Something, which Huub Oosterhuis can never forget

Do you call yourself a Christian?

“If I should call myself a Christian, I would have to give a lot of clarifying information. I’m a student of the Jewish Bible. I read the Gospel accounts as an explanation of that big book. In the Jesus-movement, the Torah of Moses and the books of the prophets are studied.

Did you ever consider to move on to Judaism?

“No. I am also a student of Paul. And he says that in Jesus, the Messiah, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free … ” (…)

You recently turned 80. Do you think much about the end, about death?

“I’ve been working all my life and have officiated at countless funerals. I used to come back from vacation, when someone died, whom I had provided with pastoral care.” Glancing outside: “Death is the last enemy, eh? Which should never have been , but it’s here. ” Then he turns in his chair and in a stabbing manner, points his finger at an imaginary audience: “But Jesus will overcome that last enemy, says Paul. And He will hand over His reign to God and say, “Now it’s all finished,.” to which Paul adds: And then God will be all in all. Yes, that’s what it says.” Almost helpless, he shrugs. his shoulders, “Those are words which I will never forget. Never want to forget.”

You believe that?

“I hope so. I can not do otherwise. Believing sounds too vague to me. Hope is closer. But nevertheless, I believe it too, yes. But in the sense that I entrust myself, as well as surrender myself, to it. That vision, one  should never give up. Humanly speaking, It can’t be, but what is impossible with men, is possible with God. “

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