Crosspost from neurotribe.net/blog
Aug 6th 2007Stephen::Rants & ::Lifestyle & ::Theology & Discipleship
I have used this section of Amos in a number of presentations for all sorts of age groups. It is taken from Eugene Peterson’s “The Message” paraphrase of the bible.
“I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions.I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
Amos 5:21-24
As you can imagine, it generates strong feelings and great debates.
I am often struck by paraphrases like Peterson’s.
Recently, I had to address an “Emerging Church” gathering. (I use italics because I find it is not that helpful a phrase and consequently I do not use it anymore).
I thought, “how could I structure the passage so it would be as striking and prophetic to this crowd, as Peterson’s is to his?” So here was my rendition of the same phrase.
“I can’t stand your cool cafe gatherings. I’m fed up with your networks and conversations.I want nothing to do with your social justice programs, your global trade rhetoric and fair trade purchases. I’m sick of your candles, your art installations, your alt.worship services and deep spirituality spin. I’ve had all I can take of your clever narrative theology. When was the last time you obeyed me?
Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.
Amos 5:21-24
What do you think?