2 Corinthians 5 : 21 - 33 The Christian Marriage Relationship 411 (AKA Hermeneutic Exegesis and Commentary )
Mr. DG Hollum, pastor and all around nice guy I met at Podcamp, recently did a breakdown of one of the most controversial biblical texts. Here is what DG had to say about this most famous text for analyzing Christ based husband and wife relationships:
The way I see it:
1) this is only for husband and wife, not male and female roles.
2) Christ is the example that qualifies “headship”, and “submission”.
3) this must be read with the first century culture in mind.
4) the submission of the wife to the husband is within the wider submission of everyone to each other in 21.
5) the motive for submission of the wife is within the context of the wife’s relation to the Lord.
6) this submission is regulated by the divine pattern of Christ’s relationship to the church.
7) so, the husband’s authority is regulated by Christ’s example and the principle of love.
I think #4 is quite interesting. It seems to suggest that #3, which I think is perhaps the most controversial claim, is already dealt with–perhaps there is not a need to consider the cultural context given that #4 is true.
Any disagreement with DG? Any disagreement with my commentary?
The story of the pomegranates in I Kings was a story that I heard a pastor speak on in the early 1990’s. For some reason it just stuck with me that this guy, Hurum, spent a ton of time carving pomegranates and lily work into the top of the columns of Solomon’s temple.
I actually processed this book in my head for 15 years as I thought about what our lives could look like if we were to live as artist who were carrying out the details of our lives towards an audience of One. So the pomegranates that Hurum carved can be a symbol of our children who we are instructing, spreadsheets at work we are entering data into, a friend who we are helping come to grips with life’s tragedy or even something as huge as starting a church. The point is that each of us are artists and have an opportunity to create a life of influence. In fact Here is a snippet from the Intro that I think sums it up in part:
As I watched every deliberate, yet seemingly effortless movement I was amazed. Each and every action led to yet another beautiful layer of the canvas that was taking shape. Color and imagination, heart and soul were being poured into each and every detail of this work before her and it was at this very moment that I knew I was watching an artist at her work. Her canvas seemed at times to war against her, but with determination she was creating something very special. The artist was my wife and the canvas my nearly 2-year old daughter.
Mommies are artists. The opportunity for a hostile situation stood before him like a huge rock of granite. It seemed almost impossible to move and determined to stay hard and unshaped. But using the power of words my friend Josh has the ability to craft and sculpt beautiful art out of the most callous of situations. With the use of just the right words he creates an art show on display for the world to see.
Prodigal Jon who blogs at Stuff Christians Like has some rather interesting observations about “Sex in the City” in relation to Christian living:
I know some Christian ladies that like the show “Sex [and] the City.” They watch it and laugh and secretly wonder what it would be like if the character “Mr. Big” ever became a Christian. (”He’s so dreamy and could totally take Patrick Dempsey’s character from Grey’s Anatomy in a fight.”) They are cool with the show.
This is a trailer for the documentary entitled “Forgiving Dr. Mengele.” Simply powerful…Wow!
On a side note, certainly I understand the concerns of the lady they interview at the end and realize her concerns are legitimate, from my perspective they seem to miss the point.
Congrats to Eli Alcala and his wife on their new marriage. I’ve known Eli since he was a baby. Literally. I believe I was 6 or 7 and he was somewhere under 2. I traveled with my mother Spring Hill, TN to see the ceremony. I thought the passage from Corinthians seemed appropriate to commemorate this blissful celebration [that and it was in the program.] Again, congrats to you two, you both seem to complement each other in such a wonderful way. May God bless you and your new happy union.
1 Corinthians 13: 3-7
If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Tim Stevens pointed to the Pyromaniacs blog that is planning on critiquing his just release book Pop Goes the Church. I haven’t read the book, but this discussion gets to the heart of one of the ideological memes that is always with us which determines the direction and vision of the church, and so merits some discussion.
It seems to me that either polarity in this discussion might miss the point. The better discussion perhaps is how, when, and in what context.
Christian and Bible Based Tactics for Cultural Engagement:
Pastor Joe Thorns Six Rules of Cultural Engagement seem instructive. I believe two are particularly helpful. For me Rule 1: Discernment:
You must be thoughtful in your engaging. Is [fill in the blank] something to reject outright (nothing good in it), something to receive as it points to truth or beauty, or is this an opportunity to point to the redemption we, and all things, have in Jesus? It is not always time to be the culture warrior, nor does Jesus call us to be spiritual pacifists. Sometimes we must fight, sometimes we share things in common, but we are always looking to heal.
Rule 2: Be Present, Listen and Love:
This is perhaps the most important rule of engaging culture, because most of the time you will not only be engaging ideas, but people; people made in God’s image, people who feel, people Christ calls us to love and serve. It is not appropriate to claim we love our neighbors without a real demonstration of that love. Whether we are rejecting, receiving or redeeming love for God and others must be what moves us to speak and act.
God trumps all. Also important to remember is the example of Paul is instructive for creating a clearer message while engaging culture:
Paul preaches to the Athenians that God was before them, God planted them, God is free from them, God is the reason for their existence, God now reigns over them, and God is returning to judge them.
Wow. Notice how Paul, in expressing the supremacy of God, defines this supremacy in relation to those in the Athenian culture! Paul is helping them to form a true and biblical self-identification in light of God’s supremacy.
I think this involves taking cultural context into account–but NEVER at the price of the supremacy of God and his principles and word. I think it involved taking your audience into account. Seeing God and identifying God or yearnings for God in secular place can be good. There are so called “hard cases”…like South Park or perhaps an R-Rated gangster movie…and as such seem rather extreme.
In sharp contrast, movies like the Matrix, or music from Coldplay, U2, and the Postal Serviceall seem rich for engagement (or for instance SpiderMan, Superman Returns, The Transformers Movie, or Beatles’ songs) . I think the ultimate guidance may come from studying the text and deep prayer. And certainly being clear that you’re not endorsing the show or cultural artifact, but only using it as instructive tool to speak a larger truth.
I think a practice of discerning engagement, not only allows us to create a practice of seeing the good in others, but also hopefully opens up our doors and minds for a better dialogue on the issues. The alternative of not talking about some ongoing cultural issues or movies, in many cases seems worse.
If you want to read more, check out this article in the Oklahoman.
UPDATE: In other news that relates to Tim Steven’s Pop Goes the Church the New York Times reports: “What the church has done wrong is that it has created these ‘holy huddles’ of Christian magazines, music and schools that have set them apart from the world because the world is bad,” said Mr. Beckemeier, who grew up in an evangelical family. “Instead of doing what Christ did, and bring light to the world, they retreat from it.”
What do you think about cultural engagement in the context of sermons or Bible lessons?
The 2008 Chinese Earthquake in Sichuan in Perspective:
A tragedy the Chinese Sichuan Earthquake truly boggles the mind. Biscuet brings a compassionate and caring sensitivity from the frontlines in China:
I remember exactly where i was the day 9/11 happened.
I remember exactly what i was doing the night of hurricane Katrina.
I remember the Oklahoma City bombing like it was yesterday.
I can easily remember the great tragedies that have happened in America.
And now. Now i remember the first great tragedy that happened while living in China.
My heart and prayers goes out to the people of China, particularly the victims and their families.
UPDATE: Pictures of the Chinese Sichuan Earthquake on Flickr.
Check out Zoe Carnate blog’s interesting spiritual response to the Chinese earthquake disaster. Its certainly contemplative, heart felt, renewing, and heart-felt.
I read Benjamin Zander’s [and his wife's] book “The Art of Possibility” about four years ago and ran across a post by Valeria, with Zander speaking at the World Economic Forum.
[the video is 9:00, but contains a big principle....."Give everyone an A!" Pretty inspiring]
1) It’s all invented [consumer value, worldly value]
2) Stepping into a universe of possibility
3) Giving an A
4) Being a contribution
5) Leading from any chair
6) Ask yourself: what would have to change for you to be completely fulfilled?
7) The way things are Giving way to passion
9) Lighting a spark
10) Being the board-Change the game
11) Creating frameworks for possibility
12) Telling the “we” story
Without going in depth, it seems to me that he’s speaking about what is the core message of the Bible (sans Jesus, baptism, and missions).
How can you give everyone an A? Think you can give it a try?
If you want to read the full article by Valeria, check out Conversation Agent.
Bubba Ingram at church tonight (or rather last night) focused on the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. [Or as I would try to spell it: Shadrack and Meshack]. I’m helping lead a small group tomorrow night, and decided to pick the same verses. Here are some of the key Bible passages we discussed:
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your [c] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
No big macs. No fried chicken. No special sauce. Vegetables. Thoughts?What is the message here? How do these passages speak to you and this generation?
This Autodesk video which explained the themes behind the 2008 TED Talks is both inspiring in terms of purpose and design:
• Who are we?
• How dare we be optimistic?
• What’s out there?
• What is life?
• How do we create?
• Is truth beauty?
• What will tomorrow bring?
• What stirs us?
• Why do things happen?
• How do we change the world?
• What is our place…..in the universe?
• And the point?
It made me think about what role faith communities, or more specifically small groups and ministries of all shapes and sizes, could play in answering the above question.
How does it speak to you? What was your favorite TED talk?
These are quite possibly some of the best Christian videos I’ve seen on social justice and missions (in the sense of production quality and design) Its still hard to beat Chris Seay for his hard hitting provocations.
It is a great sellout of religion to insist that it has much to teach us about abortion or gay marriage but little useful to say about social justice, war and peace, the organization of our work lives, the death penalty, immigration policy or our approach to providing for the old, the sick, and the desperate.
Surely we shouldn’t be beholden to political power on either side of the political divide. But the above quote does provide some focus and food for thought. For the rest of the article check out TPM Cafe.
I ran across Sacred Space today (h/t to Pomomusings):
Something to think and pray about this week:If Jesus were to appear in our world, he would be born unnoticed, to a good, struggling family in Ecuador, Uzbekistan or some place usually out of the news. People would be puzzled, “Where is that place?” He would not be on television, nor would he occupy a centre of power or wealth. He would be pushed around, slandered and criticised. He would speak simple truths and some would listen to him and recognise the voice of God. The good news would spread slowly, as it did two thousand years ago. It would graft onto whatever was good in the world. The brokers of power and wealth would not notice it, nor offer their sponsorship. The happy irony of today is that after the first two thousand years, the good news is so widespread that, whether they know it or not, the whole human race is richer for Jesus’ birthday.
Apparently Sacred Space has a different thought to contemplate and pray about each week, so it might be a cool place to return to when the thought hits you. (I thought that including the whole thought was the only way to the full idea justice) Props to Pomomusings who encourages us to find sacred space for authenticity in the Christian Life. Check out his entry!Also, what do you think? Do you think this takes too hard of a position against marketing and media?
I read this passage scribed by Rob Bell in “Velvet Elvis” last night before class at church:
Could there be a more basic verse? Love your neighbor as yourself.
Who could possibly have any sort of problem with this verse?
And how could someone mess this up?
Would could be complicated about loving your neighbor?
Even people who don’t believe in God and don’t read the Bible would say that loving your neighbor is a good thing to do.
A couple of questions this verse raises: How do we live this verse out? What does it mean to love? What isn’t love? Who decides what is love and what isn’t love?
And what about your neighbor? Who is your neighbor? Is your neighbor only the person next door, or is it anyone you have contact with? Or is it every single human being on the face of the planet?
And what happens if one person’s definition of love and another person’s definition differ? Who is right? Who is wrong? Who decides who is right and who is wrong? Who decides if whoever decided made the right decision?
First, Love Wins. Duh?
Second, I do think he goes a little too far in terms of his implying that love can mean anything. If you read that in terms of the model that Jesus loved in many cases the answers are less cloudy than Bell’s text might suggest. Sure the text is vague in some areas, but words aren’t swiss cheese either (full of holes). They do have meaning.
Catholic priests have been outed by name, rightfully so. You should take a page from Bob Somerby’s book and use names….names of the Evangelicals who back unjust wars; John Hagee, the late Jerry Falwell, etc. ? Prosperity Preachers like Benny Hinn, Randy and Paula White, Creflo Dollar, etc.? If the cretins who worked themselves into high profile positions in the Evangelical community and who use their influence to support issues harmful to their flock aren’t outed for what they are, they will continue being cretins.”
Thoughts? What can be done to say “this isn’t Christianity” or at a minimum “this isn’t my brand of Christianity?” (A real fervor of that cries our “not in my name and not with my blood” or something more subtle?)
I’ve been reading Rob Bell’s Velvet Elvis, which I picked up at Davis Kidd last Fridays. Its full of very tasty affirmations of faith which speak to the culture of the present but echo with eternal truth. Rob suggests:
But the Bible has an entirely different understanding of mystery. True mystery, the kind of mystery rooted in the infinite nature of God, gives us answers that actually plunge us into even more…questions.
Bell continues:
The very nature of orthodox Christian faith is that we never come to the end. It begs for more. More discussion, more inquiry, more debate, more questions.Its not so much that Christian faith has a lot of paradoxes. It’s that it is a lot of paradoxes. And we cannot resolve paradox. We have to let it be what it is.Being a Christian then is more about celebrating mystery than conquering it.
Thoughts? Have a favorite Rob Bell quote or video?
I wish I understood what God wanted me to do with my life. Missions, media, teaching, writing, or any number of things. It seems a couple different pathways are open, and I’m sure it will be revealed in good time. However, some “ah-ha” moments would help… I’m sure some of all 4 will be involved in some way, I’m just struggling a bit for lack of a map (and sometimes lack of compass).
So I’m praying use me. Use me in the best way. And lead me–in the way only you He knows how.
My subjective interpretation of the video: I’m not artiste, much less a critique of fine art (i’m not sure the above falls into that category) but this video really captures the way in which we are animalistic in our primal desires. Our spending habits, our interpersonal relations, our communication and our sexuality can get caught up in animalistic desire. We neglect our oneness with God and we forget to keep our “eyes on the prize” (however long away that might be). I’m certainly guilty.
So what are your thoughts? I thought Dave Ramsey really seemed authentic (for those of you who don’t know, he’s the voice in the background). I know I’ll never think of Dave Ramsey, raccoons, or interpretive dance in the same way. Other thoughts?
Giving way to passion
