“Go to church and sin!
Attend Bible studies and multiply your sins!
Volunteer to clean the church.
Faithfully tithe your 10%.
Praise Jesus for all He has given you.
Thank God for your many blessings.
For these are the things, Oh Christian, you love to do,”
says the Lord God.
“I hate your pot lucks.
Nor do I delight in your Christian concerts.
Though you give generously to support the building fund,
And donate faithfully to the Christian organizations,
I will not even look at these many gifts.
“Cease your many sermons,
Stop writing your faithful blog.
Get out of your pew,
Put away all your Christian books.
“When you fast, I will not listen.
Though you cry out, I will not hear.
I will not accept your offerings
And sacrifices of praise.
“Take away from me the noise of your many songs,
Your numerous prayers are an abomination!
Quit playing the guitars, banging on the drums,
And raising your hands in praise.
Stop trampling the parking lots
In your eagerness to get to church.
“Sunday morning, Sunday night.
Wednesday evening, Friday morning.
I hate all your meetings.
I despise your numerous studies.
They are all evil in my sight.
“Instead, let justice roll down like a waterfall,
And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I want you do justice, love kindness,
And walk humbly with your God.”
———————————
Offended? Try these:
Isaiah 1:12-13
Amos 4:4-5
Amos 5:21-24
Jeremiah 14:12
Hosea 6:6
Micah 6:6-8
If only…
Nice piece.
Hi Jeremy. Here is a Master’s Thesis by Ben Chenoweth (over 150 pages) critiquing Herzog’s social science approach to the Parable of the Talents, as well as critiquing N.T. Wright’s interpretation.
http://www.bcv.vic.edu.au/content/documents/Thesis/Ben%20Chenoweth%20-%20A%20Critique%20Of%20Two%20Recent%20Interpretations%20Of%20The%20Parable%20Of%20The%20Talents.pdf
Jeremy,
Good work. Very good work. I often wonder what the minor prophets might do with many of today’s churches.
His forever,
Tim Nichols
Danny,
Thanks for the thesis. I have saved it and will read it soon.
Also, I got the paper from Fred Chay. Email me and I will send it to you. My email comes from this website, and is jmyers@————
Hi Jeremy.
Thanks for sharing. I like your blog.
I was always told this: The Holy Spirit convicts us of specific sin; the enemy will simply try to make us feel vaguely guilty.
(Of course you know this. But it’s worth a mention perhaps.)
Such passages in scripture tend to be in the context of describing a specific sin:
eg
Isaiah 1: “Your rulers are rebels and companions of thieves; everyone loves a bribe and chases after rewards. They do not defend the orphan, nor does the widow’s plea come before them.”
Amos 5: “because you impose heavy rent on the poor and exact a tribute of grain from them…”
And they also come in the larger context of mercy offered. “Come let us reason together; though your sins be as scarlet… etc”
In comment to Tim, I think if the minor prophets were around today they would speak very specifically to specific churches (somewhat like the letters to the 7 churches in Revelation), and the aim would be restoration and wholeness.
Mark,
Wow. Excellent texts, and humbling reminders. Thanks!