In Margery Willams’ The Velveteen Rabbit, the Skin Horse teaches the Velveteen Rabbit what it is to become real. In 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 Paul is teaching the Corinthians what it is to become a real Christian. (You can read the entire text of The Velveteen Rabbit at http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/williams/rabbit/rabbit.html)
Paul has been addressing the Corinthians to encourage them in the face of their suffering and persecution. Remember, they are facing pain and persecution that we cannot even imagine today. Paul clearly refutes the common belief that suffering is a punishment, the result of having done something to offend God. In fact, he says that God uses our suffering to draw us closer to him, and that through our suffering His glory is revealed. A difficult concept to grasp, and even harder to embrace.
One of us gave an example that made it a little easier to understand. Think about your favorite _______(jacket, shirt, jeans, blanket) or a child's "lovie." When you look at it without knowing its attachment you may think it is an old, dilapidated thing. but it is so loved by the owner. It may seem shabby, but to the owner it is beautiful and precious. In the same way we may seem shabby, worn, tattered by life's trials, but to God we are beautiful, precious, and loved more than our mortal minds can comprehend.
Paul goes on to say that when we persevere and triumph over our trials, we not only learn about ourselves, our faith, and God's love, but we also reveal his glory to others. Now, this part I get. We all know someone who has suffered or is suffering greatly, but is sustained and comforted by a faith that makes us marvel. That renews my faith that when I suffer God will be with me. Doesn't it do the same for you?
This section ends with a cautionary note, though. We might be tempted to think that if we accept Jesus we can then just wait through whatever comes our way for the reward that comes in the next life. Paul is very clear in describing the reward that awaits us, but he also repeats that carrying the message forward, persevering through our difficulties, and loving each other is what God calls us to do. He calls it "...cheerfully pleasing God..." As Methodists we got this part,because it fits in with Wesley's concepts of sanctification and "going on to perfection." And that is just what we will keep working on - becoming real, going on to perfection, and living as God calls us to live.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Life or Death?!
2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6 Really?! Life or Death?! That is what Paul says when he compares the old covenant (of Moses) to the new covenant (of Christ). It seems that Paul is trying to convince members of the Corinthian church (perhaps those opposing him) who insist on the old, familiar way of doing things that the new way is the right way. Of course, there is security and comfort in holding on to tradition, even now.
The church at Corinth was diverse, composed of former Jews, Gentiles, people from many different backgrounds. For most of them Moses and the law would have had very little meaning. That made us wonder why Paul spent so much time on that in this section until we delved into the veil of Moses. It both hides and reveals the glory of God, serves to separate Moses from the people, and, according to Paul, concealed the fact that the covenant of Moses was dying from the moment of its birth, it was temporary. The new covenant is permanent and allows each one of us to choose to become the moral person God created us to be. It puts everyone on the same level. Converted Gentiles and converted Jews are equal in their standing as Christians as long as they accept and embrace the two simple rules that Christ gave us: love God with all your power and love your neighbor as yourself.
We spent quite a bit of time discussing the Spirit, and wondering if Paul used that interchangeably with Christ and God. When exactly did the idea of the Trinity come into prominence? We decided that in the end it really didn't matter except to the extent that it caused us to dig deeper into our own beliefs and understandings. Paul was doing the same thing at the time he was writing this letter, clarifying and solidifying his own understanding and beliefs.
Maybe the simple message Paul is sending us today is that the new covenant of Christ is superior in all ways to the old covenant of Moses. The law defines sin, but doesn't allow us to escape from its judgment and condemnation. It sets up a legal relationship with God, based only on rules. The new covenant sets up a personal, familial relationship with God in which the Spirit, rather than sin, is the controlling principle. The other message I'm hearing is that holding on to dogma and ritual too tightly closes your mind and heart to the call of God. In order to be an instrument of God on Earth we need to remain open to his call. I guess it really is a matter of life and death...
The church at Corinth was diverse, composed of former Jews, Gentiles, people from many different backgrounds. For most of them Moses and the law would have had very little meaning. That made us wonder why Paul spent so much time on that in this section until we delved into the veil of Moses. It both hides and reveals the glory of God, serves to separate Moses from the people, and, according to Paul, concealed the fact that the covenant of Moses was dying from the moment of its birth, it was temporary. The new covenant is permanent and allows each one of us to choose to become the moral person God created us to be. It puts everyone on the same level. Converted Gentiles and converted Jews are equal in their standing as Christians as long as they accept and embrace the two simple rules that Christ gave us: love God with all your power and love your neighbor as yourself.
We spent quite a bit of time discussing the Spirit, and wondering if Paul used that interchangeably with Christ and God. When exactly did the idea of the Trinity come into prominence? We decided that in the end it really didn't matter except to the extent that it caused us to dig deeper into our own beliefs and understandings. Paul was doing the same thing at the time he was writing this letter, clarifying and solidifying his own understanding and beliefs.
Maybe the simple message Paul is sending us today is that the new covenant of Christ is superior in all ways to the old covenant of Moses. The law defines sin, but doesn't allow us to escape from its judgment and condemnation. It sets up a legal relationship with God, based only on rules. The new covenant sets up a personal, familial relationship with God in which the Spirit, rather than sin, is the controlling principle. The other message I'm hearing is that holding on to dogma and ritual too tightly closes your mind and heart to the call of God. In order to be an instrument of God on Earth we need to remain open to his call. I guess it really is a matter of life and death...
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
What to do, what to do?
It would seem the flu is attacking our area pretty strongly right now. With a couple of members down ill, another with an appointment, we decided to cancel our meeting this morning. Not wanting to go another week without a post I thought I would take this opportunity to comment on the importance of critical and informed viewing and reading.
Just yesterday I got another one of those e-mails. You know what I'm talking about. If you forward this to so many people you will get a free _________. You fill in the blank. This one even named Snopes in the text as having verified the offer. When I went to Snopes I discovered that it was indeed a hoax. But because the e-mail said it wasn't my friend forwarded it on....
In this age of instant access to information, I frequently wonder if we are losing our ability to reason and consider what is truth. When I was growing up you could pretty much bet that if you saw something in print, it was true. That isn't necessarily the case any more, but have we made that adjustment? I heard a line a sitcom the other night, one guy was asked what he did at work and he listed off some tasks, finishing with "... messing with Wikipedia entries." We do have to be careful and consider the source when we research, read and hear things. But how does this apply to Bible Study? I'm getting there... in a round-about way.
When we study together, we share our viewpoints, opinions, and interpretations which are all naturally colored by our own unique experiences. In the same way, study guides, movie dramatizations, web sites and other interpretive tools for the Bible are colored by the author's experiences and understanding. For instance, I am a big fan of "The Message." There are some word choices that I find awkward and would like to change, but for the most part it puts the Word into a format that I can easily read and relate to my daily life. But, more importantly for me, it adds a degree of emotion and liveliness that really speaks to me. I always try to remember that this is a paraphrase and start out with one of the more scholarly versions, try to keep it in perspective with varying degrees of success.
So, while I am currently a HUGE fan of DVD dramatizations of the Gospel, I always try to keep in mind that it is one person's interpretation and vision of what God is saying to us. But that is the beauty of it, God is still talking to us and inviting us into relationship with him. He is using all the resources he has to reach out to us. And all we have to do is listen to that quiet, inner voice for the invitation and then say... yes!
Just yesterday I got another one of those e-mails. You know what I'm talking about. If you forward this to so many people you will get a free _________. You fill in the blank. This one even named Snopes in the text as having verified the offer. When I went to Snopes I discovered that it was indeed a hoax. But because the e-mail said it wasn't my friend forwarded it on....
In this age of instant access to information, I frequently wonder if we are losing our ability to reason and consider what is truth. When I was growing up you could pretty much bet that if you saw something in print, it was true. That isn't necessarily the case any more, but have we made that adjustment? I heard a line a sitcom the other night, one guy was asked what he did at work and he listed off some tasks, finishing with "... messing with Wikipedia entries." We do have to be careful and consider the source when we research, read and hear things. But how does this apply to Bible Study? I'm getting there... in a round-about way.
When we study together, we share our viewpoints, opinions, and interpretations which are all naturally colored by our own unique experiences. In the same way, study guides, movie dramatizations, web sites and other interpretive tools for the Bible are colored by the author's experiences and understanding. For instance, I am a big fan of "The Message." There are some word choices that I find awkward and would like to change, but for the most part it puts the Word into a format that I can easily read and relate to my daily life. But, more importantly for me, it adds a degree of emotion and liveliness that really speaks to me. I always try to remember that this is a paraphrase and start out with one of the more scholarly versions, try to keep it in perspective with varying degrees of success.
So, while I am currently a HUGE fan of DVD dramatizations of the Gospel, I always try to keep in mind that it is one person's interpretation and vision of what God is saying to us. But that is the beauty of it, God is still talking to us and inviting us into relationship with him. He is using all the resources he has to reach out to us. And all we have to do is listen to that quiet, inner voice for the invitation and then say... yes!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The New Covenant
One of he things I like most about our group is the way we care for each other and for others. We always open our meetings with prayer and there were many and very serious concerns this week. It struck me that even people who seem very calm, together and care free are engaged in great battles and we have no idea. So today i ask you to pray for strength and faith for all engaged in struggles.
You know how they say never stop learning? i learned a new word today! Exegesis. It means an explanation or critical interpretation of a text. (Good thing I am a good speller and could find it!) That is what we did today with verses 2:14-3:6. Having the background information made this passage much more meaningful. Paul is comparing the advancement of the Gospel to a Roman triumphus, or parade. This was the highest honor given to a victorious general and included state officials, the Senate, trumpeters, spoils/booty, pictures and models of the conquered land, a white bull for the sacrifice, captives to be put to death or enslaved, musicians, priests with censors, and finally, the general. There were obviously a lot of aromas associates with such a spectacle, and for some they invoke victory and strength, while for others they are the smell of their impending death. In the same way the word of Christ is victory and comfort and triumph for some, but for others who do not embrace the word it is the smell of conviction and death. The message for the Corinthians - and for us - is that as persecuted as they were at that time, they will be triumphant in Christ.
In the next section Paul once again defends his authority, but by saying that he doesn't need to defend himself because the faith and practice of the church are proof of his authority. He points out that the New Covenant (foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-33) is about living out the letter of the law in your personal life. When God made a covenant with Israel and gave the laws to Moses, he gave the newly freed slaves rules that defined sin and the appropriate punishments. They needed structure and direction in order to become an independent, free society. In the same way the New Covenant provides guidance for believers to become an independent and coherent community. But it moves to a different level, with God promising to be in relationship withe individuals, writing his law with spirit on our spirits and hearts.
In The Chronicles of Narnia Lucy says that farther she goes into Narnia, the bigger it gets. We agreed it is the same with the Bible. The more and deeper we study, the more meaning there is. That points up the need for study in community, to share our different perspectives and the words that jump out to each one, sharing the work and word of God in each life. God is speaking to individual hearts, and our unique interpretation is colored by our experiences. My God is a God of change - reaching out to us over and over again in ways that we will understand and receive. He offered the Israelites the Ten Commandments, but offered the Corinthians, and us, the New Covenant. God promises that we will be his people and he will be our God, forgiving our sins with the ultimate sacrifice.
You know how they say never stop learning? i learned a new word today! Exegesis. It means an explanation or critical interpretation of a text. (Good thing I am a good speller and could find it!) That is what we did today with verses 2:14-3:6. Having the background information made this passage much more meaningful. Paul is comparing the advancement of the Gospel to a Roman triumphus, or parade. This was the highest honor given to a victorious general and included state officials, the Senate, trumpeters, spoils/booty, pictures and models of the conquered land, a white bull for the sacrifice, captives to be put to death or enslaved, musicians, priests with censors, and finally, the general. There were obviously a lot of aromas associates with such a spectacle, and for some they invoke victory and strength, while for others they are the smell of their impending death. In the same way the word of Christ is victory and comfort and triumph for some, but for others who do not embrace the word it is the smell of conviction and death. The message for the Corinthians - and for us - is that as persecuted as they were at that time, they will be triumphant in Christ.
In the next section Paul once again defends his authority, but by saying that he doesn't need to defend himself because the faith and practice of the church are proof of his authority. He points out that the New Covenant (foretold in Jeremiah 31:31-33) is about living out the letter of the law in your personal life. When God made a covenant with Israel and gave the laws to Moses, he gave the newly freed slaves rules that defined sin and the appropriate punishments. They needed structure and direction in order to become an independent, free society. In the same way the New Covenant provides guidance for believers to become an independent and coherent community. But it moves to a different level, with God promising to be in relationship withe individuals, writing his law with spirit on our spirits and hearts.
In The Chronicles of Narnia Lucy says that farther she goes into Narnia, the bigger it gets. We agreed it is the same with the Bible. The more and deeper we study, the more meaning there is. That points up the need for study in community, to share our different perspectives and the words that jump out to each one, sharing the work and word of God in each life. God is speaking to individual hearts, and our unique interpretation is colored by our experiences. My God is a God of change - reaching out to us over and over again in ways that we will understand and receive. He offered the Israelites the Ten Commandments, but offered the Corinthians, and us, the New Covenant. God promises that we will be his people and he will be our God, forgiving our sins with the ultimate sacrifice.
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