Pentecost -- birthday or anniversary?

While we often hear that this upcoming Sunday called Pentecost is the birthday of the church, there is much evidence to the contrary. For one it was a Jewish holy day, long before it was assimilated into the Christian mindset and for another thing those first celebrants were Jewish and probably had no intention or inclination to found another new faith tradition. Jesus, himself, seemed to be trying to induce those of the Jewish sects (yes Judaism was and is as diverse as Christianity was and is) to be imbued with God's spirit and not to get stuck perseverating about doctrines and dogmas.

Still there is from all accounts something very momentous that happened that day of wind and fire. The Spirit got through; they felt it -- better than that they acted on it and we had hope for a while that all peoples of earth would be able to unite in their joint search for truth and meaning, that is, for right relationship with God.

Now this is not to say that God was or is or can be defined by what we read in the Bible. There is much wisdom in the Bible, but if you try to define things like God who is ineffable and indescribable, then you will definitely run into a lot of trouble. Mostly what I learned in seminary is that much of the metaphor and seeming contradiction is there intentionally because the wise people who tried to capture relationship with God were forcing us to realize that what was written down was metaphor, allegory, instructive, wisdom -- but not literal fact or history as we would now know it.

History for the ancients -- and up until fairly recently -- was a very different kettle of fish. And when you can grasp that God is out of time and space, then you can see how futile it is (and always will be) to try to pin God to something so subjective as "history." Even when we take accounts from bystanders at an event like an "accident" we will hear quite different stories. This is not to say that anyone is intentionally lying, just that what they saw was through their own eyes and hence will be biased by their own histories, perceptions, and prejudices. (Yes, we all have them and that is not bad, it just is.)

So, when I speak about Pentecost, it may be quite different than what you have come to expect. I try to let God speak through me and not get in the way...but I am human and I have my own "take" on justice, mercy, humility, spirit and so on...

If you find what I say resonates with you, or if you find that what I say gets your hackles up -- you're right. We can agree, or agree to disagree, but we are still in the same boat. We are Christian...whatever stripe or colour.

And we can all live at peace with broken open hearts and satisfied minds...