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!

The End of the Minor Prophets

After nearly a semester of discussion, lecture, and writing on the board (not me, the students) we have reached the prophet Malachi. What an amazing book it is!! The marvelous reward today was that the students paid more attention to the small, apparently insignificant themes in Malachi that were large, very significant themes in the other eleven prophets (that's why it is called the "Book of the Twelve"). That is marvelous because it means they have learned that there are themes in the OT that continue to repeat themselves over and again. That is a valuable lesson.

This blog is designed to relate the past, sometimes dusty and dry, to the future, not always that spotless and pristine. The lesson from Malachi is that the present can learn from the past. If Malachi continues to repeat themes that were introduced by Amos and Hosea 400 years previous (at least by my reckoning), then it is highly likely that those same themes may just be relevant now, a mere 24oo years later. Could that be possible?

Is it possible that the universal sovereignty of this god frequently called by the proper noun, GOD, or G_D, or YHWH, or LORD, or some other proper noun is still a reality?

Is it possible that this deity is concerned more about how we live than how we worship?

Is it possible that the divine figure reported to send prophets who prophesy prophecies is actually concerned about the treatment of the poor, the widow, the stranger and foreigner?

Is it possible that the issues that were stumbling blocks for a people living in the region on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean and their religious perspective could also be the same stumbling blocks for people living there (and elsewhere, especially in places that don't even border the Mediterranean Sea) in this century that is so "modern"?

Is it possible that the result of biblical illiteracy (that's for my friend Nancy deClaisse-Walford) is not merely ignorance but blindness to the whole idea of the divine?

I love the prophets. They provide so few answers and so many unanswered questions.

Have a Major (and not too minor) week.

Minor Prophets and Life: Do they matter?

I really enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. I REALLY enjoy teaching the class on the Minor Prophets. Do you get it?? The Minor Prophets, so far Hosea, Amos, and Micah, are extremely relevant to the world we live in. If the Church read them and took their message to heart she would either be a) really ticked off or b) ready to repent and take God seriously. Take Micah for example. in 6.6 the prophet says "With what shall I come to the LORD And bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings, With yearling calves?" The prophets continually challenge the ancient Judahites and Israelites who thought that proper religious activity was sufficient to please their God. But God is more concerned with how they are treating others.

What would the world be like if the Church took option b?

Perspective

Well I'll admit, the reason for this post originates in a comment my youngest son made yesterday at the football game. While sitting in the near nose-bleed section he turned to me and asked, "Is it all right that I want to turn around and tell that guy to just shut up?" We were blessed to have a professional football commentator behind us informing those in the area of all the ways that the quarterback, wide receiver, offensive line, defense, etc. were playing. You've been there too. Sitting too close to someone who is much more knowledgeable than the coach whose reputation is flawless and whose record is incredible.

It makes one ponder how necessary perspective is. Perspective is shaped by expectations. At a football game one can bring expectations, of the coach, the players, the final outcome, and for some, the margin of victory. When our expectations are not met, we lose perspective that it is just a game and has no impact on our world today, tomorrow, or next week.

The good thing is that people don't ever lose perspective on the world that we live in!!! We never have expectations on who God is, how God should act, how God's people should act, or how our lives should be blessed!!! (!!! indicates a high level of sarcasm)

Perhaps our perspective could be changed if we refocused our expectations on who God tells us He is, how God has acted in the past, how God's people should act, or how our lives should be blessed. If we were thankful for the opportunity to learn, to live, and to love and be loved, it may change the words that come forth from our mouths and cause others to respond to the pessimism we often time demonstrate.