Bringing the Text to Life
Space Places Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed in heavenly spaces or places? The apostle Paul explains.
At a Glance
A new technological "religion" wants to shoot your memories into space in hopes that they can be downloaded again one day. Ephesians reminds us that we're already blessed in the "heavenly places!"
Editors' Pick
For material based on today's gospel text, see "The J Factor," January 4, 2009, at HomileticsOnline.com.
When we think of a religious or sacred space, we normally envision grand cathedrals, quiet retreats or modern worship centers. Right?
If you're a practitioner of a new religion called Terasem, however, your center of worship is actually a satellite dish in Florida. While televangelists use dishes to broadcast their messages, this particular dish isn't about beaming out another appeal for donations; instead, it's about beaming out memories.
"The name Terasem comes from the Greek word for 'Earthseed,' which is also the name for the futuristic religion found in [an ironically named] Octavia Butler sci-fi novel Parable of the...