This video, by arguably the most influential of American theologians, is still one of the best sermons on subject of AIDS that I've ever encountered.
A few years ago, when Madonna's Confessions tour was live, the Evangelical and other neo-conservatives were up in arms.
"She's on a cross! She's wearing a crown of thorns!!", they cried. As if that was enough to convict her of heresy.
Didn't they see why she was invoking the very powerful symbol of the cross?
Call me a heretic, but I'd argue that this pop star who wouldn't admit to being a Christian even if she was one, gets soteriology and Christology more than most clergy.
Just think about it...
12,000,000
children are orphaned by AIDS
20 million children will be without parents by 2010
without help these children will die before they're 2
If I ran away I'd never have the strength to go very far; how could they hear the beating of my heart; will it grow cold, the secret that I hide, will I grow old; HOW WILL THEY HEAR; WHEN WILL THEY LEARN; HOW WILL THEY KNOW?
For I was hungry, and you gave me food.
I was naked and you gave me clothing.
I was sick and you took care of me.
And God replied,
"Whatever you did for one of the least of my brothers...
...you did it to me."
Matthew 25:35
At which point, she removes her crown of thorns and prostrates herself.
AIDS is still real. It is not finished or a passed fad or yet controlled. People are still suffering. They are hungry, naked, and sick.
So our work is not yet done.
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