January 20-John 2:1-11, Is. 62:1-5
Marriage and transformation are themes in today’s readings.In older translations, Beulah was left as a proper name, but we translate it as did the old Puritans, and it means married. or bride. Beulah land, in song was a Promised Land, a utopia, Marriage Land. Now I am not prepared to called mariage land a utopia, but I do love its reality and its promise. To get at the depth of the relationship of god and Israel, the image of marriage was used, and the pain of betrayal was therefore linked to adultery. Jesus too used bridegroom imagery and revelation speaks of the church as a bride. Celebration is bound up with the very image.
As I was working on this, we were getting ready for a wedding here, with all of the usual last minute checks to try to allay the jitters. At the wedding of Cana the wedding planner miscalculated, or they had awfully thirsty guests, and they run out of wine . As mothers will do, Mary asks Jesus to do something about it. His reply could either mean, it is none of our business, or get off my back. then like many sons, Jesus has said , no, but then proceeds to do as mother has requested. Jesus creates another 120-180 more gallons of wine for the feast, good stuff, as well. I hear a bit of an echo from passages where in Amos the wine will drip down the mountainsides like water, an image of transformation, celebration and abundance. I am not sure if I discern an echo of Communion here, but some do, and I will not accept the point, at least for this morning.
Not long ago, I used some popular song lyrics of some years back at a wedding.One that comes to mind is Marc Cohn’s True Companion.(need lyric sheet) .He also has a song, saving the best for last. No one gets married with the intention of betrayal or looking toward unforgiven hurts and disappointments. I’ve mentioned before that I admire the careful work of John Gottman in analyzing tapes of couples. usually we put his work in negative terms, but let’s turn them in the light a bit this morning. The fundamental martial virtue is respect for the other. the fundamental church virtue is respect as well. We get caught in old habits. You know that people are being accepted as part of a church when they are being treated as we treat family. the problem is of course that we treat them like family.
Sometimes, i wish that we could work more successfully of adding more notes of celebration in Communion services. Part of me craves for them to feel like wedding receptions. Have you noticed how people drink as if they are in a desert and eat as if they were on some arduous diet at wedding receptions? I know we cannot force a desire or feeling, but what if we craved the sacrament in just a hint of our craving for the hors d'oeuvres before the wedding feast? Look at people’s face fall when they realize their table isn’t next at the buffet line, and wonder why we don’t react that way in getting the communion elements. In communion we hear in the ritual God saying I delight in you. Don’t be desolate. Don;t feel forsaken, for I am with you always even to the close of the age.
Rilke called marriage a place where two solitudes meet and greet and kiss one another. At its best, marriage opens up a safe place to be ourselves and to be accepted, respected, and loved. In that light, it opens up a model of church life in a visionary framework. when slaves and freed slaves learned this passagem, they transformed it into Beulah land, sometimes heaven but also the heaven on earth that they saw as a time of freedom and a better life. (Hear the words of a spiritual,, Beulah land).
Saturday, January 19, 2013
January 20 Week Devotions
Sunday January 20 Ps. 36:5-10- is an extraordinary collection of images. the Wiseman bible class is just working on images in the Psalms. First just drink in this set of images. Pay particular attention to the ones in verses 7 and 8. Do you ever feel so moved in your spiritual life? Second, consider rewriting them with images that reflect the text but fit our contemporary situation more fully.
Monday-we celebrate today as Martin Luther King Day. I do realize that many bigots continue to resent this day. Today I wish to emphasize his religious faith as the impetus and core of his actions. Few grasped the essential prophetic message as justice in this world as fully as he. Few were as fervent in their prayer life for peace and for the inner strength to keep going. Recall that he died at 39.
Tuesday We are in the middle of a week of prayer for Christian unity.This is always problematic for me. Part of me sees us as so connected on essentials that I mourn all of hte effor tan dmoney that goes into so many church structures.On the other hand, all of these different churches can be seen as the flowering of diversity. I don;t see that many chruches claiming themselves as the sole vehicle for salvation any longer.
Wednesday-I just read a Facebook post by someone bragging about their spiritual humility. It reminds me of the Amish taking pride in their plain traditional clothes.It is a neglected virtuie, and it is difficult for ameruicans, as it seems to argue against ambition. I see it as being grounded, as the realization that we are all human beings and not gods. Humility is not equivalent to humiliation. Instead of abasement, it is a declaration of the equality of all being in the same boat.
Thursday-My new Theology Today has an editorial where it maintains that we need to be much more flexible about human forgiveness than we often are, as unattainable requirement. “Forgiveness can take place in many different ways and on a variety of timetables. Christians need ot be extended grace, not judgment, they are unable to forgive.” What does forgiveness mean to you? When have you been able or unable ot forgive?
Friday-I found the new Stassen book on a “thicker” view of Christ and the faith.He offers many examples of the reformed tradition’s insistence that god governs heaven and earth, all of life, not merely its “spiritual” dimension. He points out that those who are able to resist evil follow that precept. further, they are able to see other people as brothers and sisters in Christ and even seek the Christ within others.
Saturday-My new copy of Interpretation has the theme of embodiment. Kim (p.29) reminds us that the body of Christ is a “christic” body, as a way of life, even at risk of being broken for others. In other words, it calls for embodied prayer, embodied faith that works from the standpoint of belief but is not frozen there. We overemphasize the members/individual elements of the image, and I fear that we lose its corporate aspect of being held together
Monday-we celebrate today as Martin Luther King Day. I do realize that many bigots continue to resent this day. Today I wish to emphasize his religious faith as the impetus and core of his actions. Few grasped the essential prophetic message as justice in this world as fully as he. Few were as fervent in their prayer life for peace and for the inner strength to keep going. Recall that he died at 39.
Tuesday We are in the middle of a week of prayer for Christian unity.This is always problematic for me. Part of me sees us as so connected on essentials that I mourn all of hte effor tan dmoney that goes into so many church structures.On the other hand, all of these different churches can be seen as the flowering of diversity. I don;t see that many chruches claiming themselves as the sole vehicle for salvation any longer.
Wednesday-I just read a Facebook post by someone bragging about their spiritual humility. It reminds me of the Amish taking pride in their plain traditional clothes.It is a neglected virtuie, and it is difficult for ameruicans, as it seems to argue against ambition. I see it as being grounded, as the realization that we are all human beings and not gods. Humility is not equivalent to humiliation. Instead of abasement, it is a declaration of the equality of all being in the same boat.
Thursday-My new Theology Today has an editorial where it maintains that we need to be much more flexible about human forgiveness than we often are, as unattainable requirement. “Forgiveness can take place in many different ways and on a variety of timetables. Christians need ot be extended grace, not judgment, they are unable to forgive.” What does forgiveness mean to you? When have you been able or unable ot forgive?
Friday-I found the new Stassen book on a “thicker” view of Christ and the faith.He offers many examples of the reformed tradition’s insistence that god governs heaven and earth, all of life, not merely its “spiritual” dimension. He points out that those who are able to resist evil follow that precept. further, they are able to see other people as brothers and sisters in Christ and even seek the Christ within others.
Saturday-My new copy of Interpretation has the theme of embodiment. Kim (p.29) reminds us that the body of Christ is a “christic” body, as a way of life, even at risk of being broken for others. In other words, it calls for embodied prayer, embodied faith that works from the standpoint of belief but is not frozen there. We overemphasize the members/individual elements of the image, and I fear that we lose its corporate aspect of being held together
ON MLK 2013
When we think of the intersection of religion and politics, the right wing dominates. Indeed, the lunatic fringe that captures centrist attention often claims religious supports. Certainly, some remnants of religious left remain, but they are irrelevant as they command few in the churches. Martin Luther King was always a member of the clergy as his foreshortened life involved political life.
When I was a boy, I found King hard to grasp, but I did sense he was preaching more than speaking. King’s political life was animated by a faith tradition.How did he not burn out in his exhausting schedule? Prayer was his indispensable stronghold. Prayer helped him face his fear. Prayer helped him discern the path to take when uncertain. Prayer gave him energy beyond his exhausted heart and body to travel more miles, to give one more address, to face one more injustice, to march in the face of police baton and snarling dogs. Prayer helped lead him to realizations such as this: “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” Look at the empathy for the enemy he was able to develop in that passage. Look at how he was able to avoid arrogant self-righteous qualities that people find so distressing in the religiously inclined. Notice how forgiveness does not come from being above someone but recognizing our common failings.
His goals were explicitly drawn form the prophetic tradition. He was keenly aware that God is the god of all life, everywhere, in every situation. The impartial god is a God of justice. the Creator God loves the fruit of divine labor. Not only was Amos 5:24 a clarion call to the future and its direction, ot was a call to enact justice, as best we can, even though we will always fall a bit short.
Scripture’s living voice moved him to the future. He could incorporate that which we think impossible on our own. “Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. “(from "Loving Your Enemies")” This goes beyond “heart religion and feelings” but to the core of our being and activity. Instead of being romantic about us getting along, he fully admits we have enemies. He realizes that love is not only romantic sentiment, but a real active force that could transform a George Wallace in time. Instead of hectoring in the fashion of so many liberals, King here realizes that constant barrage of criticism only tends to make folks defensive and actually reduces energy for change. He looks to the creative energies toward change as emerging from a different position. he knows it is a pilgrimage, not instant change.
That pilgrimage is slow indeed. yet, we have moved a long way. i did not think that I would live to see an African-american president, the redemptive power of King’s program continues to give energy and a vision to a nation. His early death keeps his relative youth in amber, opening us to the best within us all.
When I was a boy, I found King hard to grasp, but I did sense he was preaching more than speaking. King’s political life was animated by a faith tradition.How did he not burn out in his exhausting schedule? Prayer was his indispensable stronghold. Prayer helped him face his fear. Prayer helped him discern the path to take when uncertain. Prayer gave him energy beyond his exhausted heart and body to travel more miles, to give one more address, to face one more injustice, to march in the face of police baton and snarling dogs. Prayer helped lead him to realizations such as this: “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.” Look at the empathy for the enemy he was able to develop in that passage. Look at how he was able to avoid arrogant self-righteous qualities that people find so distressing in the religiously inclined. Notice how forgiveness does not come from being above someone but recognizing our common failings.
His goals were explicitly drawn form the prophetic tradition. He was keenly aware that God is the god of all life, everywhere, in every situation. The impartial god is a God of justice. the Creator God loves the fruit of divine labor. Not only was Amos 5:24 a clarion call to the future and its direction, ot was a call to enact justice, as best we can, even though we will always fall a bit short.
Scripture’s living voice moved him to the future. He could incorporate that which we think impossible on our own. “Now there is a final reason I think that Jesus says, "Love your enemies." It is this: that love has within it a redemptive power. And there is a power there that eventually transforms individuals. Just keep being friendly to that person. Just keep loving them, and they can’t stand it too long. Oh, they react in many ways in the beginning. They react with guilt feelings, and sometimes they’ll hate you a little more at that transition period, but just keep loving them. And by the power of your love they will break down under the load. That’s love, you see. It is redemptive, and this is why Jesus says love. There’s something about love that builds up and is creative. There is something about hate that tears down and is destructive. So love your enemies. “(from "Loving Your Enemies")” This goes beyond “heart religion and feelings” but to the core of our being and activity. Instead of being romantic about us getting along, he fully admits we have enemies. He realizes that love is not only romantic sentiment, but a real active force that could transform a George Wallace in time. Instead of hectoring in the fashion of so many liberals, King here realizes that constant barrage of criticism only tends to make folks defensive and actually reduces energy for change. He looks to the creative energies toward change as emerging from a different position. he knows it is a pilgrimage, not instant change.
That pilgrimage is slow indeed. yet, we have moved a long way. i did not think that I would live to see an African-american president, the redemptive power of King’s program continues to give energy and a vision to a nation. His early death keeps his relative youth in amber, opening us to the best within us all.
Monday, January 14, 2013
OT notes Is. 62:1-5
remember when Neil Young sang: old enough now to change your name/when so many love you, is it the same?" It reminds me of this passage. Look at Paul Hanson' evocative description of the setting in his Interpretation commentary on Is. 40-66.
I don't know how helpful the division between 2nd and third Isaiah is any longer. I find it more fruitful to look at the dense interplay of images that he then employs throughout and then maybe chart different emphases.
1) I sometimes attend a bible study where one of the leaders repeatedly argues for a "deist" god who doesn't do much with us. The first verse stands against that notion, of a God who will not rest until Israel's light will shine again.
2) With all of the jokes about marriage, it is difficult for us to grasp that for a land to be B eulah, married, as an aspiration. Look at it as the antithesis of the notion of being desolate and forsaken and it being married to the phrase, my delight in in her. Look at the new name for the entire people.
3) If times are not what they are hoped to be, the marriage metaphor becomes even more powerful. some people stress how much work marriage is, but maybe care is the better word.I think one could use this text to speak of early or late marriage. One could also use it as a powerful image to get at the notion of covenant that has become timeworn.
4) Why is the new name issue so important?
5) Are you willing to employ this image in baptism?
I don't know how helpful the division between 2nd and third Isaiah is any longer. I find it more fruitful to look at the dense interplay of images that he then employs throughout and then maybe chart different emphases.
1) I sometimes attend a bible study where one of the leaders repeatedly argues for a "deist" god who doesn't do much with us. The first verse stands against that notion, of a God who will not rest until Israel's light will shine again.
2) With all of the jokes about marriage, it is difficult for us to grasp that for a land to be B eulah, married, as an aspiration. Look at it as the antithesis of the notion of being desolate and forsaken and it being married to the phrase, my delight in in her. Look at the new name for the entire people.
3) If times are not what they are hoped to be, the marriage metaphor becomes even more powerful. some people stress how much work marriage is, but maybe care is the better word.I think one could use this text to speak of early or late marriage. One could also use it as a powerful image to get at the notion of covenant that has become timeworn.
4) Why is the new name issue so important?
5) Are you willing to employ this image in baptism?
Sunday, January 13, 2013
sermon notes January 13 Is. 4:1-7, Acts 8:14-17
I find it difficult to examine the baptism of Jesus year after year, but I can speak about how we are connected to Christ in our baptism. it is appropriate to speak about the beginning of our christian life as we mark the beginning of another new year, I hope. we speak of turning a new leaf for the new year. We may do some cleaning out, as I try to dispose of some books I have not consulted for a long while.
Our reading from Acts introduces us to the pushing of boundaries of Christian baptism. We find some of the issues in baptism being worked out as well. To what degree would baptism and the gifts of the Spirit connected, especially apparently charismatic ones? Baptism was no mere ritual, but a coming of age moment, a transition. Stores have January white sales, if I recall correctly.Baptismal robes are white to demonstrate a new found purity, or better yet, the chance to bleach our moral covering over and over again.Paul will make this more explicit than anyone when he sees baptism as a ritual death to the old and a celebration of the new birth of resurrection. for the baptized the past can be dead and buried, to give plenty of room for the new self to embrace fully this good life.We are not far along in January where we recall that Jesus was circumcised at 8 days old. following Col. 2, our tradition emphasizes the spiritual reality of baptism marking us as surely as circumcision for all Christians, women and men, young and old, across the board. So often we harbor grudges. Today I would like to notice how we also harbor painful memories of shame and guilt. We hold on to them quite tightly and damage our sense of self in the process. An old country song asked if God can forgive me then why can;t you. If God can turn the page on the past, why can’t we?
Is 43 is a favorite passage for many people. I like the intimate care here of god for a people and its members. Not only does god create, but like a master craftsman formed us. think of an artist in the studio. It promises the presence of God when we face troubles of many sorts. I just noticed that the creation aspect of us being formed and made is repeated. for Christians it is repeated in baptism, we are reformed, remade to once again start to claim for ourselves being made in the image and likeness of God and for us to start ot get through our thick hides that the same goes for others. Look at how Emmanuel, God with us, pervades this passage, wherever we go, we can find God right there alongside of us.there with us through the new waters of birth,God is with us in all of the threatening floods and all of the welcome draughts of refreshment.Do not fear, we hear again, just as the angels said at Bethlehem. God says I have called you by name. this is the Holy One we worship, the inexpressible one, but one who stoops to have a personal relationship with us.
Too often, we beat ourselves up over failures and failings, real or imagined. After a while we are subjected to so much judgment, so much criticism, that we internalize it and the person in the mirror does not match up with what we glimpse inside. God created us, formed us, labored over us. At least in worship this morning, allow yourself, to imagine, in the eyes of God, that god has pronounced us here, a masterpiece.
Our reading from Acts introduces us to the pushing of boundaries of Christian baptism. We find some of the issues in baptism being worked out as well. To what degree would baptism and the gifts of the Spirit connected, especially apparently charismatic ones? Baptism was no mere ritual, but a coming of age moment, a transition. Stores have January white sales, if I recall correctly.Baptismal robes are white to demonstrate a new found purity, or better yet, the chance to bleach our moral covering over and over again.Paul will make this more explicit than anyone when he sees baptism as a ritual death to the old and a celebration of the new birth of resurrection. for the baptized the past can be dead and buried, to give plenty of room for the new self to embrace fully this good life.We are not far along in January where we recall that Jesus was circumcised at 8 days old. following Col. 2, our tradition emphasizes the spiritual reality of baptism marking us as surely as circumcision for all Christians, women and men, young and old, across the board. So often we harbor grudges. Today I would like to notice how we also harbor painful memories of shame and guilt. We hold on to them quite tightly and damage our sense of self in the process. An old country song asked if God can forgive me then why can;t you. If God can turn the page on the past, why can’t we?
Is 43 is a favorite passage for many people. I like the intimate care here of god for a people and its members. Not only does god create, but like a master craftsman formed us. think of an artist in the studio. It promises the presence of God when we face troubles of many sorts. I just noticed that the creation aspect of us being formed and made is repeated. for Christians it is repeated in baptism, we are reformed, remade to once again start to claim for ourselves being made in the image and likeness of God and for us to start ot get through our thick hides that the same goes for others. Look at how Emmanuel, God with us, pervades this passage, wherever we go, we can find God right there alongside of us.there with us through the new waters of birth,God is with us in all of the threatening floods and all of the welcome draughts of refreshment.Do not fear, we hear again, just as the angels said at Bethlehem. God says I have called you by name. this is the Holy One we worship, the inexpressible one, but one who stoops to have a personal relationship with us.
Too often, we beat ourselves up over failures and failings, real or imagined. After a while we are subjected to so much judgment, so much criticism, that we internalize it and the person in the mirror does not match up with what we glimpse inside. God created us, formed us, labored over us. At least in worship this morning, allow yourself, to imagine, in the eyes of God, that god has pronounced us here, a masterpiece.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Jan, 13 Week Devotions
3-Ps,29 is likely influenced by the prayers of Canaan’s religion, as reflected in material at Ras Shamra. It has a primitive sound, does it not, all of the power of god roaring through nature. After all of that power, at the end, the blessing is for shalom:peace, health, well-being, security.where do you notice the power of God? where would you like to see the peace of God made manifest?
Monday-I was utterly bored at a meeting recently.I do not do well with that. I can read a book while waiting, but it is rude, even for me, to pull out a book during a meeting. So, I started writing out notes about these devotions, my next column, and some class notes.What do you do to combat boredom in an uncomfortable situation/ how do you combat boredom in your spiritual life?
Tuesday-I picked up a new book by Stassen on a “thick” description of Jesus in our time.What he means is meeting jesus in the full context and history of our communities.Jesus cannot be cheapened by merely being a slogan or a bumpersticker. the fullness of his life and teaching must be integrated into our time, our condition, our place. this is not easy; it takes reflection and work within Christian community.
Wednesday Our Book of Order does a good job outlining the work of deacons in a church.At leas tin the previous incarnation it says” the office is one of “sympathy, witness and service aft er the examle of Jesus Chrsit.” Among the qualities desired are “brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment....to minister to any in distress within and beyond the community of faith.” It requires humility and an unwillingness to try to impose christian answers to a secualr society, but it does ask hwo we can move together.
Thursday- We spent a good deal of time working out a form for a worship grant.A number of exemplary quotes were in the materials including:”Witlvliet’s “Worship can serve as the source and summit from which all the practices of the Christian life flow. Worship both reflects and shapes the life of the church.” or Thomas Long: “the words of worship are like stones thrown into the pond; they ripple outward in countless concentric circles,, finding ever fresh expression in new places...worship as a soundtrack for the rest of life...playing in the background.”
Friday-I was recently invited to consider how the Psalms speak to us as we grow older.First, I think of Ps. 71 that directly speaks of growing older and looking back through a long life. More than that, one could read a psalm and apply directly to our current situation. another opportunity would be to take a psalm, say #13 and rewrite it in language comfortable for you that fits your circumstances right now. they are our prayerbook, and we do well to employ it regularly.
Saturday- A program on “living faithfully in trying times” is being offered in our area soon. It draws from recent work by Philip Carey.Carey wonders that the dominant american christian view is so self-centered that it misses important elements of the faith. Orthodox Christianity seeks god’s voice and will through engaging Scripture, more than “listening for God in one’s heart.” In other words, to deal ith the anxiety of an over-scrupulous piety, he urges us to keep a focus on Christ.
Monday-I was utterly bored at a meeting recently.I do not do well with that. I can read a book while waiting, but it is rude, even for me, to pull out a book during a meeting. So, I started writing out notes about these devotions, my next column, and some class notes.What do you do to combat boredom in an uncomfortable situation/ how do you combat boredom in your spiritual life?
Tuesday-I picked up a new book by Stassen on a “thick” description of Jesus in our time.What he means is meeting jesus in the full context and history of our communities.Jesus cannot be cheapened by merely being a slogan or a bumpersticker. the fullness of his life and teaching must be integrated into our time, our condition, our place. this is not easy; it takes reflection and work within Christian community.
Wednesday Our Book of Order does a good job outlining the work of deacons in a church.At leas tin the previous incarnation it says” the office is one of “sympathy, witness and service aft er the examle of Jesus Chrsit.” Among the qualities desired are “brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment....to minister to any in distress within and beyond the community of faith.” It requires humility and an unwillingness to try to impose christian answers to a secualr society, but it does ask hwo we can move together.
Thursday- We spent a good deal of time working out a form for a worship grant.A number of exemplary quotes were in the materials including:”Witlvliet’s “Worship can serve as the source and summit from which all the practices of the Christian life flow. Worship both reflects and shapes the life of the church.” or Thomas Long: “the words of worship are like stones thrown into the pond; they ripple outward in countless concentric circles,, finding ever fresh expression in new places...worship as a soundtrack for the rest of life...playing in the background.”
Friday-I was recently invited to consider how the Psalms speak to us as we grow older.First, I think of Ps. 71 that directly speaks of growing older and looking back through a long life. More than that, one could read a psalm and apply directly to our current situation. another opportunity would be to take a psalm, say #13 and rewrite it in language comfortable for you that fits your circumstances right now. they are our prayerbook, and we do well to employ it regularly.
Saturday- A program on “living faithfully in trying times” is being offered in our area soon. It draws from recent work by Philip Carey.Carey wonders that the dominant american christian view is so self-centered that it misses important elements of the faith. Orthodox Christianity seeks god’s voice and will through engaging Scripture, more than “listening for God in one’s heart.” In other words, to deal ith the anxiety of an over-scrupulous piety, he urges us to keep a focus on Christ.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Is. 43:1-7
I've noticed a lot of ministers love, love this passage.
1) It's directed at Israel, but I do not see the harm in reading it personally as well.
2)Note well that we get both create and form together here. Is. uses creation motifs more than most.Look at how v. 7 frames the passage then.
3)Do not fear, the biblical motto, is always good to consider.
4) Calling by name is personal, not abstract knowledge.
5) Are the waters mythic? Is it an allusion to the Red Sea?
6) We can go on for a while about walking through fires.
7)Is. also likes to call god the Holy One.
8)We get a good sense here of redemption being related to being p[aid for in the sense of ransom or purchase.
9) v. 4-5 is a fundamental assertion of how g views us. it stands in stark contrast to how we often pciture god consciously or unconsciously.
10 Gathering is an image suitable for exile. How does it work now? for whom would it work?
1) It's directed at Israel, but I do not see the harm in reading it personally as well.
2)Note well that we get both create and form together here. Is. uses creation motifs more than most.Look at how v. 7 frames the passage then.
3)Do not fear, the biblical motto, is always good to consider.
4) Calling by name is personal, not abstract knowledge.
5) Are the waters mythic? Is it an allusion to the Red Sea?
6) We can go on for a while about walking through fires.
7)Is. also likes to call god the Holy One.
8)We get a good sense here of redemption being related to being p[aid for in the sense of ransom or purchase.
9) v. 4-5 is a fundamental assertion of how g views us. it stands in stark contrast to how we often pciture god consciously or unconsciously.
10 Gathering is an image suitable for exile. How does it work now? for whom would it work?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)