mgpcpastor's blog

Warning: Satire follows.
Today’s post seeks to combine two matters of note. The first is the tonight’s final State of Origin Game, in which Queensland was sadly denied a clean sweep of three out of three games in the this year’s series, already having secured a record fourth consecutive series win in game two. The second is the continuing theme of Bibles that present special interests, (which I’ve written about here and here) such as the American Patriot’s Bible, The Green Bible and The Poverty And Justice Bible.
My proposal would be for The Maroon Bible (TM). Consider this publicity blurb (borrowed and adapted from Thomas Nelson publishers): “Never has a version of the Bible targeted the spiritual needs of sportloving Queenslanders more than The Maroon Bible. This extremely unique Bible shows how the history of Interstate and State of Origin Rugby League connects the people and events of the Bible to our lives in modern Queensland. The story of the Mighty Maroons is wonderfully woven into the teachings of the Bible.”
(If you can’t understand what I’m writing about below you could read this as a primer, but give it a try.)
Following the pattern of these sorts of exercises Old Testament narrative will be heavily relied upon. New South Wales in the pre-origin days easily serves as an analogue for Egypt, holding all our Queensland players captive, even making them don the sky blue NSW guernsey and playing against Qld. The late Senator Ron McAuliffe, Moses, crying ‘let my people go!’, or at the very least, ‘let them return and play for us.’
Consider the almost Sampson like figure of Artie Beetson, reduced to playing reserve grade for Paramatta, but called for a last mighty effort to slay the Blues (now the Philistines, I hope you’re keeping up.)
I’m inclined to think that Wally Lewis (the Emperor or Lang Park) should really be cast as Saul, first king of Israel, given the relatively sad way that he tried to hang on to the crown just a little too long. This allows us to recognise Allan Langer as the giant slaying David, hurling his diminuative frame into battle against monstrous Blue front rows.
Think of all those hallowed years that the State of Origin trophy rests in its rightful place (Qld). Consider the unhappiness in the land when it goes into captivity in a strange land. (NSW) Things are just a little less beautiful one day and perfect the next until the trophy returns to the promised land. (This stuff just writes itself.)
I suppose I should stop now, but I won’t.
The Super League fiasco of the mid-to-late nineties is a fitting analogy for the Divided Kingdom. Brave Paul Vautin led the remnant forces to a mighty victory against all odds. The redevelopment of Lang Park into its current stadium formation can be identified with Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem.
We get into slightly shakier territory when we move into the New Testament. I’ll avoid any reference to our Lord. (Though I’m sure many others have described Mal Meninga’s return as Coach supreme after his time as captain and player as a second coming). But could a finer group of twelve (plus one) be found than the current Qld team? Can’t you just hear Darren Lockyer’s dulcet tones giving Peter’s address on the day of Pentecost? (What must you do to be saved? Don a Maroon guernsey and yell Queenslander!)
Greg Inglis could rate a mention alongside the apostle Paul. Born and raised in NSW, but has seen the light and now wears the Maroon as proudly as any. Game after game he puts his former country men to shame by showing them the truth.
Okay, okay enough.
Satire ends.
See how easy it is?
The Bible is not there for us to project our story onto it. It is not a mirror in which we see ourselves reflected.
Rather, it is a light that reveals us as we are. It tells us who we are. It tells us who made us, how we’ve rebelled and how our Creator reconciled us to Himself by the work of His Son.
Then, as citizens of heaven, living here on earth, awaiting the return of our Lord, we serve His interests in the places we live. We are Patriots of the Kingdom of God. That is what the Bible teaches.
We don’t need a Maroon Bible, we simply need the Bible.