Not of this world?
King Solomon plays a deadly game of chicken, with an infant’s life at stake, and for this is he is called wise. Pastor Megan explores the anti-monarchy sentiment buried within this and other stories related to ancient Israel’s kings, and considers the rotten-to-the-core empires of our own day. What are Mennonites, traditionally “in but not of this world,” to do? Listen as she reflects on generational shifts in political engagement, doing ALL the things, and (like Jesus!) finding sustaining rhythms.
Audio
Resources
- David Guterson, Snow Falling on Cedars, p. 205.
- Seinfeld clip, hilariously reenacting the story in I Kings – with Newman judging whether a bicycle belongs to Elaine or Kramer.
- The Seattle Civil Rights & Labor History Project: amazing resource from UW about Seattle’s history of segregation and racial restrictive covenants.
- E. B. White, according to wikiquote.org, quoted in profile by Israel Shenker, “E. B. White: Notes and Comment by Author”, The New York Times (11 July 1969).
- Anna Castro, “Transgender Law Center Responds to Horrific Leaked Draft Memo by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Denying Humanity of Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Community.”
- Image: Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael) (1483–1520), The Judgment of Solomon (1518-19), fresco, Loggia di Raffaello, Apostolic Palace, Vatican City.
“If the world were merely seductive, that would be easy. If it were merely challenging, that would be no problem. But I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” ~ E. B. White