765 24 26018 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c75614e6c706bdfd2fe6754571b6aaed.mp3 c1a13aa53db129e8a1d15093ed0f85e8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent I Scripture Text Isaiah 11:1, I Thessalonians 4:14, 17 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19851201 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-12-01 Title A name given to the resource The Hereafter - Wishful Thinking Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 1, 1985 entitled "The Hereafter - Wishful Thinking", on the occasion of Advent I, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 11:1, I Thessalonians 4:14, 17. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/fd3e1a45c5ccdee19a20297a00082140.mp3 7ab1e0fe1367b6447a45ff865e14d25d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent II Scripture Text Matthew 25:32, Revelations 21:3 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19851208 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-12-08 Title A name given to the resource Heaven and Hell: The Double Image of the Future Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 8, 1985 entitled "Heaven and Hell: The Double Image of the Future", on the occasion of Advent II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Matthew 25:32, Revelations 21:3. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/264d5834425cc69103038c7a2e5d1e16.mp3 bad34bd955aceaba073d8e7b27b782fc https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/ae91d9c2f20a64a447bc4cd0b6195a3a.pdf 79f5f7b94edba797fa64a6e412e07d31 PDF Text Text Why I Believe in Purgatory Text: I Corinthians 3: 14-15; Luke 12: 47-48 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Advent, December 15, 1985 Transcription of the spoken sermon Purgatory is a foreign word in a Protestant pulpit. It is even a greater surprise to find it in a title such as I have given to this message: "Why I Believe In Purgatory." Perhaps it is just a teaser: baiting you a bit to get you to return - an attention catcher. You will have to judge that for yourself when we are finished. In the meantime, I must declare the seriousness with which I am treating the subject. Purgatory conjures up all sorts of ghosts in our minds and certainly there is much in the history of the tradition of the Roman Catholic Church with which I cannot agree. Yet there is a reality, a truth to which that teaching pointed, and we may well have missed that truth because our forefathers in the Reformation threw out the idea of Purgatory with all of the many abuses that went along with it. Before we get into the idea itself, let me remind you of our deliberations this Advent Season. We are considering the great questions of the End. The drama of history will have its End. That is Advent's theme: the King is coming. God will bring Creation to its consummation. We personally will have our End; we will die. And then what? We have affirmed that there is life after life. Death remains the last enemy but its sting has been removed; it is a conquered foe. The grave has been robbed of its fearsome power. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again; even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (I Thessalonians 4:14) Therefore we do not grieve as those who have no hope; we have a basis for comforting one another. We have seen, too, that the New Testament sets forth a double image of the End: Heaven and Hell, Glorification and Condemnation, Union with God and © Grand Valley State University   �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Separation from God. We quoted the pithy statement of C.S. Lewis in The Great Divorce: There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, "Thy will be done," and those to whom God says, in the end, "Thy will be done." (p. 66F) The traditional teaching of the Church and the conventional understanding of most of the Church is simply that those who receive Christ will be saved and those who reject him will be damned. But a little sober reflection - and reflection on this subject ought to be sober shows us that the matter is not quite that simple. Even if those who are exposed to the Gospel are judged on their acceptance or rejection of Christ - what about those who never heard? What about those who die in infancy? What about the mentally impaired? A further serious question: What about those who have been terribly wounded by the Church itself? What about those who have been abused as children and are never able to trust? What about those who have received only a perversion and distortion of the Gospel? It would seem that we must begin to make some exception, some qualification. Then, too, we have noted that the witness of the New Testament is not consistent. Several texts in Matthew and Revelation especially speak of eternal torment but several statements in Paul's letters seem to point in the direction of universal salvation. Therefore I raised the question whether or not it might be possible that God's grace might finally triumph in the case of all persons; whether God would finally be "all in all" with every remnant of opposition to His Rule of Grace wiped out. I suggested that perhaps God's "Yes" to us in Jesus might be stronger than our "No." God respects our response. He will never coerce. His is always a gracious invitation. Therefore, just as our "no" turned to "yes" by His grace must be authentically our own, just so our "no" maintained is always a possibility. It remains a possibility and witnesses to the seriousness of our decision. But what if in His infinite patience He never gives up? (I asked you whether you hoped Hell might be finally empty.) I suspect you have thought about that. I suspect, too, I would receive a variety of responses. Let us admit at the outset we cannot know the answer to the question as to whether Hell will finally consume some eternally or whether Grace will finally triumph completely. In either case, the reality of judgment is a reality through which we all must pass. There is a double judgment for each of us. First, the judgment regarding eternal © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 3   salvation. Second, the judgment regarding the character of our lives - the story we write with our lives. The first is determined by our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the Saviour of the world. God sent His Son into the world, not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17 And Paul declared, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 In John's Gospel we read: Truly, truly I say to you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24 Thus judgment is passed. The verdict is not still out. The acquittal has been granted. We possess new eternal life. But there is a second aspect to judgment that remains to be experienced by every person, that is the judgment of our work or our lives. This judgment has nothing to do with whether a person is saved or lost. This judgment has to do with seeing our lives in God's light, seeing our lives played out before us in His presence. The main contention of this message is that God is not done with us at the moment of our death. I can base that contention on Scripture in regard to those who die trusting in God through Jesus Christ. I will suggest that the possibility of an "empty hell" can be based only on the possibility of a continuing process of encounter between God and the person who dies without an experience of His grace. Let us first look at the Scripture. To begin with, we must recognize that there is not much to go on because the whole thrust of Scripture is the imperative to repentance and faith and the whole stress is on the urgency of decision. Yet there are indications that there is something more. Our first Scripture investigation is Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 3. Let me acknowledge immediately that this passage can be used only indirectly for the purposes of establishing the main contention of this message - namely that God is not done with us at the moment of our death. Paul is talking to a particular © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 4   congregation about a specific problem - divisions in the Church. Dealing with that issue he decries the choosing up of sides, identifying with one leader rather than another and thus forming factions in the Church. He points to the one foundation of the Church, Jesus Christ, and says all who build on that foundation, which he had himself laid in Corinth, must take care how they build. But all are co-laborers. Whether they plant or water, they work as a team. I Corinthians 3:8 That refers to the image of the garden. One plants, one waters, but God makes it grow. The image of the building picks up the idea of foundation and superstructures. Christ is the foundation. He, Paul, Apollos and the other apostles build the superstructure. If they build well the building will stand; if they build of faulty materials the building will not meet the test. This is where we touch our interest - the idea of judgment: This is not a judgment regarding one's eternal salvation; this is a judgment of one's works or a judgment of one's life. This is a judgment through which all God's children will pass. The question is not whether one will be finally redeemed and enter the presence of God - enter "heaven." The question is how will one fare as one's life comes under the scrutiny of the Eternal God. The text speaks specifically about ministers of the Gospel and the building of the Church. I do not think we err, however, in seeing what here has a specific focus as being generally true of all persons regarding their life's issue whether that be in building churches or building houses or laboring in business or industry or living in community, nation, family. Will the things to which we devote our lives, our time, our energy stand God's refining process or will they go up in smoke? Notice: The one who builds with precious stones, gold and silver, will see his creation stand the test. He enters life beyond life with something good and positive going with him. The one who builds with wood, hay, straw - one who cuts corners and just gets by will see his life's devotion consumed before his eyes. But now note carefully: He will bear the loss but he himself will escape with his life, as one might from a fire. Such a person will enter life beyond life having lost everything, secure in God's eternal presence, yet with nothing to show for his life. © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 5   From this text I conclude that there is beyond death or through death an encounter with God in which one's life will be tested. The issue will not be salvation or condemnation. The issue is whether we bring into God's presence something, or nothing. Now I am going beyond the text's specific teaching but drawing, I believe, a legitimate inference from the text: Through death, beyond death, at death, there is something more. Does this text not indicate that Paul thought in terms of encounter with God and perhaps continuing the process beyond death? If it is a matter simply of being saved or lost as we enter the moment of death - if there is a status called "Salvation" and a status called "Condemnation," and that is all there is, then why be concerned about what one brings to death's moment: a fruitful life, or a barren life? I see in our text Paul's conviction that there is not only the discontinuity between our time and God's eternity, death being the break, but also continuity between this life and the life beyond death's passage. We bring something (or nothing) with us and whatever lies beyond is influenced and determined by what we bring (or fail to bring.) Let us look at one more text: Luke 12:47-48. These verses are in a context of the teachings of Jesus. The immediate context is a call to be watchful and ready for the End - the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus is encouraging loyal, faithful stewardship of life. Happy that servant who is found at his task when his master comes! (Verse 43) But then Jesus speaks of two kinds of servants. One knew the master's instructions and failed to comply with them. The other did not comply either, but he was unaware of the demands. The first was flogged severely; the second was flogged less severely. This vivid, picturesque language of Jesus must not be pushed too far. We certainly could not build a whole system of judgment on the basis of these words. Yet, perhaps it is legitimate to draw at least this teaching: the sentence will vary in light of individual circumstances. Again, we have here not a judgment to eternal salvation or eternal condemnation; we have here a gradation of judgment on the basis of the individual life being examined. The moment of death, the moment of encounter with God will be very personal, individual and discriminating. The sentences will vary. Does this point to a process beyond death's moment? If this were the only text it would be risky to claim so. But again, this seems to point in the direction of Paul's teaching explained above. To be sure, the Luke passage speaks of a gradation of severity of judgment depending on knowledge or opportunity while the Pauline passage © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 6   speaks of entering God's presence beyond the testing of judgment – with positive fruit of one's life, or denuded of whatever constituted one's life. Yet in both cases there is judgment in terms of one's life being put to the test and then the entering into the consequences of what that judgment revealed. The traditional understanding of our texts is that, in the case of the Luke passage, there are gradations of punishment - yet to be lost, eternally condemned is to remain in a state spoken of as hell - separation from God. In the case of the passage from Paul, the understanding has been that the "saved" enter into heaven, or union with God, but some with greater, some with less capacity to experience the joy of salvation. But let us push those conventional interpretations. Let me repeat what I said earlier: we cannot finally know answers which remain for us veiled in mystery. Yet it is important to come to some place where we can live with faith, conviction and peace. Think with me then; let your imagination loose. Think about the God of grace, His creation purpose, His covenant faithfulness, His final triumph over all. Think about the whole impact of the Scriptural revelation beyond individual texts. I entitled this message, "Why I Believe in Purgatory," because I did want to grasp your attention. Surely you know that in a day when Catholic theology itself is very self-critical and is engaged in serious encounter with Scripture, I am not about to suggest we reinstitute a teaching that has been a means of distortion of the Gospel and open to great abuse. We cannot forget that it was precisely at the point of the teaching of indulgences, the exploitation of the faithful for purposes of raising money and manipulating people, holding them in spiritual bondage, that the Reformers rose up in protest. But my title is more than a ploy. It expresses a conviction to which I have come through study and reflection, which is as much a surprise to me as it may be to you. I am convinced that, behind all indefensible practice and abuse of the Church, there is yet a true intuition. There has been over the centuries a sense that God was not through with us at the moment of our last breath. Now the traditional Reformed faith never said He was through with us; there remains the judgment with its double issue - to salvation or condemnation. But the traditional teaching has been that with the last breath the issue is irreversible. It is this claim that I am calling in question. I do recognize that the strong call to decision, the seriousness of choices in this life is stressed. I would not deny that or even downplay the urgency of that call. However, is it not possible that in the experience of death itself, understood as an encounter with God, there is the possibility of something of eternal significance occurring? I raise the question for reflection. Let me share with you some of the best thinking available on the subject. My first serious consideration of the idea of purgatory or the reality toward which that © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 7   teaching points was in Berkhof’s Christian Faith. Because of my high regard for the thoroughness of his scholarship, depth of biblical and theological understanding, and deep personal faith in Christ, I had to take seriously his suggestion that there was really something here to be taken seriously. In his discussion of the judgment of the works done by believers, which we discussed above, Berkhof writes: In protestant theology, this viewpoint is almost completely pushed aside by the accent on grace. In Roman Catholic piety it is (or used to be) very prominent in connection with the veneration of saints and purgatory. The Roman Catholic Church assumes correctly that believers differ greatly in regard to their progress and fruitfulness... So the idea of a judgment according to one's deeds leads of itself to the consideration of a process of purification, called purgatory in Roman Catholic tradition. ... The Reformation broke with that doctrine because of its moralistic conception of salvation and its detrimental effect on the practice of piety (indulgences; intercessory prayers and masses for the dead.) It imagined a sudden, radical transformation after the judgment, usually without giving it further theological reflection and without connecting it with the struggle for sanctification on earth. Meanwhile Roman Catholic thinking, too, has become much more reserved. Typical of the modern R.C. conceptions is the idea of "ripening" ... which K. Rahner develops in "The Life of the Dead." Referring to our text, I Corinthians 3:15, Berkhof asserts, ... that statement does suggest that Paul thought of more than an abrupt re-creation of man; salvation is accompanied by a painful becoming aware of one's own failures on earth. The difficulties here are more an open question for theological reflection than a subject for back and forth theological denouncement. (p. 489) In the previous message I cited Berkhof s statement about the question of whether "Hell" was forever. He writes: God is serious about the responsibility of our decision, but he is even more serious about the responsibility of his love. The darkness of rejection and God's forsakenness cannot and may not be argued away, but no more can and may it be eternalized. For God's sake we hope that hell will be a form of purification. (p. 532) That word "purification" is one used by the Catholic theologian Hans Küng. It was Küng who stimulated me to pursue these matters. His forthright handling of them at the University of Michigan convinced me that these questions do not go away; they are deeply written on the human heart. In the published lectures © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 8   Eternal Life? Küng treats the idea of purgatory in his discussion of the question whether hell is eternal. Some theologians argue that it is not God who damns man by a verdict imposed from outside. They are human beings themselves, by sins committed with inward freedom, who damn themselves. The responsibility lies not with God but with man, and by death this selfdamnation and distance from God (not a place, but a human condition) becomes definitive. Definitive? Do not the psalms say that God rules over the realm of the dead? What is supposed to become definitive here, contrary to the will of an all-merciful and almighty God? Why should God, who is infinitely good, want to perpetuate enmity instead of removing it and in practice to share his rule forever with some kind of anti-God? Why should he have nothing more to say at this point and consequently render forever impossible a purification, cleansing, liberation, enlightenment, of guilt-laden man? (p. 137) Then he refers specifically to purgatory. Purification, cleansing, liberation, enlightenment: Here perhaps may be I want merely to prompt a few reflections - the particle of truth, the real care, of the problematic idea of purgatory, which has been translated in German from the Middle Ages onward with the unfortunate designation of Fegefeuer ("winnowing fire") -This may be the true core, but it remains only if the idea is not reified. ... as no human being is entirely bad, neither is anyone entirely good. Any human being, even the best, falls short of what he might be, fails to meet his own demands and norms and thus never wholly realizes himself. For if he is to be fully himself, even the "saint" needs completion, not after death, but in death itself. And, in view of so much unpunished guilt in the world, a number of people wonder not entirely wrongly - if dying unto God, the absolutely final reality, can be one and the same for us: The same for criminals and their victims, for mass murderers and the mass of the murdered; for those who have struggled a whole life long to fulfill God's will, true helpers of their fellow human beings, and for those who for a whole life long have only carried out their own will and at the same time shut out others? ...how this ... purification, cleansing, follows is not left to the speculation or calculation of human curiosity but remains a matter for God as merciful judge, in God's all-embracing final act of grace. The key idea Küng would stress is the shattering effect of the encounter with God. We die not into nothingness; we die into God. Küng cites Karl Barth: Man as such therefore has no beyond. Nor does he need one, for God is his beyond. Man's beyond is that God is his Creator, Covenant-partner, Judge and Saviour, was and is and will be his true Counterpart in life, and finally © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page 9   and exclusively and totally in death. (Church Dogmatics Vol. Ill, 2, pp. 632-33) Küng also cites a Catholic theologian, Greshake: From this standpoint we can understand what was pointed out earlier, that God himself, the encounter with him, is purgatory. But this means that we need not fall back on a special place or still less on a special time or special event to grasp the meaning of purgatory. Still less do we need to work out crude ideas about the 'poor' souls. Instead we can understand what the Church teaches and has taught from the earliest times as an element in the encounter with God in death. ... we should avoid any talk of fire and speak instead of purifying and cleansing as an element of the encounter with God. At the same time what should be particularly clear is that purgatory is not - as it often seems to be in popular piety - a "demihell" which God has erected in order to punish the person who is not entirely bad, but also not entirely good. Purgatory is not a demihell but an element of the encounter with God: that is, the encounter of the unfinished person, still immature in his love, with the holy, infinite, loving God; an encounter which is profoundly humiliating, painful and therefore purifying. (Cited on p. 139) Küng concludes, That is to say that, since it is a question of dying into the dimensions of God, where space and time are dissolved into eternity, nothing can be discovered, either about place and time or about the character of this purifying, sanctifying consummation. (p.139) A Lutheran theologian, Hans Schwarz, discusses the views of Tadislaus Boros who suggests something similar, the significance of the final decision at the moment of death. ... decisively modifies the traditional concepts of purgatory and death. Boros agrees that the Church has only gradually developed the doctrine of purgatory. Though the Scriptural basis of purgatory may be obscure, the fact and the essential nature of purgatory are of such quality that it must be called a "truth of revelation." However, through his hypothesis of a final decision, Boros seems to view purgatory as the "point" of intersection between life and death. Purgatory is no longer conceived of as a process of purification which can be measured similar to the days and years we live here on earth. According to Boros, "purgatory would be the passage, which we effect in our final decision through the purifying fire of divine love. The encounter with Christ would be our purgatory. ... Boros replaces an untenable concept of purgatory with the idea of a confrontation with Christ in death. ... he calls death "man's first completely personal act;" and, "therefore, by reason of its very being, the place above all others for © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page10   the awakening of consciousness, for freedom, for the encounter with God, for the final decision about eternal destiny." (On The Way To The Future, pp. 142F) It has been obvious to me as I have pursued this subject that those who have reflected on the biblical material, the whole context of Scripture, the revelation of God as He has shown Himself in Jesus Christ and the human person are very restrained in their conclusions and very cautious in their statement. There is in all serious inquirers into this question a recognition of the serious nature of human decisions, an acknowledgement of the urgent need for repentance and faith, the reality of evil and human wickedness that demands response if there is any justice, the judgment as the exposure of our lives to the scrutiny of the God of truth. All serious biblical thinkers recognize that God takes us seriously and that our wrong and guilt are not simply soft-pedaled and our exposure to God's light and truth will be painful even while we are conscious of being embraced within a larger grace. Judgment will be experienced: No one will "get away" with anything. If an eternal hell is questioned, it is not because passing through God's final examination is not a serious matter and neither is it because there is no sense of the need for change and renewal of the person who through the earthly pilgrimage has become scarred and tainted and twisted. Recognizing that we cannot simply move from the ambiguity, partial insight, fickleness and unfaithfulness of one's human experience into the presence of the God of light and truth, there is the belief on the part of some that a purifying process will be necessary. What have we believed traditionally? Simply that God sees us in Jesus; his righteousness is our righteousness now and when we pass through death to life we will be made like him - instant perfection. What I am questioning in this message is the instant perfection. Certainly the question is not whether God is able in a moment to totally transform us. But does He ever work as far as we can trace His work in Creation apart from process? How often we wish He would work by a "snap of the finger;" but God takes time and allows the process to work. Further, we must recognize that we can only think in terms of time but when we speak of moving through "the moment of death," what do we mean? At that "moment" we move beyond "moments in succession" - we move into the dimension of Eternity. It is far beyond our purpose or capacity to enter into the discussion of time relative to eternity here, but we must not naively project our time-conditioned thinking beyond death. © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page11   C. S. Lewis has dealt as creatively and profoundly as anyone of whom I am aware with the question of heaven, hell and purgatory. He points to the relation of time and eternity in a fascinating imaginary discussion with the Christian writer, George MacDonald: 'In your own books, Sir,' said I, 'you were a Universalist. You talked as if all men would be saved. And St. Paul too.' 'Ye can know nothing of the end of all things, or nothing expressible in those terras. It may be, as the Lord said to the Lady Julian, that all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of thing will be well. But it's ill talking of such questions.' ‘Because they are too terrible, Sir?’ 'No. Because all answers deceive. If ye put the question from within Time and are asking about possibilities, the answer is certain. The choice of ways is before you. Neither is closed. Any man may choose eternal death. Those who choose it will have it. But if ye are trying to leap on into eternity, if ye are trying to see the final state of all things as it will be (for so ye must speak) when there are no more possibilities left but only the Real, then ye ask what cannot be answered to mortal ears. Time is the very lens through which ye see - small and clear, as men see through the wrong end of a telescope - something that would otherwise be too big for ye to see at all. That thing is Freedom: the gift whereby ye most resemble your Maker and are yourselves parts of eternal reality. But ye can see it only through the lens of Time, in a little clear picture, through the inverted telescope. It is a picture of moments following one another and yourself in each moment making some choice that might have been otherwise. Neither the temporal succession nor the phantom of what ye might have chosen and didn't is itself Freedom. They are a lens. The picture is a symbol: but it's truer than any philosophical theorem (or, perhaps, than any mystic's vision) that claims to go behind it. For every attempt to see the shape of eternity except through the lens of Time destroys your knowledge of Freedom. Witness the doctrine of Predestination which shows (truly enough) that eternal reality is not waiting for a future in which to be real, but at the price of removing Freedom which is the deeper truth of the two. And wouldn't Universalism do the same? Ye cannot know eternal reality by a definition. Time itself, and all acts and events that fill Time, are the definition, and it must be lived. The Lord said we were gods. How long could ye bear to look (without Time's lens) on the greatness of your own soul and the eternal reality of her choice?' (The Great Divorce, p. 114 F.) In his imaginary conversation with MacDonald, Lewis is told that it is possible for people in hell to take holiday excursions to the boundaries of the heavenly country, Lewis exclaims, © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page12   'But I don't understand. Is" judgement not final? Is there really a way out of Hell into Heaven?' 'It depends on the way ye're using the words. If they leave that grey town behind it will not have been Hell. To any that leaves it, it is Purgatory. And perhaps ye had better not call this country Heaven. Not Deep Heaven, ye understand.' (Here he smiled at me). Ye can call it the Valley of the Shadow of Life. And yet to those who stay here it will have been Heaven from the first. And ye can call those sad streets in the town yonder the Valley of the Shadow of Death: but to those who remain there they will have been Hell even from the beginning.' I suppose he saw that I looked puzzled, for presently he spoke again. 'Son,' he said, 'ye cannot in your present state understand eternity: when Anodos looked through the door of the Timeless he brought no message back. But ye can get some likeness of it if ye say that both good and evil, when they are full grown, become retrospective. Not only this valley but all their earthly past will have been Heaven to those who are saved. Not only the twilight in that town, but all their life on earth too, will then be seen by the damned to have been Hell. That is what mortals misunderstand. They say of some temporal suffering, "No future bliss can make up for it," not knowing that Heaven, once attained, will work backwards and turn even that agony into a glory. And of some sinful pleasure they say "Let me but have this and I'll take the consequences": little dreaming how damnation will spread back and back into their past and contaminate the pleasure of the sin. Both processes begin even before death. The good man's past begins to change so that his forgiven sins and remembered sorrows take on the quality of Heaven; the bad man's past already conforms to his badness and is filled only with dreariness. And that is why, at the end of all things, when the sun rises here and the twilight turns to blackness down there, the Blessed will say "We have never lived anywhere except in Heaven", and the Lost, "we were always in Hell." And both will speak truly.' 'Is not that very hard, Sir?' 'I mean, that is the real sense of what they will say. In the actual language of the Lost, the words will be different, no doubt. One will say he has always served his country right or wrong; and another that he has sacrificed everything to his Art; and some that they've never been taken in, and some that, thank God, they've always looked after Number One, and nearly all, that, at least they've been true to themselves.' 'And the Saved?' © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page13   'Ah, the Saved ... what happens to them is best described as the opposite of a mirage. What seemed, when they entered it, to be the vale of misery turns out, when they look back, to have been a well; and where present experience saw only salt deserts, memory truthfully records that the pools were full of water.' 'Then those people are right who say that Heaven and Hell are only states of mind?' 'Hush,' said he sternly. 'Do not blaspheme. Hell is a state of mind - ye never said a truer word. And every state of mind, left to itself, every shutting up of the creature within the dungeon of its own mind - is, in the end, Hell. But Heaven is not a state of mind. Heaven is reality itself. All that is fully real is Heavenly. For all that can be shaken will be shaken and only the unshakable remains.' 'But there is a real choice after death? My Roman Catholic friends would be surprised, for to them souls in Purgatory are already saved. And my Protestant friends would like it no better, for they'd say that the tree lies as it falls.' "They're both right, maybe. Do not fash yourself with such questions. Ye cannot fully understand the relations of choice and Time till you are beyond both. And ye were not brought here to study such curiosities. What concerns you is the nature of the choice itself: and that ye can watch them making.' (The Great Divorce, pp. 61F.) Lewis' fertile imagination is thought provoking. Great caution is there; our curiosity will not be satisfied this side of death's portal. Yet it is clear that Hell, he seems to be saying, is porous. If one spends Eternity there or, conversely, if one never comes to the light, it will not be so much God's verdict as one's own fatal choice. Much lies veiled in mystery. Yet all that is needful is clear and how can it be more clearly set forth than simply, Now is the day of salvation; Now is the day to choose the things that matter, things of ultimate concern; now is the day to live faithfully - covenant with the Good and Gracious God. Then already we possess Eternal life and death will move us "from splendour to splendour 'til we see Him face to face." Amen. © Grand Valley State University �Why I Believe in Purgatory Richard A. Rhem Page14   References: Hendrikus Berkhof. Christian Faith: An Introduction to the Study of the Faith. Wm. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1979. Hans Küng. Eternal Life? Life After Death as a Medical, Philosophical and Theological Problem. Doubleday, 1984. C. S. Lewis. The Great Divorce. First published by HarperCollins, 1946. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent III Scripture Text I Corinthians 3:14-15, Luke 12:47-48 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Hendrikus Berkhof, Christian Faith, 1979 Hans K C. S. Lewis, The Great Divorce, 1946 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19851215 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-12-15 Title A name given to the resource Why I Believe in Purgatory Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 15, 1985 entitled "Why I Believe in Purgatory", on the occasion of Advent III, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: I Corinthians 3:14-15, Luke 12:47-48. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Advent Death Eternity Forgiveness God of Grace Judgment Nature of God Purgatory Salvation https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a748f5fe36a168f00f8659bb6c0273c8.mp3 32f591b058308dc1d4d6a132c11bdbe8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Advent IV Scripture Text Isaiah 7:14, John 3:16 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19851222 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-12-22 Title A name given to the resource Saviour of the World Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 22, 1985 entitled "Saviour of the World", on the occasion of Advent IV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 7:14, John 3:16. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8df493766ddfe3ee7b83101db8deafb2.mp3 eaefa1bd926930f8f2acf458785087d6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Christmastide I Scripture Text Luke 2:29-32 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19851229 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1985-12-29 Title A name given to the resource Peace at the End Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on December 29, 1985 entitled "Peace at the End", on the occasion of Christmastide I, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Luke 2:29-32. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1457f7f572c90827a5783eef3d2c4407.mp3 f9cf3a39871b1f101155fe4f0c81bb44 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/9259f1630daf2d1881bd95005839e647.pdf f1dadf7ecec7f9251fe4c1954f69bb8f PDF Text Text His Light, Our Life Text: John 1: 4-5, 9; Isaiah 9: 2 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Christmastide II, January 5, 1986 Transcription of the spoken sermon All that came to be was alive with His life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never mastered it…. The real light which enlightens every man was even then coming into the world. John 1: 4-5, 9 The prophet, announcing the birth of a child destined to be a Deliverer of his people, a foreshadowing of the Child the Deliverer, cried out, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light: Light has dawned upon them, dwellers in a land as dark as death. Isaiah 9: 2 The world has always known darkness, darkness that describes the tragedy and disaster that seems in every age to be present, a people living under the shadow of death. There is always enough darkness to go around. People cannot find their way; nations threaten, posture, and maneuver. One-upmanship is common in interpersonal relations. Anxious people, driven people, ruthless people, restless people. The world certainly knows enough darkness to go around. The newspapers and news magazines are full of the chronicle of the world's darkness. It is darkness that makes for news and we are bombarded with it daily— on the hour—even in continual stream from the news networks. Terrorism is the darkening shadow over our world. Ironically, it would seem that the super powers are at a standoff; we've looked at the horror of a nuclear winter and realized a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought, to use our President’s words. But what will we do with Khadafy? What if it is proven that it was Libyan agents that engineered the brutal murders at Rome and Vienna? Saudi Arabia has warned against military retaliation, claiming it will only escalate the round of terrorist activity and, I must say, I think they are right. © Grand Valley State University   �His Light, Our Life Richard A. Rhem Page 2   A Jew once said, "They that live by the sword shall die by the sword," but Israel has determined she will live by the sword and we stand in admonition of her ability to retaliate. But does that stop terrorism? Does it not only move it up a notch? Where will it end? Last evening’s news showed the most recent graduates of a splinter PLO group for whom Arafat is not militant enough. Their training complete in the Syrian mountains, they are ready to die for the cause of Palestinian liberation; their commitment is total, their fanatical zeal frightening. Khadafy says if we strike Libya he will bring the war to the streets of Middle America. And, of course, he will. Darkness. There is always enough personal darkness to go around, as well. Tension, betrayal, brokenness, grief—pain of a deeply personal nature is carried about by so many. Few of us escape deep wounds; most of us inflict deep hurt along the way. Darkness. This is the twelfth day of Christmas. This evening is called Twelfth Night. In some places gifts will be exchanged. Tomorrow is the day of Epiphany. The word means “manifestation.” The sign is a star; the central motif is "Light". Epiphany follows hard on Christmas because Christmas is the celebration of the Incarnation—The Word became flesh—and the Word in flesh was Light to the World. The prophet announced the birth of a boy who would be a King and Deliverer. A ray of light scattered Israel's darkness. The Psalmist sang of the Lord, His Light and His salvation in the midst of life's severe testings. Light is a major theme of John's Gospel. Darkness shrouds, hides, mystifies, provides a cover for all manner of evil. Light reveals, clarifies, opens up, illuminates. Some years ago while traveling in California we were driving to Yosemite National Park where we had reservations for the night. Being unfamiliar with the territory and trying to do too many things along the way, night came and darkness fell before we reached our destination. Road signs were few. I thought I was going in the right direction but I was uncertain. It was very dark and totally unfamiliar; I proceeded with all the anxiety that accompanies such uncertainty. We twisted and turned and traveled on, seeming to be descending. And we were. Although I did not know it, we were descending into a cavernous canyon with walls of sheer rock. © Grand Valley State University �His Light, Our Life Richard A. Rhem Page 3   I had never before "felt" the darkness. It was almost tangible. Finally we came on a light, a sign, and we arrived at the lodge. But where we were or what the environment was, I had no idea except that it was the blackest darkness I had ever known. In the morning I stepped out of the room to see where in the world I was and it was a startling moment, for I stepped out in dazzling sunlight and found I was in a very deep canyon. Behind the lodge was a wall of sheer rock towering skyward. And falling from its height was a magnificent waterfall. The whole world was transformed by the rising sun, the coming of the Light. The darkness was dissipated; no more was there a sense of foreboding. Everything was transformed; the light had come. Epiphany is the celebration of the Light that came into the world at Christmas. The Word was made flesh and the flesh was the person of Jesus who said, "I am the Light of the world". John's Gospel uses certain ideas with which to tell the story of Jesus. Two words used in close cooperation are light and life. The prologue to the Gospel (verses 118) is a magnificent portrayal of God's movement out of eternity creating the cosmos, our time and space, and then moving into that very time and space to claim creation as her own. The themes with which John will build his Gospel find expression in this opening section and here we find his claim that the Word was life and that life was the Light of humankind. Listen: All that came to be was alive with His life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines on in the dark, and the darkness has never mastered it….The real light which enlightens every man was even then coming into the world. John 1: 4-5, 9 Beginning before creation, portraying creation as the cosmic framework for the revelation of Himself, building to the climactic statement of verse 14, "The Word became flesh", we have the deepest truths of God, the cosmos and the human family revealed. What an amazing story is here unfolded; here we have the miracle and mystery of Christmas and Epiphany conjoined. Here we are told that God is the source of the world's life and that in the revelation of Himself we have light. In the climactic statement of 1:14, "The World became flesh", or, as we might more simply state it "The Word became a human person" we have an amazing declaration. We are told that the mind and heart and deepest being of God came to expression in the humanity of Jesus. The first movement from the depths of God's being out of the depth of eternity was the movement of creation. John's claim is that what came to expression in Jesus, in the beginning, had come to expression in creation itself. God's Word—His mind, creative intention, will and © Grand Valley State University �His Light, Our Life Richard A. Rhem Page 4   loving nature was expressing itself in the creation of the world. We cannot miss this for John begins as Genesis begins: In the beginning… God is manifesting Himself in the creation of the world. God is manifesting Himself most fully and completely in the creation of Jesus—In Jesus what comes to expression in the fullest expression of God's intention in creation. In the film, "The Creation of the Universe" run recently on public television, the most eminent scientists of the world, some studying the cosmos through radio telescopes and some studying the intricacies of the nuclei of the atom, spoke of the quest for the one unifying formula or concept that lies at the mystery of the structure of all reality. They declared that when discovered it will be both profoundly beautiful and profoundly simple. A spark of energy, smaller than an atom, we are told, exploded into the Big Bang and the whole expanding cosmic drama continues as its unfolding. Those standing on the threshold of reality's secrets evidence an appropriate awe before the mystery and grandeur of the creation. Some seem open to spelling the heart of the mystery GOD. The God who in the beginning called all things into being was giving expression to His idea, His Word, His will. The Logos, the mind and heart and will of God, were expressing themselves in the creation of the cosmos. The inner Being of God was flowing out into the world. At the critical moment, in the fullness of time, the Inner Being, the Logos, the Word became flesh. The Word became a human person! That is the miracle of Christmas. God in human form; God within the structures of time and space; God in our history, one of us. Emmanuel. The creative movement of God in creating the cosmos moved even more dramatically in that the very Being of God now became incarnate in Jesus. Thus the amazing truth is that Seeing into the face of Jesus is seeing into the heart of God. This truth was expressed by the writer of the Hebrews: When in former times God spoke to our forefathers, he spoke in fragmentary and varied fashion through the prophets. But in this the final age he has spoken to us in the Son whom he has made heir to the whole universe, and through whom he created all orders of existence: the Son who is the effulgence of God’s splendor and the stamp of God’s very being. Hebrews 1: 1-3 The same theme is sounded here as in John's prologues. © Grand Valley State University �His Light, Our Life Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Paul wrote the following: The whole universe has been created through him and for him and He exists before everything, and all things are help together in him…. For in him the complete being of God, by God’s own choice, came to dwell. Colossians 1: 17-19 That is an amazing conception of things! Again the same theme is expressed. The God whose idea, reason, Word brought into being creation, now finds expression in Jesus, a human person. Again: Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all being comes, towards whom we move; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came to be, and we through him. I Corinthians 8: 6 And again in one of my favorite statements: For the same God who said, “out of darkness let light shine,” has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of revelation – the revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 5: 6 The One, True and Eternal God is the Creator, and is our Saviour! Out of the abyss of His Being flows creation's wonder, the human family in His image, and, Jesus, in whom His fullness dwells and in whom we see into the Father's heart. Light is the symbol of God's life giving, creative action. The light took the human form of Jesus, and, now here is the great, hopeful affirmation of the Gospel The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. John loved to use words with a double meaning. The word "overcome" can also mean "comprehend". The text could be translated that way, meaning the world simply does not understand God's action. And that is true. At the darkest moment of human history, as He was being crucified, Jesus prayed: "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing." And they didn't. And we so often do not. And the terrorists do not. And the darkness reigns. But not completely; for the promise of the Gospel is—now translated "overcome"that the light shines on in the darkness and the darkness has not—nor ever will it—overcome the light. © Grand Valley State University �His Light, Our Life Richard A. Rhem Page 6   Child of God, the world is still full of darkness; but the light shines on, and will shine on until that day when all the earth and the whole cosmos will be ablaze with Light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world. He who believes in me will not walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12) His life, our Light, now and forever. Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ! Amen. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Christmastide II Scripture Text John 1:4-5, 9, Isaiah 9:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860105 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-01-05 Title A name given to the resource His Light, Our Life Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 5, 1986 entitled "His Light, Our Life", on the occasion of Christmastide II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: John 1:4-5, 9, Isaiah 9:2. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Christmastide Creator Divine Intention Jesus Light Mystery https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b3c5c0b8e41c3d02e9519495c15162a2.mp3 a461e547f48b637fee05c5dbf2e34218 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany I Scripture Text Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 2:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860112 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-01-12 Title A name given to the resource The Heart's Yearning: The Quest for God Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 12, 1986 entitled "The Heart's Yearning: The Quest for God", on the occasion of Epiphany I, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 42:1-2, Matthew 2:2. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/d778c67c81c99b2616ca6ebee5b49ec2.mp3 135f7c87af16b482979ee3b0b2b44870 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany II Scripture Text Philippians 4:6-7 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860119 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-01-19 Title A name given to the resource God's Cure for Anxiety Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 19, 1986 entitled "God's Cure for Anxiety", on the occasion of Epiphany II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Philippians 4:6-7. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/610e8e2edd49d0fea005bf07ce7efef4.mp3 a39babbc66e586e3424c747897882101 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany III Scripture Text Luke 19:9-10 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860126 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-01-26 Title A name given to the resource You are Something Wonderful Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on January 26, 1986 entitled "You are Something Wonderful", on the occasion of Epiphany III, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Luke 19:9-10. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/7a67759bbfe127b9366858cd6eb41267.mp3 3670714f2dc4dd1c4fe300011aa1693c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Epiphany IV Series Response to Gorbachev's Disarming Proposal Scripture Text No Scripture texts listed Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860202 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-02-02 Title A name given to the resource A Nation at Its Best Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on February 2, 1986 entitled "A Nation at Its Best", as part of the series "Response to Gorbachev's Disarming Proposal", on the occasion of Epiphany IV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: No Scripture texts listed. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/c60d76570f483ad109b8c0eaa2f0ed83.mp3 186ce5fbef6cd95bf0dc0746e89c1525 https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/250b88562b0abfbfcf85c71c2766aa29.pdf e0bb52769d7bb906428e19d7fa348a95 PDF Text Text Life Turned Upside Right From the Lenten sermon series: The Way to Life Text: Philippians 3: 10-11 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Lent III, March 2, 1986 Transcription of the spoken sermon All I care for is to know Christ. To experience the power of his resurrection, and to share his sufferings, in growing conformity with his death… Philippians 3:10-11 Revolution or Transformation in human life or historical institutions is often described as things being turned upside down. But something that is turned upside down would seem to be other than in its native, true position or situation. Therefore, this message is entitled "Life Turned Upside Right" because, while we point to a radical transformation of human personality - specifically the Transformation of the Apostle Paul, we are pointing to a new human condition which is not contrary to nature, but rather the restoration of human nature according to the intention of Creation. Therefore, I point you this morning to the call to human transformation, which is really a call to realize God's intention for us, that we live not out of our own resources, but wholly out of His grace. Paul expresses the goal of his life following his encounter with Jesus Christ and finding his life turned upside right as caring only …to know Christ. To experience the power of his resurrection, and to share his sufferings, in growing conformity with his death, if only I may finally arrive at the resurrection from the dead. The Apostle stands as the great example of radical conversion in the New Testament. Sometimes that very fact creates a distance from many of us who have grown up, nurtured in the faith from our earliest years. We have never known that wrenching from death to life, from darkness to light. We have grown up within the covenant of Grace of which our baptism is a sign; we have never known a time when we did not know about God, a time of not knowing Him, and © Grand Valley State University   �Life Turned Upside Right Richard A. Rhem Page 2   we have never known a time when we did not in some fashion trust in God. How, then, can the experience of a Paul be relevant for us within the nurture of the Church? Let us reflect on that for a moment. Was Paul's situation so different from ours? Is he really an example of radical conversion from darkness to light, from death to life, and thus without instruction for the Church situation? Certainly there was radical change; certainly there was deep existential encounter; certainly there was the sense of moving from darkness to light, from death to life. But in what context did that radical transformation occur? Was it not precisely within the context of the Covenant of Grace? Was it not precisely within the context of the community of faith? Did Paul find in the face of Jesus some new God? Not at all. Did Paul move from atheism or agnosticism or blasé indifference to faith and zeal? Not at all. What, then, was the radical change? How, then, was life turned upside right? If it was not from world to Church, from non-belief to faith, from indifference to commitment, wherein lay the transformation? The Scripture passage gives a clear answer: The radical change was the movement from securing one's life by one's own efforts, to finding one's life secured by the grace of God. The radical change was from doing, to trusting. The radical change was from living by the "performance principle," to living by the Grace principle. In my wrestling with this familiar testimony of the Apostle, I was suddenly struck with the total relevance of Paul's experience for us, for the People of God in the Church. This is a message precisely for us who are religious, who know the truth and live within the community of faith. Is it not precisely we in the Church who need to be converted? Is it not we who must be called again from all self-securing performance and all reliance on our fine accomplishments or religious activity, even zeal for the Kingdom and reminded that life is gift and all is of sheer grace? Is it not ourselves, serious, diligent, faithful, who need more than others to be pointed to grace as our only hope and salvation? Paul's God was the God of Israel; the God of Israel was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul's Bible was the Torah, the Old Testament which pointed to the way of life. Paul's community was the Covenant Community, Israel, of which the Church is the continuation. All that was true of Paul was positive. Listen to his own recitation of who he was and the seriousness with which he lived. …If any other man thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of © Grand Valley State University �Life Turned Upside Right Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal a persecutor of the church, blameless. Philippians 3: 4b-6 Was that all bad? No. On the contrary, that was all good; it spoke of both high privilege and conscientious responsibility. What, then, was the fatal flaw of the old Paul? Simply that all of that which he cited was the ground of his confidence; his righteousness was a self-righteousness; the principle of his life was the performance principle. He sought to secure his existence, to secure his life, his acceptance with God and his reputation with his neighbors by his racial lineage, his religious affiliation, his record of service and diligence of dedication. Paul simply trusted in Paul. But not really. We are never finished when we are doing it ourselves; there is always one more thing to do, one more base to cover, a little more exertion to expend. And then there is also always the fear that somewhere, sometime we might slip, we might fall, we might lose our grip, grow weary, cynical or indifferent and, if it all depends on our performance, where will that leave us? Legal rectitude and zeal - that was it for Paul. The Greeks, he writes in another place, seek after wisdom - a rational explanation of reality into which they can fit their existence and in which they can find themselves within the structure of reality. And there are other possibilities Hedonism, perhaps - just living for pleasure, keeping the engines of our being fired up with one titillating experience after another - and so on. But Paul's life was turned upside right - radically, that is, the very core of his being was transformed. He moved, not to a new God, a new People; he moved to a new basis upon which to place his life - God's grace - apart from his background, affiliations or performance. Listen to his own statement: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, in order that I may gain Christ… Philippians 3: 7-9 That is a radical conversion. But not as we often think of radical conversion as turning from atheism or agnosticism to God; from the world to the Church; from non-religious practice to serious religious practice; from disobedience to obedience. No. This radical conversion happened within the being of a person serious about God, religious in practice, and totally dedicated to religious service. © Grand Valley State University �Life Turned Upside Right Richard A. Rhem Page 4   It was a movement from trusting self-securing endeavor to trusting only the gracious God. It was a movement from seeking to justify one's existence to resting in the justification which is gift. It was a movement from compulsive drivenness that can never find peace, to rest and peace that frees one to live with vitality. It was a movement from humorless heaviness to joy and lightness of spirit. But is not such a view of radical grace rather dangerous? Might it not lead to presumption, slackness, carelessness, frivolity? Let us simply note its effect on the Apostle. …that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death… Philippians 3:10 Power, courage to suffer for Jesus' sake, conformity finally to the death Jesus died in obedience to God's will for the sake of the world, all in the hope of final resurrection, life in his light forever. Let me bring Paul's witness to our present situation - have you met Jesus and heard him say cease from all self-securing activity, which stems from insecurity and creates hostility? "Rest in me." Lent is a time to learn again obedience. Obedience is faith - resting in the gracious God. In the posture, life is turned upside right. Amen. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Lent III Series The Way to Life Scripture Text Philippians 3:10-11 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860302 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-02 Title A name given to the resource Life Turned Upside Right Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 2, 1986 entitled "Life Turned Upside Right", as part of the series "The Way to Life", on the occasion of Lent III, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Philippians 3:10-11. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Community of Faith Covenant of Grace Divine Intention Lent Transformation https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8a45108a7936544c09d211098e24f523.mp3 1f9059873a3baf0f843136c83ec5c727 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Lent IV Series The Way to Life Scripture Text Galatians 5:13, John 10:15, 18 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860309 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-09 Title A name given to the resource The Freedom That Issues in Commitment Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 9, 1986 entitled "The Freedom That Issues in Commitment", as part of the series "The Way to Life", on the occasion of Lent IV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Galatians 5:13, John 10:15, 18. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/26d5c464febce8bb0f61d51eaab82f39.mp3 a254f791cea9e06c4ed86de2bbd96234 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Passion Sunday Series The Way to Life Scripture Text Hosea 11:8-9, Romans 5:8 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860316 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-16 Title A name given to the resource The Love That Overcomes Estrangement Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 16, 1986 entitled "The Love That Overcomes Estrangement", as part of the series "The Way to Life", on the occasion of Passion Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Hosea 11:8-9, Romans 5:8. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1ff886c4530d68864ba5f987ae6f7c6f.mp3 6053859dae36a270778c11ca1090b6af Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Palm Sunday Scripture Text John 11:50 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860323 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-23 Title A name given to the resource The Clash of Two Kingdoms Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 23, 1986 entitled "The Clash of Two Kingdoms", on the occasion of Palm Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: John 11:50. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/72a942df054a28e84e4789bf1f10ae02.mp3 38782c4a8a77b9233cf73683956dc50d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Maundy Thurs. Scripture Text John 13:30 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860327 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-27 Title A name given to the resource Night Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 27, 1986 entitled "Night", on the occasion of Maundy Thurs., at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: John 13:30. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/f9ce7c572241b7040fd027fb7b8e4c66.mp3 079039116b91b3fc1dfa28c32061c813 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Easter Sunday Scripture Text Romans 4:17, 21 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References W.H. Auden: For the Time Being Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860330 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-03-30 Title A name given to the resource Easter Faith: Beyond All Human Potential Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on March 30, 1986 entitled "Easter Faith: Beyond All Human Potential", on the occasion of Easter Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Romans 4:17, 21. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/e622183f1e0cd091317afc0bbf39bdf2.mp3 abb62bb54b8c5ad6015d8b2001d3fcdb https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/144bbe34a716e35d9da20af0d9dd2d6f.pdf 7ca02a1137396715bda1969816873676 PDF Text Text The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Text: II Corinthians 5: 17; 6: 2 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Eastertide II, April 6, 1986 Transcription of the spoken sermon When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world; the old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. II Corinthians 5: 17 …The day of Salvation has dawned. II Corinthians 6: 2 May I teach you a rather difficult word, which for most of you would not be part of your ordinary conversation? It is ontology. It is the science of Being. It is a branch of Philosophy, which studies the essence of being or the structure of Reality. It derives from the Greek word for “being,” ousia. Ontology refers to what is: the structure of Reality, the way things are. Now, what has Ontology to do with the Gospel of Eastertide? Very much, indeed. Easter changed the Ontological structure of the Cosmos. With the Resurrection of Jesus, God created a whole new world, a new reality. The Gospel is the announcement of that new world. To "hear" the Gospel is to be introduced into a whole new Ontology. To realize this and to grasp it by faith is to experience The First Day of the Rest of Your Life. Paul had experienced it. Jesus revealed it to him as the Risen Lord in a vision. The whole structure of Reality was changed for Paul. In one of his letters he expressed it this way: When anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world; the old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. For Paul, in Jesus' death and resurrection, the day of salvation has dawned. © Grand Valley State University   �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 2   Let us begin by listening to what the text is teaching us about the way things really are - the reality of our world and thus the reality of our situation. …there is a new world, the old order has gone, and a new order has already begun. As we have moved together through Lent, Holy Week and celebrated Easter Sunday, we have been aware of two worlds, two kingdoms. We heard Paul's story: A man of impeccable credentials, according to human standards of judgment, who says, But all such assets I have written off because of Christ…. I count everything sheer loss, because all is far outweighed by the gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. …all I care for is to know Christ, to experience the power of his resurrection… Paul ranked ahead of his fellows when judged by the performance principle. But that driven, compulsive need to establish and secure himself yielded no peace. Then he met Jesus. He learned life was not an achievement to be gained, but a gift to be received. He began to live by grace. It was the first day of the rest of his life. We have learned that grace does not free us from responsible commitment, but frees us to love as we have been loved. That is, to love unconditionally. That is the way God loves us. He demonstrated His love to us in that while we were yet enemies Christ died for us. Thus we saw that it is out of the abyss of love that grace flows, embracing us, melting our defenses, overcoming our weakness and our fear, our hostility. But on Palm Sunday we became very much aware that while the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of love and grace, has taken root in our old world in Jesus, yet the old world rages on refusing to let go. Jesus enters the City defenseless and vulnerable. He is totally free of worldly entanglement because he is wholly God's man. Because he is wholly God's man, he moves into the hostile environment where death awaits him with calm assurance. Unconditional love clashes with the established powers of this world. The High Priest announces the death sentence. Jesus is crucified. On Good Friday it would appear that the way of love is doomed to be crushed out by the way of expediency. And then dawned the Third Day. © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 3   Easter was the first day of the rest of the world. There was an Ontological Shift on Easter. The Creator raised Jesus and created a new world. He re-created the world as far as His relationship with the human family is concerned. The point is, something happened. On Monday morning it was not business as usual. It was an Easter world - a whole new Reality. That is why I bother you with that strange word "Ontology." I want to stress that the world is changed; Reality is changed. The old world continues. We continue to be part of the old scene. But the old world is gone, in reality! This is an Ontological Shift, a shift of cosmic proportions. I have become more aware of this recently. I am aware I have not proclaimed it strongly enough, confidently enough. That is why the Easter message pointed to the God Whose power effects that which is beyond all human potential. Too much of my ministry and my preaching has been within the narrowly prescribed limits of human possibility. Sometimes I think I am only beginning to glimpse the gracious power of the God of unconditional love. We have been too much focused on the human response, not enough on the objective reality of the new creation. Listen again to the text: There is a new world, the old has gone, and a new order has already begun. Do we believe it? Do we live accordingly? Whether we do or not, the Truth remains. Whether we believe it and appropriate it is not the measure of its truth. Our response does not create the new reality and our lack of response does not detract from the reality. So will you hear the word of proclamation? The day of salvation has dawned. I was reading an Easter sermon preached by the great Karl Barth. He went regularly to the Basle prison to preach to the prisoners. He who could command any pulpit in the world chose to preach at the local jail because he said if I preach in the Cathedral, people will come to hear Karl Barth. If I preach at the jail, the prisoners will come to hear the Gospel. He preached on Jesus' words, "Because I live you, too, shall live." To these prisoners he spoke of Jesus who lived for them. In great simplicity he pointed to Jesus living for us and dying for us. And he spoke of the promise: You will live also. And he explained: Yet the significant fact to remember is precisely not an obligation we are invited or urged to fulfill, so that we may, or may not, live. We are not © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 4   merely given a chance; nor is an offer made to us. "You will live also" is a promise. It is an announcement referring to the future, to our future. "You will live also" succeeds the present of, and our presence in, the "I live" like two succeeds one, B succeeds A, the thunder succeeds the lightning ... You are a people whose future issues from my life and hence does not lie in your sin and guilt, but in true righteousness and holiness. Not in sadness, but in joy, not in captivity, but in freedom, not in death, but in life. From your present participation in my life, you may anticipate this and no other future. (Deliverance to the Captives, p. 31F) He goes on to stress that Jesus is not only our future, but also our present. Not the world with its accusations and we with our counter accusations. Not even the well deserved divine wrath against us, let alone our grumbling against God, or our secret thought that there might be no God after all. Therefore, not we ourselves, as we are today or think we are, make up our present. He, Jesus Christ, his life is our present: his Divine life poured out for us, and his human life, our life, lifted up in him. This is what counts. This is what is true and valid. (p. 32) He then stresses that no one must think himself excluded, too insignificant, too sinful, too godless. And then he invites each one there present to join him at the Lord's Table. There in the Bread and Wine is the sign of what he had been saying in the message. Jesus Christ is in our midst, he, the man in whom God himself has poured out his life for our sake and in whom our life is lifted up to God. Holy Communion is the sign that Jesus Christ is our beginning and we may rise up and walk into the future where we shall live. ... My brothers and sisters, I do not want to oppress or compel any one among you when I add: Shall we not all here present go to the Lord's Table together? Holy Communion is offered to all, as surely as the living Jesus Christ himself is for all, as surely as all of us are not divided in him, but belong together as brothers and sisters, all of us poor sinners, all of us rich through his mercy. (p. 33F) There I see a preacher acting on the Reality of the new world which was born on Easter. We get so bogged down in checking out the human response that we lose sight of the Reality. We forget the Ontology of the New Creation. We wonder if someone has true faith – whether his life is morally pure, whether one understands the contents of the faith. All the things that come subsequently we worry about first and instead of a grand invitation to a new Reality to which we welcome people, we erect all kinds of barriers that discourage and turn away. © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Perhaps rather than keeping this Table of our Lord's here in the antiseptic atmosphere of the sanctuary, we should move it out on the highway and pass out bread and wine to those traveling past. What would happen if, with authentic excitement in the face of the Reality Shift of Easter, we went out and shared the wonderful news of what is really true! Something has happened. The day of Salvation has dawned. Of course, we cannot be unconcerned with the response. The new world has dawned but it is possible to live in the death grip of the old. It is for those who are in Christ that the new world becomes reality in their experience. Therefore in our announcement of the new Reality we point to him. We must tell the story of Jesus, of his life, his death and resurrection. We must invite our neighbors to receive what has been provided and is fully offered. And we must ask ourselves if we who believe in him have really entered into the newness that he has created. Again I must confess that too much of my own concentration and too much of the traditional message of the Church deals with the death and resurrection of Jesus in terms of forgiveness, dealing with the past and too little emphasis is placed on the power of God to change our lives – really change our lives. Too much of my concentration and the concentration of the Church has been on getting the lost snatched from Hell fire and into the safety net of the Church. We want to get people saved!! But what does that mean? For too many of us that has meant out of Hell and into Heaven - no matter in what state and once we get people in, we can relax a bit. Whether we consciously operate this way or not, underneath this has been a powerful motive in the Church's outreach. But it misses the whole point of what we claim to be trying to do – get people "saved." Salvation's root is the same as the root of salve. Salvation is healing. It is to bring the person toward wholeness. God is not interested in making us pious or religious; He would make us human. That is what He created. That is the intention of recreation. The Church Father Ireneaus understood that long ago when he wrote, The Glory of God is a human being fully alive. What is it, then, to be "in Christ?" - Literally it is to be lifted up to God in the Anointed One - the one anointed with Spirit, one full of God. The context of this great text is illuminating. Paul's apostleship was under attack. He is a man sold out to Jesus Christ – making him known, announcing good news, calling all people to the new world now open to them. © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 6   We will all appear before the Judgment seat of Christ. Our lives will be laid open an awesome thought. He senses a divine imperative to carry out his apostleship, his own life an open book. He is simply responding to what has been revealed to him. In verse 14 Paul writes: For the love of Christ leaves us no choice, when once we have reached the conclusion that one man died for all and therefore all mankind has died. His purpose in dying for all was that men, while still in life, should cease to live for themselves, and should live for him who for their sake died and was raised to life. The purpose of Jesus' death and resurrection is to incorporate us in him in the death to the old world and the rising to a whole new order of things. He goes on: With us therefore worldly standards have ceased to count in our estimate of any man; even if once they counted in our understanding of Christ, they do so no longer. Why? The one in Christ is a new creation! The old is gone. The new has come. Well, how does that fall out? What does that mean in the everyday affairs of an ordinary human existence? It means a new understanding - a change of mind. This is the meaning of repentance “Metanoia,” the Greek word, points to a change of mind. Our thinking needs to be straightened out – about God: That we no more resist Him in our weakness and hostility, fearing He will rob us of life, but rather see Him as He is - the loving One Who comes to us in our weakness and hostility with total vulnerability in order simply to embrace us with a mercy that knows no limit, setting us free for the first time to be fully human. about what it means to be fully human: We see it in Jesus, totally open to the Father, totally open to the neighbor, living out the unconditional love of God in covenant human relationship. Is not to be "in Christ" to be filled with the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God? Is it not to live in the conscious flow of God's life, His energy, His grace, seeing ourselves not as buckets to get filled but as channels to let flow through us the Divine life? To be "in Christ" is to live consciously in the Kingdom of God, knowing one is no longer bound to live according to the Kingdom of this world. It is to be done with © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Page 7   the old way of doing things - the tit for tat world of vengeance, retaliation and vindictiveness. It is to be done with the world of selfish indulgence, of selfasserting, of defensiveness and the strenuous compulsion to justify oneself. It was reported on national news last evening that a millionaire died and left her two million to a few friends and casual acquaintances. She left this word with her will. "To my children I leave nothing. I want them to receive in my death what they gave me in my life." Think of it! Think of dying with that kind of bitterness. You say maybe the kids deserved it. Maybe they did. That that is the old world. According to the canons of the old world, God should leave us in our self-constructed hells. He could write a similar note: "I leave you in your death what you created in your life - Hell." But He showed His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. I feel sorry for the poor woman. I'm sorry her children neglected her. Perhaps she could not change them, but she could have changed her mind, her attitude. She could have let love fill her, driving out the anger and vindication. How? By looking to Jesus. By understanding God's love, by receiving it and then letting it fill her heart. Think of standing before Jesus when one's last act was an act of retaliation and bitter resentment. Will Jesus' eyes flash with fire? No, they will be wet with tears. Will he say, "Go to Hell"? No, he will say, "My child, my child!" And what will the dear woman respond? "They got theirs! I’m finally happy!"? No, but rather, "O my God, what have I done?" Think of it, friend. The day of healing has dawned. This is not just Pollyanna talk. Christ is risen! There has been an ontological shift in Reality. A new world is here, the old is done away with. You don't have to live according to the canons of the old world, filled with brokenness, pain, hate, resentment. Look to Jesus. Know that God raised him from the dead, thereby creating a whole new possibility. He died - one for all, once for all. He arose - one for all, once for all. God's Spirit filled him, the Anointed One, the Christ. Now the Risen Jesus pours out that same Spirit on all flesh - so we shall celebrate on Pentecost. Let go. Open up; entrust your life to the Risen Lord who brings you into the presence of the Father and gives you the Spirit by which you can be freed from the old, brought into the new. Be healed by the love and grace and power of God Who needs from you simply the word "Come into my heart, Come into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus." He will! And it will be the First Day of the Rest of Your Life! Amen. © Grand Valley State University �The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Richard A. Rhem Reference: Karl Barth. Deliverance to the Captives. First published 1961. © Grand Valley State University Page 8   � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Eastertide II Scripture Text II Corinthians 5:17, 6:2 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI References Karl Barth. Deliverance to the Captives, 1961. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860406 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-04-06 Title A name given to the resource The First Day of the Rest of Your Life Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on April 6, 1986 entitled "The First Day of the Rest of Your Life", on the occasion of Eastertide II, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: II Corinthians 5:17, 6:2. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Eastertide Grace Inclusive Resurrection Salvation Transformation Unconditional Love https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/1e6d9a7fc0f69464b8ada2ad9f7a8014.mp3 25e45222517a2e09c9828616cd0e3d9c https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/bef8019aaa16c21b20e0fa9ae13842c2.pdf 8a5532ad355c69e88dec92a91b342aa4 PDF Text Text It Is an Easter World! Text: I Corinthians 15: 20 Richard A. Rhem Christ Community Church Spring Lake, Michigan Eastertide III, April 13, 1986 Transcription of the spoken sermon It is an Easter world! I stress the positive affirmation. That is the meaning of the text. Paul had been dealing with an idea that would have denied the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. He showed the consequences of denying the resurrection and then he made the bold, simple claim of the text: But the Truth is, Christ was raised to life… That is the center of the Gospel, the basis of all we claim in our Christian faith. We believe it is true; Jesus is the living Lord and because he is the living Lord, we are bold to say, It is an Easter world! It is an Easter world despite all appearances and we must be quite candid about that. Our affirmation of faith is made in the face of a mountain of data that seems to contradict it. There is trouble in our world. We teeter on the edge of armed intervention in Libya. We tremble with every news report wondering where terrorists will strike next. And we carry a good deal of personal baggage with us – personal pain, broken relationships, vocational anxiety, and disappointments. Some of our neighbors succumb to the weight of it: Then we have the tragedy of a soul poisoned with cynicism and bitterness. Some, deeply wounded, wall themselves in, making themselves invulnerable to being hurt again, and, at the same time, invulnerable to love and grace – the walking dead. But this is the First Day of the Week; this is the celebration of the resurrection. This is the day that the Lord has made. We are here to rejoice and be glad because beneath the appearance is a deeper reality. Christ has been raised to life! It is an Easter World after all! © Grand Valley State University   �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 2   We are going to listen to St. Paul as he lifts up the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. We will reverse his manner of treatment but in so doing we will discover the positive ramifications of the resurrection of Jesus. For his statement, "If Christ be not risen...," after which he spells out what the consequence would be, we will substitute the positive affirmation, "Because Christ is risen ..." The Corinthian congregation failed to understand or refused to believe that there was yet a future consummation coming, an aspect of which would be the resurrection of the dead. They did believe Jesus arose and they believed they were already alive in him, but they denied that there was still more to come. They considered that they were already "resurrected" – spiritually they had been made alive – and that was true. But for them, the rest of history did not matter and the final summing up of all things – the new creation – had no reality. They "spiritualized" the truth of resurrection. In typical Greek fashion they understood salvation as deliverance from the body, from entanglement in the material world. They had no conception of the new heaven and earth and the "spiritual body," the resurrection body of which Paul speaks in the chapter. That is the problem Paul addresses. He does so by saying that to deny our future resurrection is to deny the resurrection of Christ. Obviously, Paul argues thus because he sees the vital linkage between Christ's resurrection and our resurrection. Thus he argues backward. To deny our resurrection is really to deny Christ's resurrection. But such denial is limiting. He began the chapter with the broad witness to the resurrection of Jesus. And then in our text he moves to the offensive with the straightforward declaration, But the truth is, Christ was raised to life – the first fruits of the harvest of the dead. I will say no more about the Corinthian problem with resurrection. Rather, I want simply to set forth what Paul says would be the consequence if Christ were not raised, or, stated positively, I want to set forth what is, in fact, the case because Christ is risen. First of all, Paul claims, if Christ be not risen, the Gospel is null and void and so is your faith. Later he writes, "... your faith has nothing in it." If we reverse Paul's treatment from the negative: If Christ was not raised... to: Now is Christ risen, © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 3   then we can state positively, the Gospel is true; your faith grips the truth, reality. This is of supreme importance. We want to know the truth; we do not want to live under delusion. We say sometimes "the Truth hurts." Sometimes we do block ourselves off from the Truth; we fear the Truth or we stubbornly refuse to recognize the Truth. Yet, most of us, most of the time, really want to know the Truth. Freud claimed religion was an illusion. He and Karl Marx and Ludwig Feuerbach and Friedrich Nietzsche created the foundation of modern atheism. There may not be large numbers of atheists in the world, but there is much practical atheism – people living without any essential reference to God or acknowledgement of Him. The foundations of the Christian Gospel have been penetratingly examined in the past two centuries and there is a great mass of agnosticism. The Church has been on the defensive and not always with the calm confidence in the Truth which is the most persuasive witness. We must always want to know the Truth. We must not duck the issues; we must look at the data, search the evidence and deal with integrity as we bear witness to our faith. What is our claim? Paul sets it out clearly: If Christ is not risen, the Gospel is false, our faith grasps an illusion. What, then, is the positive side? What do we believe to be true if we believe Christ is risen? We believe that God, the Creator and sustainer of the world, is the living God Whose power raises the dead. We believe He is the Sovereign Lord of the world and that beyond the machinations of governments and all forms of organization and human planning, scheming and conspiring, there is at work in history's unraveling a purpose, a purpose of love, a purpose that is moving all things toward re-creation. Christ is risen. He is a sign in the midst of history that God will redeem history. He is a sign in our world that life is stronger than death, that when the power of darkness utilizing the forms and structures of human government and religions have done their best – rather, their worst! – God is still God. His power is not limited, His love is all-embracing, His grace abounding. The Gospel is not null and void. The Gospel is good news pointing to an event, an act of God by which He "signed" the world for final Redemption. Christ is risen; the Gospel is true; our faith grasps reality. © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 4   History looks anything but redeemed, does it not? The American Fleet clusters in the Mediterranean. Terrorists plot to destroy, to maim and to kill. Wherever we look, violence and war threaten to burst forth. What do we conclude? What are the options? No God, no meaning, just human potential - both for evil and for good, and an endless nightmare? That is one possible conclusion. Then, one might despair and give up. Or, one might seek to maintain the upper hand and through power and cleverness avoid disaster but never find peace. Or do we acknowledge the continuing obstinacy of the old world, the continuing state of the world unredeemed with all the hell that that entails, but refuse to see the present state of things as the final state? Do we live by another vision and in the community of faith form an alternative community? And do we look for signs of resurrection in the old world? I happened to catch the NBC interview with Corazon Aquino this week. I was deeply impressed with the sincerity and simplicity of her faith. She was asked about the danger to her life. She responded that she was aware of it, but also that she believed God would enable her to fulfill her mission. And if my mission is fulfilled, she said, then it is all right. Well, what about her husband who returned to the Philippines to engage in a mission, but was gunned down? That did not refute her faith; rather it confirmed her faith. Her husband's death accomplished what it is unlikely his life could have accomplished. He sacrificed his life for the Philippine people and a remarkable, relatively peaceful revolution ensued. Corry Aquino lives in an exceedingly dangerous, corrupt, violent world, but rather than being paralyzed by it, she is set free by faith in God to live and lead with a measure of freedom and peace. When asked if she had a model she admired, she responded that Mother Teresa was a great inspiration to her. And we are bombarded daily with the world's bad news, but we must not forget that Mother Teresa is bringing love and life and healing to the poor and dying in this world. At the Maui Conference I met a psychiatrist named Jerry Jampolsky. This week we received a letter from him saying he was ready to take fifty children to Russia where he is involved in a national TV special on children titled, "A Child Shall Lead Them." He has forty centers around the world for terminally ill children where love and gentleness effect some amazing healings. On what basis does one move from possible paralysis of fear, despair, even cynicism and bitterness to loving service, meaningful involvement in the healing of the wounds of persons and society? © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 5   Are we not freed for loving service on the basis of the truth that this is not all there is? There is more coming and the "more" will be "the more of God." Do we not seek peace, pray for shalom, bring healing because we believe that we are the instruments of the living God Who is bringing in His Kingdom, creating newness? If Christ be not risen, says Paul, then we are operating on an illusion. Then dead is dead. Then history is a tale told by an idiot. Then life ends with a whimper. Then weariness and despair will finally prevail. But Christ is risen - therefore, Paul concludes the great discourse, "Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord inasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." There is a second consequence of the resurrection. Again, Paul states the negative: …if Christ was not raised,… you are still in your old state of sin. The positive affirmation we derive from that claim is that because Christ is risen our sin has been removed. This brings us back to the mystery of the Cross. It is perhaps best simply to bow there wondering at what is revealed – the suffering of Jesus for the sin of the world, the love of God demonstrated in that sacrificial death, the total obedience of Jesus to the Father’s will, enduring the hostility of humankind and entering the darkness of forsakenness. Paul says God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself. Peter wrote, He bore our sins in his body on the Tree. Paul wrote, God made him to be sin for us who knew no sin… I do not pretend to understand the crucifixion, but I do see how the fate of Jesus is a parable of what happens once again in our history. Certainly it is more than that and the life and ministry of Jesus stands by itself. Yet the suffering of the righteous, the triumph of evil and wrong is rejected in every generation. There, in a once-for-all event, we see One-for-all enduring the suffering of the world’s sin, the world represented in Israel. In that sense, we were there when they crucified our Lord. If we can see that much, then we are prepared to hear the amazing news of Easter, the good news that God made His move after "it was finished." History crucified him. Nature's verdict was, he is dead. © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 6   God's action reversed the flow of history and nature. God raised him up. God gave him life from the dead. Now in the light of that dramatic reversal, the Good News is that Sin was put away. The Gospel is that now God accepts us in Christ; we are received through Jesus Christ our Lord. His life is our life, His obedience is our obedience, His righteousness our righteousness. Thus the Apostolic mission is one of reconciliation We are ambassadors of Christ – be reconciled to God. There is no longer a barrier of alienation; now we can simply come home. Again, I do not pretend to understand the mystery of Good and Evil, or what great cosmic transformation was effected through the crucifixion of Jesus. But I do believe the truth of the Gospel invitation - Come; come to the Father through Jesus, the Son. There was an ontological shift in Reality through the Cross and Resurrection. The Good News of the Gospel proclaims that it is ontologically impossible to stand as a sinner before God. Do you hear that? Does that make sense? That has not been much understood in the Church. We have kept sin very much alive and most of us crawl around with a pretty good load of guilt on our back. We have been conditioned in the Church to keep our sin ever before us and to guard against the pride of self-righteousness. Well and good. I think the peacock is a magnificent bird but I am put off by its human imitator. A consciousness of sin is a healthy possession, which keeps us mindful of our vulnerability to temptation and our frequent failure to live in love with God and our neighbor. What we have not made clear, however, what has not really filtered down to the inner recesses of our consciousness is that all our sin and all our guilt has already been removed, taken away, put out of the mind and consciousness of God. We have not reckoned with the ontological shift in reality effected by the death and resurrection of Jesus. Thus we never really find the freedom to break loose from our past. We never get unshackled from our failure. We are too introspective, too introverted, too selfpreoccupied. We take ourselves too seriously. There are Christian churches that place so much stress on inward experience, groaning under sin and unworthiness, despairing over proneness to sin that they never get their eyes off © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 7   their own soul's navel to be able to look to God Who has a smile on His face saying, "Why don’t you just come here and let me love you?" Too much fascination with our own sinfulness and unworthiness is not a virtue, but a vice; it is not to be deeply spiritual, but unwholesomely self-centered and it becomes a strange form of human pride. Further, it is a denigration of the Gospel and an affront to the mercy of God as though no power on earth or in heaven could possibly forgive my sins! Hear the Gospel: It is ontologically impossible to stand before God as a sinner. He has removed sin and guilt from the world, from His presence, from existence. I am sure that raises all kinds of questions. There was a very acute thinker who was a member of this congregation who used to argue with me that there was no place for the Prayer of Confession in Christian worship. All that was possible, he maintained, is a prayer of thanksgiving that our sin has been handled. He had a point. I carefully phrase the Prayer of Confession that it not become a wallowing in how awful we are, but a consciousness of our failure in the presence of the greater reality of God's grace. Robert Schuller does not use the Prayer of Confession because he believes it reinforces the sin-guilt-negative self-image. He has a point. For the traditional Church and deeply conditioned Christian people, that reinforcement may keep us from grasping the radical message of God's grace – Sin is gone! If Christ be not raised - you are still in your old state of sin, but now is Christ risen; you are free of your sin. Forgiveness, freedom, is an amazing reality. Forgiveness - you are forgiven; does that sink in? Does that not make you want to dance and shout and sing? Say it three times, emphasizing a different word each time: I am forgiven! I am forgiven! I am forgiven! Believe it; live in the freedom of that gracious forgiveness. Trust the ontological shift in Reality. Live in the Ontology of Grace. There is a third consequence of Jesus’ resurrection. If Christ be not risen, © Grand Valley State University �It Is an Easter World! Richard A. Rhem Page 8   it follows also that those who have died within Christ's fellowship are ultimately lost. The positive statement of Paul's argument is that Christ being risen, those who die move through death to fullness of life. Here we have to do with the matter of Christian hope and the comfort of those who bury loved ones. Jesus said, Because I live, you too shall live… Again, he said, I am the resurrection and the life. If a person has faith in me, even though he die, he shall come to life; and no one who is alive and has faith shall ever died. John 11: 25-26 Paul counseled concerned believers in Thessalonians about the death of loved ones. He wrote with great sensitivity: I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you sorrow not as those who have no hope... That is the critical point. Death separates. Death creates loss. Death leaves us with deep grief when one long and dearly loved is taken away. Sorrow is only natural. But it is not sorrow without hope. Hope enables us to transcend the loss in the conviction that those we love have moved into life in a greater dimension than we can conceive of and, furthermore, that we will one day be reunited with all those we love in the brightness of God's Eternal Presence. Death is a conquered foe! That is the verdict in light of Jesus' resurrection. Hope is grounded in Jesus' resurrection. That hope fastens on a future in which death, the grave, disease, pain and tears will be no more. Again this is a consequence of the Ontological Shift in Reality. Paul says if we have hope in Christ for this life only we are of all people most to be pitied. Hope in this life is critical, but it is not enough. We need a hope anchored beyond history in the Eternal God. Only then are we free to engage in history's struggle with good courage and sure confidence, only then can we relax and revel in the reality of forgiveness, only then can we bury our dead in the confidence that those we love have fallen asleep in Jesus. Christ is risen! This is an Easter world! Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Amen. © Grand Valley State University � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Eastertide III Scripture Text I Corinthians 15:20 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860413 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-04-13 Title A name given to the resource It is an Easter World Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 application/pdf Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on April 13, 1986 entitled "It is an Easter World", on the occasion of Eastertide III, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: I Corinthians 15:20. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives Community of Faith Eastertide Eschatology Forgiveness Freedom Hope Resurrection Shalom Sin https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/a2f4c3e91fbce4e814ae530f82829f25.mp3 610c63a7b269c64330a8b9f82b020c99 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Eastertide IV Scripture Text Matthew 11:4-5 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860420 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-04-20 Title A name given to the resource The Church: God's Emergency Ward Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on April 20, 1986 entitled "The Church: God's Emergency Ward", on the occasion of Eastertide IV, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Matthew 11:4-5. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/34c5abe659c12e997b144d4d77e0f144.mp3 967c0fbdfc7b5b5cb548d2981dbec94f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Eastertide V Scripture Text II Corinthians 9:7 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860427 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-04-27 Title A name given to the resource Habits of the Heart Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on April 27, 1986 entitled "Habits of the Heart", on the occasion of Eastertide V, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: II Corinthians 9:7. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/8fc1bd687ba743407a6b29a9bd293082.mp3 6342504f390b0bdd265c99ea0b23b2ed Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Scripture Text Psalm 118:24, 28, Revelations 19:6-7 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860504 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-05-04 Title A name given to the resource Exaltation and Exultation Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on May 4, 1986 entitled "Exaltation and Exultation", at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Psalm 118:24, 28, Revelations 19:6-7. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/6759ffc8b8f5cb7e913c8d02e980f249.mp3 d06fa5cd20f892b3c744b6d416b115b0 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Ascension Sunday Scripture Text Exodus 34:6-7, Psalms 78:5-7, Romans 8:34-35, 39 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860511 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-05-11 Title A name given to the resource Healthy Families - Grace Across the Generations Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on May 11, 1986 entitled "Healthy Families - Grace Across the Generations", on the occasion of Ascension Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Exodus 34:6-7, Psalms 78:5-7, Romans 8:34-35, 39. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/865bbec8269dc658c5947a2d3884f836.mp3 5b8fce305f8c303cd6844abd01fc47f1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Pentecost Scripture Text Acts 2:28, 32-33 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860518 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-05-18 Title A name given to the resource The Feeling That Remains When the Concept Fails Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on May 18, 1986 entitled "The Feeling That Remains When the Concept Fails", on the occasion of Pentecost, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Acts 2:28, 32-33. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives https://digitalcollections.library.gvsu.edu/files/original/b0648391d89252390d544cf18b9950f7.mp3 69d4b238d0181873c540c182b22f328b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Richard A. Rhem Collection Description An account of the resource Text and sound recordings of the sermons, prayers, services, and articles of Richard Rhem, pastor emeritus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where he served for 37 years. Starting in the mid 1980's, Rhem began to question some of the traditional Christian dogma that he had been espousing from the pulpit. That questioning was a first step in a long and interesting spiritual journey, one that he openly shared with his congregation. His journey is important, in part because it is reflective of the questioning, the yearnings, and the gradual revision of beliefs that many persons in this part of the century have experienced and continue to experience. It is important also because of the affirming and inclusive way his questioning was done and his thinking evolved. His sermons and other written and spoken materials together document the steps in his journey as it took a turn in 1985, yet continued to revolve around the framework and liturgies of the Christian calendar. Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Religion Interfaith worship Sermons Sound Recordings Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rhem, Richard A. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="https://gvsu.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/514">Richard A. Rhem papers (KII-01)</a> Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Special Collections & University Archives. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Kaufman Interfaith Institute Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1981-2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 text/pdf Sound A resource primarily intended to be heard. Examples include a music playback file format, an audio compact disc, and recorded speech or sounds. Event Trinity Sunday Scripture Text Isaiah 11:1-2, II Corinthians 13:14 Location The location of the interview Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context KII-01_RA-0-19860525 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1986-05-25 Title A name given to the resource The God Who Blesses Us Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Richard A. Rhem Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/page/InC/1.0/?language=en">In Copyright</a> Subject The topic of the resource Clergy--Michigan Reformed Church in America Christ Community Church (Spring Lake, Mich.) Sermons Relation A related resource Richard A. Rhem - An Archive of Sermons, Prayers, Talks and Stories: http://richardrhem.org/ Language A language of the resource eng Type The nature or genre of the resource Sound Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource audio/mp3 Description An account of the resource A sermon given by Richard A. Rhem (Dick) on May 25, 1986 entitled "The God Who Blesses Us", on the occasion of Trinity Sunday, at Christ Community Church, Spring Lake, MI. Scripture references: Isaiah 11:1-2, II Corinthians 13:14. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Grand Valley State University. University Libraries. Lemmen Library and Archives