You've Got the Time--Day 36

I Peter-II Peter-I John 1

It felt like we had entered a whole new world with the beginning of the "minor epistles." (Not really sure that anything attributed to Peter or John should be considered minor, but then I am giving a nod to the minor prophets--but then that is Old Testament!)

And just when it felt strange, I hear that this is being written to those who are in exile. Exile here doesn't have the same feel as those minor prophets writing to exiles in Babylon, but in many ways the image fits well. These are people who no longer feel at home in the world that is, but are yearning for the world that will be.

How often are we exiles--either in a physical or spiritual sense? Too often I know that I like staying in the familiar--seriously, why should I leave Daniel Island? Charleston is nice enough, people come here for vacation, so isn't this about as good as it gets? (The answer is Yes!)

I think the problem comes when we don't feel like exiles, especially in a spiritual sense. Life is good enough. The culture is fine. Let's just blend in; go along to get along! And before we know it there really isn't a Christian distinctive--at least not in the sense the Peter is referring too! We are more like Kierkegaard Christians--in that we live here. We have been enculturated. The only "Christians" around now are those really weird people that no one wants to be like, who make people terribly uncomfortable with their list of do's and don'ts!

Which raises the question, what does it mean to be "Christian" today? Is there any sense that we are exiles?

I thought it was interesting that in talking about baptism the image that was used was that of Noah. I don't know if I have heard that used as the image before, and to be honest, I don't know what exactly to do with it. I just thought it was interesting!

It is obvious that these are being written to people who are suffering. They are being persecuted, living in a world that was antagonistic to their faith, their way of living, their culture. So what does this say to us who really are not suffering. (Somehow an economic downturn doesn't belong on the same scale as say, crucifixion.) How do those of us living in Christendom--especially in the southern US where there are more Christians than people--hear these words? And what does it say to us as we begin to leave the world of Christendom for a more pluralistic world?

Rather than seeing it as persecution, should/could we not see it as an opportunity to once again be an alternative community. I am trying to hear the admonitions about relationships as just that kind of call, rather than an affirmation of the status quo. If that is the case, then we need to give serious consideration to what "Christian relationships" look like in the 21st Century. We need not be the archetype for the 1st century, which is often what the church tries to push! What should be our image?

The book of I John gets a quick intro, but it was enough to make me anticipate tomorrow. A reminder that that sin does exist, and any delusion to the contrary is destined to fail. A hard dose of loving reality!

More to come!