Day: October 22, 2015

Another case of pity the poor preacher . . .

This time about Jesus busting up families and burning up the world in Luke 12:

“I came to spread fire on the earth. . . Do you think I came to bring peace. . . ? No, I tell you, but division instead! From now on five in one house will be divided, three against two and two against three. Father against son . . . and son against father. . . .

Same for mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, etc.

I say pity the preacher because he’s tempted — and sometimes well advised — to give this the Mrs. Grundy treatment, softening the impact of these ancient Middle Eastern (ancient? listen to the Ayatollah) constantly in-your-face, devil-take-hindmost language.

At same time, he’s supposed to be true to the message, not play it down, even when it’s dramatically, almost melodramatically, presented. Not easy.

In any case, Jesus as Prince of Peace or meek and humble of heart does take a licking as going concept, not to mention effeminate sentimentalism as in some holy cards.

Basketball coach with prostitution problem quotes Pope Francis

Quoting him to his purpose, of course, like the fellow in Shakespeare who quoted Scripture to his purpose?

Pitino, who met the pope last month on his trip to the United States, invoked Francis in his post. “The Pope on his recent visit was asked many controversial questions,” Pitino noted. “He would often answer, ‘We will let God judge.’ There can be no better advice regardless of what religion you are than his words. Let’s not try to justify, but let the Lord judge!!”

The devilish follow-up by the writer:

Nobody asked the pope whether he provided prostitutes to high school students. But journalists question whether Pitino knew of or endorsed such a scheme to entice recruits.

Oh, and that Shakespeare fellow quoting Scripture? Why, the devil, of course.