AN OBSERVATION

IN THE NINTH CENTURY

A VIKING

WAS HEARD TO SAY

THESE CHRISTIANS

HONOR THEIR GOD

BY BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

THE WHOLE CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE

HAS BEEN MARRED BY THESE FEELINGS

CHRIST

WHO CAME TO LIBERATE MANKIND

IS ENSLAVED

BY THOSE WHO CHOOSE

NOT TO BELIEVE IT

WE HAVE THE STYLITES

DESERT FATHERS

HAIRSHIRTS

SELF WHIPPING

READING EVERY DISASTER

AS GOD’S PUNISHMENT

AND WE DESERVE IT

WHAT KIND OF A LOVING GOD

DOES THIS PICTURE REPRESENT

WHAT DO ALL THESE PRACTICES

DO FOR THE COMMUNITY

DOES IT DRAW

AS THE VIKING SAYS

THEY SERVE THEIR GOD

BY BEING UNCOMFORTABLE

FRANK A VOLLMER

THE BUTCHER

THE COMMANDANT
TO AMUSE HIS TROOPS
PROMISED THEM ENTERTAINMENT
THAT WOULD INCLUDE BETTING

HE HAD IN CAPTIVITY
A KOSHER BUTCHER
WHOSE ONLY CRIME WAS BEING JEWISH

HE SAID TO THE BUTCHER
I SET BEFORE YOU TWO PLANS

ONE
I WILL HAVE MY TROOPS
 RAVISH YOUR DAUGHTERS
THEN HANG THEM SLOWLY
FROM A TREE
AFTER WHICH
I SHALL SHOOT YOU

THE OTHER PLAN IS
SLAY YOUR DAUGHTERS
AS YOU WOULD SLAY THE PASCHAL LAMB
DRAIN THEM OF THEIR BLOOD
THEN I WILL SHOOT YOU

THE STORY HAS NO ENDING
EITHER WAY
EVIL IS TRIUMPHANT

WHAT WAS GOD’S PLAN FOR THE BUTCHER

DOES NOT THIS SERENDIPITOUS SAYING
BETRAY CHRISTIANS
WHO HIDE BEHIND CHURCH WALLS

WHAT GOD WANTS
IS  FRUITFUL VINEYARD WORKERS
WILLING TO WORK FOR THE GOOD OF ALL

NOT RELIGIOUS SLAVES
MOTIVATED ONLY BY SELF

NOT FOR CHURCHES
WHO WANT PRESERVATION
LIKE GERMAN CHURCHES
IN FACE OF HITLER

WHAT GOD WANTS
IS MEN LIKE BONHOEFFER

WILLING TO QUESTION
ALL THAT DOESN’T MATCH GOD’S PLAN

EITHER WAY THE BUTCHER IS DEAD
BUT THE SMELL OF BLOOD
IS DISTASTEFUL
TO GOD’S NOSE

FRANK A VOLLMER