Anita Mathias: Dreaming Beneath the Spires

Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art

The Worst Evangelism Question Ever, or, When we See Him Face to Face

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File:Pompeo Batoni 003.jpg

 Pompeo Batoni: The Prodigal Son
The worst evangelism question ever in my opinion is:

 “If God were to ask you, “Why should I let you into my Heaven?” what would you say?”

The lovely pastor of our first little church in Williamsburg,  Virginia, was all gung-ho about Evangelism Explosion.  When we were new, he visited us with a man he was training, and popped the Evangelism Explosion question, “If God were to ask you, ‘Why should I let you into My Heaven?’ what would you say?”

I said, “I know the correct answer, but to be honest, that isn’t what I am going to say.”

Now, 19 years later and even more confident, I would snort and say, “No way is God going to ask silly questions on that emotional and glorious occasion.”

* * *

Because you see, in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus has told us what it’s going to be like when we meet his lovely father.

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

And because I am God’s prodigal daughter–unbelievably, but definitely, because he is so incredibly good and kind–I believe he will be filled with compassion for me, run to me, throw his arms around me, and kiss me.

And I will say, head bowed, through heartfelt tears, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your daughter.’

And seeing the holiness of his face, and his sheer goodness and loveliness, everything I have ever done will come crashing in, and I will hang my head, overcome and ashamed.

And he will say, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on her. Put a ring on her finger and sandals on her feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf for there are no calories or cholesterol in heaven. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this daughter of mine was dead and is alive again; she was lost and is found.”

* * *

And if this amazing Father could possibly ask that silly imaginary question, “Why should I let you into my heaven?” I would say,

“Because you are my father, and I am your daughter, and your home is mine.”

“Because I have messed up and repented, messed up and repented, again and again, but through it all, through it all, oh I have loved you–oh so very much.”

And he will say “Come,” because that is his nature.

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Comments

  1. A few years ago, a woman called me to question our church’s decision to let me form a book group to read and discuss novels from the public high school curriculum that some parents wanted removed. As our phone conversation got tense, the woman shocked me by asking me the famed Evangelism Explosion question. This woman was assuming that if I were a “true” Christian I would agree with her position on the vulgarity of these books and would cancel the book group. In my mind, her questioning of my faith in this way was the vulgarity.  

  5. Excellent post!  Indeed God would accept all prodigals into heaven without a word, but only a kiss!  However, after that whole rapture thing is over, I hope He has time on His calendar for a long appointment with me – because I have a number of questions of my own – LOL.  I really need to know why there are platypuses and what exactly is the Unified Theory – and other quantum mechanics details. 

    But seriously, it’s a comforting thought that at the moment of death, I can simply enjoy His mighty embrace and bask in His glory. 

    This reminded me of an Emily Dickinson poem:
    Why — do they shut Me out of Heaven?

    Did I sing — too loud?

    But — I can say a little “Minor”

    Timid as a Bird!

    Wouldn’t the Angels try me —

    Just — once — more —

    Just — see — if I troubled them —

    But don’t — shut the door!

    Oh, if I — were the Gentleman

    In the “White Robe” —

    And they — were the little Hand — that knocked —

    Could — I — forbid?

    • Emily Dickson–love her poetry. Studied it at graduate school, but not since then!
      Lovely question. Can a scientist or evolutionist explain platypuses to you? There must be an evolutionary reason for them?