II Corinthians 10-Galatians 4
As I listen to this section I am once again overwhelmed with the desire to know what was going on "behind the scenes." It is obvious that both in Corinth and in Galatia there is some rather serious opposition to Paul. Maybe there are those who are mad at the fact that, for whatever reason, Paul hasn't made it back to see them, and so they assume that they are no longer important. Maybe they have started listening to the preacher down the street--afterall, that is who their neighbors are listening to, and his church is obviously growing, so maybe he is the REAL apostle. Maybe they are finally realizing that this "Jesus" stuff isn't all that it was cracked out to be--I mean, he isn't here either!
There is obviously something going on--but all we have is Paul's defense. Even without it there are several questions that arise for me. Paul gives a rather heated defense of "the gospel." Is it "the" gospel; "a" gospel; or "Paul's" gospel? Those may be different things! How do I know that what I am preaching is "the," "a" or "my" gospel?
And if it is "the" gospel, should we really be deciding what should be included and what is left out because it is cultural? On the surface they seem like trivial items, and yet they lie at the very core of so much of the dissension in churches today--people confused about the-a-my!
Paul just assumes that the gospel and his gospel are one and the same. But before I throw stones, I have to remember that I do the same thing. Otherwise, wouldn't we just mumble?
As Galatians opens Paul is still giving a heated defense of his ministry, but he also opens the conversation of works and faith. Funny how we are still having that conversation! Or maybe not funny! I am not sure that Paul's argument holds up, though. It really isn't good preaching, good logic or good gospel. He has his assumption and then goes looking for proof-texts.
But then again, don't we all? So as i struggle with grace and works, with circumcision and freedom, with criticism and defense--I wonder how far we have come from Corinth and Galatia? It is almost enough to make you throw up your hands and quit!
But this Lenten journey is not for the faint of heart, or body. And so I continue--struggling with every step, with every chapter. Listening is hard! The struggle is even harder!
Not to late to join the conversation!
2 comments:
Amen, brother -- this is hard work!!! I am definitely getting a lot out of listening to the Bible, and this has been one of the richest Lenten experiences for me ever. But as much as it has nourished me spiritually, it has also given me indigestion! Still, I am really glad that we have done this. I wish more people would chime in on the blog, but I very much enjoy comparing notes with you, Lynne, and others who have commented. This discipline has made me nostalgic for seminary! And I hope that I will remember, even after Easter, how good the hard work of digging into our crazy scripture is.
I have to say, Paul is pretty good at the sarcasm. It's practically dripping from his pen at the end of 2 Cor. I'm left with so many questions from what he says. I wonder about this guy who was "caught up to the third heaven." How did that happen? What did he see? And for crying out loud, how many heavens are there?!? What an odd story to include and not explain at all. I guess Paul's readers knew all about it. Lucky them! Also, what does he mean at the end about the Corinthians possibly "failing the test" and Christ not being in them? These were members of the church he was talking to, right? Very confusing.
In Galatians, he really gets right down to business, and he is not pulling any punches! He flat out calls Peter a hypocrite! Wow. This is PETER, one of Jesus's closest friends and followers! What effect did the conflict between the two of them have on the early church? I know how tough it was for me when, as a teenager and a brand new Christian, I saw dissent and division within my own denomination. It confused me and hurt me. I had naively believed that in the Christian world, I wouldn't see people treat each other so disrespectfully. Eventually, some of the vitriol was spewed at me, because of my opinions and gender, and it was incredibly hurtful. It took me years to get over that. Obviously, it was very hard for Paul to move past, as well. Part of me wonders why God didn't just come to him and Peter in a dream to clear everything up. But they had to wrestle with the questions just like we do, and they both came to different conclusions, which they held to passionately. Did they both still do good work for God? It would seem so. "They will know we are Christians by our love," we sang yesterday. It seems even from the start, it's been hard for Christians to love each other, maybe harder than it is for us to love anyone else.
Stacy, thanks for your kind words about comparing notes - I'm glad you have gotten something good out of the discussion. It has been helpful for me to read your struggles (yours and Don's) so I don't feel all alone in my frustration. I have to say hearing Paul is no easier than reading him, and I still find the guy difficult!
I do enjoy hearing read some of my favorite passages though, and some of them were written by Paul, so I guess he's not all bad... :)
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