On building buildings
Oh Peter, how I love thee. You make my craziness seem normal, thank you.
In the midst of the most amazing thing he had seen to this point, the Transfiguration, Peter stops being present to the glory just long enough to say, “Master, it good for us to be here. Let’s build three dwellings: one for Elijah, one for Moses, and one for you.”
God is pretty clear about his feelings toward dwelling places in 2nd Kings. Suffice it to say he’s not a fan, but it is just so human of us to want to codify, to make permanent, to set in stone those good things. Of course, no matter how grand a statue we build, the greatness of the moment or the person or the experience will never be fully captured forever. It just isn’t possible.
As my seminary prepares to launch its Chapel for the Ages capital campaign, I read Peter’s words with new eyes, pondering the concept ot buildings. What purpose do they serve? Who are they for? What feeling are we trying to capture? Is God glorified?
Originally posted at Draughting Theology
