What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Prayer for those caught up in the Clutha Vaults tragedy

    We will be remembering those who have died and praying for all those caught up in the Clutha Vaults tragedy on Sunday 1 December 2013 at the 10.30 am service and indeed at all services on that day.

    The following prayer is offered for those in Glasgow and those from further afield who wish to pray for the city at this time.

    Eternal God
    Help us to pray for the people of Glasgow – this dear green place.
    With thanksgiving we remember those who have shown courage.
    With concern we remember those injured.
    With compassion we remember the bereaved.
    With love we pray for all caught up in this event.
    Strengthen the weary.
    Protect the vulnerable.
    Embrace those who grieve.
    Amen.

One response to “Eid, Pride and Abraham’s Sacrifice”

  1. Tim Avatar
    Tim

    As one who grew up(?) in churches leaning toward the view “it’s a tough story for a tough world, how else would God be just?” in varying degrees, I agree the face-value-narrative understanding of the story is repellant.

    One thing stood out for the first time during Sunday’s reading: the plurality in Abraham’s line – “…and we will return to you”. I’ve been idly wondering about that since.
    It doesn’t make the story wholly acceptable as Abraham still ploughs on ever closer.
    But if one’s goal is to find a “by faith, Abraham” in there, better to say it’s the prior confidence that things will somehow work out well (which I thought was how Hebrews was trying to define it), than to locate the commendable quality in violence (which, by rabbiting on about resurrection, Hebrews does).

    In the absence of other clear & wholly mitigating contexts in which to place the story, certainly it’s simplest, easiest and probably best to file it under “that’s how they saw God back then” and move swiftly on.

    Oofft.

    Reply

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