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Progressive Christianity: acknowledging our God-given freedom to preserve the world from the powers of death.

Questions from 1 Thess 3

These questions came to mind as I read the chapter this morning:

Other than Luke, Paul had no chronicler--wouldn't it be great if we knew the daily details of his ministry? And what about Timothy and his time in Thessalonika? What did he do there? What were the Thessalonians like?

If we truly believe that God chose how all the scriptures were to be written, isn't it interesting that almost all of our records of the apostles' lives come from the epistles? Why do you think this is?

And when Paul praises the Thessalonians for their endurance during affliction, he doesn't single out any leaders. I'm curious what made this group of Christians able to persevere when it seems other groups weren't as strong, and I'd expect to learn that their were certain leaders (if no pastor) in the church who continued to provide good instruction and counsel. But Paul doesn't mention anyone by name. Perhaps the group was just that small?

Either way, it makes me wonder about the emphasis we place on pastors in our churches. Not that pastors are unimportant, but perhaps we underestimate the importance of the laity--that is, we underestimate our own responsibilities as congregants. Do we place too much of a burden on our pastors to maintain our spiritual health? Do Paul's comments suggest that the laity is far more responsible for each other's health than we allow?

Friday April 18, 2008 - 10:21am (EDT) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

Genesis 43: Judah as a type for Jesus

I've often wondered why it would be important that Jesus should come from the tribe of Judah rather than the priestly tribe of Levi or of any other tribe. But check out this passage--Jacob's sons must convince him to allow them to take Benjamin with them to Egypt so that they might get more grain.

And Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the boy with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I will be a pledge of his safety. From my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever."

Could this be what Jesus told God about us? He is the pledge of our safety, promising our Father/Mother to return us safely home.

How wonderful is that? Thanks be to Christ Jesus for his lovingkindness toward us! Amen!

Tags: biblical-figures, christ, hebrew-scriptures Friday February 22, 2008 - 09:59am (EST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

Genesis 41: Joseph in Egypt

Today's Hebrew lectionary reading tells of Joseph's success in dealing with the famine in Egypt, and several things interest me:

Joseph's plan to preserve Egypt's food supply during the seven years of plenty would probably not go over very well today. He doesn't allow the people of Egypt to use all of their resources, but demands that some be stored up every year for the future. And how many people today would believe Joseph that there were seven bad years coming? I cannot imagine our U.S. government trying to institute such a policy today, even though it was clearly the right thing to do (and God had ordained it). I know some will complain that our government does try to do this, but their complaint shows just how controversial God's plan would be today. (Side note: I seem to recall reading that when the economy started going south a few years ago, only one state escaped a budget crisis; that state had the foresight to make a contingency plan.) I also wonder what our modern analogues to the famine are: the environment? the economy? What if we had been told after WW1 to prepare for a major depression? What if we had been told after WW2 to prepare for an environmental crisis? I'm realizing just how self-centered and in-the-moment we are as a culture. How do we as Christians convince people to change their ways? Even to give up what they see as their "rights" for the sake of the common good?
I had forgotten that Joseph's sons were born before the arrival of his Hebrew compatriots. But even more surprising to me today is to realize that he married the daughter of an Egyptian priest! I know that from a practical point of view, Joseph could not look for a Hebrew wife. Still, it is interesting that he married into a priestly family. Not only is there the question about religious syncretism (does Joseph raise them as Hebrews rather than as Egyptians? I suppose this became possible once his family moved there...), but there is also the surprising fact that two of tribes of Israel are part Egyptian!
His second son's name, Ephraim, is said to mean "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction." I've been thinking a lot lately about maintaining our faith in times of difficulty (see my posts on the Wilderness) and how we need to trust that God can not only see us through these times, but also can use them for good. Ephraim's name is a wonderful testimony to this fact: Even when our circumstances seem to be against us (Joseph was not in Egypt by choice, and he had to endure two years in prison before becoming Pharaoh's adviser), God can still bless all that we do, even using us to benefit those around us, friends and enemies alike.
God's role in ordaining Egypt as a land of salvation during the time of famine. God truly is LORD over all the nations!

Tags: biblical-figures, hebrew-scriptures, history, questions, world Monday February 18, 2008 - 11:36am (EST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

Wilderness Images

This morning a couple of images came to my mind during my prayers, both of them related to my future and my attempts to discern God's direction for me as I prepare to graduate and move on to a career.

1) I am at the border of the Red Sea, wondering whether to walk into the water or to wait for them to part for me. Then I realize I'm already in the water, and it's getting deeper as the current continues to push the water around me. I cannot see the bottom, so I have no idea how much farther I can walk before I can no longer touch the ground without going completely underwater. And, I have no idea how much longer I will have to move forward before things get easier for me. Will God part the water? Or will God strengthen me to swim to the other side? Keep the faith and expect both....

2) I am at a fork in the road -- three prongs. I know what the three roads are, but I cannot see which one leads to the Kingdom. Or do all three lead there? I do not know which road I am meant to take; all three seem desirable, and yet I cannot take them all. Perhaps they eventually come back together into one larger road? Meanwhile, should I continue on the road I have long thought I was meant to take? Or should I wait for clearer direction?

May it be done with me according to God's will. God has led me into this Wilderness, and God will provide all that I need. My prayer is that I may be faithful to walk with Christ and that I may be fruitful for Christ's kingdom.

Amen.

Tags: faith, anxiety, prayer, wilderness Wednesday February 13, 2008 - 12:16pm (EST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

Have I Tempted God?

The Lectionary readings for Sunday included Jesus' temptation in the Wilderness, and Renee spent most of her sermon on that passage. It's material I've heard a thousand times before, and yet needed to hear again.

This time, I started to notice my own reactions to God in the Devil's words:

"IF you are the Son of God, then..."

How often have I demanded that God prove himself by doing something? How often have I told myself that I didn't know if I could believe in God if X were to happen, in spite of all that God had brought me through in the past. Jesus' faith protected him from falling for this trick. Like him, we must learn to trust in God's provision and not demand "if-then" proofs of God's existence or power.

I also heard myself in something Renee said when she imagined whether Jesus reacted to his time in the Wilderness with "Did I make a mistake?"

Again, how often have I seen signs of God's faithfulness and provision only to wonder if, in spite of it all, I've gone astray somewhere, with no idea how or when? How do I lose faith so easily?

I'm feeling a bit of Wilderness fever right now with my job search. May God preserve me and give me the faith I need to trust that God is preparing me to for a holy service, to minister to God's people and to live out the reality of God's kingdom.

Amen.

Tags: anxiety, questions, wilderness, gospels, faith, trust Monday February 11, 2008 - 02:39pm (EST) Permanent Link | 0 Comments

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