Thursday, April 19, 2007

Praising the fradulent agent

Luke 16:1-11 records one of Jesus most puzzling parables. In it he praises an agent who defrauds his boss.

What's going on?

We reach an uncomfortable conclusion :(




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posted by Tim @ 12:08 PM

2 Comments:

At April 24, 2007 8:22 AM , Blogger Bob MacDonald said...

Hi Tim: You have a gift for this work - don't let my ratings discourage you.

If I were to rate the 3 audios I listened to so far, Jonah 1 would get 10/10. Saul 7/10 and the dishonest steward 5/10. My criticism of Saul is that while there is a story and humour, you might be better to tell us less and let us hear more. Some day I hope you will do something on the humour in the Song (the brothers' change of mind; the playfulness of the geography; and as we discussed earlier the language games) - it is for me like Wisdom at play before the foundation of the world.

Of the dishonest steward - I think we need the cultural reframing as you have done, but there is still something more to be read into it. Using unrighteous Mammon and balancing responsibility with "what-me-worry" - I think too much, but some I know well cannot think - remember obligations, anticipate consequences. The one I raised with such brain damage is a constant challenge to my European colonial culture. He is God's secret agent but it is God's secret. I think you need to reframe without the moral statement. (If I sell all my goods and have not love, I am nothing).

see also W. H. Auden:
I cannot grow;
I have no shadow
To run away from,
I only play.

I cannot err;
There is no creature
Whom I belong to,
Whom I could wrong.

...
I shall never be
Different. Love me.

 
At April 24, 2007 8:54 AM , Blogger Tim said...

Moralising is always a preacher's déformation professionnelle! I am also finding the 5 minute format quite a challenge - I must be getting old ;-)

God bless,

Tim

 

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