No Outsiders

Posted in Postmodern Theology | June 25th, 2004 at 4:04 pm

Eugene Peterson writes this in his introduction to Luke:

“…religion has a long history of doing just that, of reducing the huge mysteries of God to the respectability of club rules, of shrinking the vast human community to a ‘membership.’ But with God there is no outsiders.”

paradebikerssized.jpg

No outsiders.

I once heard Brennan Manning say that the exchange passed between French Christians during the Easter season is: “The Love of God is Foolish.” This is also scrawled on blank walls and etched in the dirt on the back windows of metro busses. It is both a holy exchange and a favorite splash of graffiti.

I dig that.

God’s love is foolish. Extravagant. Vast. There should is room there for everyone. Let’s live like that. Let’s make space like that.

6 Responses to “No Outsiders”

  1. Adam Says: (June 25th, 2004 at 7:26 pm)

    Rachelle. Thanks. I posted about this on my blog - it fit into some things that a friend and I have been conversing about…thanks for your words (as usual) and the picture. I’m now at home in Chehalis - and I do need to come up sometime to Seattle and hang out!

  2. Peter Says: (June 26th, 2004 at 4:39 am)

    Yes! And compassionately while we’re at it!

  3. april Says: (June 26th, 2004 at 9:09 am)

    i loved the bikers.
    in fact i loved the whole parade.
    it was the most perfect way to leave seattle… on our knees with gratitude.

  4. Karen H. Says: (June 27th, 2004 at 5:36 pm)

    Lord, why do I live in Orange County?

  5. Rachelle Says: (June 28th, 2004 at 3:59 pm)

    I forgot to say that this great pic was taken by Fiona Morrison!

    Thanks, Fi!

    R

  6. Fiona Says: (July 5th, 2004 at 9:57 pm)

    You’re welcome, Rachelle… love your blog!!!