And now, time for a liberal post

Sunday School was an interesting experience this morning. During Hymn time the music leader asked me to come up and do a duet with her. It was really fun, but I was terrified that she would break into the alto part (I can't harmonize or hold a part ... ever).
An old man with a skeletal figure and a somehow imposing stature spoke today. He spoke about Deborah. I love the story of Deborah, Mrs. Bettylou Gervais taught my fifth grade Sunday School class this story. She told it like a soap opera and dragged the story out over several weeks. What a great story of female empowerment.
The teacher today spoke about the downfall of the Caananites because of their immoral ways - he compared it New Orleans and God's wrath through Katrina. Argh.

Jesus took the punishment for our sins. All of God's wrath was directed towards His son, Jesus, on the cross. Our God is a God of love and wrath - it just so happens that all of His wrath was delivered to Jesus. Yes, our sinful nature is payed forward in death, suffering, hunger, and pain. There is human consequence to our sin ... but God doesn't take extra measure or special delight in our pain. AIDS isn't a disease to "cure" homosexuality. Katrina wasn't God's punishment on New Orleans. Rape isn't God's punishment on women who dress provacatively. That's just a messed up view of who God is. Who cares what our theology is if it boils down to a God who has wrath so unsatiable that His son's death couldn't even meet it. Our theology must hinge on the idea that God is a God of love; that God's wrath was consumed by our Christ. That our God calls us to love lavishly as He loves - when we see immorality in our community or world we must respond in love. I believe that when we respond in love we can make more Christians and that will bring a more moral society.

Boy, it feels good to say something liberal.