It is through the agency and power of the same Holy Spirit speaking in us and through us that the Word of God can be and continues to be communicated, as living dynamic Reality to humankind in the proclamation and the teaching of the Church. This holds good in the most difficult circumstances, for it is the coming of the Kingdom of God in Christ and the Lordship of the Holy Spirit on earth that are at stake in the mission of the Church. Just as when Jesus cast out demons by the Spirit (or finger) of God, the Kingdom of God or his sovereign Presence and Power came among people, so when the church proclaims the victory of Christ over all the forces of evil and darkness, it is God himself in the Sovereign Presence and Power of his Spirit who is at work bringing redemption and freedom to captive humanity. (Torrance, Christian Doctrine of God, page 63)
Aye, but do we believe all that? Does Pentecost decisively shape my worldview? Not if I'm simply flattened by the avalanche of gloom and manufactured anxiety that passes for ' the news'. Pentecost is the day when the Church believes in miracles again, when all that darkens and diminishes life is swept up into purposes much bigger than sin, and more determined than any number of demons. Whatever else, Pentecost announces Who rules, OK??
amen... ;-)
Posted by: John Caldwell | June 05, 2007 at 05:39 PM