Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Our associate pastor had the following on a list of questions for our Acts Bible study (I’m not sure what the point was . . . we never got around to answering this one):
If you could share a meal with any four historical figures (besides Jesus), who would you choose?
I assume he excluded Jesus because He is busy (more likely because everyone would pick that “churchy” answer).
My first reaction was this: I’d invite the young Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Mao Tse-Tung, and Pol Pot. And I would poison them.
Seriously, I’d invite the Apostle Paul, my birth mother (I’m adopted), a comedian (for some laughs . . . maybe Steve Martin - I just read his stand-up autobiography) and Paul McCartney for some music. It would be fun watching Paul (the Apostle) share the Gospel with the others.
Who would you invite?
Filed under: Christian worldview, Miscellaneous | Tagged: fun, philosophy, religion
This one takes some thinking.
1. My grandmother. I miss her. We have a lot to catch up on and I’d like to ask her about heaven.
2. William Wilburforce. He’d be amazing to talk to about how God used him to persuade Parliament to outlaw slavery and gave him perseverance.
3. John Adams. His letters are fantastic and his role in American History is profound.
4. Elliott Greene. He’s a good friend. I learn so much from each conversation. He’s a brilliant preacher and a blessed pastor.
5. Louis Armstrong. Probably my favorite musician.
6. Bach/Luther/Jeff Foxworthy/John Wayne/Juan Seguin/Danny Kaye: I couldn’t figure out which one. At this moment, it’s a toss up between Luther and Danny Kaye.
Definitely J.C. Ryle, the 18th Century Anglican pastor and theologian. He has such a pastor’s heart in his exposition of the gospels. (Come on, we named our dog Rylie after this guy!)
John Calvin, although I’m afraid that he would not approve of me or the culture in which I live. Still, the theological discussions would be great.
Rich Mullins. I miss his music and humility. He would keep the peace at the table of the other two.
He would also be able to give us an entire concert after dinner with just a guitar and piano. (Not sure he fits the historical category)
Winston Churchill. To keep us human and provide plenty of laughs, provided he was in a jovial mood.
Neil,
I love your suggestions about the dictators and the poison. LOL.
Elisa,
While you and I love Elliott, he has yet to make the historical category. Thank goodness! He needs to out last both of us, so he can provide over our funerals. Lord willing, many, many years from now!
Good ideas! Makes me want to revise my list, but I’ll stick with it for now. I really like the Rich Mullins idea. Great musician (his greatest hits, Songs, is one of my all-time favorite CDs) and truly passionate follower of Christ. What a loss for us!
1. Judge Judy - to keep the peace
2. Boxcar Willy - pure entertaiment
3. Chef Ramsey of Hell’s Kitchen - no real reason.
4. John Edwards - so I wouldn’t be the biggest idiot at the table.
This list could change at any moment.
Bono. (he’s the leader singer of a band called U2).
Thomas Jefferson
King David.
Einstein (physicist from the first half of the century.)
This is harder than it should be, therefore 2 lists (the first for a pleasant dinner, the second for a spicier time)
Theodore Roosevelt
Paul (the apostle)
Bono
Abe Lincoln
Phil Keaggy (sorry I couldn’t resist, even if it’s just for dinner music)
Brian McLaren
John Shuck
John or Paul (The apostles, not the Beatles. Someone needs to moderate)
Charles Darwin
1. Soren Kierkegaard–brilliant wit and writer, 18th century Danish Christian “philosopher” who challenged the state church/nominal Christianity devoid of personal relationship with God, author of many books (2 streams, the “indirect” writing stream written under pseudonyms) who has been misrepresented by existentialists and Christians alike. (”died” young)
2. Paul Laurence Dunbar–favorite Christian poet–his masterpiece: “Sympathy”, better understood if keep in mind he’s son of former slaves and suffered himself because of racism; (”died” young)
3. Jonathan son of King Saul–quality friend of high principle, courage, devotion, selflessness (”died” young)
4. William Tyndale–phenomenal scholar, more responsible for our English than Shakespeare himself who was influenced by Tyndale, supposedly most of the KJV was based on Tyndale’s translation of the Bible–he was the first to translate the Bible into English from the original languages (as opposed to from Latin), though he was martyred at the stake leaving great testimony w/his last words before he could finish the Old Testament. (”died” young)
I’ll follow Neil’s idea and invite:
Joseph Smith, Muhammad, Buddha, and Charles Taze Russell.
That would be an interesting crowd.
I wonder if they’d like Mexican food.
Edgar, be sure to straighten those guys out theology-wise, OK?
Neil,
What a great list you put together!
My list? Do these people have to get along, or will I just have to serve a ridiculous amount of wine so everyone’s too plastered to much care?
Ayn Rand
Dorothy Parker
C.S. Lewis
John Lennon (apparently, we need good music). Other option: Mozart, because I just can’t see Miss Rand getting along well with “Imagine no possessions” man.
Oh, adding to my “music” options: Roger Daltry (who also makes good eye candy - whoops! Did I say that?), or perhaps Frank Sinatra.
I like to invite
. Vladimir Putin
. Barack Obama
. Alicia Key
Great idea Neil!
I think I’d have to invite Aristotle, Plato, Karl Marx, and Charles Darwin. When they walked in the door I’d greet them graciously and then I’d ask them if they want to change their stories.
Mark - LOL! I love it!
Upon further review, I would change C. Darwin for Francis Scheaffer.
I had to laugh so hard on your poison reply.
But really should be current so as to do the world some good today! Those fellows listed are already gone!
Good one!
Neil said: Thanks! So you are asking, “Who do you want to poison today?” I’ll work on that one . . .
I’d love to have lunch with my father, who passed when I was nine. But it would have to be, at least initially, just him and me Otherwise, my list would be, in no particular order of importance:
1. Bruce Lee. As a martial artist (I use that term loosely) for thirty years, he’s a must.
2. Jimmy Cagney. The guy just fascinates me.
3. Any of the founing fathers to get their opinion of how their experiment has played out thus far, and to hear what their intent on a variety of issues was.
4. Any of the Apostles to get their opinion of how Christianity has played out thus far, and to hear a few tales of that which didn’t make the cut in the Bible. Wouldn’t it be great to hear about what they liked to do during their “non-preaching” times? What Jesus’ favorite foods were? If Jesus told jokes? What they did for recreation? To think of them conjures thoughts of piety and prayer and devotion to God, but I find it hard to believe they didn’t do “normal” things now and again.
Well, if I was in the mood to have fun, and I currently am, it would be:
1. Ann Coulter
2. Stephen Baldwin
3. Howie Long
4. Terry Bradshaw
Oh the party would be a blast.
Oh and lol Mark — that was hilarious!
Great and provocative lists, all, though Mark probably did have the funniest.
Woo-hoo on inviting Terry Bradshaw (I’m a long-time Steelers fan - the first football game I ever saw on TV was the Immaculate Reception victory).
Yes Neil, Terry would be the life of the party!