[Dialogue] Spong on Virginia Tech and RC Pedophiliacs

[Jim Rippey]

I guess I am a heretic in Margaret's eyes.  If God-given free will means
anything, then if a sick man chooses to gun down 30 some people, I cannot
see how it diminishes God to say that "they happened to be at the wrong
place at the wrong time."   I simply can't believe such events are all part
of "God's good plan." However, I do respect Margaret's nerve/chutzpah in
stating her deep faith, though I don't share it.   And I applaud her
sensitivity and humility in facing overabundance when there is so much
hunger and poverty in the world.  I believe I am called to do what I can to
ameliorate such conditions, though, too often, "the spirit is willing but
the flesh is weak."   

 

Jim Rippey, Bellevue, NE  

 

  _____  

From: dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
[mailto:dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of Margaret Helen
Aiseayew
Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2007 11:18 AM
To: Colleague Dialogue
Cc: Dialogue at wedgeblade.net
Subject: Re: [Dialogue] Spong on Virginia Tech and RC Pedophiliacs

 

I deeply appreciate the Spong postings, but was so aghast at one comment in
this last one that I felt compelled to go out on the web and write to Spong
himself.  After a bit a time passed (I've been working on my sermon for
Sunday and the scripture is Saul's transformation) I felt like I should post
to the whole list my note.

 

Dear Rev. Spong,
I get and read many of your sermons, but was utterly dismayed in your
reflections on the VPI tragedy. You used a phrase I have come to abhor, "in
the wrong place at the wrong time." I sincerely hope to not seem simplistic,
but over the last sixty years as my faith has grown, I have come to believe
that this is not possible. It is a part of being participant in the vast
mystery that is my God. I do not know, nor can I understand the why and
wherefore of things. I can know that I am mortal, and give thanks. I can
understand that prayer will not necessarily change that, and give thanks. I
can move about the world in utter insecurity (teacing adult Christian
education in 34 countries) and face down machine guns and feel "lucky" to
come home, and give thanks. I can suffer panic attacks in the cereal aisle
of my local grocery because I am so overwhelmed by the abundance there, that
is so lacking in so many places of world and not understand how I have the
priviledge, demand or option to confront the horror of our consumption, and
give thanks. But in no circumstance does my faith, my belief in the ultimate
trustworthiness of the unknown unknown, give me permission to say I have
been in the wrong place at the wrong time. To me that is wrong headed and
diminishes God to a rational understandability that would be the ultimate
horror.

Just a thought from someone who appreciates you and yours. (in full
awareness of the awesome audacity and sheer nerve/hutzpah of saying so)
Grace and Peace be unto you,
Margaret

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