Notes from the Balcony

Ongoing comment and dialogue on being a new church in a new world - A Blog by John Montgomery

[The Bible] is not, for a start, a list of rules, though it contains many commandments of various sorts and in various contexts. Nor is it a compendium of true doctrines, though, of course, many parts of the Bible declare great truths about God, Jesus, the world and ourselves in no uncertain terms. Most of its constituent parts, and all of it when put together (whether in the Jewish canonical form or the Christian form), can best be described as story. This is a complicated and much-discussed theme, but there is nothing to be gained by ignoring it. - N.T. Wright

Friday, February 23, 2007

Sacred Head Now Wounded

What language shall I borrow
To praise Thee, heavenly friend,
For this my dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
Lord make me Thine forever,
Nor let me faithless prove
Oh let me never, never
Abuse such dying love

- Bernard of Clairvaix

Brian Wren uses the first line of this sacred hymn's fourth verse as the title of his book. The book explores metaphors and images within our worship and formation practices. As we move into Lent, indeed, what metaphors are most appropriate? Is Jesus' lynching by Roman occupation soldiers, metaphorically speaking, an atonement sacrifice. The Gospel of John speaks of Jesus as the passover lamb, but historically for Israelites, this particular festival is not primarily about forgiveness, but about liberation. Might we begin to see the events of the passion narrative about inclusiveness and justice - then indeed, "What language shall we borrow?"


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