What would it look like if the church put Galatians 3.28 into practice for real? Following the lead of Tricia Gates Brown, I suggest that churches would come to embody a compelling social equilibrium that transcends equality, and embrace diversity as a sign of God’s inclusiveness and generosity.
neoprimitive
"no adult of sound mind can be an innocent bystander" (bruce cockburn)
Galatians 3.28, the church and equilibrium: or, I twist the words of Tricia Gates Brown a bit to make a point
Tagged with: feminism, Galatians 3:28, pauline theology, religion, theology, Tricia Gates Brown
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, church history, conflict, discipleship, grace, hermeneutics, Paul, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, church history, conflict, discipleship, grace, hermeneutics, Paul, theology
Jesus’ appropriation of Solomon in the Sermon on the Mount
When Jesus refers to “Solomon in all his glory” in Matt. 6.29, has he come to praise Solomon . . . or to bury him?
Tagged with: 1 Kings, 1 Kings 1-11, 1 Kings interpretation, Hans Dieter Betz, King Solomon, Matthew 6:24-34, religion, Sermon on the Mount, solomon in all his glory, theology, Walter Brueggemann, Warren Carter
Posted in Jesus, Sermon on the Mount, Bible, hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, theology, discipleship
Posted in Jesus, Sermon on the Mount, Bible, hermeneutics, biblical interpretation, theology, discipleship
Priesthood and atonement: reading Hebrews (and beyond) with John Howard Yoder
One aspect of the person and work of Christ that the church has a difficult time explaining is his function as a high priest (Hebrews 5, 8-9). John Howard Yoder has unpacked this vital aspect of Jesus’ work with clarity and keen insight, and in so doing helps us to understand what it means for the church to be a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2.9, Rev. 5.9-10).
Tagged with: 1 Peter 2:9, biblical interpretation, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 5:8, Hebrews 8, Hebrews 9, John Howard Yoder, kingdom of priests, Philippians 2, religion, Revelation 5:9-10, spirituality, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, discipleship, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, discipleship, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Not that kind of king: reading about the kingship of Jesus with John Howard Yoder
The kingship of Christ is a concept that remains ill-defined for most Christians. We assume that a) either the Jews were wrong and didn’t really need a king and killed Jesus when he failed to live up to their royal expectations, or b) Jesus is a king, but a “heavenly” one in an ethereal realm. Neither of these options are faithful to the manner in which Jesus address his kingdom. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, but that only means it does not function according to the assumptions of earthly kingdoms. Jesus came as a servant-king, the church affirms that Jesus is king when we are servants.
Tagged with: biblical interpretation, John 18:33-38, John 19:14-22, John Howard Yoder, religion, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, church history, discipleship, Gospel of John, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, church history, discipleship, Gospel of John, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Rich scribes and poor widows: reading Mark 12.38-44 with Ched Myers and Addison Wright
In Mark 12.38-44, is Jesus praising a poor widow’s faith or holding her up as an example of why the Jewish power elite was going to catch hell in the judgment?
Tagged with: Addison Wright, Ched Myers, Mark 12:38-44, religion, theology, widow's mite
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, discipleship, Gospel of Mark, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, discipleship, Gospel of Mark, hermeneutics, Jesus, theology
Re-thinking the “qualifications” of elders: Thoughts on Titus 1.6-9 and elsewhere
It has been my experience in Churches of Christ that we tend to determine who is “qualified” to be an elder by going down the handy checklist of Titus 1.6-9. It seems to me that this may be a mistake, and that other qualities need to take priority over this checklist if we are to avoid unnecessary leadership crises in the church.
Tagged with: qualifications of elders, Titus 1:6-9
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, hermeneutics, Paul, theology
Posted in Bible, biblical interpretation, Christianity, church, hermeneutics, Paul, theology
Reflections on peacemaking: Reading Matt. 5.9 and James 3.18 with Stanley Hauerwas and Mr. Rogers
Peacemaking is a matter of our participation in the life of the risen Christ, who is our peace. We are not pursuing a Christian merit badge in “peacemaking.” Rather, it is a determined living with Christ in the presence of the world that makes time and space for God’s Spirit to transform us into peacemakers. The practices of peacemaking create time and space for God to transform conflict into friendship, to mend what has been torn. Practicing peace creates holy ground.
Tagged with: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Colossians 1:15-20, Fred Rogers, Hebrews 1:1-3, James 3:18, John 1:1-14, Matthew 5:9, peacemaking, religion, Sermon on the Mount, spirituality, Stanley Hauerwas, theology
Posted in Beatitudes, Bible, biblical interpretation, Capitalism, church, conflict, discipleship, hermeneutics, Jesus, love of enemies, nonviolence, peace, priorities, Sermon on the Mount, theology
Posted in Beatitudes, Bible, biblical interpretation, Capitalism, church, conflict, discipleship, hermeneutics, Jesus, love of enemies, nonviolence, peace, priorities, Sermon on the Mount, theology
