This text seems to say that we are to be (and act like) Christians, no matter what our circumstances. I think we need to include v. 18, not ignore it. It must be dealt with in some way. suggestions? revd
For many years the anology of the strayed sheep didn't seem too appropriate in an aggressive, optimistic, expanding industrial society. But not so today. The future shock is here, and it makes the analogy apt again. Many people feel astray. They find themselves in a strange and hostile environment into which they have wandered mindlessly, and they don't know which way to turn. They don't even know that there is a "door," much less how to find it. They don't feel safe, and increasing numbers of people are willing to pay large sums of money to counselors, religous gurus, to almost anyone who promises to make them feel less frightened and helpless in the living of their lives. Given this psycho-sociological climate, this text has much to say to our people.
Peace,
OKBob
This reading,when taken out of context, worries me! I have a number of women in my congregation who are in abusive relationships and one thing I hear is that they made a covenant and will not break it. I worry that readings like this keep the "'victim" in a bad relationship, thinking that it is the imatito Christi idea. What do you think? I can life up the hope in Christ taking our sins upon himself, but I want to make sure that the suffering of Christ is liberating and not repressive. What is your wisdom? Rev.Wendy
Dear Rev Wendy, I would suggest to those who are in abusive relationships that the covenant has been broken by the abuse - the other partner HAS already broken the covenant...which was to be partners and servants in love, but not to be victim. I know, much easier said than done...for the fear and danger of the risks of breaking free are immense. That is where a ministry of support, encouragement, and safety comes into lives. jz.
Thanks jz. It always amazes me how people use scripturee to support abuse!!
Is anyone preaching from this text? Rev. Wendy
I am preaching on this text. I found the comments in the New Interpreters Bible helpful. The early church seemed to have to deal with criticism that the Christian movement was a threat to order in society. This is the reason for instructions for slaves and women to be submissive. My question is--What does instruction about keeping order in one's home mean in a society where we don't tolerate slavery or women to be submissive? It seems to me this scripture is saying something about the way Christians should order their lives but I don't know if it is because order in the home results in order in society, or if its saying that freedom can only come through discipline, or that no matter what a person must keep focus on God. Lost in Maine
I am preaching on this text. I found the comments in the New Interpreters Bible helpful. The early church seemed to have to deal with criticism that the Christian movement was a threat to order in society. This is the reason for instructions for slaves and women to be submissive. My question is--What does instruction about keeping order in one's home mean in a society where we don't tolerate slavery or women to be submissive? It seems to me this scripture is saying something about the way Christians should order their lives but I don't know if it is because order in the home results in order in society, or if its saying that freedom can only come through discipline, or that no matter what a person must keep focus on God. Lost in Maine
I just posted a message ending in "Lost in Maine." I forgot to mention that what draws me to this scripture and the question of order is the tragedy in Colorado that happened yesterday. Where are children learning ethics? Do schools teach ethics? Do churches? still Lost in Maine
I see the schools walking a tightrope concerning ethics. Since the ACLU and others have so instilled fear in many administrators and teachers concerning the separation of church and state, ethics, which are closely related to morality, which ultimately comes from God, are rarely discussed in ant detail in most public school systems. And so the inevitable result is a diminishing of values, a blurring of right and wrong.
An example of this, tied to the Colorado tragedy, is how widespread reports were detailing the murdering boys' fascination with Hitler, Nazism, the occult and the like. Yet, initially there were reports that the 'gang' the boys belonged to was also homosexual in nature.
The blurring of right and wrong, as defined by Holy Scripture, has opened us up to denying that aspect of this story (the boys' homosexuality) even though that is just as substantiated (or un-substantiated) as anything else we know about the boys.
The homosexual lobby in this country however as very successfully blurred the Scriptural admonition against the practice such that the news media now no longer (or rarely) mentions the homosexual tendencies of the murderous gang.
I am not saying that homosexuality led to the murders. What I am saying is that when the blurring of right and wrong becomes commonplace, evil is the inevitable result.
Rick in Va
A quick response to Rick's posting. In the church we link morals to God. I'm not convinced that the general population necessarily makes that link. The study of ethics encompasses a lot more than religion. My experience tells me that much thinking that happens in our culture is utilitarian. People think we all ought to act in morally responsible ways because that's what is going to work the best for society. Communism has its own view of ethics. There is an ethic involved in anarchism. Its a shame if our culture consists of people who study math, English Literature, industrial arts, and music, but do not study the art of relating to one another.
There must be thousands upon thousands of lost sheep in Colorado -- students, teachers, and parents. For that matter, there are many more across the country, as we reel from the horrible violence in that one school. It's frightening. How do we, as followers of the shpeherd, keep from going astray with our anger, guilt, fear, etc, now that we have been abused by those who caused this atrocity? revd
Like "lost in Main" I too am drawn to the 1 Pet. passage because of the question of order in our society. Well, "lost" I think you hit the nail on the head. Order comes not from outward restains based on the commandments of humanity, but on the inner restrains from a loving God. Order must come from within, the place where Christ dwells.
Of course, being submissive to earthly authority is not possible without first being submissive to God. A wise old man once told me that he knew the reason for all the world's problems. I was amazed and courious that he had it all figured out. I asked, "What's the reason?" He said, "There no fear of the Lord." He did have it all figured out! That's it! No fear of the Lord. We don't fear earthly authority, i.e., parents, teachers, police, jail, prison . . . we don't fear any of that. We feel we are our own 'higher power.' But you and I know that "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" and we also know that "ONLY a fool says in his/her heart, there is NO GOD! Fear, here, is translated lack of respect, and love. Rev
Followers of Christ live in a world "alien and strange" to them, personally. But we live in a world that is still ultimately, under God's Christ, who suffered pro nobis, entrusting himself while doing the ultimate good, to him who judges justly. So we don't exist for sin anymore but for righteousness. Refreshing news in a straying world! Manhattan
Certainly we are in need of healing. It is a comfort to be assured that even Jesus suffered unjustly and that our suffering is not punishment from God. It is good to know God not only understands but has a plan in which our suffering is not the end. Let us keep the mystery as we affirm "by his stripes we are healed". Friends, let us help each other not be too leagalistic in elaborating this truth, lest we rehape God's grace into our own image. Manzel
I had been wanting to comine this text with the Acts passage in a focus on the nature and purpose of the church. The idea of "for this you have been called" being, in part, what is presented as life in the early church. The corporate worship and Christian education life of the early church is what led the Church to do all the wonderful things that it has done. Today we (I'm a United Methodist) are trying to do wonderful things without the foundation that the early church found to be essential. Our hope is in returning to faithful worship and study as being the formative work for everything else that we do. Then comes Littleton into my mundane sermon ideas compounded by Kosovo. My struggle is tryig to provide a faithful exegesis of the text for my congregation while making it relevant to the exegesis of life in the light of recent events. Any suggestions?
RevRick in CA
I was originally drawn to addressing the issue of obedience to government authorities and the obedience of slaves to their masters. I wasn't sure if it made sense to preach on vs. 19-25 without providing their context. I've decided the obedience and order issues are going to wait for another sermon. Now, I think I'm going to stick to the lectionary verses making the point that Jesus did what it took to complete his mission. He completed his mission by keeping his eye on God and not getting distracted by retaliating, placing blame, etc. I'm thinking of relating the idea of doing what it takes to the Colorado fiasco by saying we can stop things like this from happening. We can put people on the moon, we can transplant bodily organs, we have the wealth and power in the U.S. to do what we want. The question is are we willing to do what it takes, or will we be distracted by placing blame and looking for a quick fix. Lost in Maine