Taking leave of the Three-Tiered Universe

In his Ascension Sunday sermon, Glynn Cardy begins by challenging the notion that the Ascension was a historical event. The challenge is not what happened but what it meant. He examines what is at the heart of the Jesus experience. "I think the notion of a God up top grew out of our human longing to be rescued. There are many people who have felt like they are drowning in pain, misery, and depression. They have cried out for help. The life support of family, friends, and caring agencies haven’t always met their needs. They don’t feel they have the resources within themselves. They pray for a heavenly God, especially a friendly-looking Jesus-God, to come and save them. I understand that prayer. I empathize with those who pray it. I just don’t think it’s an accurate depiction of the God known in Jesus. That God, to continue the metaphor, was in the troubled waters with those drowning rather than plucking them out. That God did not and does not defy the laws of gravity but rather encourages people to swim and help those who can’t." Full text at http://www.stmatthews.org.nz/nav.php?sid=498&id=938