The (Lieben)GOOD LIFE

Does the Book of Revelation contradict the claim that God is love?  This is one of the questions we will be wrestling with in my course on the Book of Revelation as we patiently read through what is a complex and perplexing text. Throughout the history of its interpretation, on occasion students of the book have come to the conclusion that the notion that God is fundamentally loving is irreconcilable with message and imagery of John's Apocalypse (this is another name for the Book of Revelation), especially in Revelation 6-20.  Interestingly, their are two bookends, or framing devices (more technically known as  inclusios ) in Revelation that seem to suggest that the book is ultimately about God's love. The first inclusio can be found in Revelation 1:4-8 / 22:12-21; the second framing device is located in the message to the first of the seven churches and the last of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.  Inclusio 1: Revelation 1:4-8 / 22:12-21 In the opening greeti...

  Second Sunday of Christmas: Grace wins! Psalm 147.12-20 Jer 31.7-14 Eph 1.3-14 John 1.1-18 Prayer of Invocation Father, you wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of humanity.  Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. Proclamation Have you ever had the experience of coming out of a deep sleep in a room that is pitch dark, and not knowing where you are? You don’t know what day it is, you don’t know what time it is, and you don’t even know where you are? I remember this happening to me about five years ago. I had just finished a grueling  nineteen-hour flight. I was recovering from Leptospirosis. I was wracked with panic attacks. I didn’t sleep on the plane. When I got to my hotel room, I made sure the curtains were tight around the window so that no light could penetra...