The three great, living, monotheistic religions in the world, Christianity, Islam and Judaism share many big ideas. Each has its own version of these shared concepts. I enjoy engaging with these tenets of these faiths because they have such ancient roots. They have lasted because they are at the core of these religious traditions. They are great mysteries. I think a good way for you to explore these big ideas is to ask your minister to explain your church’s understanding. Then do some research into how the other faiths explain their own traditions. After that, check out how the best minds of these faiths critique each other. The better we know the beliefs of others, the better able we are to understand our own. One of these big ideas is the concept of “atonement.” It comes from root such words as “to cover” and Ransom.” Jews regard atonement as so important that their “Day of Atonement” or Yom Kippur is their most solemn, holy day. This year it begins at sunset on September 27 and ends at nightfall on September 28. It follows nine days of repentance which began with Rosh Hashanah. Atonement is less prominent in Islam but is still important to the concept of forgiveness in the Koran.

     Atonement is a fundamental in the Christian faith. I have it on my mind this year because I have been remembering a ministerial mentor of mine, the late Bishop Kenneth Goodson. He was one of the greatest storytellers I have known. And one of his stories is the best explanation of the mystery of the Christian view of atonement I have ever heard. I have determined to keep this story alive as long as I can. Bishop Goodson said he grew up in the most wonderful town in the world—Salisbury, North Carolina-- where he was born in 1912. He said what made it the greatest town in the world was that there was a little grocery store near his home. And during his early childhood, he enjoyed the privilege of going to that store once each week. He could select anything he want from the shelves, present it to the grocer, and go off to enjoy it. He did not need to pay for it. The only rule was that it could not be priced at more than a nickel. But a nickel in 1918 was real money for a kid! It left him with the most wonderful memories of growing up in Salisbury!

     In time the Goodson family moved away from Salisbury. Ken went on to become a very successful minister. Eventually the time came when his father died. His mother asked him to do the poignant task that has fallen to many of us. She asked him to go through his father’s possessions and decide how to dispose of them. He went to the family chiffrobe--a once-common combination of a chest of drawers and place to hang cloths. He began three stacks of clothing on the bed. One stack that might be used to family members. One group to go to the Salvation Army. A third pile of things for the rag bag. Then he began to go through his father’s papers. These items brought back a flood of memories that spoke of the family history. Photos, letters—it transported him all the way back to Salisbury. Finally, at the bottom of the stack, he found a handful of small sheets, yellowed with age and tied with a ribbon. There was a folded note just under the knot of the ribbon. He untied the ribbon, laid aside the note and saw instantly that he had a treasure in his hands. These were the records of his weekly trips to the grocery back in Salisbury. On the top of each sheet was the name of the store. Then the date. Then the item--a piece of candy, sometimes a toy. Then the price--never more than 5 cents. Then there was the careful signature of the grocer. It all came back to him. When he unfolded the note from atop the stack, he read this: “Ken’s charges at the grocer. Paid in full.” And there was the simple signature: “Dad.”

     Ken Goodson said, “I had become an educated man. I had mastered the doctrines of the Christian Church. I was an experienced minister. But it remained for me to read my father’s note for the idea to move from my brain to my heart and to fully understand the meaning of the atonement.” Such is the nature of the mysteries of God.

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