Changing Heaven into Hell?

         In Biblical imagery, all reality is arranged as a “three decker universe.” Heaven is up above the clouds & stars where God and his angels live in eternal peace, harmony & joy.  Hell is a place of fire and torment where Satan & his devils live, far below the surface of God’s creation which is a flat earth surrounded by an endless sea.  On this flat earth the Bible describes different tribes of people struggling with each other for power & control of a sustainable piece on this limited earth.
         That picture of the universe has completely  changed in our modern scientific view except that the struggle of different tribal nations for power and control of earth’s global territory & resources continues. As we all know, terrible wars bringing death to thousands, continue to be fought today in spite of our knowledge of the need for unity & peace on this fragile planet.
         Our own nation has shown itself willing to spend the bulk of its resources on an “arms race” to maintain its dominance in spite of known environmental threats that would bring global tragedy of almost unimaginable levels.
         And now, seemingly blind to this fate of our own creation, our nation has recently broken another international agreement – the landmark “Outer Space Treaty of 1967” which was put together by the US and the then Soviet Union and endorsed by nearly every nation.  This international treaty was designed to preserve outer space as a cooperative realm of peace. Up until last year, every signatory to this treaty has  followed and even worked for its fulfillment – except the U.S.   The current Administration  is establishing a “Space Force” that is intended to militarize outer space with high technological weapons. Why?  Because we think we need to keep ahead of the Russians or the Chinese, or Iran.  So in our fear driven quest for power and control, we could change the Biblical notion of  a peaceful, joy filed Heaven into a very real technological, fiery Hell.  
         Most thoughtful people and especially Christians are made aware by their faith and hope and love that greater security cannot be achieved by increased militarization, but rather through intelligent  & creative work toward peace and mutual security  for all people & all nations. Just as we work to keep our marriages, our families our neighborhoods and diverse communities places and relationships of creative harmony  & mutual flourishing, why are we unable to do so as nations?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be known as the children of God.” (Matt 5:  9)
 
         For more information  on the “Space Force” Google Space News & the book, Weapons in Space, Karl Grossman, State University of New York.

Two Step Justice

            “I can’t breath,”  “Black Lives Matter,” “Defund the Police.”  These brief slogans emerging in the protest movement across America express sharply, if inadequately, the Christian, biblical and ethical call for social justice.

            The current national and worldwide uprising with all of its imperfections, can be understood by Christians as God’s call for human justice and righteousness in the way we seek “law and order” in our human society.

            In the biblical story of Jesus‘s encounter with the “rich young ruler” seeking “eternal life,” Jesus, recognizing his true piety and sincerity, called him to (1) throw off the chains of avarice and greed that had guided his life of “success” and to (2) follow the way of empathy, compassion, truth & justice – Jesus way.

            Achieving a “just world” requires individual persons who are willing to give up their social and economic privileges and also willing to work together  as necessary, to achieve justice for others who have been less privileged, just as Jesus had compassion on the poor and “down-trodden” and gave his life for them.

            Following Jesus means: (1) waking up to the corrupting influence of power and wealth; and (2) banding together to achieve equal opportunity and justice for all of God’s people.

            This is “two step justice:” giving up the personal privilege of “Whiteness” and working  - taking action- for those, especially people of color, denied access to justice and equal opportunity.