So you asked. And you know who you asked. So I hope you were prepared. Or are being prepared.

Dear friend,

Not too long ago, I was in a set of conversations that reminded me of a conversation we had once upon a time.

I got a question from you that I never expected. I'm not sure you really wanted an answer. Especially my answer. But you asked. And I answered. So let me take a minute to revisit the conversation. Because I remember your tears. Do you?

You never were very interested in the Bible. Except for The Rules. And The Revelation, which is understandably different, because you know my thoughts. Definitely not my choice. And I put off any commentary purposely for a a long time. Because like so many other things, I am deeply concerned about blowing someone up or knocking someone down.

But the first question seemed harmless enough. What do I think about The Last Judgment in the Revelation. I know the answer you wanted-- something to do with the tribulation or the rapture. But that wasn't my answer. That was never my answer, especially now. Because the God I know in Jesus Christ isn't a God of Judgment. Which I know makes you afraid to stand next to me in a thunderstorm. But it's OK. I don't think the heavy stuff is coming down for a while, yet.

Why do I think that way? Because the more I know Jesus, the more I'm convinced that the God I know is finally the God of Grace and Glory. A God of Justice? I hope so. But a God of Judgment? I'm not so sure. I know you and I think differently here. But you asked. I'd argue that judgment follows the rejection of grace, in as much as starvation follows rejecting good food. Does there come a time when judgment becomes permanent? Yes. Just like starvation. But I've yet to meet an imperfect parent that would wish starvation on a child, let alone a Perfect Parent. The same, I'm convinced is true, with judgment.

So that's merely what I know to be true now. And God may well change my mind. He's made me think differently on many things, most often-- graciously-- long before I needed to know differently about many things. I'm confident in the one I know as The Truth, and so truths don't matter to me very much. They seem, by comparison, far more temporary.

What really reminded me of our conversation was another conversation I was in recently, where a similar jump was made from the end times judgement to personal punishment. Your first question was hard enough. "What would happen if one of your kids put their car in the ditch. And then I remember where you totally caught me off guard was when you asked what I thought about "Spare the rod, spoil the child." Dangerous ground for a teacher and a student, because any answer of mine might not line up with the belief back on the home-front. OK, I was the one who used the example of children, so I guess I get the connection. And I gave you the courtesy of a response.

We talked about the context. "Spare the rod and spoil the child" comes from the book of Proverbs, mostly written by Solomon. Solomon's father was David. Solomon grew up hearing his father's poetry and songs, one of the most famously repeated of which starts "The Lord is my Shepherd.... " and goes on to say, "your rod, and your staff, they comfort me. " First, a word about the staff. Think Shepherd's Crook. It was a tool to be used in emergencies, to fish a lamb out of a well, or pull one back from the edge of a cliff or a dangerous river.

And the rod? It was a tool of battle. It was, for most shepherds, simply a heavy stick with as many twists and knots as possible. For others, who could afford the Hammacher Schlemmer model, it was a straight rod that had its tip covered in iron. What was the intended use? The sheep? Certainly not. Any shepherd would tell you that every bruise left on a lamb reduces its value and worth for a long time to come. No, the rod was intended for use in fighting off the bears and the wolves and the lions. The rod was a defensive tool that was to be employed against all comers that would destroy the little lambs a shepherd was guarding. The reason the rod is "comfortable" is not that we've gotten used to abuse. Comfort comes from knowing a Good Shepherd is intent on defending us from outside attackers.

Sure, I understand operant conditioning. A smart slap can keep lambs in line. Tap them enough with the stick and they'll stay on the path. OK. And I realize what's at stake in your believing that is, indeed, your reality. Maybe you're not free to believe differently. Maybe you never had a chance.. Or a choice. And if you come face to face with a Gracious God, you've got to deal with a father who was anything but Grace.

You asked. So I answered. And you walked away. And you're still angry. Just know that I still love you. Grace is still out there, waiting for you. And my prayer is that you get to see Him some day.

thus spake,

me