Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9
Context
This psalm is written for a royal wedding, and so makes a fit response to the reading from the Song of Songs. The lectionary chooses a limited selection of verses that (slightly) fit our current idea of a properly romantic royal wedding.
Listening to the writer
List the characteristics of a good king given in the psalm. Do you think these reflect the opinions of the writer - or what the writer thinks the king wants to hear? (From reading this psalm, are we intended to learn what makes a good king, or to learn how to flatter?)
In verse 6, does God suddenly become the audience, or is the psalm still addressed to the king? Sudden changes of addressee do occur in psalms (presumably music, a different singer, etc. made the meaning clear in the original). But it was also common in the ancient Near East to address the king as "god", and Israel had its fair share of idolatry. Remember that the Psalms do not always speak for God; they represent how real humans speak to God.
At verse 10 the addressee explicitly changes to the bride. Consider the advice she receives.
Listening to God
There are multiple ways to listen to God in the psalms. For psalms addressed to God, the simplest and often best is to pray them. But this won't work in this case. Instead, try one of the following:
Consider attitudes about marriage. How do the attitudes in this psalm reflect or contradict your views of what makes a good marriage? Throughout history, the vast majority of marriages have been arranged for reasons other than "being in love," and there is never any indication in Scripture that God finds this to be a problem. Ask God - what makes for a good marriage?
Or, read the psalm in the context of the marriage between Christ and Church. Listen to verses 10-17 as addressed to you. Does any of the advice provide insights into your relationship with God and others?
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Defiled.
Mark 7:1-23
Context
After a brief interlude in John, we return to Mark, the governing gospel for this year's lectionary. Gospels can be read at many levels - each small story can be read in itself, but each forms part of a larger whole. Often we read Gospels like we watch a sit-com - we know the basic setting, but the order of the episodes doesn't really matter. This is unfortunate, because the Gospels are more like a TV series with a developing story line - "The Office" - where individual episodes can be seen, but some details only make sense within the larger context.
So, the story thus far:
We readers have been told that Jesus is "the Son of God" from Mark 1:1, but the people he interacts with are clueless. They follow him as a disciple of John the Baptist, as an exorcist, as a healer, and as a teacher. He gets in conflicts with the religious establishment over Sabbath rules and forgiveness; most recently he has fed thousands and walked on water. His popularity is high as we enter this week's reading.
Listening to the writer
"Defiling" is a word we don't use much these days. "Bill, could you defile last month's expense report for me? I need to look at it again..." Some translations use "make unclean" rather than "defile". In the story, "to defile" is to make someone unfit for worship of YHWH, the one true God of the Jews.
The story's meaning for Mark is clear, in various contexts:
1) In the Gospel as a whole, the Pharisees and Scribes challenge Jesus' authority as a teacher, and they lose;
2) In the story itself, Jesus teaches that it is attitudes and immoral behaviors that make us unfit for worship, and that tradition can not overrule the word of God;
3) In Mark's first century Christian context, he uses the story to claim that Jewish food laws are not important - an issue that provided much controversy in early Christianity.
Listening to God
What do you think makes people "unfit for worship"? I have seen attitudes all over the map. Some people care about dress ("you shouldn't wear jeans to church" or "I don't mind what people wear, so long as it's CLEAN"). Some care about behavior ("can you believe she's here after what she said?"). Some care about frequency ("They only come on Christmas and Easter.") Some care about attitudes ("He's such a hypocrite" or "she's so unforgiving").
Spend some time with God in two areas:
Miscellaneous Meanderings
"The things that come out are what defile." The human heart - or the human brain, as we now label the seat of motives and emotions - is a complicated beast. We have within us the potential for great good and great evil. Deep within each of us are drives for selfishness ("I must survive") and self sacrifice ("my community must survive"), for lifetime bonding ("We must raise offspring") and uncontrolled lust ("I must make as many children as possible"), and the list goes on.
It's tempting to believe that our decisions are primarily made consciously, that our "lower" or "reactive" brain doesn't have much influence on ourselves. Don't give in to this temptation. We are deeply influenced by what goes on underneath our thought processes. "The things that come out are what defile."
Of particular import right now, for some of my readers: dear college freshmen, it is incredibly tempting to believe that you will not be a fool for love, for alcohol, for whatever thing you've always wanted to try but your parents wouldn't let you. Millions of freshmen have thought the same before you. And it's quite true that a drink or two won't destroy your life, and a kiss or two can be quite fun, and people can recover from all kinds of "disasters".
It's also quite true that binge drinking can kill you, that sex can quickly take over your life, and that most rules had a good reason behind them at one time or another. Don't underestimate the power of your lower brain - and try not to overestimate the power of your will. Become part of a community that can help you make good decisions, and pick you up when you fall.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
After a brief interlude in John, we return to Mark, the governing gospel for this year's lectionary. Gospels can be read at many levels - each small story can be read in itself, but each forms part of a larger whole. Often we read Gospels like we watch a sit-com - we know the basic setting, but the order of the episodes doesn't really matter. This is unfortunate, because the Gospels are more like a TV series with a developing story line - "The Office" - where individual episodes can be seen, but some details only make sense within the larger context.
So, the story thus far:
We readers have been told that Jesus is "the Son of God" from Mark 1:1, but the people he interacts with are clueless. They follow him as a disciple of John the Baptist, as an exorcist, as a healer, and as a teacher. He gets in conflicts with the religious establishment over Sabbath rules and forgiveness; most recently he has fed thousands and walked on water. His popularity is high as we enter this week's reading.
Listening to the writer
"Defiling" is a word we don't use much these days. "Bill, could you defile last month's expense report for me? I need to look at it again..." Some translations use "make unclean" rather than "defile". In the story, "to defile" is to make someone unfit for worship of YHWH, the one true God of the Jews.
The story's meaning for Mark is clear, in various contexts:
1) In the Gospel as a whole, the Pharisees and Scribes challenge Jesus' authority as a teacher, and they lose;
2) In the story itself, Jesus teaches that it is attitudes and immoral behaviors that make us unfit for worship, and that tradition can not overrule the word of God;
3) In Mark's first century Christian context, he uses the story to claim that Jewish food laws are not important - an issue that provided much controversy in early Christianity.
Listening to God
What do you think makes people "unfit for worship"? I have seen attitudes all over the map. Some people care about dress ("you shouldn't wear jeans to church" or "I don't mind what people wear, so long as it's CLEAN"). Some care about behavior ("can you believe she's here after what she said?"). Some care about frequency ("They only come on Christmas and Easter.") Some care about attitudes ("He's such a hypocrite" or "she's so unforgiving").
Spend some time with God in two areas:
- Are there times when you think other people are unfit for worship? Why?
- Are there times when you think you are unfit for worship? Why?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
"The things that come out are what defile." The human heart - or the human brain, as we now label the seat of motives and emotions - is a complicated beast. We have within us the potential for great good and great evil. Deep within each of us are drives for selfishness ("I must survive") and self sacrifice ("my community must survive"), for lifetime bonding ("We must raise offspring") and uncontrolled lust ("I must make as many children as possible"), and the list goes on.
It's tempting to believe that our decisions are primarily made consciously, that our "lower" or "reactive" brain doesn't have much influence on ourselves. Don't give in to this temptation. We are deeply influenced by what goes on underneath our thought processes. "The things that come out are what defile."
Of particular import right now, for some of my readers: dear college freshmen, it is incredibly tempting to believe that you will not be a fool for love, for alcohol, for whatever thing you've always wanted to try but your parents wouldn't let you. Millions of freshmen have thought the same before you. And it's quite true that a drink or two won't destroy your life, and a kiss or two can be quite fun, and people can recover from all kinds of "disasters".
It's also quite true that binge drinking can kill you, that sex can quickly take over your life, and that most rules had a good reason behind them at one time or another. Don't underestimate the power of your lower brain - and try not to overestimate the power of your will. Become part of a community that can help you make good decisions, and pick you up when you fall.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
True Religion
James 1:17-27
Context
Our epistle lesson for the next five weeks comes from James, a letter written traditionally by James the brother of Jesus, leader of the church in Jerusalem, to "the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" - either literally to the Jewish Christians spread throughout the empire, or metaphorically to the dispersed Church, the new Israel. James is a relatively didactic letter and the ancient context is perhaps less important than it is for many Biblical texts. It's worth taking the time to read the first 16 verses of the chapter, however.
Listening to the writer
James doesn't leave much to the imagination:
God gives good gifts.
Don't be angry at the trials and temptations of the world; instead, accept God's good gift of the word.
Just do it.
Listening to God
Spend some time in silence focusing on one or more of the following questions:
What good gifts has God given you lately?
When was the last time you got angry? What good came from your anger? What harm came from it?
When was the last time you heard a word from God and obeyed it? Disobeyed it?
Do you need to focus more on "caring for widows and orphans in their distress," or on being "unstained by the world?"
Miscellaneous Meanderings
More than most books, I hear people saying either "I love James" or "I can't stand James." I think this is because James shows his colors more than many of the Biblical authors - he is a conservative, through and through. James sees what is right with the world and wants to preserve it. Doubt and anger are to be avoided; trials are to be celebrated, and even temptations - though coming from our own wicked hearts, not from God - can lead to good if we endure them.
So, if you love James - be careful. He's not the only voice in Scripture, and there are times when doubt provides opportunity for learning (John 14) and when anger bears much fruit (John 2:17). And make sure you listen to his words on riches... which reflect conservative Christian thought, but not conservative American thought!
And, if you hate James - be careful. The world is God's creation, and there is much that is right with the world and needs to be preserved. More often than not, we do get what we pay for. Personal disaster is not always the result of personal sin - but it can be, and often is.
As is true with much of life, if you want to grow while reading James, listen to the parts that you don't like, look in the mirror, and let God help you in your spiritual grooming.
For a great reinterpretation on the mirror, click here.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
Our epistle lesson for the next five weeks comes from James, a letter written traditionally by James the brother of Jesus, leader of the church in Jerusalem, to "the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" - either literally to the Jewish Christians spread throughout the empire, or metaphorically to the dispersed Church, the new Israel. James is a relatively didactic letter and the ancient context is perhaps less important than it is for many Biblical texts. It's worth taking the time to read the first 16 verses of the chapter, however.
Listening to the writer
James doesn't leave much to the imagination:
God gives good gifts.
Don't be angry at the trials and temptations of the world; instead, accept God's good gift of the word.
Just do it.
Listening to God
Spend some time in silence focusing on one or more of the following questions:
What good gifts has God given you lately?
When was the last time you got angry? What good came from your anger? What harm came from it?
When was the last time you heard a word from God and obeyed it? Disobeyed it?
Do you need to focus more on "caring for widows and orphans in their distress," or on being "unstained by the world?"
Miscellaneous Meanderings
More than most books, I hear people saying either "I love James" or "I can't stand James." I think this is because James shows his colors more than many of the Biblical authors - he is a conservative, through and through. James sees what is right with the world and wants to preserve it. Doubt and anger are to be avoided; trials are to be celebrated, and even temptations - though coming from our own wicked hearts, not from God - can lead to good if we endure them.
So, if you love James - be careful. He's not the only voice in Scripture, and there are times when doubt provides opportunity for learning (John 14) and when anger bears much fruit (John 2:17). And make sure you listen to his words on riches... which reflect conservative Christian thought, but not conservative American thought!
And, if you hate James - be careful. The world is God's creation, and there is much that is right with the world and needs to be preserved. More often than not, we do get what we pay for. Personal disaster is not always the result of personal sin - but it can be, and often is.
As is true with much of life, if you want to grow while reading James, listen to the parts that you don't like, look in the mirror, and let God help you in your spiritual grooming.
For a great reinterpretation on the mirror, click here.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Arise, my love, and come away.
Song of Songs 2:8-13
Context
The "Song of Songs" or "Song of Solomon" is a wedding song, traditionally composed for one of Solomon's many weddings. It includes many voices, but they are not always identified, and sometimes it is difficult to tell who is speaking. Today's reading is clear enough - the bride is speaking about the groom, and quotes him as he speaks to her.
Listening to the writer
The meaning of the text is straightforward. The emotion of the text is harder, as poetry is difficult to translate, but this section translates reasonably well. Among the weddings I have performed, this is the second favorite passage chosen by couples (the favorite is overwhelmingly 1 Corinthians 13).
But let's listen to the canonizers - the people who decided "yes, this is part of Scripture." Why do you think they would include love poetry among the divine books?
At times, the Song of Songs has been treated as dangerous territory. We have records of times when men were not allowed to read the Song until they were at least 30 years of age; it contains numerous polite references to anatomy, along with some not-very-subtle metaphors. Do you think this is in keeping with, or opposed to, the intent of the original canonizers?
Listening to God
The Church has often interpreted the Song as an allegory for the love between God and the Church, in keeping with many clear uses of this metaphor in Scripture. I invite you to think of "being in love" with God or with another human (or both) as you ponder:
How do you feel when you see or sense your beloved?
Are you currently in, or can you recall, an emotional season of "winter and rain"? Imagine your beloved calling out to you: "The winter is past, the rain is over and gone." If the Christian hope is fulfilled, all of creation will someday hear that call from Christ.
"Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away..." Allow yourself to hear those words from your beloved.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Kendall and I will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. Our song is from Styx' Paradise Theatre - "The best of times, are when I'm alone with you... some rain, some shine, we'll make this a world for two." I am an introvert at heart, and I really love being alone with her, just eating or playing games or reading or watching a movie...
Alone time with God is important too, but it is somehow easier for me to let slip. I get busy, with my work and with Kendall. God does not intrude nearly as well as Kendall does; alone time with God sometimes is work. But it's important, if I want our relationship to flourish. And when I'm honest, I realize I don't really want to make this "a world for two." Kendall and I rely on hundreds of people that contribute meaning to our lives through relationships, and thousands of people to make possible the food we eat, the games we play, the books we read, and the movies we watch. We need community.
But in the midst of that community, being in love - with God and with people - is a great gift.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
The "Song of Songs" or "Song of Solomon" is a wedding song, traditionally composed for one of Solomon's many weddings. It includes many voices, but they are not always identified, and sometimes it is difficult to tell who is speaking. Today's reading is clear enough - the bride is speaking about the groom, and quotes him as he speaks to her.
Listening to the writer
The meaning of the text is straightforward. The emotion of the text is harder, as poetry is difficult to translate, but this section translates reasonably well. Among the weddings I have performed, this is the second favorite passage chosen by couples (the favorite is overwhelmingly 1 Corinthians 13).
But let's listen to the canonizers - the people who decided "yes, this is part of Scripture." Why do you think they would include love poetry among the divine books?
At times, the Song of Songs has been treated as dangerous territory. We have records of times when men were not allowed to read the Song until they were at least 30 years of age; it contains numerous polite references to anatomy, along with some not-very-subtle metaphors. Do you think this is in keeping with, or opposed to, the intent of the original canonizers?
Listening to God
The Church has often interpreted the Song as an allegory for the love between God and the Church, in keeping with many clear uses of this metaphor in Scripture. I invite you to think of "being in love" with God or with another human (or both) as you ponder:
How do you feel when you see or sense your beloved?
Are you currently in, or can you recall, an emotional season of "winter and rain"? Imagine your beloved calling out to you: "The winter is past, the rain is over and gone." If the Christian hope is fulfilled, all of creation will someday hear that call from Christ.
"Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away..." Allow yourself to hear those words from your beloved.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
Kendall and I will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. Our song is from Styx' Paradise Theatre - "The best of times, are when I'm alone with you... some rain, some shine, we'll make this a world for two." I am an introvert at heart, and I really love being alone with her, just eating or playing games or reading or watching a movie...
Alone time with God is important too, but it is somehow easier for me to let slip. I get busy, with my work and with Kendall. God does not intrude nearly as well as Kendall does; alone time with God sometimes is work. But it's important, if I want our relationship to flourish. And when I'm honest, I realize I don't really want to make this "a world for two." Kendall and I rely on hundreds of people that contribute meaning to our lives through relationships, and thousands of people to make possible the food we eat, the games we play, the books we read, and the movies we watch. We need community.
But in the midst of that community, being in love - with God and with people - is a great gift.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
This is My Body
John 6:56-69
Context
This is the end of a long discourse by Jesus on "eating my flesh and drinking my blood". The idea is naturally repugnant to the audience - in addition to the obvious taboos surrounding cannibalism, having any blood whatever is against the Jewish law.
"Manna" is the mysterious substance that the Jews lived on while wandering in the wilderness after escaping Egypt.
Capernaum, on the sea of Galilee, was Simon Peter's home town and perhaps Jesus' "home base" for his ministry.
Listening to the writer
There is much in this passage - I'll focus on the beginning and end.
The first verses refer to communion - and probably to more than communion, or to communion as more than a simple meal. What do you think John means by eating Jesus' flesh or abiding in him?
The disciples struggle with this saying, and the early church struggled with many of Jesus' teachings. Those who listen struggle still. Why does Peter decide to stay?
Listening to God
What part does communion play in your life with God? I have some friends who find it pointless, and others who can't imagine going without it on a regular basis. Historically, it was a central part of early Christian worship, and has been an assumed part of every worship service throughout most of the Church in most times and places. Spend some time in meditation and prayer reflecting on what communion means for you, and whether God is calling you to dig deeper.
Most Christians I know do not struggle with Jesus' sayings at all. Peter's experience - of wondering what in the world Jesus meant, yet feeling that he had the key to life - is not often repeated today. We have tamed Jesus quite a bit. Take one of Jesus' sayings that you don't like, or that you disagree with, and meditate on it with God.* Is God asking you to finally start following? To disregard it? To reinterpret it?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I grew up in a church that had communion once a month, on Sunday evenings. We didn't hold it on Sunday mornings because there might have been a lot of non-believers there, and communion was only for people that really knew what it meant. It was a time to meditate on Jesus' pain and death, to be very sad, to repent in tears and recommit ourselves to Christ.
It was powerful, in a way, but definitely not a highlight of my walk with God.
In seminary, a bizarre thing happened - we had communion EVERY WEEK. I had never heard of such a thing, except for Catholics. (Protestants like me tend to forget that the majority of the Church has always been Catholic.) And I learned that it could be wonderful. Jesus said "remember me." He didn't say "wear a sad face when you remember me," or "remember my pain," or "feel horrible." He said "remember me." When I remember other people who have died, I occasionally remember their pain. If I was involved in their death (which does happen as a pastor) I once in a while recall feelings of guilt associated with it. But the vast majority of the time, I remember the thoughts and feelings that went along with the person. Remembering my mother, or close friends, brings joy and sweet sorrow - a longing for reconnection.
Communion is now a central part of my worship. I miss it when it's not there.
* Can't think of any? My guess is that you don't like the straightforward meaning of at least one of the following:
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark+10:17-23&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+5:17-19&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+6:15&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+7:13-14&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+14:25-27&version=nrsv
If you like all of those, send me an email and we'll find you one :-).
I would never council anyone to disregard one of Jesus' sayings; but one might conclude, after a lot of soul searching and study, that something recorded in one of the Gospels wasn't said by Jesus. I don't recommend taking that step lightly, but better to be honest with yourself than to take a statement you can't swallow and interpret it away.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
This is the end of a long discourse by Jesus on "eating my flesh and drinking my blood". The idea is naturally repugnant to the audience - in addition to the obvious taboos surrounding cannibalism, having any blood whatever is against the Jewish law.
"Manna" is the mysterious substance that the Jews lived on while wandering in the wilderness after escaping Egypt.
Capernaum, on the sea of Galilee, was Simon Peter's home town and perhaps Jesus' "home base" for his ministry.
Listening to the writer
There is much in this passage - I'll focus on the beginning and end.
The first verses refer to communion - and probably to more than communion, or to communion as more than a simple meal. What do you think John means by eating Jesus' flesh or abiding in him?
The disciples struggle with this saying, and the early church struggled with many of Jesus' teachings. Those who listen struggle still. Why does Peter decide to stay?
Listening to God
What part does communion play in your life with God? I have some friends who find it pointless, and others who can't imagine going without it on a regular basis. Historically, it was a central part of early Christian worship, and has been an assumed part of every worship service throughout most of the Church in most times and places. Spend some time in meditation and prayer reflecting on what communion means for you, and whether God is calling you to dig deeper.
Most Christians I know do not struggle with Jesus' sayings at all. Peter's experience - of wondering what in the world Jesus meant, yet feeling that he had the key to life - is not often repeated today. We have tamed Jesus quite a bit. Take one of Jesus' sayings that you don't like, or that you disagree with, and meditate on it with God.* Is God asking you to finally start following? To disregard it? To reinterpret it?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I grew up in a church that had communion once a month, on Sunday evenings. We didn't hold it on Sunday mornings because there might have been a lot of non-believers there, and communion was only for people that really knew what it meant. It was a time to meditate on Jesus' pain and death, to be very sad, to repent in tears and recommit ourselves to Christ.
It was powerful, in a way, but definitely not a highlight of my walk with God.
In seminary, a bizarre thing happened - we had communion EVERY WEEK. I had never heard of such a thing, except for Catholics. (Protestants like me tend to forget that the majority of the Church has always been Catholic.) And I learned that it could be wonderful. Jesus said "remember me." He didn't say "wear a sad face when you remember me," or "remember my pain," or "feel horrible." He said "remember me." When I remember other people who have died, I occasionally remember their pain. If I was involved in their death (which does happen as a pastor) I once in a while recall feelings of guilt associated with it. But the vast majority of the time, I remember the thoughts and feelings that went along with the person. Remembering my mother, or close friends, brings joy and sweet sorrow - a longing for reconnection.
Communion is now a central part of my worship. I miss it when it's not there.
* Can't think of any? My guess is that you don't like the straightforward meaning of at least one of the following:
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark+10:17-23&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+5:17-19&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+6:15&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Matthew+7:13-14&version=nrsv
http://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Luke+14:25-27&version=nrsv
If you like all of those, send me an email and we'll find you one :-).
I would never council anyone to disregard one of Jesus' sayings; but one might conclude, after a lot of soul searching and study, that something recorded in one of the Gospels wasn't said by Jesus. I don't recommend taking that step lightly, but better to be honest with yourself than to take a statement you can't swallow and interpret it away.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Friday, August 21, 2009
The Powers that Be
Ephesians 6:10-20
Context
Ephesus is a city in western Asia Minor (the current country of Turkey), where Paul founded a church. The letter as a whole depicts the church as a powerful part of Christ's plan to reconcile the world to God. Today's passage is the concluding encouragement to live up to the lofty ideals.
The military apparel listed was familiar to any city dweller - Roman soldiers were a common sight.
Listening to the writer
"Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The same Greek word (ouranos) translates to "heaven" and "sky" - the ideas are equivalent in the ancient world - and the author believes that there is a cosmic struggle in the air between good and evil. Our fight is not with Roman soldiers, but with the spiritual beings who fight against God in the sky. Thus, we don't need physical weapons, but spiritual ones: truth, righteousness, spreading the good news (cf Isaiah 52:7), faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer.
Listening to God
Who, or what, are your enemies? Christ calls us to love all people - if you find this difficult with particular people, can you recast your battle as being with a "spiritual force" instead of the person? (If you don't find this difficult with anyone, then you need to get out and meet more people.)
Which parts of "God's armor" do you use regularly? Where are you completely unprotected? Is God calling you to new practices, new disciplines? (Is God calling you to drop some equipment so that you have room for what you really need?)
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I am feeling overwhelmed by the rulers, authorities, and this present darkness... the health care "debate" is being overshadowed by insanity. Assault rifles are showing up at presidential events! I want to scream out "TRUTH" - and the truth seems so obvious to me (at least the truth that assault rifles have nothing positive to contribute to a health care debate!)
But truth is a slippery animal these days. I've got a strong hold on some truths, such as mathematics and the physical sciences. There are others that I do not question, and that form the foundation of my daily activities: Kendall loves me, life is worth living, breathing and drinking and eating are good! And then, there's the spiritual realm. I'm convinced that it exists. But beyond that... I'm amazed at how people can be so certain of spiritual truths. The spiritual realm is mysterious, differences of opinion abound, and no one group seems to have an objective way to convince others. So how can we wear "the belt of truth"?
For me, the "belt of truth" is not about wearing the right facts around my waist, it's about the Truth protecting me, forgiving me, saving me, in spite of my lack of knowledge.
And I have a sneaky suspicion that some people who are using beliefs for a belt are going to find their pants around their ankles when the battle begins.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
Ephesus is a city in western Asia Minor (the current country of Turkey), where Paul founded a church. The letter as a whole depicts the church as a powerful part of Christ's plan to reconcile the world to God. Today's passage is the concluding encouragement to live up to the lofty ideals.
The military apparel listed was familiar to any city dweller - Roman soldiers were a common sight.
Listening to the writer
"Our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." The same Greek word (ouranos) translates to "heaven" and "sky" - the ideas are equivalent in the ancient world - and the author believes that there is a cosmic struggle in the air between good and evil. Our fight is not with Roman soldiers, but with the spiritual beings who fight against God in the sky. Thus, we don't need physical weapons, but spiritual ones: truth, righteousness, spreading the good news (cf Isaiah 52:7), faith, salvation, the word of God, prayer.
Listening to God
Who, or what, are your enemies? Christ calls us to love all people - if you find this difficult with particular people, can you recast your battle as being with a "spiritual force" instead of the person? (If you don't find this difficult with anyone, then you need to get out and meet more people.)
Which parts of "God's armor" do you use regularly? Where are you completely unprotected? Is God calling you to new practices, new disciplines? (Is God calling you to drop some equipment so that you have room for what you really need?)
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I am feeling overwhelmed by the rulers, authorities, and this present darkness... the health care "debate" is being overshadowed by insanity. Assault rifles are showing up at presidential events! I want to scream out "TRUTH" - and the truth seems so obvious to me (at least the truth that assault rifles have nothing positive to contribute to a health care debate!)
But truth is a slippery animal these days. I've got a strong hold on some truths, such as mathematics and the physical sciences. There are others that I do not question, and that form the foundation of my daily activities: Kendall loves me, life is worth living, breathing and drinking and eating are good! And then, there's the spiritual realm. I'm convinced that it exists. But beyond that... I'm amazed at how people can be so certain of spiritual truths. The spiritual realm is mysterious, differences of opinion abound, and no one group seems to have an objective way to convince others. So how can we wear "the belt of truth"?
For me, the "belt of truth" is not about wearing the right facts around my waist, it's about the Truth protecting me, forgiving me, saving me, in spite of my lack of knowledge.
And I have a sneaky suspicion that some people who are using beliefs for a belt are going to find their pants around their ankles when the battle begins.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Songs of Zion
Psalm 84
Context
Psalm 84 is one of the "Songs of Zion" - songs that legitimate Jerusalem, home of Mount Zion, site of the Temple, as THE place to worship God. They perhaps functioned as pilgrimage songs for the ancient Hebrews as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship.
The "valley of Baca" was, perhaps, a dry valley on one of the pilgrimage routes. "Baca" means "weeping", so it can also mean figuratively a time of tears and sorrow.
Listening to the writer
There are many types of Psalms, but it seems that this one is meant to be sung in community. Communal songs - especially national and religious songs, and in ancient Israel the two are synonymous - are intended to reinforce common ideas in the community. What ideas does the author want to reinforce regarding the Temple? God? Prayer? Our relationship to God?
Listening to God
Re-read the Psalm and pick a petition that piques your interest - intellectual or emotional. Try meditating on a verse for at least five minutes, sitting quietly and just repeating the verse over and over, in your head or out loud.
After sitting with the verse, ask yourself: what is God telling me? Is God agreeing with the Psalmist, disagreeing, or going off on a tangent? Is God reinforcing or challenging my ideas?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The "Pine River Friends" is a group of Friends (Quakers) who have worshipped at the Wesley Center on Sunday mornings for 30 years. This past Sunday was their last at Wesley - they are moving to a new location next week.
Why? We're starting RETHINK, our new Sunday morning worship service, and there's simply not room for both services. RETHINK will often be loud, whereas the Friends often worship in silence. RETHINK will sometimes need the space where the Friends currently meet. Our styles just won't fit together.
The Friends have found this difficult - they, of all denominations, are perhaps least attached to buildings, but after 30 years of worship in the same room it becomes a home. They are used to meeting God at Wesley. They have been happy singing God's praise there. It's unlikely that they'll have a fireplace in their new setting!
Although I'm excited about RETHINK, I feel for the Friends who are being moved for our sake. Lift up a prayer that they will grow as they meet God in a new place.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
Psalm 84 is one of the "Songs of Zion" - songs that legitimate Jerusalem, home of Mount Zion, site of the Temple, as THE place to worship God. They perhaps functioned as pilgrimage songs for the ancient Hebrews as they traveled to Jerusalem to worship.
The "valley of Baca" was, perhaps, a dry valley on one of the pilgrimage routes. "Baca" means "weeping", so it can also mean figuratively a time of tears and sorrow.
Listening to the writer
There are many types of Psalms, but it seems that this one is meant to be sung in community. Communal songs - especially national and religious songs, and in ancient Israel the two are synonymous - are intended to reinforce common ideas in the community. What ideas does the author want to reinforce regarding the Temple? God? Prayer? Our relationship to God?
Listening to God
Re-read the Psalm and pick a petition that piques your interest - intellectual or emotional. Try meditating on a verse for at least five minutes, sitting quietly and just repeating the verse over and over, in your head or out loud.
After sitting with the verse, ask yourself: what is God telling me? Is God agreeing with the Psalmist, disagreeing, or going off on a tangent? Is God reinforcing or challenging my ideas?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
The "Pine River Friends" is a group of Friends (Quakers) who have worshipped at the Wesley Center on Sunday mornings for 30 years. This past Sunday was their last at Wesley - they are moving to a new location next week.
Why? We're starting RETHINK, our new Sunday morning worship service, and there's simply not room for both services. RETHINK will often be loud, whereas the Friends often worship in silence. RETHINK will sometimes need the space where the Friends currently meet. Our styles just won't fit together.
The Friends have found this difficult - they, of all denominations, are perhaps least attached to buildings, but after 30 years of worship in the same room it becomes a home. They are used to meeting God at Wesley. They have been happy singing God's praise there. It's unlikely that they'll have a fireplace in their new setting!
Although I'm excited about RETHINK, I feel for the Friends who are being moved for our sake. Lift up a prayer that they will grow as they meet God in a new place.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Prayer, Position, Politics
1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43
Context
This lection finishes a summer series on Samuel and David. David, first king of Israel, wanted to build a temple - but was told that he was too violent and that the job would be left to his son Solomon. Solomon has the temple built. Today's reading is a portion of the prayer of dedication.
The Temple was the key location for both religious and political life in the Ancient Near East. The Temple was seen as a place (or THE place) where heaven and earth connected. The strength of this conviction can be seen today in the struggle over Jerusalem - people are not just fighting over history, or buildings, they are fighting over THE PLACE where God and people connect.
Listening to the writer
Like most public prayers - especially in political settings with a religious state - the prayer speaks both to God and to the people present. Read through the entire prayer (not just the selection) and identify - what is each petition asking from God? What does each section say (between the lines) to those listening, or reveal about the writer? (There's a lot here. If you don't have a lot of time, focus on the section(s) that draw your interest.)
The prayer has some conflicting ideas within it - whether from the original author's theological struggles, or from edits over the years. For example, it's easy to find both "The Temple is THE PLACE to connect to God" and "God is not confined at the Temple." What other internal debates can you find?
Listening to God
Re-read the prayer and pick a petition that piques your interest - intellectual or emotional. Read the section again and sit quietly with it.
If you were God, would you answer "OK", "No", or "Sometimes" to the petition?
What do you think is God's answer?
If you like the petition, pray it to God. If you'd rather ask for the opposite - or something else - ask for that.
Spend some time sitting with this question: is God asking you to help fulfill the request you just made?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I often find the "left out" verses of the lectionary (e.g., vv 31-40) much more interesting than the ones included. This prayer, like the Psalms, reflects the intent and beliefs of the pray-er, not necessarily those of God. And it seems that life would be simpler if the petitions were answered...
Wouldn't it be nice if the courts always worked, and the guilty were punished and the righteous rewarded? (vv 31-32) We wouldn't need to spend billions on liability insurance, "emotional distress", and legal fees. We could just send good doctors home with a pat on the back, and take away the license of those who were really guilty of malpractice.
Wouldn't it be nice if when "the good guys" lost, it was because they were really bad guys? And a simple admission of this fact would help them win wars again? (vv 33-34) Who needs a military-industrial complex when God is on our side?
Wouldn't it be nice if natural disasters could be solved by confessing our sin? (vv 35-36) (A more popular version today is to confess the sins of our neighbors...)
All of these attitudes are common in our culture. I don't think they're true. Sometimes the innocent are found guilty, like Jesus. Sometimes the good guys lose, like Job. Sometimes towers fall on people just because they were there, not because they were naughty. I don't much like it, but that's the way it is.
On the other hand, as a guilty bad guy, I'm also quite fond of grace.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
Context
This lection finishes a summer series on Samuel and David. David, first king of Israel, wanted to build a temple - but was told that he was too violent and that the job would be left to his son Solomon. Solomon has the temple built. Today's reading is a portion of the prayer of dedication.
The Temple was the key location for both religious and political life in the Ancient Near East. The Temple was seen as a place (or THE place) where heaven and earth connected. The strength of this conviction can be seen today in the struggle over Jerusalem - people are not just fighting over history, or buildings, they are fighting over THE PLACE where God and people connect.
Listening to the writer
Like most public prayers - especially in political settings with a religious state - the prayer speaks both to God and to the people present. Read through the entire prayer (not just the selection) and identify - what is each petition asking from God? What does each section say (between the lines) to those listening, or reveal about the writer? (There's a lot here. If you don't have a lot of time, focus on the section(s) that draw your interest.)
The prayer has some conflicting ideas within it - whether from the original author's theological struggles, or from edits over the years. For example, it's easy to find both "The Temple is THE PLACE to connect to God" and "God is not confined at the Temple." What other internal debates can you find?
Listening to God
Re-read the prayer and pick a petition that piques your interest - intellectual or emotional. Read the section again and sit quietly with it.
If you were God, would you answer "OK", "No", or "Sometimes" to the petition?
What do you think is God's answer?
If you like the petition, pray it to God. If you'd rather ask for the opposite - or something else - ask for that.
Spend some time sitting with this question: is God asking you to help fulfill the request you just made?
Miscellaneous Meanderings
I often find the "left out" verses of the lectionary (e.g., vv 31-40) much more interesting than the ones included. This prayer, like the Psalms, reflects the intent and beliefs of the pray-er, not necessarily those of God. And it seems that life would be simpler if the petitions were answered...
Wouldn't it be nice if the courts always worked, and the guilty were punished and the righteous rewarded? (vv 31-32) We wouldn't need to spend billions on liability insurance, "emotional distress", and legal fees. We could just send good doctors home with a pat on the back, and take away the license of those who were really guilty of malpractice.
Wouldn't it be nice if when "the good guys" lost, it was because they were really bad guys? And a simple admission of this fact would help them win wars again? (vv 33-34) Who needs a military-industrial complex when God is on our side?
Wouldn't it be nice if natural disasters could be solved by confessing our sin? (vv 35-36) (A more popular version today is to confess the sins of our neighbors...)
All of these attitudes are common in our culture. I don't think they're true. Sometimes the innocent are found guilty, like Jesus. Sometimes the good guys lose, like Job. Sometimes towers fall on people just because they were there, not because they were naughty. I don't much like it, but that's the way it is.
On the other hand, as a guilty bad guy, I'm also quite fond of grace.
Dig Deeper at Textweek.
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