I wrote some things about a rabbi once long ago. His real name was Yonah. He has since died. The conversations I had with him back in the early 90s continue to bear fruit in my life. He may well have been the smartest man I ever met.

He said something to me once that changed the way I read the scriptures. Changed it PROFOUNDLY. And like a great rabbi, it was so easily stated. He said:

"Gordon, there are no higher moments in the scriptures than when we stand up to God. Like Abraham arguing with God about Sodom and Gomorrah. God wants us to develop our own moral sense. God wants us to stand on our own ethical legs, even to challenge him. He loves it when his children grow."

You might appreciate this clip from a BBC 2 series called God on Trial. Other clips are also at Youtube.

Hat tip to James McGrath, who is in our CCblogs network.