me.

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