Of course, in the context of Bell's book he is talking about sexuality. He is talking about "Angels and Animals." Angels don't have a sexuality like God created us with, and an animal's sexuality is purely instinctive. We cannot err to either side. We must live in the tension: not denying our sexuality (pretending to be angels) nor simply acting out all of our sexual instincts (acting like animals). We live in the tension between these two.
The reason I've been thinking about this "tension" idea for a while is because without tension there is no such thing as music. Music requires tension... both literally and often
It is often only through tension that beauty is created. JRR Tolkien's creation myth "Ainulindale" (from The Silmarillion) is the perfect example of this, but I won't get into that.
I think this ties in very nicely with last week's post. Is it possible that through the tension of our denominational differences the Kingdom of God is actually enhanced?
Is there something beautiful that is created out of this tension?
What other areas of life require tension or are enhanced through tension?
What do you think?
9 comments:
That remindes me of one of my favorite quotes from the band sixpence (ya I still listen to them every so often)
"tension is to be loved when it is like a passing note to a beautiful beautiful chord."
I think that rings true to many aspects of our lives. Tension is part of the journey that leads us to and helps define that "beautiful chord."
Darrell
It's funny that tension also helps spread the gospel. Just look at Acts 15, if Paul and Barnabas didn't have a tiff, They would have stayed together and perhaps not have gone to the places Barnabas went. We have a sense in church that we all need to be one, and that's true, we are all part of one body. But that doesn't mean we are all the same. Pentecostals can reach people that perhaps Mennonites can't. Small churches can reach some that a large church will never reach. And maybe, by some weird and ironic twist in God's goodness, perhaps Hymn's can reach... someone, better than real music. Tension can be good. Oh, but if you are holding a giant stretchy skipping rope in tension with a three year old girl, about half way up your body, stretched out over the driveway... that is not good, really, really not good. Trust me.
Tim S.
OK, Tim. Here's the real test:
If Hymns might be able to reach people, what about CHRISTMAS CAROLS!?!
Preach it, Brother! Except, this time I meant brother-in-Christ, not the actual brother. You know...
Nope, there is no possible way. Tension means there are two sides pulling, thus creating tension. Christmas carol's are strictly from the dark side and so therefore no tension.
Tim S.
I suppose that tension thing holds true in all aspects of life. My co-worker and I were theorizing about what if there are sports in Heaven? (of course the Roughriders would always win!) - but then I realized how boring sports would be if your team ALWAYS won - the excitement of watching any game is the hope that your team will win balanced with the tension that they might not. Without the tension of pain, how would we know how to experience joy? Without the tension of temptation and sin, could we ever appreciate what Jesus did?
But there won't be pain and sorrow and sin in heaven. So is that going to make heaven boring since there's no tension? Or are we going to learn what true joy is without worrying about the tension of life?
Pain in things like sports, other than physical pain, is really a trivial thing. When the Riders don't win, I am disappointed, they are disappointed, but is there really pain? I would love to play for the Riders even if we lose, because I love to play. So perhaps there will be excitement like sports in heaven but we will all have the right attitude and look at things in perspective and so there will be no pain. And thus, no Christmas Carols as well.
Tim S.
Maybe Christmas carols won't be traditional there so those of us who like the "Christmas Music" can enjoy it while those of you who hate "Traditional Christmas Music" don't have to suffer. Ever thought of that?
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