Monday, November 15, 2010

Our Identity

Who are we as a nation? The recent 2010 election will redefine us in part, but doesn't necessarily solve the question. Does the action of Washington DC define us through legislative actions, or are we more precisely defined by the events recorded in newspapers and reporting services across this vast land? The question of identity is frequently responded to by a series of questions that we ponder from time to time.
Romans 8 is a segment of the Bible that focuses on identity. How should believers in Jesus as Messiah view themselves? It is sufficient to say that Paul does not consider the race card an appropriate means of identity! He processes through the chapter with statement after statement: not in the flesh but in the spirit, not slaves but children, not merely children but heirs. These descriptions of identity ultimately lead to several questions at the end of the chapter and perhaps further clarification in chapters 9-11. But what is interesting about these questions is how Paul wants us to regard them.
Paul introduces the questions with a question, "what shall we say?" and proceeds to ask specific questions and give somewhat loosely related answers. However, the thrill of understanding Romans is when one recognizes that this is not the first time that Paul has asked this question. On several occasions Paul has asked the "what shall we say?" question and followed it up with one or more questions. In 3.3-4, and 3.5-6 he begins his rhetoric. This is followed in 6 and 7 with a series of 4 repetitions, 6.1, 6.15, 7.7 and 7.13. Thus on six prior occasions the auditor has heard Paul ask a question and known his reply, me genoito.
Now Paul asks, one more time, "what shall we say?" and the anticipated answer is me genoito! But Paul himself does not provide the elicited response. He proceeds to ask several questions about our identity. The kind of questions we ponder with no real answers, culminating with "who could separate us from the love of Christ?"
Understanding our identity leads us to live in certain ways and discuss issues with a certain background. On the basis of Romans, "who can separate us from the love of Christ?" when we are in the spirit, children of God and jointheirs with Christ?

Saturday, August 14, 2010

the Irresistable revolution (or some such title)

My son has been reading Shayne Claiborne and bouncing ideas off of me and his own facebook cronies. What I find interesting is that the challenge of Claiborne and many of his ilk are not directed toward the biblical text, but toward how individuals have appropriated the biblical text in their lives and proclaim their practice as the "christian" way.

For the historically minded (that includes recent and Old Testament history), one is not surprised at the critique Claiborne provides. The fault is not his. Throughout ancient and recent history voices (should I call them prophetic?) have uttered the same challenge to their generation's appropriation of the biblical text (even before it was 'biblical').

But what Claiborne (at least from my son's account of him to me) and others fail to deal with is that the issue is not the biblical text, or even the salvation stance of those they criticize. The critical issue is an exploration of the interpretation of the biblical text. Until we begin to examine how we (I, you, others who do so) interpret the text and have a transparent conversation, there will be little change.

Unfortunately, the ones criticized by Claiborne don't pause to think about the how or why of interpretation. They are not challenged by the leaders of their congregations to think, but rather to act; as if acting correctly makes one correct.

Start considering that we are part of a long history of humanity who has attempted to interpret the message of God and that we are far more prone to get it wrong than to get it right. Then we might assume we have something to learn rather than act as if we have it all together.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Oversimplification of the Bible

I have had several conversations this past week that have revolved (that's a Greek Perfect... an action completed in the past that still impacts the present) around the same topic: the oversimplification of God and/or the Bible. It is common for a child who is learning a new, complex concept to want to get it in a simple terms and ideas initially. It is even common for adults, who learned a concept at an early age, but have not pursued further knowledge in that area to maintain a simplistic discussion. For example, my son took Anatomy and Physiology. He speaks of various specific muscles and muscle groups when I refer to my calf or shoulder muscles hurting.

What is unusual is that someone who would claim to be a follower of Jesus would be content maintaining a simplified view of God or of the Bible. Although not wrong, such a perspective is deficient. The biggest problem is it leads to the attitude that since I understand God or the Bible in a simplistic way, that I understand God or the Bible completely. Although I might be able to discuss the makeup of an atom as possessing a nucleus and protons and/or electrons, that doesn't mean that I understand subatomic physics.

If God is the God who created this world we live in, and has been seeking humans for fellowship ever since, then is it possible that this God is more complex than our human mind can fathom?

Just a random thought this morning.

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Shack

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking my son back to Manhattan. With two other drivers available, I spent my time in the back seat reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. Those who know me well will know that I do not read "pop" religious literature on a frequent basis. However, since my wife is reading the book with some ladies at church and I had just returned from vacation, I decided to give my brain some further rest.
As a fictional novel I found The Shack to be an emotional rollercoaster. Young deals with some of the most emotionally gripping issues of our culture, the senseless evil of child kidnapping and murder. The strength of the plot provides this book a reason for continued reading alone.
As religious literature, Young broaches post-modernity in a public forum. His theological dialogues are aimed at challenging the rigidness of modernity and the pride of humanity in thinking it has arrived at all the correct answers. I can see where The Shack would prove challenging for the many pewsitters who don't take time to (re)evaluate their religious beliefs. For the theologically adept, Young provides little that is new. His purpose is to shake up the stodgy, not write a systematic theology.
The amazing elements are the numerous intertextual allusions to biblical teaching. Since the time of Luther there have been officially recognized differences of opinion on what biblical passages imply for our understanding of God. Young frequently makes references to biblical passages without citing them chapter and verse. This style of writing requires the reader to catch those audience conventions to fully recognize what is taking place. The biblically illiterate reader will be lost during those times and may accuse the author of "making things up."
The Shack brings the Bible to a readership where there is increasing biblical illiteracy. Perhaps the plot will cause some readers to increase their own understanding of the intertextual corpus and find a deeper understanding to the dialogue with Elousia, Jesse, and Sarayu.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Keeping the End in Sight

The past two weeks have seen a rare occasion, two sons graduating from two institutions on two different weekends. With our first college and final high school graduations under our belts we stop and pause to reflect. Is graduation the end or is it actually a commencement and a new beginning? Something has been achieved and yet there is so much more to achieve. For those familiar with this blogger, such paradoxical thoughts are frequent.

But now to the larger point. On May 30, I will be presenting a biblical moment of praise and worship in support of my pastor's vacation. The passage of choice is Philippians 2. 1-11. My approach is to start with the end and to work backwards. It is extremely easy in biblical study to start at the beginning and read to the end, having forgotten what the beginning actually was about! By forgetting the goal, the actions become de-contextualized and take on divergent possible meanings.

The final phrase of 2.11 is "eis doxan theou patros", to the glory of God the Father. Everything presented in the Kenosis Hymn of 2.6-11 is for this single purpose. Everything Paul asks of the church at Philippi in 2.1-5 is for this single purpose.

If God is eternal with no beginning and no end, then this purpose never ceases to direct the thoughts and actions of the Godhead or the church. When that purpose is out of focus then those proclaiming to be "of the Father" aren't.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Random Theological Thought Patterns

During my recent mental excursions I was pondering Genesis 2:15-3:22, specifically the first and last verses, and how to relate this theological account to a contemporary (careful not to confuse that adjective with the less specific 'modern') audience. My circuitous route took me from Genesis to the Gospel of John and its strongly characterized relationship in chapter 1 with Genesis 1. The punishment for Adam and Eve's failure to adhere to the gardener's instruction was to be removed from the presence of a single tree.

The tree under consideration is called the "tree of life" whereby the fruit when consumed gives life. It then became clear to me that Jesus, as presented in the Gospel of John, provides life, appearing a mere 36 times in 32 different verses. Of greater consideration is that it appears 32 times in the first 12 chapters.

The result of Genesis 2 is denial of access to the tree of life, the result of Jesus' coming is access to life, not in the form of a tree, but in the form of Jesus. The reason for the removal of Adam and Eve from the garden was to prevent them from "eating" the fruit that gives life and living forever, the invitation of John 6:41 is to eat and live forever.

I find it irrational that a contemporary reader of John's Gospel can seek to find meaning, true meaning, fulfilling meaning, in the Gospel without also becoming aware of the Old Testament messages. The two walk hand in hand.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

American Idol?

After spending a brief 45 minutes on Philippians 2:19-30 in class, it became apparent that there was more to say. Philippians 2:19-30 is an underrepresented segment of Paul's letter to his dear co-workers and co-participants, and perhaps even co-conspirators for the kingdom, who happen to reside in a very Roman Philippi. Squished between the Kenosis Hymn (don't know if anyone has called it that but Philippian Hymn is overused) and the Pauline self-revelation, it is easy to overlook this brief, newsy, and predictably irrelevant part of the letter (since it is so very contextual in time and space). But that is really missing the point of the entire letter. The Kenosis hymn is only an example, but an example that for many individuals is completely theoretical (or if you please, theological). The segment under discussion is the whole organizational motif of the investment of time, money, and skill in sending someone--Epaphroditus--to Philippi.

Ancient Philippi was likely no different than modern America; individuals were idolized for all the right (sociologically speaking) reasons. But that is the point isn't it. This kingdom is not about being sociologically or politically correct. The kingdom is about being righteous. (A side note, since I'm not monetizing this blog I can do this--NT Wright's new book on Justification is tremendous for explaining this issue in simple words, although the argument is rather complex.) If the Philippian believers are to idolize anyone it should be someone who is willing to die for the affairs of another. This segment brings two individuals who are like that to their attention, Timothy and Epaphroditus.

The question becomes, who is idolized among American believers?


Just something to think about!

Monday, April 5, 2010

Philippians is SOOO Cool

Working with class on Philippians 2.1-4 is sooo very cool. The content and language precision make it a primo teaching opportunity on interpretation, theology and a host of other concepts that get left behind in our normal haste to reach 2.6-11.
The real key to getting the most out of this passage is to leave your list at home!!! Paul is not writing lists to be followed in a legalistic fashion, he is describing in vivid color the situation. But the discussion did raise one of those fantastic Medieval questions, "Is God humble?"

That's a reason to pause

Monday, March 29, 2010

Does the Bible really matter?

Here is a question to ponder, "Does the Bible really matter?" If the answer is no, why spend so much time studying it. If the answer is yes, why not take it more seriously. A headline in the Wichita Eagle on March 29, 2010 states "Agriculture, Humane Society agendas clash". The first line reads "An escalating conflict in the United States pits . . . " That is the real issue. How is conflict resolved on a larger social scale when the conflict is based on conflicting priorities?

If the Bible really matters, then it becomes a priority. The study of the Bible, and the change of perspective associated with such study, will create a place for dialogue in the midst of disagreement, for compassion in the midst of conflict, for action in the midst of apathy. Priorities give order to our lives. When the priorities are at odds and their is no common ground, the result is chaos.

Does the Bible really matter? It's not just a theoretical question!

Friday, March 26, 2010

Giving Thanks

Today in Philippians we began with the question, "What is Philippians about?" Based on our discussion on Wednesday, the "correct" answer for today was not "joy", "Epaphroditus" or "Timothy" but to model a relationship that should be emulated. As we moved through the prayer section it became obvious that we too quickly skip over important information to get to the "hot topic" area. Paul begins with the word "Eucharistw", I give thanks. As Maundy Thursday fast approaches, it is important to remember that the Eucharist derives from giving thanks. Is it possible to worship at Easter by giving thanks for the provision God has made? Do we rush through the important information to get to the "sound bite"? Is Easter about the miracle of resurrection or is it about God working what we in our weakness could not?

Just a quick Easter moment.

Monday, February 15, 2010

Spiritual Blessings: Are they that important?

Well, I've returned to the classroom and opened the Bible again. I've spent several weeks on Paul prepping the class before we turn to Ephesians and Philippians. But this week we got to Ephesians chapter 1. It is interesting as I have looked at the outlines the students provided. Some have no structure, thus their reading of the letter has no structure. Words and ideas flow from words and ideas one after another, just like the skulls coming down in the Path of the Dead in LOTR 3. Others had structure, but it seemed artificially or imported from another source. But some actually struggled with the idea and incorporated an outline that was informative to me the outside reader. All that to say that where you start does determine where you end up!!!

But back to blessings. Ephesians 1:3-14 is the passage in question at the moment. It was frequently called a EULOGY from the Greek term to speak a good word. Later, when scholars started to realize Paul may have actually maintained some Jewishness started to call it a BERAKAH, from the Hebrew term to speak a good word. WOW!!! But what are the blessings???
Well the topic of discussion is either GOD as the acting subject or IN HIM where God is the place of the blessing. The whole passage serves to act as a starting point for the discussion of Ephesians. The starting place is God and God's actions to provide and bless humanity.
The blessings?
v. 4 We are "Holy and Blameless" in other words, Clean
v. 5 We are now Sons and Daughters, in other words, Family
v. 7 We are redeemed in His Grace, in other words, set free
v. 9-10 We are provided understanding of God's plan, in other words Christ in and over all
v. 11 We have an inheritance, in other words, we are trusted by God
v. 13 We possess the seal, in other words, we are marked by God as his own through the Spirit

The reason?
v. 6 to the praise of his Glory
v. 12 to the praise of his Glory
v. 14 to the praise of his Glory

So the question remains, is Ephesians about us or about God? That is the question!

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Take a Survey on the Bible

My professional organization, the Society for Biblical Literature, is conducting a survey as part of a Grant to start a Website. Please encourage your friends to take a moment and complete it.


Thanks,

More posts coming soon as I start a class on Paul, Ephesians, and Philippians!!!