Some recent discussions among some Christian friends of mine were on the subject of being Counter-cultural. One said that he believes maintaining integrity with the Bible means always being counter-cultural.
This stirred another musing and reminded me of my undergraduate psychology studies of Social Identity Theory.
As human beings, a large part of our sense of identity comes from comparison with our in-group (where we belong) and our out-group (the others!).
As a travelling Scot, I know only too well that this identity is fluid. In the city where I live, there are divides depending on where we live. Jokes are made about the other end of town. This can be a strong identity, especially during sporting events. Warmth towards our in-group (as long as they don't violate our core values, but we'll be much more forgiving) and hostility (at times) towards the other group.
Until we have an inter-city rivalry. Then, we shift our focus and our local differences diminish (along with some hostility) and we face a new "common enemy".
Until we look south (or north or whatever direction your nearest rival nation is). Then we have a sense of national pride. This can continue, and no doubt would do so in the event of extra-terrestrial contact...
But how does this relate to Christians? Well, in our national Church, we've been debating the issue of homosexuality. This has caused division, pretty much into 2 camps, with some brave exceptions of those resisting the divisive nature of this debate. As long as the focus remains on a single issue, where people are predominantly in one camp or another, then an in-group and out-group can start to emerge. I've noticed this first hand. I've started to feel more than usual warmth towards other Christians who I might not normally spend much time with, because on this issue, we are on the same side of the fence and I feel a need for emotional support and a sense of community. However, I've equally felt an increase in hostility and irritation towards other Christians on the other side of the fence, and I have begun to associate many traits I disapprove of with membership of this group.
The rational, educated part of me knows what is going on, but the emotional part of me still feels it.
I believe this is in part because I am getting my sense of Christian identity from community membership that is fluid and easily divided. Bring up another debate (like switching sporting events) and I would no doubt find my sense of identity shifting slightly once more as the defining lines are readjusted.
Christians can run the risk of having 2 groups... The us and them, the saved and the non-believers. On the one hand, this can help remind us of our mission of reaching the world with the message of God's love. However, it can easily shift to a condemnation of non-Christian behaviour and a reluctance to associate with the out-group. Just look through the book of Acts and you will see that this is not a new phenomenon as the Jewish believers were struggling to know how to worship alongside the previously unacceptable gentiles (probably one of the best examples of an in-group and out-group bias).
But is this an unavoidable issue, or can we do something about it?
There are some lovely verses in Hebrews 12 that go:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
As we run the race, we must avoid the temptation of comparison with others. This can lead to pride, arrogance and group blindness (if others we love do something, it must be okay!). Instead, we need to focus with effort on Jesus and our relationship with him. Of course, we need fellowship with others and we have a great commission and warnings about being corrupted by the world. However, it is not here that we should get our identity. This can lead to the elder brother syndrome of believing certain standards must be met in order to belong or be accepted. It can also lead to internal division (one of the acts of the sinful nature mentioned by Paul in Galatians).
Instead, we should assess ourselves individually by looking into the eyes of Jesus each and every day. Instead of looking for approval to our left or right, we need to look up for guidance, while reaching downwards and outwards with love.
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Wednesday, 26 June 2013
Romans 1
There is an excellent article exploring Romans 1 and who exactly Paul was talking about in this passage often quoted to condemn all homosexual activity.
http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/2011/10/bible-focus-part-4-romans-1/
God bless,
MM
http://www.acceptingevangelicals.org/2011/10/bible-focus-part-4-romans-1/
God bless,
MM
Friday, 21 June 2013
Jesus and the Law
The Old Testament has some challenging passages, there's no denying it. My own minister has admitted he won't even preach on passages such as the warfare of Joshua, because they're too difficult to understand (and he is a traditionalist minister who believes in the "plain reading of scripture").
One challenge is knowing which Bible passages from the OT should we, as Christians, still follow? How does a traditionalist wrestle with the Leviticus passages outlawing homosexual practice while equally outlawing tattoos, eating certain foods and wearing clothing of mixed fibres.
An article published by the Christian Institute explains one perspective: "It teaches that the moral element in the law, focused in the ten commandments, is of permanent application, while the ceremonial and civil elements were for the duration of the Old Testament economy only. The ceremonial was a shadow of Christ which became obsolete with his coming, and the civil a model of legal arrangements for any society, though not of such a status as to demand exact replication."
So, in a nutshell - passages relating to tattoos and foods etc. could be ceremonial, in that they distinguished God's people from the surrounding pagan worship practices. Sexual relation restrictions, they would argue, are permanent moral law.
My problem with this, is that when we read about homosexual practices, they are almost entirely in the context of pagan temple worship and such activities, which could arguably put them into the category of ceremonial laws designed to distinguish God's people from the pagans around.
However, I have a greater problem with the division of laws into 3 categories. It comes from these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17-20:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
It concerns me when I read these words but hear Christians happily ignore certain OT requirements, such as these: “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God." (Lev 19:9-10). And yet, many who ignore these will jump on other passages such as the famous Leviticus 18:22, "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable".
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt 22:37-40).
Paul explains this concept in Romans 2:14-15
"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."
One challenge is knowing which Bible passages from the OT should we, as Christians, still follow? How does a traditionalist wrestle with the Leviticus passages outlawing homosexual practice while equally outlawing tattoos, eating certain foods and wearing clothing of mixed fibres.
An article published by the Christian Institute explains one perspective: "It teaches that the moral element in the law, focused in the ten commandments, is of permanent application, while the ceremonial and civil elements were for the duration of the Old Testament economy only. The ceremonial was a shadow of Christ which became obsolete with his coming, and the civil a model of legal arrangements for any society, though not of such a status as to demand exact replication."
So, in a nutshell - passages relating to tattoos and foods etc. could be ceremonial, in that they distinguished God's people from the surrounding pagan worship practices. Sexual relation restrictions, they would argue, are permanent moral law.
My problem with this, is that when we read about homosexual practices, they are almost entirely in the context of pagan temple worship and such activities, which could arguably put them into the category of ceremonial laws designed to distinguish God's people from the pagans around.
However, I have a greater problem with the division of laws into 3 categories. It comes from these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17-20:
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."
It concerns me when I read these words but hear Christians happily ignore certain OT requirements, such as these: “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God." (Lev 19:9-10). And yet, many who ignore these will jump on other passages such as the famous Leviticus 18:22, "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable".
The division of Law into 3 types is, I believe, a valiant attempt to wrestle with Scripture. However, when asked what the Greatest Commandment is, Jesus gave an answer that helps us better wrestle with the Old Testament.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt 22:37-40).
I have always considered this passage to be a foundation of my faith. I believe I am saved by faith in Jesus. In my striving to live a holy life that is pleasing to God, I do not believe I have to follow every law of the Old Testament, but rather the principles outlined here by Jesus. In so doing, I believe Christians keep right by the Law. Of course, we slip, fall down and stumble, but not because of a failure to obey every letter of the Law, but rather our failure to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Paul explains this concept in Romans 2:14-15
"Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."
I don't believe Paul is saying that Gentiles accidentally follow all Old Testament laws by following their moral compass, but rather that when they follow the principles of Jesus of loving God with everything and loving our neighbour as our-self then in so doing, we demonstrate that obedience to the law is in our hearts.
Part of my belief on this issue is shaped by my understanding of the story of the Old Testament. I see it predominantly as a detailed account (in different form - history, poetry etc.) of the relationship between God and his people. The laws of the OT were to help the people of the time keep their part of the covenant with God. We now have a new covenant in Christ, and in keeping the Greatest Commandments through our faith in Christ, we keep the law of the old covenant.
So what do I do with the difficult passages on the OT? I prayerfully try to discern how these laws were about investing in the covenant with God and look to the new covenant I have in Christ and seek to obey the Greatest Commandments in each and every situation. I fail regularly, but the grace of God is sufficient for me and I have the Holy Spirit as guide and counsellor in my heart, bearing witness, sometimes accusing and sometimes defending me.
So, did Jesus do away with the Law? By no means. He fulfilled the Law - but not just the ceremonial aspects. He fulfilled it in its entirety, and in following the Greatest Commandments, we can meet all the requirements of the Law, in Christ.
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